Author Archives: ianbethune

Red Sox Release 2015 Schedule

BOSTON, MA – In conjunction with Major League Baseball, the Red Sox announced their 2015 regular season schedule. The Red Sox will open on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, April 6. The club’s home opener is slated for Monday, April 13, against the Washington Nationals.

The club will open the season on the road for the fifth straight year. This year will be the club’s first regular season opener in Philadelphia since 1954, the last year the city had an American League franchise, the Athletics. It also marks the first time the Red Sox have ever opened a season against a National League team.

The Red Sox are scheduled to play 76 games versus their American League East rivals, 19 games each against the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, and Tampa Bay Rays.

The Red Sox will face the National League East Division for Interleague play. In addition to the Nationals, the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Miami Marlins will visit Fenway Park.

2015 Boston Red Sox Schedule

Former Husky Matt Barnes Called Up To Big Leagues By Red Sox

BOSTON – Former UConn baseball ace Matt Barnes was promoted to the major leagues by the Boston Red Sox on Monday, Sept. 8. Barnes becomes the fourth former UConn baseball player to play in the MLB this season, setting a new program record.

Barnes joins his former teammates Nick Ahmed (’11) of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Mike Olt (’10) of the Chicago Cubs and George Springer (’11) of the Houston Astros as ex-Huskies playing the majors in 2014. The previous record for the UConn baseball program was three players in the majors in the same year, previously accomplished in 2003 and 1961.

A first round draft pick of the Red Sox in 2011, Barnes enjoyed a breakout campaign in the minors this year prior to his promotion. The right-handed hurler made 22 starts for Class-AAA Pawtucket, winning eight games and holding a 3.95 ERA in 127 innings. Barnes struck out 103 batters for the PawSox against 46 walks, holding opponents to a .247 batting average against.

His season picked up a tremendous amount of momentum after he went seven no-hit innings for Pawtucket back on Aug. 2. In his last seven starts, beginning with that outing, Barnes went 4-1 with a 1.85 ERA and fanned 44 against 10 walks in 58.2 innings.

During his time at UConn from 2009-11, Barnes etched his name in the UConn record books. He set a program record with 247 strikeouts in 256.2 career innings, winning 24 games (third all-time). The 2011 Big East Pitcher of the Year, Barnes was a First Team All-American and Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist in his stellar junior season.

Breaking News: UConn QB Casey Cochran’s Playing Career Over Due To Concussions

UConn QB Casey Cochran (12) drops back to pass in the second quarter on August 29, 2014 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT

This just in from UConn:

STORRS, Conn. (September 8, 2014) — The University of Connecticut football program, the UConn Division of Athletics medical staff and the Cochran family have decided that redshirt sophomore quarterback Casey Cochran (Monroe, Conn.) will permanently discontinue playing football due to Cochran sustaining multiple concussions during his career.

All those involved in the decision making process feel it is in the best interest of Cochran to end his football playing career and focus on his continued well-being.

“A silver lining in this matter is that Casey has an interest in pursuing a career in coaching,” said UConn head coach Bob Diaco. “We can now accelerate his development in that area as he transitions from a player role to a mentor role as he continues to serve the team.”

Deshon Foxx Named AAC Special Teams Player of the Week

UConn PR Deshon Foxx looks for the end zone ahead of him in the third quarter against the Stony Brook Seawolves on September 6, 2014 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – University of Connecticut senior Deshon Foxx (Lynchburg, Va.) was named the American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday for his performance in UConn’s win over Stony Brook on Saturday.

Foxx finished with 91 all-purpose yards and scored what proved to be the decisive points in the win. Foxx had a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter to put the Huskies ahead 19-10. He finished the game with 85 yards on three punt returns and added a six-yard reception. Foxx ranks 14th nationally in punt return average (14.0) through two weeks of the season.

In addition, UConn senior wide receiver Geremy Davis (Lawrenceville, Ga.) was named to the league’s weekly Honor Roll. Davis had six receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s win for an average of 18.3 yards per reception.

Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch was named the Offensive Player of the Week while USF linebacker Nigel Harris was the Defensive Player of the Week.

The Huskies return to action on Saturday when they play host to Boise State at noon. The game will be televised on ABC and ESPN2 and heard on the UConn IMG Sports Radio Network.

photo credit: ian bethune – sox & dawgs

Video: UConn Football Coach Bob Diaco On Importance of His First Win

UConn head coach Bob Diaco and #10 Chandler Whitmer celebrate after their 19-16 win on September 6, 2014 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT.

It’s never been about UConn Huskies football coach Bob Diaco. It never has and never will be.

It’s all about the University of Connecticut, the students, the student-athletes, alumni,football alumni and fans to him.

When he was hired as the head football coach in December of 2013, he said what it was going to take to become a winner. He never made it about him.

And over the past 10 months, nothing has changed in that regard.

So it shouldn’t surprise you that he played down the fact of his win after Saturday’s 19-16 win over Stony Brook and made it about the University of Connecticut, the students, the student athletes, alumni, football alumni and fans.

Watch below as Diaco answers the question of how important it was to him to get his first win:

Baltimore Orioles @ Boston Red Sox Pitching Matchups: 9/8-9/10

Note: Pitching matchups are subject to change

Monday, September 8 @ 7:10 PM

Miguel Gonzalez, RHP (8-7, 3.38) vs Joe Kelly, RHP (1-1, 3.89)

TV: NESN, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio

Tuesday, September 9 @ 7:10 PM

Chris Tillman, RHP (11-5, 3.40) vs Anthony Ranaudo, RHP (3-1, 4.63)

TV: NESN, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio

Wednesday, September 10 @ 1:35 PM

Wei-Yin Chen, LHP (14-4, 3.83) vs Brandon Workman, RHP (1-8, 4.90)

TV: NESN, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio

2014 NCAA Football Rankings – Week 3 (Sept. 7)

The NCAA college football rankings are out for week three and the Florida State Seminoles remain the number one team in the land early on in the season.

The Seminoles are followed by the Oregon Ducks, Alabama Crimson Tide, Oklahoma Sooners and Auburn Tigers in the AP Poll. In the Coaches Poll, they are followed by Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon and Auburn.

As you might expect, there are no teams ranked from the American Athletic Conference.

Despite the fact that the Cincinnati Bearcats haven’t played a game yet (weird I know right?), they are the only team from the AAC among the others receiving votes in both polls. They are joined by the Memphis Tigers among the others receiving votes in the Coaches Poll.

AP Top 25				USA Today Poll
RK	TEAM	REC	PTS	RK	TEAM	REC	PTS
1	Florida State (38)	2-0	1463	1	Florida State (51)	2-0	1529
2	Oregon (16)	2-0	1415	2	Alabama (1)	2-0	1435
3	Alabama (1)	2-0	1334	3	Oklahoma (3)	2-0	1408
4	Oklahoma (2)	2-0	1303	4	Oregon (6)	2-0	1407
5	Auburn	2-0	1236	5	Auburn	2-0	1312
6	Georgia (1)	1-0	1201	6	Georgia (1)	1-0	1209
7	Texas A&M (2)	2-0	1101	7	Baylor	2-0	1135
8	Baylor	2-0	1043	8	Texas A&M	2-0	1090
9	USC	2-0	1039	9	LSU	2-0	1034
10	LSU	2-0	1029	10	USC	2-0	999
11	Notre Dame	2-0	815	11	Notre Dame	2-0	858
12	UCLA	2-0	779	12	UCLA	2-0	812
13	Michigan State	1-1	751	13	Michigan State	1-1	716
14	Ole Miss	2-0	703	14	Arizona State	2-0	646
15	Stanford	1-1	592	15	Ole Miss	2-0	609
16	Arizona State	2-0	570	16	Stanford	1-1	585
17	Virginia Tech	2-0	532	17	Wisconsin	1-1	409
18	Wisconsin	1-1	391	18	Ohio State	1-1	402
19	Kansas State	2-0	285	19	Virginia Tech	2-0	349
20	Missouri	2-0	237	20	Kansas State	2-0	333
21	Louisville	2-0	234	21	Nebraska	2-0	310
22	Ohio State	1-1	222	22	Missouri	2-0	281
23	Clemson	1-1	206	23	South Carolina	1-1	232
24	South Carolina	1-1	199	24	Clemson	1-1	212
25	BYU	2-0	179	25	North Carolina	2-0	129
Dropped from rankings:				Dropped from rankings:
Nebraska 19, North Carolina 21				Texas 25
Others receiving votes:				Others receiving votes:
Nebraska 153, North Carolina 118, Oklahoma State 92, Florida 70, Duke 43, Penn State 35, TCU 31, Mississippi State 29, Marshall 18, Tennessee 14, Iowa 10, West Virginia 6, Cincinnati 6, Washington 4, North Dakota State 3, Texas Tech 3, Pittsburgh 3, Utah 2, Arizona 1				Louisville 128, BYU 124, Florida 107, Mississippi State 84, Oklahoma State 81, Duke 55, Washington 22, TCU 19, Minnesota 17, Marshall 14, Iowa 9, Cincinnati 8, Arizona 7, West Virginia 6, Oregon State 6, Pittsburgh 5, Northern Illinois 5, Memphis 4, Rutgers 4, Michigan 2, Boise State 1, Texas Tech 1

Video: UConn’s Bob Diaco & Mikal Myers Talk About Play of Defensive Line

UConn DT #92 Mikal Myers lays a hit on Stony Brook QB #16 Conor Bedarski on September 6, 2014 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT.

We all know that the big special teams play by Deshon Foxx played a huge role in the UConn Huskies 19-16 win over the Stony Brook Seawolves on Saturday afternoon. But it was also the defense that played a big part in that as well.

The defensive line put constant pressure on the Seawolves two quarterbacks in John Kinder and Conor Bedarski. Julian Campenni and Mikal Myers along with Reuben Frank and a slew of others could probably tell you what flavor gum they were chewing if any.

That’s how close they were all day.

Watch below as UConn head coach Bob Diaco and Myers talk about the play of the defensive line:

Video: UConn’s Bob Diaco & Deshon Foxx Talk About 72 Yard Punt Return TD

UConn PR Deshon Foxx looks for the end zone ahead of him in the third quarter against the Stony Brook Seawolves on September 6, 2014 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT.

With the UConn Huskies offense struggling most of the game, they needed a big play from someone otherwise they may have found themselves in an even tighter spot then they were already in.

Enter Deshon Foxx.

After Stony Brook Seawolves punter Luke Allen outkicked his coverage, Foxx picked up a fortunate bounce to grab the ball and take it to the house for a 72 yard punt return for a touchdown. It was UConn’s first punt return for a score since Nick Williams took one 80 yards against Pittsburgh on Nov. 9, 2012.

Watch below as head coach Bob Diaco and Foxx talk about the punt return:

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 9/7/14

Paw Prints is our daily look at the happenings for the UConn Huskies football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams as well as the other sports the student-athletes engage in. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a DAILY basis.

Thank you for stopping by and making SOX & Dawgs your home for UConn Huskies news.

To open the links up in a new tab or window, use Control+click

UConn Football links

Photos: UConn Huskies vs Stony Brook Seawolves – 9/6/14 [sox & dawgs]

Special Teams, Defense Bail Out UConn in 19-16 Win Over Stony Brook [sox & dawgs]

Video: Highlights from UConn’s 19-16 Win Over Stony Brook [sox & dawgs]

UConn/Boise State Broadcast Set For ABC on September 13 [sox & dawgs]

Some thoughts on UConn’s first win [jim fuller – new haven register]

News and Notes: Defense bails out Huskies [john silver – sny uconn]

Defense saves UConn in its first win of season [ct post]

UConn Struggles To Beat Stony Brook [hartford courant]

Some Good, Some Bad, In UConn’s Win Against Stony Brook [hartford courant]