Author Archives: ianbethune

UConn QB Casey Cochran Nominated For Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

From UConn:

STORRS, Conn. (July 16, 2014) – University of Connecticut redshirt sophomore quarterback Casey Cochran (Monroe, Conn.) has been named a nominee for the 2014 Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team.

UConn HuskiesThe team recognizes players whose charitable involvement and community service contributions stand out among others. Since its establishment in 1992, the award has existed to pay tribute to the good in college football that extends beyond the wins and the losses. The final roster of 22 award recipients will be unveiled in September.

Cochran is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at UConn, which oversees community service projects for the entire University and also serves as a voice between student-athletes and the athletic department.

He has regularly spoken to students at the Stafford Springs (Conn.) Elementary School about athletics and academics. Cochran has also been part of a group of football student-athletes that visit elementary schools in East Hartford and Manchester, Conn.

Cochran has volunteered at the New London (Conn.) Community Meal Center helping prepare and serve food and as an Athlete-Reader at the New London Elementary Schools.

He has also volunteered at the New London Youth Football Skills Clinic three times and was a coach/counselor with the Monroe Lions Youth Football Program.

Cochran was named to the American Athletic Conference All-Academic team following the 2014 season. He played in eight games in 2013, starting the final four of the year – three of which were wins. Cochran set the UConn single-game passing record of 461 yards against Memphis on Dec. 7.

Geremy Davis On Biletnikoff Award Watch List

STORRS, Conn.  – University of Connecticut senior wide receiver Geremy Davis (Lawrenceville, Ga.) has been named to the 2014 Biletnikoff Award Pre-Season Watch List. The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the outstanding receiver in college football and is presented by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc.

biletnikoff-awardDavis enters the 2014 season ranked ninth in UConn career history in receptions with 121 and is 10th in receiving yardage at 1,771.

He had one of the most prolific seasons for a receiver in UConn history in 2013, starting all 12 games and finishing with 71 receptions, 1,085 yards and three touchdowns. Davis was UConn’s first 1,000 yard receiver in the FBS era and first since Carl Bond in 1998. The 1,085 yards rank sixth-highest in a season in UConn history and the 71 receptions place fifth. He had a single-game program-record 15 catches for 207 yards, fifth-most ever, and a touchdown against Memphis on Dec. 7.

The 2014 Biletnikoff Award winner will be presented live on December 11, 2014, on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show to be broadcast from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. on ESPN. College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff will announce the 2014 winner on the show.

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc., will announce the ten Biletnikoff Award semifinalists on November 17, 2014, following the vote by the 221 members of the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee. Likewise, the three finalists will be declared, following another vote, on November 24, 2014.

Biletnikoff, a member of the pro and college football halls of fame, was an All-Pro receiver with the Oakland Raiders and an All-America receiver at Florida State University

Afternoon Red Sox Misery – 6/12/14

Josh Tomlin (L), Jon Lester (R)

After going 2-7 on the nine game road trip, the Boston Red Sox return home for seven games where I expect they’ll go 0-7. In all seriousness, they’ll kick it off tonight with the first game of a four-game set with the Tito Francona’s Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. The game will be broadcast on NESN in the Red Sox television market. If you live in the Indians television market, you can catch the game on SportsTime Ohio. If you don’t live in either market you’re in luck as the MLB Network will have coverage of the game (outside of Red Sox and Orioles television markets). And if you can’t catch the game on television, you can always listen on the 2014 Red Sox Radio Network.

Jon Lester toes the slab for the 14th time in his walk year. In his previous 13 starts, Lester is 6-7 with a 3.52 ERA. He made two starts against the Tribe in 2013 and was 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA (6 ER/14 IP). He’s made 13 career starts against them and is 6-1 with a 3.43 ERA. Five of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 2-1 with a 2.97 ERA.

Josh Tomlin makes his seventh start (eight appearance) of the 2014 season for the Erie Warriors. In his previous seven appearances (six starts), Tomlin is 4-2 with a 3.12 ERA. He last faced the Red Sox in 2012 when he allowed seven runs in 1.1 innings of work out of the bullpen. He’s made four career appearances (three starts) against the local nine and is 1-1 with a 7.17 ERA. Two of those starts have come at the Fens where he is 0-1 with a 6.23 ERA (9 ER/13 IP).

Cleveland Indians33-33 Boston Red Sox29-36
1. Michael Bourn CF 1. Brock Holt 3B
2. Asdrubal Cabrera SS 2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. Michael Brantley LF 3. David Ortiz DH
4. Jason Kipnis 2B 4. Mike Napoli 1B
5. Carlos Santana 1B 5. Daniel Nava LF
6. Ryan Raburn RF 6. Grady Sizemore RF
7. Nick Swisher DH 7. David Ross C
8. Yan Gomes C 8. Jonathan Herrera SS
9. Mike Aviles 3B 9. Jackie Bradley, Jr. CF
Josh Tomlin SP Jon Lester SP

NOTES:

Here is how the hitters have fared against the starting pitchers during the regular season over their careers.

Cleveland Indians @ Boston Red Sox Batter/Pitcher Matchups

More links (bolded) will be added if/when they become available so please check back often.

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

Brock Holt, baBIP, and Reality [sox & dawgs]

Orsillo & Remy To Get Mid-Season Vacation [sox & dawgs]

If Sox have an answer, it’s already here [csn new england]

Xander Bogaerts on whether playing third has contributed to slump [full count]

David Ortiz on The Bradfo Show: ‘I only think about the Hall of Fame when you guys talk to me about it’ [full count]

Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona on D&H discusses relationship with Sox owners, ’04 celebration, return to Fenway [full count]

Lester set to battle Tomlin, Indians in opener [red sox gameday]

Too early to count out defending Series champs [red sox]

Struggle for the ages? Red Sox’ offensive futility reaches unfamiliar depths [alex speier – weei]

Argue If You Want, But You’ll Be Wrong: The Ultimate Red Sox Roster Must Begin With … [touching all the bases]

photo credits: getty images, getty images

Cleveland Indians @ Boston Red Sox Pitching Matchups: 6/12-6/15

Cleveland Indians @ Boston Red Sox pitching matchups

Note: Pitching matchups are subject to change

Thursday, June 12 @ 7:10 PM

Josh Tomlin, RHP (4-2, 3.12) vs Jon Lester, LHP (6-7, 3.52)

TV: NESN, MLB Network, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio

Friday, June 13 @ 7:10 PM

Justin Masterson, RHP (4-4, 4.61) vs John Lackey, RHP (7-4, 3.18)

TV: NESN, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio

Saturday, June 14 @ 4:05 PM

T.J. House, LHP (0-1, 5.24) vs Jake Peavy, RHP (1-4, 4.76)

TV: NESN, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio

Sunday, June 1 @ 1:35 PM

Corey Kluber, RHP (6-4, 3.35) vs Brandon Workman, RHP (1-0, 2.86)

TV: NESN, MLB.tv

Radio: Red Sox Radio Network, MLB Gameday Audio

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 6/12/14

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

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

Month of Bob Continues At Buffalo Wild Wings Tonight in Manchester [sox & dawgs]

Video: UConn’s Matt Balis Talks About Summer Strength & Conditioning Program [sox & dawgs]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Geno On WTIC: UConn Made Mistakes With ACC; XL Has Problems [hartford courant]

Stanford to host UConn championship basketball teams [san jose mercury news]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Stanford to host UConn championship basketball teams [san jose mercury news]

Other UConn related links

W. Soccer. Women’s Soccer Releases 2014 Schedule [uconn huskies]

UConn Soccer Coaches And Former Players Share Their Thoughts On This Year’s World Cup [uconn huskies]

Destination Red Sox Nation – 6/12/14

Destination Red Sox Nation

Destination Red Sox Nation is our look at how the minor league teams of the Boston Red Sox fare each night. Game story and box score links as well as links to team rosters, team stats and league standings can be found below.

If you would like to listen to any of the Red Sox minor league affiliates’ games, MiLB.com offers them for free.

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

pawtucket red sox Pawtucket Red Sox

The PawSox were off on Wednesday night.

Pawtucket’s Ranaudo starting to get it all under control [providence journal]

Middlebrooks, Victorino Pawtucket-bound for rehab [milb]

Pawtucket Red Sox 2014 Roster

Pawtucket Red Sox 2014 stats

International League 2014 Standings

Pawtucket Red Sox website

Portland Sea Dogs Portland Sea Dogs:

The game between the Sea Dogs and Altoona Curve was suspended in the 4th inning with the Sea Dogs leading 2-1. It will be continued tonight followed by the regularly scheduled game.

Fastball command, changeup development key to Scott’s success [sox prospects]

Portland Sea Dogs 2014 Roster

Portland Sea Dogs 2014 stats

Eastern League 2014 Standings

Portland Sea Dogs website

salem red sox Salem Red Sox:

The game between Salem and the Frederick Keys was rained out. It will not be made up.

Salem Red Sox 2014 Roster

Salem Red Sox 2014 stats

Carolina League 2014 standings

Salem Red Sox official blog

Salem Red Sox website

Greenville drive Greenville Drive:

The Drive got out to an early lead on their way to a 6-3 win over the Charleston River Dogs.

Drive, Stankiewicz Top RiverDogs in Finale [greenville drive]

Charleston River Dogs @ Greenville Drive 6/11/14 box score [milb]

Greenville Drive 2014 Roster

Greenvillle Drive 2014 stats

South Atlantic League 2014 Standings

Greenville Drive website

Lowell Spinners Lowell Spinners:

The Lowell Spinners 2014 season kicks off on Friday, June 13 when they’ll host the Vermont Lake Monsters.

Sox sign Torres, assign him to Lowell [lowell sun]

Final Lowell Spinners 2013 Roster

Final Lowell Spinners 2013 stats

Final NY-Penn League 2013 Standings

Lowell Spinners Blog

Lowell Spinners website

Gulf Coast red sox Gulf Coast League Red Sox

The GCL Red Sox kick off their 2014 season on Friday June 20 when they’ll host the GCL Twins.

Final GCL Red Sox 2013 Roster

Final GCL Red Sox 2013 stats

Final Gulf Coast League 2013 Standings

Gulf Coast Red Sox website

Video: Orioles Shutout Red Sox, 6-0

 Chris Davis #19 celebrates a two-run home run in the first inning with Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles during a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox on June 11, 2014 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland.

Chris Davis #19 celebrates a two-run home run in the first inning with Adam Jones #10 of the Baltimore Orioles during a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox on June 11, 2014 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland.

I’m pretty sure we can all agree on one thing right now. The Boston Red Sox are not a fun team to watch this season.

After being shutout last night by the Baltimore Orioles 6-0, they finished their nine-game, ten day road trip with a 2-7 record. Things were so bad in the home of The Wire where they managed one measly run. Of course that one run got them a victory but one run people, one freaking run.

The Orioles did most of their damage in the 1st innings off of Rubby De La Rosa when they scored three runs. One on an Adam Jones double. Jones came into score on a Chris Davis blast. After that De La Rosa seemed to settle down a little bit.

And according to ESPN analyst Rick Sutcliffe, part of the reason why De La Rosa may be struggling lately is that it’s entirely possible he is tipping his pitches. Of course he talked about this during the game and if anyone in the Orioles clubhouse was watching, they could relayed a message to the hitters.

Either way, it’s something for the Red Sox to look at and correct with their young flamethrower if true.

Dustin Pedroia led the Red Sox with two hits. David Ortiz and A.J. Pierzynski had the others.

The Red Sox head back to home to face the Cleveland Indians for four games. The Indians swept the Red Sox at the beginning of the 2-7 road trip.

MOBILE/TABLET LINK (full game highlights)

For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.

And if you must check out the enemy news, head over to the Baltimore Sun and MASN websites. You can also check out our Bloguin brother, the Oriole Post.

photo credit: getty images

Month of Bob Continues At Buffalo Wild Wings Tonight in Manchester

UConn football coach Bob Diaco signs an autograph for a fan at the UConn Football Summer Huddle at Buffalo Wild Wings in Windsor, CT

UConn football coach Bob Diaco signs an autograph for a fan at the UConn Football Summer Huddle at Buffalo Wild Wings in Windsor, CT.

In college football, the coach is the face of the football program. In the past, we have not seen the UConn Huskies football coach out doing appearances like new head coach Bob Diaco.

When he was hired, he said he was going to change the culture of the football program in Storrs, CT. And that’s all he’s been doing since he started.

It’s not just what he’s done with the players, which along with some help from his staff have transformed the way they eat, think and play. For those of you who don’t get to see them like the media does, trust me when I say they’re not the same players you saw last year even though they are the same player.

But what Diaco has done outside of the football part has been beyond phenomenal. He’s made radio appearances left and right touting the program and the new culture. He’s behind the push with selling tickets. He even invited the students to watch a practice and had a pizza party for them afterwards.

He is what you would call a man of the people.

For the month of June, Diaco will be spending Thursday night’s at Buffalo Wild Wings talking about the program and trying to bring excitement about it to the fans especially after a trying 2013 season, one in which the Huskies failed to make a bowl game for third straight year after going to a BCS game against Oklahoma in 2010.

He spent last Thursday night at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Windsor, CT where a very good sized crowd was on hand to listen to Diaco speak about the program. Once he was introduced, he spent the hour and half talking with many different fans about the 2014 season and what he expects from the players.

There were also giveaways for the fans in attendance. Tickets for the opening game against BYU, mini-football helmets, an autographed ball from Diaco and the big prize last week was four tickets to any game with the seats being in the club level.

Tonight, Diaco will be on hand at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Manchester, CT from 5:30-7 p.m. where I expect many of the same things from last week to happen. I can’t say whether or not the prizes will be the same.

But I can say that you’ll come away with a different perspective of the UConn football team after listening to Diaco speak.

If you can’t make tonight’s event, Diaco will be making two more visits to Buffalo Wild Wings this month.

Next Thursday, June 19, he will be at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Milford, CT and on June 26, he will be at the Buffalo Wild Wings in North Haven, CT. Both appearances will be between 5:30-7 p.m.

Video: UConn’s Matt Balis Talks About Summer Strength & Conditioning Program

One of things that myself along with Desmond Conner of the Hartford Courant and the other beat writers noticed during spring practice was how different the UConn Huskies football players looked. And by different, I mean slimmed down, toned and some a little more jacked up since we last saw them.

That’s all thanks to UConn director of strength and conditioning Matt Balis whom UConn football coach Bob Diaco has called the best in the country.

Right now, the UConn football players are working out with Balis twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays for two hours starting around 5:45-6 a.m. In the video below, Balis talks about what they are doing as far as the strength and conditioning are concerned.

Paw Prints – The Daily UConn Roundup – 6/11/14

UConn Huskies Daily Roundup

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

UConn Strength And Conditioning Coach Matt Balis on Football Workouts [sox & dawgs]

UConn Football Offering Six One-Day Clinics For High Schoolers This Month [desmond conner – hartford courant]

Opening for former UConn LB? [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn Football Mini-Plans Are Now On Sale [uconn huskies]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Another special night for Kevin Ollie [david borges – new haven register]

Franciscan Sports Banquet: Another Award For Kevin Ollie [hartford courant]

Other UConn related links

Field Hockey. Gonzalez And Team USA Finish Atop Pool B, Await Semifinal Opponent [uconn huskies]