This just in from UConn:

HARTFORD, Conn. (Nov. 5, 2014) – Tonight’s University of Connecticut vs. Boston College men’s ice hockey game at the XL Center is sold out. The game is UConn’s first-ever home contest as a member of Hockey East Conference. Tonight’s expected crowd will top the 7,500 mark.

The capacity for UConn hockey games at the XL Center is 5,618, which consists of the lower level of the facility. This capacity was identified to create the best collegiate hockey atmosphere possible. The demand for tonight’s particular game resulted in UConn making about 2,000 more seats available – mostly in the upper level corners and behind the goal areas.

UConn has sold over 2,000 season tickets at the XL Center for 2014-15 and a 10-game season ticket package of remaining home games will goal on sale Thursday morning at UConnTickets.com.

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

Breaking Bread With Bob – 11/4/14 [sox & dawgs]

UConn Huskies Depth Chart for Army Black Knights [sox & dawgs]

UConn’s trip to Yankee Stadium to be special for Myers, fellow New Yorkers [jim fuller – new haven register]

Diaco excited about UConn’s young talent [jim fuller – new haven register]

Leaders beginning to emerge for UConn [jim fuller – new haven register]

Tuesday presser: Army’s a challenge [john silver – sny uconn]

UConn’s Thomas stepped up with big catches [ct post]

UConn Will Try to Keep Army From Marching Down The Field [hartford courant]

Yankee Stadium awaits UConn football team [new haven register]

Thomas is catching on for UConn football [the day]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Stewart, Mosqueda-Lewis Named AP Preseason All-Americans [sox & dawgs]

Chris Dailey And The Power Of Team [john altavilla – hartford courant]

Stewart Looking To Assist This Season [rich elliott – ct post]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Ryan Boatright Named To 2015 Bob Cousy Watch List [sox & dawgs]

Wrapping Things Up From Gampel [dom amore – hartford courant]

Post-game wrapup [david borges – new haven register]

Notes, quotes and observations from exhibition opener [gavin keefe – the day]

UCONN REPORT CARD: Big men attack the glass, shooters miss mark in opener [william paxton – ct post]

No. 17 Huskies Move Past SCSU, 70-62, In Preseason Opener [uconn huskies]

Cassell Jr. digs in, impresses in UConn debut [ct post]

UConn needs energy to dream again [ct post]

UConn Wins, 70-62, But Southern Exposes Some Husky Flaws [hartford courant]

UConn evades upset, edges Southern, 70-62 [new haven register]

Defending champion UConn men slog their way past Southern in exhibition game [the day]

Other UConn related links

M. Ice Hockey. Huskies Finally Come Home, Host #3 Boston College Wednesday Night [uconn huskies]

M. Ice Hockey. Former Husky Todd Krygier and Brian Leetch to Drop Ceremonial First Puck Wednesday Night [uconn huskies]

M. Ice Hockey. UConn-BC Hockey At XL Center: Game Has Finally Arrived [hartford courant]

M. Ice Hockey. UConn’s Cavanaugh Will Face His Mentor As York Brings BC To XL [hartford courant]

W. Ice Hockey. Balanced Offense Leads UConn To 4-2 Win Over Brown [uconn huskies]

Field Hockey. Field Hockey Checks In at No. 3 In Penultimate NFHCA/Penn Monto Poll [uconn huskies]

M. Soccer. Huskies To Hold Three Elite Clinics In January [uconn huskies]

Statement From The American on NCAA Governance Structure [the american]

Girls cross-country: Lindsey Kane of Washington Township commits to UConn [bridgeton news]

UConn Huskies head football coach Bob Diaco held his weekly pregame press conference on Tuesday afternoon in anticipation of Saturday’s Homecoming Game against the Central Florida Knights and talked about a myriad of things.

Diaco got things kicked off by saying it was nice to start off with another conventional game week for the second week in a row. He said it was also nice to start the week up after a victory.

He stated they face an incredible challenge against Army this week and they are excited to be playing at Yankee Stadium.

He said the culture is taking root and that they talk about how to handle things win or lose. He stated they go to the contest expecting to win.

He said Army plays a mostly run offense and has just a handful of passes on the season. He said it’s an absolute nightmare to defend them. He said when they pass, they are typically point producing passes or ones that set up points.

He said it’s an awesome offense and isn’t sure why more teams don’t run it.

With Army’s primarily run offense, Diaco said that the Huskies can’t squander their opportunities because it could be a while before they get back on the field.

Diaco stated that he enjoys Yankee Stadium. He’s taken many trips with his family who has four season tickets. His favorite memory though is playing football there when he coached at Notre Dame.

He said this is great exposure for UConn.

He stated that they have no plan for when Deshon Foxx goes in at QB. It’s more of a feel thing. He reiterated that Foxx not only practices at WR but also at QB during each practice. He said it takes a certain maturity level for a player to be able to do that. He also said that Foxx can throw the ball well on the move.

When asked about leadership from the younger players, he said it’s time for that group of 4th year players to get moving with real leadership. Andrew Adams, Graham Stewart, Tyler Samra were among the names he reeled off.

He said the young corners did a great job especially with the challenging conditions. They were all very disciplined with their footwork.

He said that facing Army is an incredible challenge for everyone on defense.

Diaco stated that Junior Joseph is primarily the 1st and 2nd down LB. It also depends on what is being called so Jefferson Ashiru could be in their as well. He said that Joseph is great on D at down hill runs.

He said the Army offense is so complex, so fast. They have limited time with game answers and Army usually has an answer for yours.

He stated it’s so disruptive to schedule as far as preparation and then going week to week from facing a team like Army to back to conventional defense. He stated that it’s physically taxing.

I asked him about his past experience of coaching at Yankee Stadium and how that will affect his preparation with the team. He said that it really is a lot different now than when he coached at ND. It was the first time a game had been played there.

He said that Reuben Frank does a great job of getting in the backfield.

He said that Luke Carrezola and Cameron Stapleton are similar bigger body players. Cam has great hold at the point of attack and that he brings another of level of athleticism.

He stated that Geremy Davis has been cleared to participate in practice and should be able to go this weekend.

He said that Noel Thomas is a very talented WR and continues his maturity off the field as well as on it. He said he’s big, fast, has good hands and is very competitive.

He stated that the team has enough players to be a good team but they aren’t a good team yet. But they will be. He said they need to continue to work on things that cause losing and work on things that cause winning.

He stated that the younger group of guys are going to be a nightmare for teams down the road with the experience they’re gaining this year.

He said Jamar Summers blocked field goal was a huge and gave them a big momentum shift.

He stated Army plays a 3-4, they move a lot of players and put a lot of pressure on the offense. He said they more of an attacking 3-4 then a stand alone 3-4. I also asked him if playing running teams this past year has helped in preparation and that it will help.

Diaco said that when he’s recruiting if a player asks him about weather, he’ll move on because he knows that player isn’t right for UConn. He said that recruiters down south plant seeds like that when visiting recruits.

He finished up by basically agreeing with whatever Bill Belichick says about meteorologists when he was asked about what Belichick said last week about them.

We’ll be back this week with more from the press conference as the team prepares to play Army.

I will be at Yankee Stadium this weekend and will be down on the sidelines taking pictures as usual.

Prior to Tuesday’s press conference for Saturday’s game at Yankee Stadium against the Army Black Knights, UConn Huskies head coach Bob Diaco released his depth chart for the game and there is one change to it from last week ‘s game against Central Florida.

With Luke Carrezola most likely out for the season, Cameron Stapleton has moved into the backup spot to Reuben Frank at defensive end.

There could be other changes as things do happen during the week. But we won’t know those until around game time on Saturday.

Offense

LT: 71 Richard Levy (RSo., 6-6, 305)
74 Paul Nwokeji (RJr., 6-6, 287)

LG: 65 Gus Cruz (RSr., 6-4, 296)
77 Trey Rutherford (Fr., 6-5, 289)

C: 73 Alex Mateas (RSr., 6-4, 309)
70 Kyle Bockeloh (RSo., 6-3, 284)

RG: 60 Tyler Samra (Jr., 6-2, 288)
63 Ryan Crozier (Fr., 6-4, 297)

RT: 53 Andreas Knappe (RSo., 6-8, 300)
62 Thomas Hopkins (RFr., 6-6, 298)

TE: 49 Sean McQuillan (RJr., 6-3, 239)
80 Tommy Myers (RFr., 6-5, 238)

WR: 85 Geremy Davis (RSr., 6-3, 216)
8 Thomas Lucas (RFr., 6-2, 198) OR
5 Noel Thomas (So., 6-1, 187)

QB: 10 Chandler Whitmer (RSr., 6-0, 192)
14 Tim Boyle (So., 6-3, 216)

FB: 34 Jazzmar Clax (RFr., 5-11, 241)
36 Matt Walsh (So., 6-1, 227)

TB: 22 Arkeel Newsome (Fr., 5-7, 180) OR
3 Ron Johnson (Fr., 6-0, 217)
44 Max DeLorenzo (RJr., 5-11, 210) OR
26 Joshua Marriner (RFr., 5-9, 193)

WR: 4 Deshon Foxx (Sr., 5-10, 172)
1 Dhameer Bradley (So., 5-9, 166)

Defense

DE: 95 Kenton Adeyemi (RJr., 6-4, 268)
57 Cole Ormsby (RFr., 6-3, 248)

NG: 90 Julian Campenni (RJr., 6-0, 299)
92 Mikal Myers (RSo., 6-1, 312)

DT: 97 B.J. McBryde (RSr., 6-5, 304) OR
93 Folorunso Fatukasi (RFr., 6-4, 307)

DE: 47 Reuben Frank (RSr., 6-4, 246)
10 Cameron Stapleton (RFr., 6-4, 226)

LB: 46 Marquise Vann (RJr., 6-0, 226)
55 Jon Hicks (RSo., 6-2, 236)

LB: 32 Jefferson Ashiru (RSo., 6-2, 233)
39 Junior Joseph (RFr., 6-1, 242)

LB: 2 Graham Stewart (RJr., 6-1, 227)
59 Vontae Diggs (Fr., 6-4, 207)

CB: 21 Jamar Summers (Fr., 6-0, 180)
7 John Green (RSo., 5-10, 179) OR
11 Javon Hadley (So., 5-10, 164)

S: 22 Andrew Adams (RJr., 6-0, 197)
28 Jordan Floyd (RSo., 6-0, 206)

S: 20 Obi Melifonwu (RSo., 6-3, 210)
23 Junior Lee (RJr., 6-0, 214)

CB: 6 Jhavon Williams (RSo., 5-10, 190)
33 Brice McAllister (Fr., 5-11, 191)

Special Teams

K: 17 Bobby Puyol (RSo., 5-10, 174)
94 Chase Briley (Fr., 5-11, 165)

P: 42 Justin Wain (RSo., 6-3, 204)
94 Chase Briley (Fr., 5-11, 165)

HL: 82 Blake Feagles (RFr., 5-10, 205)
42 Justin Wain (RSo., 6-3, 204)

KR: 22 Arkeel Newsome (Fr., 5-7, 180)
26 Joshua Marriner (RFr., 5-9, 193)

PR: 4 Deshon Foxx (Sr., 5-10, 172)
18 Brian Lemelle (So., 5-10, 165)

LS: 66 Dominick Manco (RJr., 6-0, 213)
67 Adam Mueller (RSr., 6-1, 212)

From the Boston Red Sox:

BOSTON, MA – Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia won his second straight American League Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 2014. The Rawlings Sporting Goods Company announced the winners tonight.

This honor marks the fourth of Pedroia’s career, passing Frank Malzone (3 at third base, 1957-59) and George Scott (3 at first base, 1967-68 and 1971) for the most ever by a Red Sox infielder. Pedroia also received Gold Gloves in 2008, 2011, and 2013.

Since the award’s inception in 1957, only three other Red Sox have totaled as many as four Gold Gloves, all in the outfield: Dwight Evans (8), Carl Yastrzemski (7), and Fred Lynn (4).

In 135 games and 133 starts at second base this season, Pedroia committed a career-low two errors. He led qualifying major leaguers with a .997 fielding percentage at the position, the best-ever mark in Red Sox history at second base. In the American League, only Placido Polanco has ever posted a fielding percentage that high at second base, doing so with the Tigers in 2007 (1.000) and 2009 (.997).

Along with fielding percentage, Pedroia also led AL second basemen in putouts per nine innings (1.87) as well as range factor per nine innings (4.94). According to Fangraphs, he also topped all major league second baseman in Ultimate Zone Rating per 150 games (20.4).

Pedroia is the first Red Sox player at any position to win a Gold Glove in consecutive seasons since Dwight Evans did it in five straight years from 1981-85. The only other Boston infielders to win the award in back-to-back seasons were Malzone and Scott.

No AL second baseman had won back-to-back Gold Glove Awards since Bret Boone took three in a row from 2002-04. Only Roberto Alomar (10), Frank White (8), and Bobby Richardson (5) have won more than Pedroia’s four AL Gold Gloves at second base, while Bobby Grich also collected four at the position.

In addition to Pedroia, Jackie Bradley Jr. was a finalist for the center field award that went to Baltimore’s Adam Jones, and Yoenis Cespedes was a finalist for the left field award that went to Kansas City’s Alex Gordon.

The majority of voting for Rawlings Gold Glove Awards is conducted by major league managers and coaches. A sabermetric component, the SABR Defensive Index, accounts for 25 percent of the overall selection total.

Fan voting for the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award presented by SABR begins tonight at www.rawlings.com and continues through tomorrow, November 5, at 8:00 p.m. ET. The SABR Defensive Index will join the international fan vote to determine the Rawlings Platinum Glove Award winners in each league. Fans can only select one 2014 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner from each league to take home this “best of the best” honor. The Rawlings Platinum Glove Award winners will be unveiled on Friday, November 7.

Mike Napoli #12 of the Boston Red Sox makes diving catch in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates during inter-league play at PNC Park on September 16, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to a press release from the Boston Red Sox, Mike Napoli‘s sleep apnea surgery went well.

Here’s the release:

BOSTON, MA – Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli today underwent successful surgery to address his sleep apnea. The procedure was performed this morning at Massachusetts General Hospital by Dr. Leonard Kaban, Chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. After a brief hospital stay, Napoli is expected to return home later this week.

photo credit: getty images

From UConn:

Springfield, Mass. – University of Connecticut senior guard Ryan Boatright (Aurora, Ill.) has been named as a candidate for the 2015 Bob Cousy Award, as announced by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Tuesday.

The annual honor, named for Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic Bob Cousy, recognizes the top point guards in men’s college basketball. Over 35 candidates have been nominated for the 2015 Bob Cousy Award.

Boatright, the 2014 American Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year, averaged 12.1 points a game and 3.5 rebounds for the Huskies last season. The Connecticut standout was named to the All-Final Four Team and finished his 2013-14 campaign second on the team in steals (61) and assists (131.)

Last season, former UConn guard Shabazz Napier won the award after leading the Huskies in points (18.0), assists (4.9) and steals (1.8).

This watch list of candidates will be narrowed down to a final 20 in early February, then final five by early March. A premier Selection Committee has been appointed by the Hall of Fame to review the candidates in contention for the nation’s top collegiate point guard award. This committee is made up of top college basketball personnel including members of the media, head coaches, media relations contacts and Hall of Famers.

The Cousy Award winner will be presented the award on Championship Monday in Indianapolis at the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2015 Announcement and Press Conference.

2015 Bob Cousy Award Candidates

• Olivier Hanlan Boston College
• Quinn Cook Duke University
• Tyus Jones Duke University
• D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera Georgetown University
• Kevin Pangos Gonzaga University
• Siyani Chambers Harvard University
• Yogi Ferrell Indiana University
• Monte Morris Iowa State University
• Kenneth Smith Louisiana Tech University
• Cameron Payne Murray State University
• Chasson Randle Stanford University
• Will Cummings Temple University
• Alex Caruso Texas A&M University
• T.J. McConnell University of Arizona
• Ryan Boatright University of Connecticut
• Kasey Hill University of Florida
• Andrew Harrison University of Kentucky
• Tyler Ulis University Kentucky
• Terry Rozier University of Louisville
• Romelo Trimble University of Maryland
• Angel Rodriguez University of Miami
• Derrick Walton Jr. University of Michigan
• Jarvis Summers University of Mississippi
• Marcus Paige University of North Carolina
• Pierria Henry University of North Carolina (Charlotte)
• Jordan Woodard University of Oklahoma
• EC Matthews University of Rhode Island
• Isaiah Taylor University of Texas
• Julius Brown University of Toledo
• Delon Wright University of Utah
• London Perrantes University of Virginia
• Keifer Sykes University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
• Ryan Arcidiacono Villanova University
• Briante Weber Virginia Commonwealth University
• Juwan Staten West Virginia University
• Fred VanVleet Wichita State University

UConn’s #30 Breanna Stewart goes in for the block against West Chester G #21 Brittany Sicinski in exhibition contest at Gampel Pavilion on Sunday, November 2, 2014.

From UConn:

STORRS, Conn. – For the second consecutive season, senior forward Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) and junior forward Breanna Stewart (Syracuse, N.Y.) were selected to the Associated Press Preseason All-America Team, as announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier this week, the pair of teammates were named to the American Athletic Conference Preseason First Team, as the Huskies were picked as the favorite to win the league. UConn was tabbed as the nation’s preseason No. 1 team by the AP before cruising to an 89-point victory over West Chester in its 2014-15 exhibition opener on Nov. 2.

Stewart enters her junior campaign after leading the team with 19.4 points and 2.8 blocks per game in UConn’s 2013-14 national championship season. She recorded double-digit points in 38 of UConn’s 40 games on her way to being selected as the2013-14 National Player of the Year by the Associated Press, the Atlanta Tip-Off Club (Naismith Trophy), the United States Basketball Writers Association and the Honda Sports Award.

Mosqueda-Lewis made 26 starts and notched 19 double-figure scoring games in an injury-shortened junior campaign. She posted the program’s third-ever triple-double in the Huskies’ NCAA Second Round victory over Saint Joseph’s on March 25. The three-point sharpshooter saved her best for the postseason, earning a spot on the American Athletic Conference All-Tournament Team after posting 14.7 points and shooting 47.4 from beyond the arc. In addition, Mosqueda-Lewis was tabbed as the Lincoln Regional Most Outstanding Player after averaging 17.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 51.0 percent in the Huskies first four NCAA Tournament victories

It marks the first time the same pair of teammates from one team have been selected to the five-member team in multiple seasons.  The rest of the team is rounded out by  Notre Dame’s Jewell Loyd, Duke’s Elizabeth Williams and South Carolina’s Tiffany Mitchell.

The Huskies finish up  preseason play on Sunday, Nov. 9 when they host Post University at the XL Center in Hartford. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m.

photo credit: ian bethune

As we get ready for open season on MLB free agents on Tuesday, the Boston Red Sox have announced two roster moves.

Here’s the release:

BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox today announced the following roster moves:

• Infielder Carlos Rivero was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners.

• Infielder Jonathan Herrera was outrighted to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcements.

Rivero, 26, played in four games (one start) for the Red Sox, making his major league debut and going 4-for-7 (.571) with two doubles, a home run, and three RBI. Before being selected to the major league roster on August 25, he split the season (105 games) between Double-A Portland and Pawtucket, hitting .264 (103-for-390) with 20 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, and 53 RBI.

Herrera, 30, made 42 appearances for Boston in his first year with the organization, hitting .233 (21-for-90) with a double, two triples, and nine RBI. He was optioned to Pawtucket on July 7, playing in 13 games for the PawSox before missing the remainder of the season with a right elbow injury. The switch-hitter will become a minor league free agent this evening at 5:00 p.m. ET.

With today’s moves, Boston’s 40-man roster is now at 36.

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.

It’s game day for the UConn Men’s Basketball team as they’ll take on the Southern Connecticut Owls at Gampel Pavilion in a exhibition contest. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Cincy’s Cronin high on Cassell; enjoys UConn rivalry [william paxton – ct post]

No. 17 UConn Opens Preseason Play Tuesday Against Southern Connecticut [uconn huskies]

UConn men look to develop frontcourt [ct post]

Southern-UConn: Tylon Smith Gets Another Crack at Huskies [hartford courant]

Five Things To Look For In UConn Men’s Game Vs. Southern [hartford courant]

SCSU could give UConn a fight in exhibition opener at Gampel [new haven register]

SNY spotlights possible UConn recruit [sny uconn]

Omar Calhoun unlikely to play Tuesday [sny uconn]

UConn men working to find a place in Ollie’s rotation [the day]

UConn Football links

National honor for UConn’s Andrew Adams [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn’s Newsome making an impact as a freshman [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn in NFL: Week 9 report [jim fuller – new haven register]

AAC Notes: Victory Over ECU Huge Boost For Temple [hartford courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Notebook: Nurse adjusting to college game [carl adamec – sny uconn]

Williams Getting An Inside Look With Huskies [rich elliott – ct post]

Versatility to be hallmark of this UConn team [rich elliott – ct post]

UConn Experiments With Guard Gabby Williams In Frontcourt [hartford courant]

Other UConn related links

M. Soccer. Three Huskies Earn Weekly Conference Awards [uconn huskies]

W. Ice Hockey. Huskies Host Brown On Tuesday Night [uconn huskies]

M. Ice Hockey. UConn Men’s Ice Hockey Home Opener [uconn huskies youtube]

M. Ice Hockey. UConn Hockey Team Needs To Improve Offensive Output [hartford courant]