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 some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Ignoring Talk About Conference Realignment, UConn’s Recruits Say They’re Still Heading To Storrs [Hartford Courant]

McEntee settling into his role at UConn [The Day]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Breaking down UConn’s Opponents: Game 3, Maine [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Drummond has spectacular skills on court, fun-loving nature off it [CT Post]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Another double-double for Breanna Stewart [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Other UConn related links

W. Ice Hockey. Strong Special Teams Effort Awards UConn First Win of the Season [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Soccer. Huskies Suffer Heartbreaking 2-1 Loss To End Season [UConnHuskies.com]

UConn Swimming Starts With Success [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Ice Hockey. Men’s Ice Hockey Blanked by No. 13 Merrimack [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. No. 1 Huskies Settle For 0-0 Draw With No. 24 Georgetown [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. UConn Soccer’s Cascio Honored On Senior Night [Hartford Courant]

W. Rowing. UConn Varsity Eight Finishes Third At Head Of The Charles [UConnHuskies.com]

Big East Headed To Super Conference? [Hartford Courant]

Big East keeps messing with a real good thing [Staten Island Advance]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Now that he’s off to save another franchise with a curse, former Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein took out a full page ad in Sunday’s Boston Globe to thank everyone in Red Sox Nation.

click on picture to see full-size

There is now one less former member of the UConn Huskies in the NFL.

Former Huskies running back and North Dartmouth, MA native Jordan Todman was waived by the San Diego Chargers on Saturday. He was waived to make room on the Chargers roster for another former Big East running back in Syracuse’s Curtis Brinkley.

Todman was a sixth round draft pick of the Chargers in the 2011 NFL Draft but hasn’t appeared in any of the five games this year. He did appear in the preseason for the Chargers as he had 28 rushes for 112 yards and nine receptions for 68 yards.

Since he is practice squad eligible once he clears waivers, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Chargers sign him to the practice squad when he does get through waivers.

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Photo credit: AP Photo

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 some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Pasqualoni in favor of expansion west [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

Friday is now Tuesday; Wednesday will be Saturday [Chip Malafronte – New Haven Register]

Coach P at the Podium: Pittsburgh edition [Ed Daigneault – The Republican-American]

Friday presser [John Silver – Journal Inquirer]

Pasqualoni favors more western Big East [CT Post]

UConn And Pitt Both Struggle With New Systems [Hartford Courant]

UConn’s Pasqualoni Optimistic About Big East Football Future [Hartford Courant]

Starting from the ground up [Journal Inquirer]

Expansion is fine with Paul Pasqualoni [New Haven Register]

UConn takes time to work on limiting sacks [Norwich Bulletin]

Pasqualoni likes Big East’s future [The Day]

UConn Football Notebook — Pasqualoni excited over league’s future [The Hour]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Breaking Down UConn’s Opponents: Game 1, Columbia [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Breaking Down UConn’s Opponents: Game 2, Wagner [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

Why UConn Will Not Repeat as National Champion [Grantland]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Hayes emerging as a leader [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

UConn no longer recruiting McDaniel [Jim Fuller – New Haven Register]

Report: McDaniel Drops UConn From Wish List [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Tough Opening Week For Huskies; Hartley Again Sits Out [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

UConn No Longer Involved With McDaniel [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Stewart Dominates In Loss To Argentina [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

UConn women won’t add to recruiting class [Journal Inquirer]

Other UConn related links

One Dollar: Jeff Hathaway’s Salary From The Big East [Desmond Conner – Hartford Courant]

Big East, MWC, C-USA considering super conference? [Boston Globe]

Field Hockey. Whiteout the Orange on Sunday! [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Cross Country. Pair of Huskies Compete at CCSU Mini Meet [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Ice Hockey. UConn Comeback Falls Short Against Maine [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Volleyball. Volleyball Drops Four-Set Contest at Villanova [UConnHuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Here’s the joint release from the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs about now former Red Sox GM Theo Epstein leaving to go to the Cubs.

CHICAGO – The Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs jointly announce this evening that, effective immediately, Theo Epstein has resigned from the Red Sox in order to become the new President of Baseball Operations for the Cubs. The Clubs also have reached an agreement regarding a process by which appropriate compensation will be determined for the Red Sox and that issue will be resolved in the near term.

Both the Red Sox and the Cubs intend to hold press events on Tuesday, October 25 during which the Cubs intend to announce Mr. Epstein, and the Red Sox intend to announce his successor as General Manager.

Out of respect for the World Series, both clubs have agreed to forego further comment until Tuesday, the next scheduled non-game day. Further information on each club’s media availability for Tuesday will be distributed on Monday.

Essentially what this all means is that whomever is the media’s source will tell one of them who the players are in the deal. Then the media will report it and it’ll piss Bud Selig off.

We already know that Ben Cherington will take over for Theo as the new general manager. And as the release says, that announcement will come on Tuesday during what could be a travel day during the World Series.

Anyways, I’d just like to say thank you to Theo for everything he’s done for the Red Sox, especially for the two World Series titles.

Who knows if Curt Young would have been back as the pitching coach of the Boston Red Sox when a new manager is hired. One thing is for sure though. He won’t be back.

Just shortly after being given permission to interview with the Oakland A’s, Young is returning to the Bay Area after one year in Boston.

Young was the pitching coach for the A’s from 2004-10 before joining former manager Terry Francona’s staff for 2011. He oversaw a staff that battled through injuries and now of course, the infamous “fried chicken and beergate”.

Red Sox pitching as a whole finished ninth overall in ERA in the American League at 4.20.

During an interview yesterday, it sounded like Clay Buchholz won’t lose any sleep over the loss of Young.

“That’s not my decision. It doesn’t bother me regardless. I think the only thing I have to do is, I have to train a lot harder this off-season to be able to stay healthy for a full season. I don’t think it matters who your pitching coach is if you can go out there, be healthy and throw your innings and help your team win. You can do what you got to do. It wouldn’t bother me at all.”

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Photo credit: Getty Images

UConn Huskies football coach Paul Pasqualoni has released his depth chart for Wednesday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Panthers and there’s a few changes since the depth chart for USF.

The only change on the offensive side of things comes at the backup running back spot. Last week Jonathan Jean-Louis and Deshon Foxx were listed in an “OR” situation as the backup to Lyle McCombs. This week it’s Jean-Louis and Martin Hyppolite listed in an “OR” situation as the backup to McCombs.

On the defensive side of things, the one change also comes at a backup spot. Yawin Smallwood is still starting at linebacker and is backed up by Michael Osiecki. The difference now is that Osiecki finds himself in an “OR” situation with Jerome Williams.

As far special teams go, Deshon Foxx is no longer listed in an “OR’ situation at kick returner with Taylor Mack. As of now the starters at kick returner will be Nick Williams and Mack.

Pasqualoni is holding his pregame press conference for Pittsburgh on Friday and we should learn about the health of cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson. He’s not listed on the depth chart for the week so we could only assume that he’s out. But given the way the depth chart has changed before the game, we shouldn’t assume he’s out either. We’ll know for sure in a bit though.

For a full look at UConn’s depth chart for the Pittsburgh game, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

OFFENSE

LT: 71 Mike Ryan (RSr., 6-5, 335)
50 Tyler Bullock (So., 6-4, 298)

LG: 69 Steve Greene (RSo., 6-4, 304)
70 Gary Bardzak (RSr., 6-3, 289)

C: 57 Moe Petrus (RSr., 6-2, 302)
70 Gary Bardzak (RSr., 6-3, 289)

RG: 63 Adam Masters (RJr., 6-4, 292)
65 Gus Cruz (RFr., 6-4, 288)

RT: 77 Kevin Friend (RSo., 6-5, 300)
61 Stephen Brown (So., 6-6, 290)

TE: 89 John Delahunt (RJr., 6-3, 247) OR
94 Ryan Griffin (RJr., 6-6, 248)
81 Corey Manning (RJr., 6-5, 247)

WR: 6 Kashif Moore (RSr., 5-10, 175)
31 Nick Williams (Jr., 5-10, 185) OR
84 Tebucky Jones (RFr., 5-11, 186)

FB: 39 Mark Hinkley (RJr., 5-11, 226)
47 Reuben Frank (RFr., 6-3, 238)

QB: 18 Johnny McEntee (RJr., 6-3, 224)
11 Scott McCummings (RFr., 6-2, 218) OR
2 Mike Nebrich (Fr., 6-1, 204)

TB: 43 Lyle McCombs (RFr., 5-8, 172)
1 Jonathan Jean-Louis (RSr., 6-0, 207) OR
45 Martin Hyppolite (RSo., 6-0, 215)

WR: 83 Isiah Moore (RSr., 6-1, 195)
85 Geremy Davis (Fr., 6-3, 211)

DEFENSE

DE: 48 Trevardo Williams (Jr., 6-1, 231)
26 Marcus Campbell (Sr., 6-3, 231)

DT: 4 Twyon Martin (RSr., 6-2, 273)
53 Ryan Wirth (RJr., 6-2, 268)

DT: 99 Kendall Reyes (RSr., 6-4, 295)
59 Shamar Stephen (RSo., 6-5, 315)

DE: 91 Jesse Joseph (Jr., 6-3, 262) OR
98 Teddy Jennings (RJr., 6-5, 248)
97 B.J. McBryde (RFr., 6-4, 277)

LB: 3 Sio Moore (RJr., 6-1, 232)
32 Jefferson Ashiru (Fr., 6-1, 210)

LB: 33 Yawin Smallwood (RFr., 6-2, 229)
36 Michael Osiecki (Fr., 6-1, 238) OR
55 Jerome Williams (RJr., 6-1, 255)

LB: 28 Jory Johnson (RJr., 6-1, 227)
46 Marquise Vann (Fr., 6-0, 225)

CB: 7 Dwayne Gratz (RJr., 6-0, 195)
29 Taylor Mack (So., 5-9, 169)

S: 15 Jerome Junior (RJr., 6-1, 215)
2 Gilbert Stlouis (So., 5-11, 183)

S: 40 Ty-Meer Brown (RFr., 6-0, 192)
25 Harris Agbor (RSr., 5-11, 1990

CB: 16 Byron Jones (RFr., 6-1, 187)
21 Gary Wilburn (RSr., 5-11, 197)

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK: 38 Dave Teggart (RSr., 6-0, 203)
13 Chad Christen (RSo. 6-2, 211)

P: 86 Cole Wagner (RSo., 6-2, 211)
13 Chad Christen (RSo. 6-2, 211)

H: 13 Chad Christen (RSo., 6-1, 201)
86 Cole Wagner (RSo., 6-2, 211)

DS: 67 Adam Mueller (So., 6-1, 207)
66 Dominick Manco (Fr., 6-1, 251)

KR: 31 Nick Williams (Jr., 5-10, 185)
29 Taylor Mack (So., 5-9, 169)

PR: 31 Nick Williams (Jr., 5-10, 185)
29 Taylor Mack (So., 5-9, 169)

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook.

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 some of the other sports. We will do our best to bring you the links from all of the media that covers the Huskies on a daily basis. As always, links can be found by clicking on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

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

Irvin, Reyes on draft boards [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

Amile Jefferson Enjoyed UConn’s First Night [David Borges – New Haven Register]

UConn’s Bahamas Trip to be Televised by Versus, HDnet [Dom Amore – Hartford Courant]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Auriemma Says Notre Dame Deserves To Be No. 1 [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Hartley Could Return To Practice Friday [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Geno Auriemma Hits Notre Dame With His Hammer [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Time For Big East To Join Geno’s Chorus [John Altavilla – Hartford Courant]

Geno Not Happy Notre Dame Is Not Playing Football In Big East [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Hartley Suffers Concussion, Could Practice Friday [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Doty Back At Practice [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

Stewart Will Visit UConn Next Month, Opens Pan Am Play Friday [Rich Elliott – CT Post]

UConn women picked 2nd in Big East, behind Notre Dame [CT Post]

UConn women’s notebook: Mosqueda-Lewis preseason freshman of the year [CT Post]

Auriemma targets Notre Dame for Big East mess [CT Post]

UConn Women Picked No. 2 Behind Notre Dame [Hartford Courant]

Notre Dame’s Muffet McGraw Sees Big Difference In Finishing Second [Hartford Courant]

Auriemma Rips Notre Dame Football, Then Praises Irish Women’s Basketball [Hartford Courant]

Huskies lose favored status [Journal Inquirer]

Notre Dame edges Huskies for No. 1 in preseason coaches’ poll [New Haven Register]

Geno Auriemma picks a fight with Irish [New Haven Register]

For now, UConn women are playing second fiddle [The Day]

The Top 100 Programs in Division I Women’s Basketball:  #1-10 [Swish Appeal]

UConn women aren’t as invincible this season [Louisville Courier-Journal]

Other UConn related links

Is Notre Dame to blame for Big East woes? [Andrea Adelson – ESPN.com]

W. Soccer. Huskies Conclude Regular Season At Providence [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Ice Hockey. Huskies Host Maine in Hockey East Opener [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Swimming. Men’s Swimming And Diving Opens Saturday [UConnHuskies.com]

M. Soccer. No. 1 Men’s Soccer vs. Georgetown Saturday Night Sold Out! [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Volleyball. Volleyball Set to Face Villanova and Georgetown This Weekend [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Swimming. Women’s Swimming And Diving Set To Go [UConnHuskies.com]

W. Volleyball. Mattison Quayle Garners Weekly ECAC Award [UConnHuskies.com]

Follow Ian on Twitter @soxanddawgs. And be sure to like us on Facebook as well.

Hey look something other than fried chicken and beer news for the Boston Red Sox. Here’s the release:

David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox was named the 2011 recipient of the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet today at a press conference prior to Game Two of the World Series at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri.

The Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet recognizes the Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field. The annual award, named for the 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua, pays tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character by recognizing current players who truly understand the value of helping others.

“Major League Baseball is pleased to present David Ortiz with the 2011 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “David’s remarkable commitment to helping children receive essential pediatric care in the United States and the Dominican Republic makes him a wonderful choice for this honor. The legacy of the great Roberto Clemente lives on through the selfless actions of players like David and so many of his peers.”

Ortiz was selected from a list of 30 Club nominees, which included twelve 2011 MLB All-Stars, by a panel of dignitaries that included Commissioner Selig and Vera Clemente, MLB Goodwill Ambassador and wife of Roberto Clemente; Hall of Famer, TBS analyst and 1992 Roberto Clemente Award winner Cal Ripken Jr.; MLB Network analyst, TBS broadcaster and 2005 Roberto Clemente Award winner John Smoltz; MLB Network analysts and former Roberto Clemente Award winners Al Leiter (2000) and Harold Reynolds (1991); ESPN analyst and 1993 Roberto Clemente Award winner Barry Larkin; ESPN analyst and former MLB All-Star Nomar Garciaparra; and MLB.com senior correspondent Hal Bodley. Additionally, fans were encouraged to log on to www.chevybaseball.com/clemente, powered by MLB.com and created specifically for the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet platform, and cast a vote for one of the 30 nominees.

To continue reading, click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

In 2005, after visiting young children who had just received life-saving heart operations in his native Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Ortiz founded the David Ortiz Children’s Fund (DOCF). Dedicated to raising funds to help provide children access to critical pediatric care in the Dominican Republic and the United States, the DOCF formed an official partnership with the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children (MGH) in 2009 to continue and extend its lifesaving mission in New England. In 2010, the DOCF raised more than $1.5 million, providing funding for more than 200 life-saving heart operations and helping numerous children in New England receive the care they needed. Ortiz personally donated $100,000 to the DOCF in 2011.

Additionally, Ortiz annually donates his time and resources to benefit MGH and other organizations, programs and causes. As part of his “Papi’s Pals” initiative, Ortiz purchased blocks of tickets at Red Sox games to donate to MGH patients. He has also participated in holiday and direct mail programs to benefit MGH patients, as well as additional Red Sox and Boston-related charitable causes. In January 2010, Ortiz donated food and medical supplies to support those affected by the earthquake that struck Haiti, and encouraged fans to help in the relief effort.

“I am incredibly honored to be the recipient of this year’s Award,” said Ortiz. “It’s humbling to be associated with all the tremendous names that have won this Award in the past, and I look forward to continuing to do my part to maintain Roberto Clemente’s legacy.”

“David Ortiz is a great choice among an outstanding group of candidates for the 2011 Roberto Clemente Award,” said Vera Clemente. “He has been a deserving candidate for many years and I am very happy to see him win. The hands-on work he has done over the years and the money he has donated in Boston, Haiti and the Dominican Republic is a wonderful example for all players, and I know Roberto would have been very proud of his selection.”

Ortiz joins a distinguished list of national Roberto Clemente Award recipients, which includes 13 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame:

* Member of The National Baseball Hall of Fame

In his 15-year Major League career with the Minnesota Twins (1997-2002) and the Boston Red Sox (2003-present), David Ortiz has amassed a .283 batting average, 378 home runs, 1,266 RBI, a .378 onbase percentage and a .544 slugging percentage. An American League All-Star in seven of the last eight seasons, Ortiz finished in the top five of A.L. Most Valuable Player balloting for five consecutive seasons from 2003-2007. Ortiz led all of Major League Baseball with 148 RBI in 2005, and he paced the A.L. with 54 home runs and 137 RBI in 2006. Only Hall of Famer Ted Williams, who put up eight seasons of 30 or more home runs, has more 30-homer seasons for the Red Sox than David’s six. Ortiz, who has the most home runs and RBI of any designated hitter in Major League Baseball history, was an integral part of Boston’s World Series Championship clubs in 2004 and 2007. With his .387 batting average, three home runs and 11 RBI, he earned MVP honors in the 2004 American League Championship Series, in which the Red Sox made a historic comeback from a 3-0 deficit against the New York Yankees. Ortiz has posted eight RBI in his eight career World Series games, in which the Red Sox have earned a perfect 8-0 record. The Santo Domingo native was the American League recipient of the 2005 Hank Aaron Award, recognizing the most outstanding offensive player, and in 2010, Ortiz was the champion of the State Farm Home Run Derby during All-Star Week at Angel Stadium.

For a full biography of David Ortiz’s charitable endeavors, please visit the Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet page at www.chevybaseball.com/clemente. For more information about the David Ortiz Children’s Fund, please visit www.DavidOrtizChildrensFund.org.

Here’s the release from the UConn Athletic Communications Department announcing UConn Huskies men’s basketball freshman Andre Drummond being named to the 2011-12 Wayman Tisdale Award Preseason Watch List.

STORRS, Conn. – It was announced today by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association that UConn freshman center Andre Drummond (Middletown, Conn.) has been selected to the Wayman Tisdale Award Preseason Watch List. The Wayman Tisdale Award is presented to the nation’s top freshman.

Drummond, who was recently named the BIG EAST Preseason Rookie of the Year and Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention, is one of 12 players selected to the preseason watch list. Drummond is one of three players representing the BIG EAST Conference. Pittsburgh forward Khem Birch and Louisville forward Chane Behanan are also freshmen to watch this season.

About the Wayman Tisdale Award Watch List: The USBWA has chosen a national freshman of the year since the 1988-89 season when LSU’s Chris Jackson was the recipient. Other previous winners of the award include Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd and Chris Webber. Last season, Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger won the inaugural Wayman Tisdale Award.

The Tisdale Award winner will receive a statuette designed by nationally-recognized sculptor Shan Gray. A permanent Wayman Tisdale Award is on display at the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.

For a full look at the 2011-12 Wayman Tisdale Award Watch List, please click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.

2011-12 WAYMAN TISDALE AWARD WATCH LIST

• Bradley Beal, Florida (G, 6-3, 207, Fr., St. Louis, Mo.)
• Chane Behanan, Louisville (F, 6-6, 245, Fr., Cincinnati, Ohio)
• Khem Birch, Pittsburgh (F, 6-9, 220, Fr., Montreal, Quebec)
• Anthony Davis, Kentucky (F, 6-10, 220, Fr., Chicago, Ill.) 
• Andre Drummond, Connecticut (C, 6-10, 270, Fr., Middletown, Conn.)
• Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kentucky (F, 6-7, 232, Fr., Somerdale, N.J.)
• Le’Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State (G/F, 6-7, 230, Fr., Dallas, Texas)
• Austin Rivers, Duke (G, 6-4, 200, Fr., Winter Park, Fla.)
• Marquis Teague, Kentucky (G, 6-2, 189, Fr., Indianapolis, Ind.)
• Adonis Thomas, Memphis (F/G, 6-6, 222, Fr., Memphis, Tenn.)
• Josiah Turner, Arizona (G, 6-3, 192, Fr., Sacramento, Calif.)
• Cody Zeller, Indiana (F, 6-11, 230, Fr., Washington, Ind.)

Photo credit: John Woike – Hartford Courant