Second Least Expensive Game UConn Game Remaining This Weekend Against Navy

Head coach Bob Diaco had some sky-high expectations heading into the 2015 season for the Connecticut Huskies, giving some notable quotes that were turned into punchlines at some media outlets. But it appears Diaco might be getting the last laugh as the Huskies have had a strong start to the season thus far, and almost pulled off a major upset win over an SEC team this past weekend against the Missouri Tigers.

The UConn defense was very much ready for the matchup, posting a first-half shutout on the road at Faurot Field (the Tigers had two points at half, thanks to a safety produced against the offense). But a third-quarter touchdown run by Missouri quarterback Maty Mauk was all the Tigers needed, en route to a low-scoring 9-6 victory. The UConn defense held the Tigers to 185 yards passing and 85 rushing in what was a true defensive struggle.

The offense just couldn’t put anything together, totaling 233 yards and completing only 2-of-13 third-down attempts. Bryant Shirreffs completed 17-of-26 passes for 156 yards and the offense only gained 77 yards on the ground on 33 carries. But the Huskies went on the road against an SEC team and performed admirably, something to hang their hat on for the rest of the season. UConn is riding high even after the loss and have another tough test against Navy this Saturday.

Navy is 2-0 this season with wins over Colgate and East Carolina. Their triple-option rushing attack requires an opposing team’s full attention and discipline, or they’ll have big plays up and down the field all game. UConn football tickets on the secondary market have an average price of $37 with a get-in price of $21, according to TiqIQ.com. It is the second least expensive game remaining on the schedule, only above the game against Temple on November 28.

UConn is a perfect 2-0 at Rentschler Field and are looking to add another tally in the win column. Hipmunk.com has Hartford hotels for out-of-town Huskies fans looking to attend a game in person, as this football season is shaping up to be one of the top seasons in the program’s extensive history. Cheap airline tickets are also available from every major city and airport to make a visit back to the UConn campus.

Currently, Navy leads the nation in rushing and have been outplaying preseason expectations of their own. With a terrific defensive showing thus far by the Huskies, it should be an interesting encounter when both teams square off this weekend.

End of the Road (For Now)

Somebody once told me good byes are permanent. They said you should say “see you later”.

So this isn’t good bye, it’s see you later (maybe).

If you hadn’t heard, I have decided to close up here at SOX & Dawgs. It’s been almost 10 years of doing this. I’ve made a lot of friends through the site, made some good connections and embarked on something I truly enjoy and hope to continue down the line.

In case you didn’t notice, the last year or so, the site has been primarily a UConn only site with a smattering of Patriots as well. During that time, I have been covering the UConn Huskies teams almost like a beat writer with the exception of traveling on the road all of the time. I’m not a beat writer though and don’t see myself that way.

When Steve and I talked in the spring, I had mentioned to him that I was thinking about closing down the site. I wanted to see how things went and how much time I had to dedicate to the Red Sox and as well, UConn. He let me know at that time about his job and how much he was working and that doing some of the things he has done might not be feasible.

In the meantime, as I thought about it more and more, I couldn’t give the Red Sox the coverage that I had once given them here. I had hoped maybe to bring someone on board to write about them but it fell through. That would have allowed me to just concentrate on UConn.

Last week I had hinted on Twitter about a big announcement and got an email from Steve that reinforced my decision.

So with all that being said, I would like to formally announce that I will now doing my thing at TrueBlueUConn.com which was founded by me. I hope to bring on some people and continue to give you the same coverage I have of UConn football, men’s and women’s basketball as well as men’s ice hockey. I do hope to be able to do UConn men’s soccer as well but that one will be time permitting.

I would like to thank everyone out there for their support. Because let’s be honest, without you the reader, the site wouldn’t have become what it has.

Obviously, I’d like to thank Steve for all of his tremendous work here at S&D. I’d also like to thank NotWallyGM and Amanda Bruno for their contributions to the site. Everything you three did here for the site is graciously.

It’s a bitter sweet day. But as one door closes, another one opens. So instead of good bye, I’ll say see you later (Yes I’m leaving the possibility of resurrecting S&D down the road. But for now, the focus will be UConn and only UConn.

Thanks again!

Time For Me To Fly

About 30 years ago REO Speedwagon had a song called “Time for Me to Fly” and it appears that my time to fly has come. As I explained to Ian with my work schedule expected to get busier as the football season progresses I just do not see myself having enough time to commit to write the New England Patriots game previews that I have written for SOX & Dawgs since the 2007 season.

Over the years the previews have become more in depth and therefore more time consuming. I have truly enjoyed researching and writing them for you to read each week. In the time I have written them the team has gone to three Super Bowls and five AFC Championship games and has continually established themselves as a force each and every season in the NFL.

This also goes for the MLB Preseason Preview I write each year. This takes hours, days, weeks and even months of work. Some days or weeks are more time consuming then others and at this time I do not plan on continuing with that annual post as well.

While I will no longer be writing here on a regular basis I know that this forum is always open to me to express my opinion on anything sports related. Over the years I have written mainly on the Patriots and the NFL but have also contributed on the Red Sox and Celtics, UConn athletics and hockey related points.

Over the years, I also have created the Carl Everett Crazy Hall of Fame. While the Hall has been dormant the last few years as far as new inductees I do have a list, have some stuff written and do plan at some point in bringing you another installment of that silliness.

Thank you for reading,

Steve

Video: UConn Football Coach Bob Diaco On His Approach To Camp

Bob Diaco has had about 19 months in office since he took over the UConn football program. Tomorrow when the Huskies take the field, he will be overseeing his second preseason camp.

As a new head coach, he’s gradually learning the whole aspects of running a football program. It’s safe to say that he has a better understanding of how he wants to do things.

During the American Athletic Conference media day on Tuesday in Newport, RI, Diaco talked about he plans to approach camp this year.

UConn Faces Army, Cincinnati In Most Expensive Games Of 2015

There’s nowhere to go but up for the Connecticut Huskies football program, as head coach Bob Diaco went 2-10 overall a season ago in his first year as head coach, winning only one game in the conference as well while getting acclimated to a strong AAC. The rebuilding of the program was made a little more difficult with conference realignment, but it’s a task the program is committed to let Diaco manage.

One of their two wins surprisingly came against one of the top teams in the conference, perhaps something the program can latch onto and build upon. That win, which was against UCF, also came at home, giving the UConn fans something to cheer about during an overall poor season.

The running game will be the focal point of a UConn offensive attack that wasn’t too successful last season. Diaco is hoping running backs Max DeLorenzo and Ron Johnson can follow a veteran offensive line unit to make things a little easier for new quarterback Tim Boyle.

UConn will have chances to earn wins against some pretty high-profile teams, including a non-conference clash with the Missouri Tigers. For those looking to support the team at home or on the road next season, the average prices for UConn football tickets on the secondary market are posted below, with information provided by TiqIQ.com.

9/12/2015 | Connecticut Huskies vs. Army Black Knights | Rentschler Field | Average Price: $79.24 | Get-in Price: $28

UConn lost to Army last season at Yankees Stadium by a final score of 35-21, but will host the Black Knights this time around. This will be the Huskies’ second game of the season after their opening game against Villanova. New Haven hotel deals can be found on Hipmunk.com starting from $50 for out-of-town fans looking to watch a game at the UConn campus that the Huskies can win.

10/24/2015 | Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Connecticut Huskies | Nippert Stadium | Average Price: $76.20 | Get-in Price: $32

UConn was overmatched last season when playing the Bearcats, losing 41-0 at Rentschler Field. This year’s contest will be at the newly-renovated Nippert Stadium, and may be one of the Huskies’ most difficult tests of the season.

9/19/2015 | Missouri Tigers vs. Connecticut Huskies | Faurot Field | Average Price: $71.38 | Get-in Price: $14

The Huskies will get a taste of life in the SEC when they take on Missouri in a non-conference game. Fans looking to watch the Huskies in an SEC environment can find Saint Louis flight deals on Hipmunk and create a football getaway in the top conference in college football.

Photos: 2015 Travelers Championship Pro-Am

Here is a photo gallery from the 2015 Travelers Championship Pro-Am featuring local and national celebrities and sports figures as well as members of the UConn Huskies coaching staff and administration at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, CT on Wednesday.

Betting on golf always makes watching the tournament more exciting.  There are plenty of great golfers worth betting on during the Travelrs Championship.  Phil Mickelson is always a smart wager, as is Jordan Spieth.  If you’re looking to really make a big play by betting on golf, you should consider using angebotscode to make a wager on a big underdog.  You could potentially win a lot of money by betting on golf and other sports this way.

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Photos: 2015 Travelers Championship Mini Golf Tournament

Blue Bloods star Bridget Moynahan along with local Connecticut media personalities and celebrities as well as members of the UConn Huskies coaching staffs were on hand on Wednesday to participate in the FML, CPAS Celebrity Mini Golf Tournament at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, CT.

The FML, CPAs Celebrity Mini Golf Tournament raises awareness for local charities in the local communities in the state of Connecticut.

Here are some photos of them in action on the mini golf course:

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Photos: UConn Coaches Participate In Mini Golf Tournament at Travelers Championship

UConn Huskies women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma, his top lieutenant in Chris Dailey and UConn football coach Bob Diaco all took some time on Wednesday to play in a celebrity mini golf tournament at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, CT.

The FML, CPAs Celebrity Mini Golf Tournament raises awareness for local charities in the local communities in the state of Connecticut.

Here are some photos of the coaches in action on the mini golf course:

To see full size picture or slide show, please click on image
(mobile/tablet users: to scroll through photos, you can swipe left or right; to remove caption, tap photo.)