American Athletic Conference 2014 Postseason Football Award Winners

This just sums up the 2014 season for the UConn Huskies football team.

They did not have one player recognized by the American Athletic Conference in its 2014 Postseason Football Awards. They were the only team in the league not represented.

To be fair, all but a few players on the team deserved to be on there. For me, the biggest snub for UConn is Andrew Adams.

He finished second on the team with 96 tackles and led the team in interceptions with four. He also had a fumble return for a touchdown along with four pass breakups and eight passes defended.

Here’s the full release from the American:

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – East Carolina quarterback Shane Carden was chosen as the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, while UCF cornerback Jacoby Glenn and Memphis linebacker Tank Jakes have been named the conference’s Defensive Players of the Year by the league’s 11 head coaches.

Memphis kicker Jake Elliott was chosen as The American’s Special Teams Players of the Year. USF running back Marlon Mack was the choice as Rookie of the Year.

Memphis coach Justin Fuente, who led the Tigers to their first conference championship in 43 years, was the unanimous selection as Coach of the Year.

Carden was chosen as the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year after he finished the regular season as the American Athletic Conference leader in passing yards (359.1 yards per game). He threw for a conference-record 4,309 yards with 28 touchdowns against eight interceptions and completed 65 percent of his passes (358 of 551). He threw for at least 300 yards nine times in 12 games and had five games with at least 400 passing yards. Carden was a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award and enters the postseason as East Carolina’s career leader in passing yards (10,829), attempts (1,424), completions (954), touchdown passes (77) and total offense (11,098 yards).

Glenn was named American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year for his performance on one of the nation’s most effective defenses. He leads The American with seven interceptions and 18 passes defended through the regular season. He ranks third nationally in interceptions (0.6 per game) and fourth in passes defended (1.5 per game) and keys UCF’s unit which ranks third among FBS programs in total defense (282.8 yards per game), sixth in pass efficiency defense (103.24) and ninth in scoring defense (17.9 points per game). He was chosen to the American Athletic Conference First Team for the second straight season.

Jakes was an impact player on a Memphis defense that allowed just one opponent (then-No. 11 UCLA) to score more than 28 points against the Tigers in the 2014 regular season. Jakes led the Tigers in tackles (85), sacks (six), tackles for loss (15.5) and forced fumbles. He also had an interception, a fumble recovery and safety. He finished the regular season as the American Athletic Conference leader in tackles for loss (1.29 per game) and was ninth in the conference in sacks (0.5 per game).

Elliott becomes the second Memphis player to earn American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Year honors as he joins 2013 winner Tom Hornsey. Elliott was the leading scorer in the conference during the regular season, averaging 8.9 points per game, and led the conference with 19 field goals, averaging 1.58 per game. Elliott went 14-of-15 on field goals from inside 40 yards and has converted all 50 of his PAT attempts this season.

Mack was chosen as The American’s Rookie of the Year on the heels of a freshman season in which he led the conference in rushing (86.8 yards per game) and became the first USF freshman to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Mack rushed for an American Athletic Conference-record 275 yards with four touchdowns against Western Carolina in his collegiate debut and he finished the season with 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns on 202 carries. Mack averaged 5.2 yards per carry and had four 100-yard games in 2014.

Fuente earned American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors from his counterparts after he led Memphis to a 9-3 regular season and a 7-1 mark in conference play, giving the Tigers a share of the conference title – Memphis’ first conference crown since 1971. Memphis, which was picked seventh in The American’s preseason media poll, takes a six-game winning streak into the postseason – the Tigers’ longest winning streak since 1969. Memphis is ranked fifth nationally in scoring defense (17.1 points per game), while the Tigers are first nationally in red zone offense (94.3 percent).

In addition to the major award-winners, The American also named its first and second all-conference teams. UCF and Memphis had 10 players named to the all-conference teams, while UCF had nine players chosen. East Carolina wide receiver Justin Hardy – the NCAA’s career receptions leader – was the only unanimous selection to the all-conference team.

Six players were repeat selections to the all-conference first team. Glenn and Elliott were chosen for the second straight year, along with UCF linebacker Terrance Plummer, Cincinnati offensive tackle Eric Lefeld, Memphis defensive end Martin Ifedi and Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich.

2014 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE FOOTBALL AWARDS

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Shane Carden, QB, East Carolina (Sr., Houston, Texas)

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

Jacoby Glenn, CB, UCF (So., Prichard, Ala.)

Tank Jakes, LB, Memphis (Sr., Phenix City, Ala.)

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Jake Elliott, K, Memphis (So., Western Spring, Ill.)

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Marlon Mack, RB, USF (Fr., Sarasota, Fla.)

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE COACH OF THE YEAR

Justin Fuente, Memphis *

ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
Pos. Player School Cl. Ht. Wt. Hometown/Last School
WR Breshad Perriman UCF Jr. 6-3 214 Lithonia, Ga./Arabia Mountain
WR Justin Hardy * East Carolina Sr. 6-0 188 Vanceboro, N.C./West Craven
OT Eric Lefeld 1 Cincinnati Sr. 6-6 310 Coldwater, Ohio/Coldwater
OT Al Bond Memphis Sr. 6-4 305 Memphis, Tenn./Southwind
OG Parker Ehinger Cincinnati Jr. 6-7 315 Rockford, Mich./Rockford
OG Rowdy Harper Houston Sr. 6-5 295 Broken Arrow, Okla./Broken Arrow
C Taylor Hudson East Carolina Sr. 6-5 285 Greenville, S.C./Mauldin
TE Alan Cross Memphis Jr. 6-1 245 Millington, Tenn./Millington
QB Shane Carden East Carolina Sr. 6-2 221 Houston, Texas/Episcopal
RB William Stanback 2 UCF So. 6-1 225 Hempstead, N.Y./Uniondale
RB Marlon Mack USF Fr. 6-0 195 Sarasota, Fla./Booker
K Jake Elliott 1 Memphis So. 5-10 165 Western Springs, Ill./Lyons Township
RS Deion Sanders Jr. SMU So. 5-7 183 Atlanta, Ga./Atlanta Sports Academy
DL Terrell Hartsfield Cincinnati Sr. 6-3 246 Raleigh, N.C./Copiah-Lincoln CC
DL Terry Williams East Carolina Sr. 6-1 353 Loganville, Ga./Grayson
DL Joey Mbu Houston Sr. 6-3 310 Richmond, Texas/Foster
DL Martin Ifedi 1 Memphis Sr. 6-3 275 Houston, Texas/Westside
LB Terrance Plummer 1 UCF Sr. 6-1 236 Orange Park, Fla./Orange Park
LB Jeff Luc Cincinnati Sr. 6-1 256 Port St. Lucie, Fla./Florida State
LB Tank Jakes Memphis Sr. 5-11 227 Phenix City, Ala./Holmes CC
LB Tyler Matakevich 1 Temple Jr. 6-1 235 Stratford, Conn./St. Joseph’s
CB Jacoby Glenn 1 UCF So. 6-0 186 Prichard, Ala./Vigor
CB Bobby McCain Memphis Sr. 5-11 195 Oxford, Ala./Oxford
S Clayton Geathers UCF Sr. 6-2 208 Georgetown, S.C./Carver’s Bay
S Adrian McDonald Houston Jr. 5-10 190 Lawton, Okla./Eisenhower
P Mattias Ciabatti USF Jr. 6-0 189 Tampa, Fla./Hillsborough
* unanimous selection

 

ALL-CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
Pos. Player School Cl. Ht. Wt. Hometown/Last School
WR Deontay Greenberry 1 Houston Jr. 6-3 200 Fresno, Calif./Washington Union
WR Keevan Lucas Tulsa So. 5-10 198 Abilene, Texas/Abilene
OT Torrian Wilson UCF Sr. 6-3 305 Miami, Fla./Miami Northwestern
OT Ike Harris East Carolina Jr. 6-7 304 Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork
OG J.T. Boyd East Carolina So. 6-4 302 Fort Mill, S.C./Nation Ford
C Kyle Friend Temple Jr. 6-2 305 Carlisle, Pa./Cumberland Valley
TE Bryce Williams East Carolina Jr. 6-6 250 Winston-Salem, N.C./Marshall
QB Paxton Lynch Memphis So. 6-7 230 Deltona, Fla./Trinity Christian Academy
RB Kenneth Farrow Houston Jr. 5-10 218 Hurst, Texas/L.D. Bell
RB Brandon Hayes Memphis Sr. 5-8 198 Chicago, Ill./Scottsdale CC
K Andrew Gantz Cincinnati Fr. 5-9 158 Dayton, Ohio/Centerville
RS Keiwone Malone Memphis Sr. 5-11 155 Memphis, Tenn./Alabama
DL Jaryl Mamea UCF Sr. 6-1 283 Fagasa, American Samoa/Chabot College
DL Thomas Niles UCF Jr. 6-2 270 Gainesville, Ga./Gainesville
DL Matt Ioaniddis Temple Jr. 6-4 285 Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central
DL Praise Martin-Oguike Temple Jr. 6-2 250 Woodbridge, N.J./Woodbridge
DL Derrick Alexander Tulsa Jr. 6-2 270 Tulsa, Okla./Booker T. Washington
LB Zeek Bigger East Carolina Jr. 6-2 228 Gastonia, N.C./Ashbrook
LB Brandon Williams East Carolina Sr. 6-1 230 Rock Hill, S.C./Hargrave Military
LB Efrem Oliphant Houston Sr. 6-`1 220 Houston, Texas/Langham Creek
CB William Jackson Houston Jr. 6-1 185 Houston, Texas/Trinity Valley CC
CB Lorenzo Doss Tulane Jr. 5-11 187 New Orleans, La./St. Augustine
S Brandon Alexander UCF Sr. 6-2 195 Orlando, Fla./Evans
S Sam Scofield Tulane Sr. 6-1 186 Lafayette, La./St. Thomas More
P Spencer Smith Memphis Fr. 6-1 175 Newnan, Ga./East Coweta

 

ALL-CONFERENCE HONORABLE MENTION
Pos. Player School Cl. Ht. Wt. Hometown/Last School
QB Gunner Kiel Cincinnati So. 6-4 208 Columbus, Ind./Notre Dame
LB Nick Temple Cincinnati Sr. 5-10 224 Indianapolis, Ind./Warren Central
WR Andre Davis USF Sr. 6-1 205 Tampa, Fla./Jefferson
C Austin Reiter USF Sr. 6-3 296 Bradenton, Fla./Lakewood Ranch
CB Tavon Young Temple Jr. 5-10 174 Oxon Hill, Md./Potomac
LB Nico Marley Tulane So. 5-9 200 Weston, Fla./Cypress Bay
CB Parry Nickerson Tulane Fr. 5-11 179 Terrytown, La./West Jefferson
P Dalton Parks Tulsa So. 6-3 202 Kansas City, Mo./Staley

1 American Athletic Conference First Team selection in 2013

2 American Athletic Conference Second Team selection in 2013

Three Huskies Named to Naismith Trophy Women’s 50 Watch List

UConn G Moriah Jefferson (4) avoids the arm of Creighton F Brianna Rollerson (50) for a layup at Gampel Pavilion on November 23, 2014.

UConn G Moriah Jefferson (4) avoids the arm of Creighton F Brianna Rollerson (50) for a layup at Gampel Pavilion on November 23, 2014.

From UConn and the Atlanta Tipoff Club:

ATLANTA – After helping the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team to six wins in its first seven games a trio of Huskies, Breanna Stewart (Syracuse, N.Y.), Moriah Jefferson (Glenn Heights, Texas) and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) have been named to the Naismith Trophy Women’s 50 Watch List, as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club on Wednesday morning.

In the history of the Naismith Trophy, six Huskies have earned the award in eight different seasons. Rebecca Lobo first took home the honors for Connecticut in the 1995 season after winning the program’s first National Championship. In 2002, the Naismith Award was bestowed on Sue Bird after UConn’s first of three consecutive National Titles. Diana Taurasi followed on Bird’s heels as a back-to-back recipient in 2003 and 2004. Tina Charles earned the honors in 2010, in between Maya Moore’s two seasons as the Naismith Award winner in 2009 and 2011. Last season, Stewart was selected as the winner of the prestigious award, becoming just the seventh player to win the Naismith Trophy in both high school and college.

Earlier this season, the trio was named to the Wooden Award Preseason Top-30 list.

Stewart has put together a solid junior campaign, averaging 16.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. The Syracuse, N.Y. native was tabbed as the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week on Nov. 24 after shooting an incredible 10-for-10 from the field in UConn’s win over Creighton. She is shooting 51.2 (43-of-84) percent from the floor this season and is one of three Huskies with double-digit made three-pointers.

In 2013-14, she recorded double-digit points in 38 of UConn’s 40 games on her way to being selected as the 2013-14 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.

Jefferson earns a spot on the list after earning the starting nod in each of UConn’s seven contests, averaging 9.6 points and a team-best 4.7 assists per game. She set a career-high with 19 points on 5-of-8 shooting against Green Bay on Nov. 30 and has reached double-digit points in four games.

Last season, Jefferson enjoyed a breakout sophomore season, starting all 40 games and averaging 10.0 points per contest. The Texas native led The American in assists per game (4.9) and shooting percentage (57.5) en route to an all-conference First Team selection. She dished out 25 assists compared to only seven turnovers during the Huskies’ six-game run through the NCAA Tournament. Her 195 total assists marked the fifth-highest single-season total for a Husky player.

Mosqueda-Lewis rounds out the Husky portion of the list, earning a nod after leading the team with 17.0 points per game and 26 made-three point field goals. The senior deep-threat set a career-high with 10 made three-pointers en route to her second career 30-point game in the Huskies’ season-opening win over UC Davis on Nov. 14.

Despite being limited by injury in the 2013-14 campaign, the forward earned 26 starts and notched 19 double-figure scoring games. 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.

photo credit: ©2014 Ian Bethune

Paw Prints: The Daily UConn Huskies Roundup – 12/10/14

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

Former UConn star Williams added to Redskins roster [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn progress report by the numbers [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Morgan Tuck Named Ann Meyers Drysdale Women’s National Player of the Week [sox & dawgs]

Sadie Edwards Opts To Leave UConn Women’s Basketball Team [sox & dawgs]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

UConn Men’s Insider: Basketball Life Moves Fast For Huskies Recruit Steve Enoch [hartford courant]

Wolf Pack Recall Forward Vinny Saponari from Greenville

HARTFORD, December 9, 2014: Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the Wolf Pack has recalled forward Vinny Saponari from its ECHL affiliate, the Greenville Road Warriors.

Saponari, who was signed to an AHL contract by the Wolf Pack July 25, 2014, leads the Greenville club in points and plus/minus, and is second in goals and assists, with totals of 7-10-17, and a +13, in 21 games. The 6-1, 196-pound Powder Springs, GA native split last season between the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals and the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL, notching 15 goals with the Admirals, tied for fourth-best on the team, and adding 18 assists for 33 points, in 58 games. In 14 contests with Cincinnati, Saponari posted totals of 1-10-11.

Prior to turning pro, Saponari played four seasons of Hockey East Action, two at Northeastern and two with Boston University. In 150 career college games, he rang up 34 goals and 65 assists for 99 points, along with 109 PIM, and won an NCAA title with B.U. in 2008-09, his freshman year. Between his B.U. and Northeastern tenures, Saponari spent the 2010-11 campaign in the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, notching 18-46-64 in 56 games and helping Dubuque to a league championship.

Saponari was a fourth-round selection (94th overall) by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2008 NHL Draft, from the U.S. National Under-18 Team.

The Wolf Pack’s next action is a home game this this Thursday night, December 11, a 7:00 PM contest against the Albany Devils.  That is “Throwback Thursday”, as the Wolf Pack throws back prices on a number of popular concession items.  Hot dogs, popcorn, nachos and soda are all on sale Thursday for only $2 each.  Also, Thursday is the next opportunity for fans to take advantage of the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Family Value Packs”, which include two tickets, two sodas and two hot dogs, all for only $35.

Tickets for all 2014-15 Wolf Pack home games are now on sale at the XL Center ticket office, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.

To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.

Sadie Edwards Opts To Leave UConn Women’s Basketball Team

UConn G Sadie Edwards tries to get open in an exhibition game against Post University at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 9, 2014.

UConn G Sadie Edwards (14) tries to get open in an exhibition game against Post University at the XL Center in Hartford, CT on November 9, 2014.

From UConn:

STORRS, Conn. – Freshman guard Sadie Edwards has decided to transfer from the University of Connecticut women’s basketball program, as announced by head coach Geno Auriemma on Tuesday.

“Sadie is a great kid who will be missed by the coaching staff and her teammates,” Auriemma said. “Getting to know Sadie and her family has been a pleasure but she has voiced her desire to play more and we have come to the mutual agreement that this can best be accomplished at a different school. I wish Sadie nothing but the best in the future.”

Edwards will complete her final exams this week prior to finalizing her transfer.

The Meriden, Conn. native played in six games, averaging 4.8 minutes per contest.

photo credit: ©2014 Ian Bethune

Morgan Tuck Named Ann Meyers Drysdale Women’s National Player of the Week

UConn F Morgan Tuck (3) powers through two Creighton players for a basket at Gampel Pavilion on November 23, 2014.

UConn F Morgan Tuck (3) powers through two Creighton players for a basket at Gampel Pavilion on November 23, 2014.

From the USBWA:

ST. LOUIS (USBWA) –The U.S. Basketball Writers Association has selected Connecticut forward Morgan Tuck as its Ann Meyers Drysdale Women’s National Player of the Week for games ending the week of Sunday, Dec. 7. The USBWA’s weekly honor will be handed out each Tuesday through Feb. 17 this season.

As the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week, Tuck was nominated for the weekly award, which was chosen by Mel Greenberg, the USBWA coordinator for women’s basketball, from a list of Division I conference players of the week.

Tuck, a 6-2 redshirt sophomore from Boling Brook, Ill., scored 25 points, shooting 12-for-19 from the field in her one game for the Huskies in being the key reason for the win at Notre Dame in the annual Jimmy V women’s game. She also dealt three assists, blocked two shots, and grabbed two steals in having a career effort.

Since the 1987-88 season, the USBWA has named a National Player of the Year. At the Women’s NCAA Final Four in Denver, 2012, the organization announced going forward that the national and weekly player award has been named for Hall of Famer and former UCLA All-American Ann Meyers Drysdale. At the conclusion of the regular season, the USBWA will name finalists for the award, which is voted on by the entire membership of the USBWA. The winner of the 2015 Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Year will be announced and presented at the USBWA’s annual awards event in Tampa, site of the 2015 NCAA Women’s Final Four.

Several other women’s awards are also to be announced later this season associated with more famous names in women’s basketball history. Also in 2012 in Denver, it was also announced that former Tennessee coach Pat Summitt, who was the female recipient of the Most Courageous Award for her battle against early onset dementia, Alzheimer type, would have that award named in her honor.

photo credit: ©2014 Ian Bethune

Paw Prints: The Daily UConn Huskies Roundup – 12/9/14

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

JOE D’S NOTEBOOK: UConn Football’s Transition Season Is Over [joe d – cbs local]

After disappointing 2014 season at UConn, time to look ahead [jim fuller – new haven register]

UConn in NFL: Week 14 report [jim fuller – new haven register]

Football. Huskies Looking Forward To Growing And Getting Better [uconn huskies]

Report Card For 2-10 UConn Season Not Worth Hanging On Fridge [hartford courant]

Norwalk’s Noel Thomas a bright spot from UConn’s lost 2014 football season [the hour]

UConn Women’s Basketball links

Morgan Tuck Honored as American Athletic Conference Player of the Week [sox & dawgs]

UConn heads into break in a good spot [rich elliott – ct post]

UConn goes big to post impressive win [jim fuller – new haven register]

Tuck’s Leadership Role At UConn Apparent In Win Vs. Irish [hartford courant]

UConn Men’s Basketball links

UConn Men to Play Maryland In 2015 Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic [sox & dawgs]

After break for exams, UConn men will need to find answers [ct post]

Peek At Future: UConn Recruit Jalen Adams Looks Impressive [hartford courant]

Other UConn related links

M. Soccer. Ray Reid Named 2014 NSCAA East Regional Coach Of The Year [uconn huskies]

UConn Club. From The Crowd: Football vs. SMU [uconn huskies]

Wolf Pack Recall G Jeff Malcolm From Greenville

HARTFORD, December 8, 2014: Hartford Wolf Pack general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the Wolf Pack has recalled goaltender Jeff Malcolm from its ECHL affiliate, the Greenville Road Warriors.

Malcolm, a second-year pro out of Yale University, is currently tied for the ECHL lead in wins, with a mark of 11-4-0 in 15 appearances. The 6-2, 185-pound Lethbridge, Alta. has a 2.13 goals-against average, second-best in the ECHL, and his 92.9% save percentage ranks third among league netminders. Malcolm also has one shutout.

As a rookie last season, Malcolm, 25, saw action in six games for the Wolf Pack, going 1-3-0 with a 2,85 GAA and an 88.8% save percentage. In 27 contests with the Road Warriors, he was 13-9-0, with a 2.90 GAA and a 91.2% save percentage mark.

Signed to an AHL contract by the Wolf Pack July 17, 2013, Malcolm was 36-21-4 in 67 games in his four-year career at Yale, with a 2.60 GAA, a 90.7% save percentage and six shutouts. He backstopped the Elis to the program’s first-ever NCAA title in his Senior year of 2012-13.

The Wolf Pack’s next action is a home game this this Thursday night, December 11, a 7:00 PM contest against the Albany Devils.  That is “Throwback Thursday”, as the Wolf Pack throws back prices on a number of popular concession items.  Hot dogs, popcorn, nachos and soda are all on sale Thursday for only $2 each.  Also, Thursday is the next opportunity for fans to take advantage of the Wolf Pack’s “Click It or Ticket Family Value Packs”, which include two tickets, two sodas and two hot dogs, all for only $35.

Tickets for all 2014-15 Wolf Pack home games are now on sale at the XL Center ticket office, on-line at www.hartfordwolfpack.com and by phone at (877) 522-8499.  Wolf Pack tickets start as low as $12 for youth 12 years old or younger.

To speak with a Wolf Pack representative about season or group tickets, or any of the Wolf Pack’s many ticketing options, call (855) 762-6451, or click here to request more info.

UConn Men to Play Maryland In 2015 Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic

From UConn:

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The UConn men’s basketball program will play in the 2015 Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic, as announced by the foundation on Monday. The Huskies will play Maryland, while Virginia will face West Virginia in the event’s doubleheader that is set for Dec. 8, 2015 at New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden. All proceeds from the two games, which will be aired on ESPN, will go to benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research in the annual event’s 21st year of existence.

Jimmy V ClassicConnecticut’s game against Maryland will mark UConn’s second appearance in the Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic. The Huskies fell to then No. 25 N.C. State, 69-65, on Dec. 4, 2012 despite double-digit efforts from Shabazz Napier (19 points) and current UConn guard Ryan Boatright (18 points).

“We at UConn are honored and proud to again be asked to participate in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden,” UConn men’s basketball coach Kevin Ollie said. “First and foremost, we are pleased to be able to help the V Foundation, which does such an outstanding job funding research to move us closer to someday wiping out this terrible disease.”

All four teams have been ranked in the early part of the 2014 season. The current AP poll includes No. 7 Virginia, No. 16 West Virginia, No. 21 Maryland and defending national champion UConn receiving votes after being as high as No. 17 in the first two weeks of the season.

The early-season event will conclude the ninth annual Jimmy V Week for Cancer Research that begins on December 2 in 2015. The weeklong initiative across multiple ESPN platforms and programs features special content to help raise funds for cancer research. In 2013, Jimmy V Week raised a record $1.8 million, bringing the seven-year total of contributions to more than $8.2 million.

The 2014 Jimmy V Week will culminate with the Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic Presented by Corona – from Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Dec. 9, on ESPN: No. 10 Villanova vs. No. 24 Illinois at 7 p.m., followed by Indiana vs. No. 5 Louisville at 9 p.m.

West Virginia vs. Virginia: The all-time series stands at 8-8 with the last meeting dating back to the 1985 National Invitation Tournament, a 56-55 UVA victory. Virginia played in the 2000 Jimmy V Classic, a 107-89 win over Tennessee. West Virginia participated in 2008, a 68-65 loss to Davidson.

Maryland vs. UConn: UConn holds a 4-2 advantage in the series with the last four meetings on a neutral court. Maryland will be playing in its first Jimmy V Classic.

Coaches Quotes

“We are delighted to be an invited once again to participate in the Jimmy V Classic. The Jimmy V Classic is one of the premier events during the college basketball season. We are honored to play in such a special event for a great cause, and I know our fans will be excited to see us play on ESPN and in Madison Square Garden, a place where we have had great memories over the years. Most importantly, the Jimmy V Classic and Jimmy V Week brings awareness to such a terrible disease because every one of us has been affected by cancer in one way or another. When we lost our mother in 2003, my family and I started the Norma Mae Huggins Cancer Research Endowment Fund, and we have raised almost a million dollars in cancer research. We all need to join the fight to end this deadly disease.” – Bob Huggins, West Virginia head coach

“We are certainly honored to play West Virginia in the 2015 Jimmy V Men’s Basketball Classic.” Virginia head coach Tony Bennett said. “To have an opportunity to be part of this classic and what it stands for, and to play a quality opponent at The Garden is great for our program.” – Tony Bennett, Virginia head coach

“We are excited that our program will have the opportunity to play on the national stage in one of the premier early-season tournaments in the country. It’s a tremendous field comprised of some of the nation’s top programs.  It is also an honor to compete in this event, which for more than two decades has raised money and awareness in the fight against cancer.” – Mark Turgeon, Maryland head coach

“We at UConn are honored and proud to again be asked to participate in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. First and foremost, we are pleased to be able to help the V Foundation, which does such an outstanding job funding research to move us closer to someday wiping out this terrible disease.

Secondly, we are looking forward to playing against another great program in Maryland, and in such an exciting basketball atmosphere as Madison Square Garden, where our fans always give us such tremendous support.” – Kevin Ollie, UConn head coach

Tickets for the Jimmy V Classic will go on sale in the fall of 2015. Ticket prices range from $15-$275 and will be available for purchase at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, Ticketmaster charge by phone at (866) 858-0008 and online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.thegarden.com.

American Athletic Conference Weekly Football Honors – Dec. 8

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly football honors for the final week of the college football regular season.

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Breshad Perriman • Jr. • WR • UCF • Lithonia, Ga.
Perriman highlighted a big night by catching a 51-yard Hail Mary for a touchdown at the final gun to give UCF a 32-30 win against East Carolina, clinching a share of the American Athletic Conference title for the Knights. Perriman finished the day with four receptions for 139 yards against the Pirates, giving him 41 receptions for 906 yards and nine touchdowns in the regular season. He is averaging a league-leading 22.1 yards per reception.

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tyler Matakevich • Jr. • LB • Temple • Stratford, Conn.
Matakevich had 16 tackles with three tackles for loss to help the Owls win a 10-3 defensive battle against Tulane. Matakevich led an Owl defense that held the Green Wave to 266 yards of offense and just 2-of-17 efficiency on third down. He finished the 2014 season with 117 tackles, including a league-leading 88 solo tackles, to register his third consecutive season with at least 100 tackles.

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Shawn Moffitt • Sr. • K • UCF • Orlando, Fla.
Moffitt scored 14 points and tied a school record with four field goals in UCF’s 32-30 win against East Carolina, securing a share of the American Athletic Conference title for the Knights. Moffitt, who hit field goals of 42, 38, 30 and 31 yards, became UCF’s career scoring leader with 305 points. Moffitt has averaged 6.5 points per game, which ranks fifth among American Athletic Conference kickers this season.

WEEKLY HONOR ROLL
Mike Boone • Fr. • RB • Cincinnati • Macclenny, Fla.
Rushed for 85 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-31 win against Houston, giving Cincinnati a share of the American Athletic Conference title.

Nick Temple • Sr. • LB • Cincinnati • Indianapolis, Ind.
Had 12 tackles with a sack and two tackles for loss in a 38-31 win against Houston, giving the Bearcats a share of the American Athletic Conference championship.

Shane Carden • Sr. • QB • East Carolina • Houston, Texas
Completed 36 of 48 passes for 397 yards and three touchdowns in a 32-30 loss to UCF. Threw three fourth-quarter touchdown passes to rally from a 26-9 deficit before the Pirates fell on a Hail Mary at the final gun.

Greg Ward Jr. • So. • QB • Houston • Tyler, Texas
Had 444 yards of total offense and was responsible for three touchdowns in a 38-31 loss at Cincinnati. Completed 27 of 45 passes for 360 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 84 yards and a TD on 11 carries.

Matt Davis • So. • QB • SMU • Houston, Texas
Rushed for 191 yards and a touchdown and threw for 145 yards in a 27-20 win at UConn. Accounted for 334 yards of total offense.