You have room on that bandwagon?

It's been a long time since I watched a UConn football game on TV. This is my fourth year covering the Huskies and the only game I have missed was at South Florida over three years ago, that was with the birth of my daughter.

I am missing today's game at West Virginia for the same reason. My lovely wife Shannon is due with our second child on Monday, which made my missing this trip 9 months in the making. Phil Chardis is down there in my place, and he will do a great job.

The death of a player is not easy to overcome. The violent manner in which Jasper Howard died is something no one  in Storrs will soon forget. Just getting out there playing is an important step for the team.  

I will be like many of you in a little over and hour. Sit down with some wings and we'll see how it plays out.

My professional opinion? I don't know. Emotion is an unpredictable variable. They could be emotionally exhausted and flat early on. They could play lights out for a half before being exhausted in the second half. They could be down the entire game, or they could play the most inspired game of their lives.

I don't think the coaching staff knows what to expect. It will probably be all of the above.

We'll see what happens. West Virginia is a great offensive football team. Even without Pat White, Noel Devine, Jock Sanders are explosive and Jarrett Brown looks like he will play at QB. That's tough to stop.

A road game is probably the best thing for the team this week. They needed to remove themselves from UConn and Storrs in preparation. Now, at least four 5 hours, it's all about footbll.

That is an end of the week I am sure they are looking forward to.

So, today Husky Nation has a temporary extra person on the bandwagon. Good luck to all.


If you are looking for an official Jasper Howard jersey here are the specifics.

STORRS, Conn. (October 23, 2009) – An official University of Connecticut-licensed limited edition No. 6 t-shirt is now being produced by Tee's Plus/Powers Inc. in Groton, Conn. The t-shirt is being made to commemorate University of Connecticut football student-athlete Jasper Howard, who died on Sunday, Oct. 18.

The Navy Blue tee will have a No. 6 (Howard’s number) on both the front and the back panels as well as No. 6 on both the left and right sleeves (short sleeve tee). In addition, the word mark UCONN is located on the front panel above the No. 6 in the neck area.

As of Friday afternoon, significant orders had been received at Tee's Plus from three separate retailers -- the UConn Co-op, 13 Bob's Stores locations throughout the state and Husky Wear in the Shoppes at Buckland Hills in Manchester.

Product should begin being available at physical store locations by the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 26. In addition, the UConn Co-op website (www.huskydirect.com)  and the Husky Wear website (www.huskywear.com) will be  taking orders on-line throughout this weekend.

The retail price of the Navy Blue tee will be $20 and 100% of all profit  realized between the wholesale cost of the tees for the retailers and the $20  retail price will be donated to the two funds established in Jasper Howard's  honor (The Jasper T. Howard Endowed Scholarship and The Jasper Howard Fund).

In addition to the No. 6 tees being available throughout the week at the various  locations listed above, the No. 6 Navy Blue tee will also be on sale Saturday,  October 31, at Rentschler Field in East Hartford when UConn hosts Rutgers.