UConn sports

The new turf at Rentschler Field a few hours before kickoff (Neill Ostrout photo)

We’re closing in on kickoff at Rentschler Field for the Huskies and Rams. A few items before the game begins:

– As of 10:30 a.m., there’s no word on a starting quarterback. It looks, however, like Johnny McEntee is going to get the start and will be spelled by Mike Nebrich. We’ll give you an update as soon as we know for sure.

– As expected, DE Jesse Joseph is out of action. Teddy Jennings will replace him in the starting lineup but expect to see plenty of Marcus Campbell, too.

– Don’t forget to get some expert commentary (re: sarcastic, yet attentive notes) from your truly throughout the game on twitter. Follow @NeillOstrout or glance at the feed on this page.

In case you missed them, here are a few stories from the week leading up to the game:

A few days late, Husky opener is here

Capsule and keys

PK Teggart should be major weapon for Huskies

UConn-Fordham: Who has the edge?

Starting QB? Take your pick

Join Neill Ostrout live at Rentschler Field for live updates from UConn’s 2011 season-opener vs. Fordham. Kickoff is at noon, we’ll go live with constant updates from the scene at approximately 11 a.m.

One day after officially being added to the UConn roster, center Andre Drummond has changed his uniform number.

The standout from Middletown will wear No. 12, not 15 as was announced Thursday.

No. 15, of course, was worn by the recently departed Kemba Walker. The jersey was placed in the Huskies of Honor, though UConn doesn’t officially “retire” numbers. After all, many of its best players wore No. 42.

Taliek Brown, A.J. Price and current UConn assistant coach Kevin Ollie are among the Huskies to wear No. 12.

It’s official. Center Andre Drummond is a member of the UConn men’s basketball team.

Here’s a little more on the subject.

(FYI, if anyone has connections, I’d be willing to pay big money for some internet service and/or television out here in the sticks. I’m still in the dark on that front.)

The UConn football team’s season opener will be played Saturday at noon at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

The game, originally slated for Thursday night, was postponed because Rentschler is being used for relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irene.

All tickets and parking passes for the originally scheduled date will be honored Saturday afternoon.

UConn announced Wednesday afternoon what has been apparent for some time. Men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun is indeed returning for his 26th season in Storrs.

The school released the following statement:

“In a conversation this morning with UConn President Susan Herbst about a variety of subjects, the topic of conversation turned to Coach Calhoun’s return for the coming season. At that time, Coach informed the President that it was his intention to coach this coming season, as he is under contract to do. He told President Herbst that he wanted her to be the first to know, beyond his family, and that she was free to share the information with others.”

We’re still a little hamstrung by a lack of technology up in my neck of the woods but the UConn men’s basketball schedule did come out a few minutes ago.

Here’s link.

The UConn football team’s Thursday night opener against Fordham has been postponed.

Rentschler Field is being used by the National Guard as a commodities distribution center to help those towns that need help in the wake of Hurricane Irene.

We’ll have reschedule information shortly.

Also Tuesday UConn defensive end Jesse Joseph tweeted that he won’t be “traveling” this week. Obviously his knee injury will force him to miss the game, whenever it’s played.