Welcome, come on in.

So this is the new place.

Like it?

Yeah, it’s pretty nice.

We need some to get some furniture and some stuff to hang on the walls, but it’s not too bad. We’ll get there.

So welcome to the new Hartford Courant UConn football blog.

I’m Shawn Courchesne and I’ll probably be the one posting the majority of entries you’ll see here. I’m in my first season covering UConn football for The Courant.

If you’re interested there’s more about me in the About Our Bloggers section.

So keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle while the ride is in motion and please don’t stand up until the ride comes to a complete stop. Thanks. Here we go.

In a conference call today coach Randy Edsall announced that safety Marvin Taylor has been dismissed from the team. Read more about that here.

Other highlights from the conference call: 

- Edsall still has not made a decision on whether Matt Nuzie or Desi Cullen will handle kickoffs Saturday at Indiana.

- Terry Caulley is ready to go after getting hurt against Wake Forest.

"He hasn’t missed any reps this week," Edsall said. "I think he looks good. With every day that goes by he gets a little bit more healthier. The nice thing about is we do have some other guys that we can use there if need be."

- Center Keith Gray, who had his season ended with a shoulder injury against Wake Forest will make the trip to Indiana.

"He can be an asset to [new starter Alex LaMagdelaine]. He’ll room with Alex. Him being on the sideline I think that it will be good for everybody. Keith was kind of a leader of the offensive line and I think it’s important. I think it can be beneficial to us."

- Edsall announced the scout team players of the week were wide receiver Rob Theoudele (offense), linebacker Mike Cox (defense) and linebacker Greg Robinson (special teams). For their efforts, each will get an all expense paid trip to beautiful Bloomington, Indiana this weekend with the team.

That’s it for now. It’s off to the Doc for me. I’ve got a cold I can’t shake and hives from an allergic reaction to the medicine I was given to get rid of the cold I can’t shake.

So if you see a guy itching and coughing tomorrow on a morning flight to Indianapolis, it’s probably me. Crank the Mellencamp, we’ll see ya in Bloomington.

Shawn Courchesne, 1:41 p.m.

Comments

[Tom G]

Of couple quick questions on Keith Gray.

1 - While it is a longshot is it possible that Keith can receive a waiver from the NCAA and use this season as a second redshirt year?

2 - What are the chances that Keith will be moved back to the D-Line next season if LaMagdelaine demonstrates he can be a quality center?

[Shawn Courchesne]

Tom,
Question 1, it doesn't look as if Gray can qualify for a medical redshirt after having already used a redshirt year.
Question 2, That's hard to see happening. It seemed as if Gray really earned the respect of his teammates as a solid piece of the offensive line. I guess it all depends on just how good LaMagdelaine turns out.

[John]

Depending on where your sitting at Rentschler Field you cannot hear the UCONN band at all. Part of the patrontry of College football is listening to the home team's band especially after a score. Can a micrphone be situated so the whole stadium can hear them?