Record-Journal from Meriden, Connecticut • M9

Record-Journal, Meriden, Saturday, September 26, 2009 9 Sports College football Endues out to make statement Security measures will be tight er at The Rent, starting today By Pat Eaton-Robb Associated Press Writer FMd, East Hartford Moon, WWI3BO.cmii No line. Connecticut leads, 50-36-8. Last maating: 2006, Connecticut, 52-7. What's at Stake Connecticut is looking for Hb first home win of the season, and hopes to make a statement after beating Baylor 30-22 on the road last week. Rhode Island is looking to become the fifth team from the Colonial Athletic Association to upset a Bowl Championship Series team this season, and the third to beat a team from a BCS conference.

Kay Matchup Connecticut's taJ backs vs. Rhode Island's defense. Connecticut taibacks Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon have both rushed for at least 100 yards in two of three Huskies games this year, and UCom is averaging 189 yards rushing. Rhode Island gave up 162 yards rushing last week in a 30-10 toss to Massachusetts. Mayers ta watch Camacticut: QB Cody Endres wi make his second consecutive start for the injured Zach Razor, and wil be making a bid to keep the starting job once Rrazer returns from a knee injury.

He threw for 177 yards with no interceptions against Bay-tor. Frazer was picked off four times in the Huskies first two games. Rhada Island: QB Chris Paul-Etienne, a transfer from Rutgers, is a dual threat quarterback who has thrown for 362 yards and rushed for 83 yards this season. EAST HARTFORD Spectator screening measures at all Rentschler Field events will increase beginning with the Connecticut vs. Rhode Island football game today.

These changes are being made due to the recent heightening of security concerns on the national level. "We want our patrons to be able to enter Rentschler Field as safely, expeditiously and comfortably as possible," said Chuck Steedman, senior vice-president and general manager of Northland AEG, which manages Rentschler Field. "We take se-curity bulletins from national law enforcement agencies very seriously, but at the same time we also want to make sure our patrons enjoy the total experience at Rentschler Field." Patrons may experience some minor delays entering the stadium, while security personnel ensure that no items are brought into the stadium that may negatively affect safety. Ticket holders can help expedite the security process by not attempting to carry large bags into the facility. The belongings, and person, of all patrons entering the stadium will be subject to search and guests will be subject to a pat-down procedure upon entry to the stadium.

The pat-down procedure entails an inspection for all fans entering the stadium. This procedure will be conducted by trained individuals. To avoid last-minute gate pressure, fans are strongly urged to allow ample time for their entry into the stadium. The gates for today's game will open at 1030 90 minutes prior to the noon STORKS Connecticut quarterback Cody Entires has faced tougher opponents, but today's game against Rhode Island may be the biggest of bis college career. The sophomore gets one more shot to prove that he deserves the starting job, before a bye week and Zach Frazer's expected return from right knee injury.

Frazer, who won the job in the offseason, threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns before hurting the knee against North Carolina in the second week of the season. But the junior transfer from Notre Dame also has been picked off four times. Endres, who also has seen action in two games, has thrown for 177 yards with no touchdowns, but no interceptions. "The coaches are going to put the best players, they feel, on the field," Endres said Tuesday. "I'm just going to do the best I can to let them know that I'm the guy that should be out there." The Huskies (2-1) aren't expected to face a big challenge from longtime regional rival Rhode Island O-l), a Football Championship Subdivision team that lost by 20 points last week to Massachusetts.

But the Rams are trying to become the fifth Colonial Athletic Association team this season to upset an opponent from the bowl subdivision. "It's going to be a great opportunity for us to give our program exposure," said head coach Joe Trainer. "Hopefully, we can go up there and keep it competitive." Rhode Island features three transfers from Rutgers, including starting quarterback Chris Paul-Eti-enne, who has passed for 362 yards and rushed for 83 yards in the Rams first two games. Last week, UConn's defense held Baylor's highly touted dual-threat quarterback Robert Griffin to 119 yards passing nH 20 yards rushing. UConn's defense is giving up 260 yards per game.

The Ram's defense, on the other hand, has given up 58 points and 915 total yards in just two games. They will be facing UConn's tailback tandem of Jordan Tbdman (326 yards) and Andre Dixon (270 yards), who have each rushed for at least 100 yards in the same game twice this season. That means Endres likely wont be asked to win the game with his arm. "That's the biggest thing we try to tell Cody," said kickoff. Fresno State (1-2) at No.

14 Cincinnati (3-0), noon (ESPN Regional) UConn coach Randy EdsalL "Just play within yourself we'll set a game plan up for you to be successful, and just do what the defense tells you to da" Eds all will be coaching his 122nd game at Connecticut, setting a record as the longest-tenured coach in school history. A win would give him a 61-61 record in his 11 seasons at UConn. This will be the Huskies' final game before opening the Big East season on Oct 10 against league-favorite Pittsburgh. It will be the 94th meeting between Rhode Island and UConn. Connecticut holds a 50-35-8 advantage, including a 52-7 in 2006, their last meeting.

But tailback Andre Dixon insists the Huskies are not looking past the Rams. "You don't want to be that team on Saturday night, when they show that upset and then say, 'UConn took a said Dixon. "You don't want to be that team." South Florida (3-0) at No. 18 Florida State (2-1 noon (ESPNU) Rhode Island (1-1) at Connecticut (2-1), noon (ESPN360.com) Rutgers (2-1) at Maryland (1-2), 330 p.m. Pittsburgh (3-0) at N.C.

State (2-1), 3:30 p.m. (ES PNU) Maine (2-1) at Syracuse (1-2), 7 p.m. Louisville (1-1) at Utah (2-1), 7:30 p.m. (CBS College Sports TV) New Haven back after a five-year timeout By Brian Heyman New York Times that's starting over? I'd probably have a shot to play right away, and it's close to Briefs Wolf Pack top Sound Tigers, 4-2 CROMWELL Rookie defense-man Trevor Glass scored two goals, forward Derek Couture added a goal and an assist, and forward Corey Locke also scored as the Hartford Wolf Pack ran their AHL preseason record to 2-0 with a 4-2 victory over the rival Bridgeport Sound Tigers Friday night at Champions Skating Center. Tony Romano had both of Bridgeport goals.

Forward Tyler Arnason chipped in two assists for the Wotf Pack. Chad Johnson made 31 saves in the Hartford net Tiger takes lead at Tow Championship ATLANTA Tiger Woods had a chance to pull away from the field. He had to settle for a one-shot lead Friday in the Tour Championship, which was stfl not a bad place to be. Over the final four holes, Woods missed consecutive putts from about 4 feet one putt for eagle, the other for birdie and dosed with a bogey for a 2 -under 68 in sweltering conditions at East Lake to lead Padraig Harrington and Sean Otiair. Woods was fuming over the missed putts.

He found perspective shorty after signing for his seventh consecutive round In the 60s. The day as a whole was a good day," Woods said. "I shot under par, I got myself the lead." Despite the lost opportunities, he was at 5-under 135 and in great position to capture the FedEx Cup and Its $10 milton bonus. None of the other players among the top five seeds who can win the FedEx Cup with a victory at East Lake were among the top 10 on the leaderboard going into the final two rounds. Harrington would have to win the Tour Championship and have Woods finish in a two-way tie for second.

Otiair needs a victory and for Woods to be in at feast a three-way tie for second. Ernie Els came to life with five birdies over his last 10 hotes for a 66 and was only two shots behind at 3-under 137. Kenny Perry, who nearly willed in the heat Thursday, also had a 66 and was at 2-under 138, along with University of Hartford alum Jerry Kely (67). Cochran, Watson share 8 AS lead GARY, N.C. Rubs Cochran and Denis Watson shot 6-under 66s In windy and wet condtions to share the first-round lead in the SAS Championship.

Joey Sindelar, Larry Mize, R.W. Eaks, Dan Foreman, Jim Thorpe and Tom Pernice making his Champions lour debut, were a stroke back on the Prestonwood Bourse. Leonard Thompson shot a 74 in his 1,000 career start on the PGA and Champions tours. Johnson wins pole at Dover DOVER, Del. Jimmie Johnson wil go for the Dover sweep from the pole.

Johnson turned a lap of 157356 mph at Dover International Speedway and wil start first for only the second time this season. He led a career-high 296 laps In May to win at the Monster Mle. A pole today wil make the start of the weekend much better and give us a tot of direction and momentum moving into tomorrow," Johnson said, "it does carry you, and there is an aspect of momentum. But at the same time, you've got to go out and perform." The top four spots at qualifying spots for Sunday's race all went to Chase for the championship drivers. Juan Pablo Montoya was second, Ryan Newman third and Greg BHTfe fourth.

Johnson has four career victories at Dover and had one of the more dominating performances of his career on the concrete track the last lime out. He fed the majority of the race until a poor pit stop dropped him back in the field and he had to chase down Tony Stewart before puling into victory Lane a winner. The remainder of the Chase driven were scattered among the field. Kasey Kahne was sixth and four-time series champion Jeff Gordon seventh. Brian Victors was 12th and Denny Hamlin 13th.

Points leader Mark Martin qualfied 14th and Kurt Busch was 16th. Kahne needed to strong starting position to bolster his chances of a top-10 finish and bouncing back from placing 39th in the Chase opener at New Hampshire after he lost his motor early He is 12th in the standings, 161 points out of first place and 48 out of 11th. Two-time Cup champion Stewart was 22nd and Carl Edwards was the fewest Chase qualfter, starting 30th. Martin holds onry a 35-point lead over Johnson in the points standings. Whle Martin is chasing his first career Cup title, Johnson is poised to win his fourth straight in the No.

48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motor sports. home. Osiecki grew up 20 minutes away in Seymour. His dad, Sandy Osiecki, was a backup quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1984. Ryan has NFL The team used to share its old grass field, and it often became a mud bowL The players practiced at nearby Carri-gan Middle School, picking up rocks and bottles before they could begin.

The facilities have been improved for the sequel. Ralph DellaCamera Jr. donated more than $1 million to his alma mater to install a blue Sprinturf field with gold end zones at the stadium, which also playoffs four times in the 1990s, reaching the Division II title game in 1997. They also had a tradition of head coaches, including the Miami Dolphins' Tony Sparano, who played center for New Haven, ending up in the NFL, as did one-time UNH mentors Chris Palmer and Mark Whipple. The cost of doing football business became too much, though.

The Chargers had trouble getting area Divi WEST HAVEN Nearly 100 football players squeezed into the conference room on a gray day in more ways than one at the University of New Haven. "I have some very sad news," Deborah Chin, the director of athletics, dreams, too. And Rossomando now has a 6-foot-4 passer to build a pro-style offense around. Osiecki has thrown for 595 It was January 2004, and the univer sion teams to play them, so yards in New Haven's 1-2 start has a new press box and "He can make any throw," Rosso mando said. they had to travel all over the country for games as an independent.

For its scoreboard. DellaCamera suggested the color scheme because it features the Chargers' col The Chargers have 84 players, including 77 freshmen and sophomores. But one of the sophomores is 44 years old. That would be the reserve nose other sports, New Haven was in the East Coast Con- Wayne Parks, a Fairfield fire- iter with three rhi1Hnn, two in col ors. "When I first came out here to see it, I was amazed," said Ra-heem Stanley, a sophomore nose guard from Hart- ference.

Before it dropped football, the university had been rebuffed by lege. He played at Andrew Warde High School Fairfield, class of 1983. the Northeast-10. In 2004, however, the conference was willing sity was dropping its costly independent Division football program. The room quickly dissolved into a sea of tears.

"The worst day of my professional career," Chin said. "They were crying. I was crying. It was just a very, very sad day." But it turned out to be just a long timeout Chin never stopped seeking a cost-effective solution, continually lobbying the Northeast-10 Conference to admit her entire athletic program. Eventually, it did.

And the football team was rebuilt from scratch for this year's comeback season. Last Saturday, New Haven played its first official home game in six years, losing to unbeaten Bent ley University (4-0) at DellaCamera Stadium, on a blue field no less. "It's exciting," coach Peter Rosso-mando said. "I can't even tell you how many e-mails and phone calls Fve gotten about guys who are so excited that they're coming back here to watch football. The university is abuzz, new mawhing band, just everything." The Chargers went to the NCAA Parks went into construction and married when he was 21.

He arrived last semester to further his second career, majoring in arson investigation, and decided to try football again. He had a three-month suspension by the Fairfield Fire Commission overturned after it was alleged he practiced in April while on sick leave. He said he was rehabbing a torn groin. Parks also won a grievance to have that town re ford. "I'd never seen blue turf but at Boise State.

It's almost as good as it gets." Last fall New Haven practiced and played one of its four scrimmages on the field. Ryan Osiecki arrived for the spring semester. He redshirted as a preferred freshman walk-on last season at Louisville, but he was stuck in an eight-quarterback logjam. He remembered that Rossomando had recruited him at Milford Academy. Osiecki called and transferred.

"I figured it was perfect," Osiecki said. "Why not come to a program to accept New Haven as a member, but only in football. "I said: 'Absolutely not. I'm not going to bring football back and we get good in a few years and you throw us Chin said. Finally, in the fall of 2007, the Northeast-10 accepted the whole package.

Rossomando was hired that December. He had been the associate head coach and offensive coordinator at Albany, and was on Sparano's staff here from 1994 to 1998. Rossomando hired assistants, and everyone hit the recruiting trail. imburse him for tuition. "It's just a guy playing football," Parks said.

"What I like is when people say you can't do something because I like to prove them wrong. The second thing is, I really like the people who have said, 'Wow, you've really inspired For Brogna, road back to majors runs through Wesleyan By Brian Heyman New York Times 1994. When he was called up that June, Brogna became an immediate bit He took over for an injured David Segui at first base and batted 351 before a strike in August ended the season. Injuries derailed his progress over the next two seasons, although he hit .289 and had 22 homers in 1995, and the Mets traded him to Philadelphia after the 1996 season. He said he was sad to leave.

"It was home," Brogna said "Fd grown close to the Cornell (1-0) at Yale (1-0), noon, VERSUS Central Connecticut (1-1) at Columbia (1-0), 12:30 p.m. Trinity (0-0) at Bates (0-0), 1 p.m. Tufts (0-0) at Wesleyan (0-0), 1230 p.m. Westfieid St. (2-1) at Coast Guard (0-2), 1:30 p.m.

Southern Connecticut (2-2, 2-0 NE-10) at Assumption (2-1 1-0), 1 p.m. Stonehill (1-3, 0-2 NE-10) at New Haven (1-2, 0-2), 1 p.m. Sacred Heart (0-2) at Albany (1-2), 4 p.m. Western (0-2, 0-1 NJAC) at Buffalo State (0-2, 0-1), noon fan base. Brogna, a .269 bitter over his nine-year career, had his best seasons in Philadelphia, with three seasons of at least 20 homers and two with 100-plus runs batted in.

After stops in Boston and Atlanta, Brogna retired in 2001. He battled a form of spinal arthritis his whole career. Brogna started working toward his managerial goal, earning; a degree in business management at Post University in Waterbury and coaching the base ball team there one year. He evaluated talent as a MIDDLETOWN As one of Wesleyan University's receivers ran a one-on-none post pattern under the fading sun at practice on Wednesday, Watertown native Rico Brogna spotted choppy footwork on his fake and his break toward the middle of the field. "Just keep running it with speed," Brogna told Paulie Lowther as the team prepared for its home opener today against Tufts.

"Keep running it with speed." Yes, this Rico Brogna, who volunteers as a receivers coach at this Division college, is also that Rico Brogna, the former first baseman for the New York Mets, the Philadelphia Phillies and three other teams. And, as it turns out Brogna's decision to coach receivers, kickers and punters here at age 39 is part of his master plan to become a successful major league manager. Brogna, once a major-college football recruit has been driving toward that goal since 2001, when his playing days ended at age 31. He expects the next step to be his first minor league managerial job. After talking with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who used him as a pro scout and minor league field coordinator this season, he said he was expecting to be named manager of their Double-A affiliate in Mobile, for next season.

That team would be getting a leader so fluent in and enamored of football that he plans to carry some of its preparation principles over to baseball At Wesleyan, Brogna has watched how Frank Hauser, the Cardinals' 18th-year head coach, handles his program. "What IVe learned from coach Hauser is attention to detail the organizational part and leadership," Brogna said. scout for Colorado and then Arizona, and coached high school football and basketball in Connecticut before taking the lob at Wesleyan. "He's helped out a lot with how to deal with the pressures of the sport," said Kyle Weiss, a sophomore flanker and punter from Connecticut. "He's been the farthest you can possibly be in bis sport I enjoy him.

releases five players "The model part of it is the way you organize all the different parts of a team and organization, to coach each part of it as best as it can be coached, whether it's meetings for positional groups, how to study film, how to study scouting reports. I want to bring more of a football team mentality, revolve everything more around teamwork, team planning Hauser said Brogna has the temperament to coach baseball or football "He knows how to deal with people," Hauser said. "Thafs what coaching really comes down to, because the most important thing coaching is to get the guys to play for you. That's true in any sport He's mild-mannered, but he also makes guys toe the line." Brogna signed with Clemson as a lefty-throwing quarterback from Watertown High School. But the Detroit Tigers also drafted him in the first round in 1988, and he chose baseball.

Brogna made his debut with the Tigers in 1992 and was traded to the Mets in He a great guy. He a players coach. Perhaps these players will someday say they were coached by a future major league manager. "It would be great to tell my kids or grandkids when I get older, to be able to have the personal experience with him here as well," said Steve Hauser, a junior receiver from Rhode Island and a nephew of the head coach, who once heard Brogna speak at a high school camp. "It just puts the myth to light to actually meet that kind of person that you idolize..