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STORRS, Conn. -- UConn, one of several programs being mentioned as a potential candidate for expansion by the Big 12 Conference, is dealing with something new in Bob Diacos third season as its head coach: higher expectations.The Huskies, who went 2-10 in 2014, improved to 6-7 last season. They also handed Houston its only regular-season loss before falling to Marshall 16-10 in the St. Petersburg Bowl -- UConns first bowl game in five years.The team returns 15 starters this season and fans are hoping the Huskies can make a statement loud enough to be heard by those making the expansion decisions in Texas. Diaco said hes not paying attention to what is being said outside the program but embraces the enthusiasm.If you cant get excited about people really wanting you to achieve, then youre in the wrong business, youre in the wrong game, Diaco said. Its the best. I love that.The Huskies ranked just 117th in the nation in total offense last season, but return four starters from its offensive line, and will get back center Ryan Crozier, who missed last season with a knee injury.Junior quarterback Bryant Shirreffs threw for 2,078 yards and nine touchdowns, and ran for 503 yards, a year ago. He is back and so is his top target, Noel Thomas, who caught 54 passes for 719 yards and three TDs.Diaco said Shirreffs isnt a lock to be the teams starting quarterback and is being pushed by senior Garrett Anderson, a junior-college transfer who played some receiver last year.The defense, which gave up just 19.5 points per game, is expected to be the teams strength, led by safety Obi Melifonwu.We have a base, a foundation and a building, said linebacker Matt Walsh. Now were just putting a whole other floor on it.Here are some of the other things to watch for in advance of UConns season opener on Sept. 1 against Maine:KEY GAMESUConns position in the American Athletic Conference could be decided during a key stretch that begins with a Sept. 29 visit to Houston, which lost to the Huskies 20-17 in East Hartford last year. UConn then returns home to face Cincinnati on Oct. 8. Both programs have been mentioned in Big 12 expansion talks. The Huskies also renew their rivalry with Boston College at Chestnut Hill on Nov. 19.RUNNING BACKSThe tailback tandem of Arkeel Newsome and Ron Johnson are back after combining for 1,016 rushing yards last season. Backup Josh Marriner transferred to Old Dominion during the offseason. Two freshmen on the roster, Nate Hopkins and JaKevious Vickers, could also get some carries.DAVIS SWITCHTyler Davis has switched positions. Recruited as a quarterback, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound redshirt freshman will instead be catching passes and running out of the F or slot-back position this year. Diaco said it didnt make much sense to have someone as athletically talented as Davis sitting on the bench as a backup quarterback.Theres so many jobs he can do for the team more than just stand on the sidelines and wait to go in at quarterback after two or three guys have a problem, he said. Get him in a spot where he can be an impact player.GAMEDAY EXPERIENCEAthletic director David Benedict says he wants to improve the game-day experience to get more fans to Rentschler Field. He has cut the prices of some concessions and eased parking restrictions in an effort to encourage tailgating. He also announced that plans for a ticket surcharge that would help pay for new soccer, baseball and softball fields at the school wont be implemented this season.PREDICTIONA 7-5 season and a second consecutive bowl game would be another step forward for UConn, though it may not be enough to convince the Big 12 that UConn football is worth adding.---This story has been corrected to show 2014 record was 2-10. Fake Nike NFL Jerseys .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night. Wholesale China Jerseys Free Shipping . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The Oilers signed Bryzgalov to a one-year $2 million contract last Friday after shedding payroll by dealing defenceman Ladislav Smid to the Flames. https://www.wholesalejerseysreview.com/ . Ouellette, from Montreal, already has three Olympic gold medals since joining the team in 1999. China Jerseys 2020 . The 28-year-old from Calgary matched his career best after missing just one shot in his two rounds of shooting in the mens 10-kilometre sprint competition. Smith finished in 23 minutes 15. Wholesale Jerseys Review . Kiriasis and brakeman Franziska Fritz finished two runs in one minute 55.41 seconds -- a mere 0.01 seconds ahead of Meyers and Lolo Jones, who likely bolstered her Olympic hopes by helping give USA-1 a huge push in the second heat. LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. -- Jimmie Taylor had 26 points and seven steals, both career highs, Norville Carey had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Rider held off Kennesaw State 81-79 Wednesday night in a Gotham Classic contest.Kendrick Ray hit a 3 for Kennesaw State with 21 seconds left cutting the deficit to 81-79 before the Owls missed their final two shots. Kahlil Thomas block of Rays layup attempt with a second left preserved the win.Johannes Nielsens jumper with 6:16 to go put Kennesaw State up 67-63 before Rider (6-3) went on a 14-0 runn.dddddddddddd Thomas made a pair of layups and Carey added a pair, one of which led to a 3-point play, during the run.James Scott brought the Owls to within five off a 3-point play with 1:34 to play but Jimmie Taylor countered with a 3 for the Broncs 30 seconds later.Stevie Jordan distributed a career-high 12 assists for Rider.Nick Masterson had 19 points for Kennesaw State (3-7) and Ray added 18 points. ' ' '