Big House a big deal

Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP) - There will be plenty of pomp and circumstance at the Big House on Saturday.

Michigan officials plan to cut a ribbon at midfield of their new-look stadium and then the brother of a Wolverines player will lead the team onto the field with a stirring walk few thought he would ever be able to take.

For Rich Rodriguez, all that doesn't matter as much as something else: He could really use a win when his Wolverines host Connecticut in the season opener for both teams.

"All the hoopla is terrific," Rodriguez said. "But what matters most is at 3:30 when the ball is kicked off."

Rodriguez lost a school-record nine games two years ago, flopped to a 5-7 finish last season and then school officials acknowledged that college football's winningest program had broken major NCAA rules for the first time. They are awaiting an NCAA decision after appealing the allegation that Rodriguez failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance in his program.

All this comes as the school unveils $226 million in renovations that added towering structures of luxury suites along both sidelines at Michigan Stadium. And Michigan certainly didn't schedule a cream puff for the rededication of the iconic stadium that has retaken the lead as the nation's biggest with a capacity of 109,901.

The Huskies have 16 starters back from last year's team, which went 8-5 with wins at Notre Dame and against South Carolina, and endured the stabbing death of teammate Jasper Howard.

As much as Michigan has been pointing toward this game, UConn has been focusing on the matchup for a long time, too.

"We're definitely ready for this," running back Jordan Todman said. "Trust me, man, as soon as we realized we were playing Michigan, it's been on our mind — just constantly. When we were working out in the summer, we put the helmet up in the weight room just to remind us what we were working for."

A symbol of success

Connecticut fullback D.J. Shoemate still wears his 2009 Rose Bowl championship ring.

The junior, who transferred to UConn from Southern California this summer, says he's not trying to show off to any of his new teammates, but instead wears the ring as a reminder of what it takes to become a champion.

"I'm keeping my eyes on the prize, the Orange Bowl, BCS bowl," he said. "When I was at SC, we competed with everybody. We worked hard. We prepared, and the end result was a Rose Bowl championship. It was one of the proudest moments of my life."

Shoemate had committed to Southern California as a 15 year-old sophomore in high school. But after arriving, he was moved from tailback to fullback, and said it was not a good fit. He started the Rose Bowl, but spent most of his time at USC as a reserve.

He began looking for a new school after the NCAA hit the Trojans with sanctions that allowed players to transfer without having to sit out a year.

"I just saw the opportunity and the love I didn't feel for fullback," he said. "I thought I could be utilized in a totally different way."

He looked at Texas, TCU, Boise State and North Carolina. He added UConn to the mix at the urging of a close friend and high school teammate, Johnny McEntee, a backup quarterback for the Huskies.

"We ran a similar offense in high school," McEntee said. "I just told him that we had some opportunities for him here and if he wanted to come, he could be a big impact for us."

Shoemate had already seen UConn play. He traveled with McEntee's family during a USC bye week last November to watch the Huskies at Notre Dame. UConn won 33-30 in two overtimes.

"They showed heart, camaraderie, and they just executed," he said. "That really, really stuck out to me when I was considering going to another university."

What tipped the scales, Shoemate said, was UConn coach Randy Edsall. He encouraged Shoemate to visit several schools before making a decision. He didn't promise Shoemate playing time, but told him he could compete for time at tailback.

"That showed his true character, he wasn't trying to tell me a bunch of bull crap," Shoemate said. "He was just keeping it as real as possible."

Shoemate joined an already deep stable of tailbacks at UConn, but made his way up the ranks during training camp. When the final depth chart was released Tuesday, he found himself behind only junior Jordan Todman, who rushed for almost 1,200 yards a year ago while splitting time with Andre Dixon.

Todman said he welcomes Shoemate, who he describes as a strong and punishing runner, and a great athlete.

"We'll take on anybody who can help us win games," he said.

Shoemate is expected to be used mostly in short-yardage situations. Edsall said Todman, Shoemate and junior Robbie Frey all will see action on Saturday against Michigan.

"We have a role right now that we think D.J. will fill," Edsall said. "And I think that role that we have, I think he'll do a good job with that role. I'm glad that he's here, because there are things that he's going to do that are going to contribute to the success of our football