There was no Hollywood ending, no miraculous last-second touchdown that could have been interpreted as Jasper Howard’s life spirit calling down to say, “I’m OK.”
The Connecticut football team could have used such an emotional IV yesterday.
The Huskies were playing their first game since the stabbing death of cornerback Jasper Howard last Sunday morning. They came to West Virginia carrying Howard’s helmet, his jersey and heavy hearts.
They came knowing that sometimes life isn’t fair.
But the essence of Jasper Tyrone Howard could not have been more celebrated than it was yesterday in the Huskies’ 28-24 loss at No. 22 West Virginia, because Howard left this world a little closer than it was when he entered it 20 years ago.
“I just couldn’t stop thinking about him throughout the game,” UConn running back Andre Dixon said.
The fact that the Huskies came and played — played hard, played with emotion, played the game that Howard loved — is the mother of all victories, regardless of the numbers on the scoreboard at Mountaineer Field.
Noel Devine’s 56-yard touchdown run in the closing minutes lifted West Virginia (6-1, 2-0 Big East). Devine ran for 171 of his 178 yards in the second half.
The determined Huskies outgained the Mountaineers 501-387. Sophomore quarterback Cody Endres threw for a career-high 378 yards and two scores. Marcus Easley caught five passes for a career-high 157 yards, including an 88-yard TD.
“We really wanted to go out and get this win for Jazz, but we came up short,” Easley said.
Howard’s death opened the arms and hearts of fans, players and coaches. That will be remembered long after the score of one game is forgotten.
Instead of the rote pre- and postgame handshake between Connecticut coach Randy Edsall and his West Virginia counterpart Bill Stewart, there were heartfelt hugs and sincere words of consolation.
There was a letter of condolence signed by every member of the Cincinnati football team. There was a sign of sympathy placed by the Mountaineers in the tunnel that leads from the visitor’s locker room to the field.
There is some support for the notion that the Big East’s Defensive Player of the Year award be named in honor of Howard. There is unanimous support for Howard’s pregnant girlfriend.
“Connecticut is like a big family,” said Connecticut hoop star Tina Charles. “The football team said the other day that they are now 104 brothers. That baby will have 104 uncles.”
He or she will be told about a young man who, according to reports, lost his life trying to play peacemaker at an altercation. He or she will learn of the day a team played not just to celebrate a life lost, but to celebrate life.
