Hartford

UConn Changes Time for Next Weekend's Football Game Due to EEE Concerns

The University of Connecticut has changed the time for next weekend's football game against USF due to Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) concerns.

School officials said the game on Saturday, Oct. 5, was originally scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and will now begin at 12 p.m. at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

"The 12 p.m. kick on Oct. 5 will ensure that UConn fans, student-athletes and staff are outdoors during the hours of the day that see low mosquito activity. Additional game time changes, if necessary, will be announced at a later date," school officials said in a release.

The school said they are changing the time of the game as a safety precaution after getting guidance from the state Department of Public Health.

“Though the risk is low, as a precaution, we want to take any reasonable steps we can to help reduce the exposure of student-athletes, staff and the public to this illness. I want to thank the conference, USF and our own division of athletics for their flexibility,” said UConn President Thomas Katsouleas.

EEE is transmitted through mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are most active beginning at dusk through the night until dawn. The university said they recommend recommends all outdoor activities and events scheduled to take place between dusk and dawn be rescheduled to another time during the day, if possible.

Two people have died in Connecticut from EEE this season and the virus has been found in more than a dozen towns statewide.

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