MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Connecticut players held hands in unity and bowed their heads while joining West Virginia (No. 23 BCS, No. 22 AP) for a moment of silence in memory of slain Huskies cornerback Jasper Howard on Saturday.

Connecticut players honor fallen teammate Jasper Howard before their game against West Virginia. Matthew Emmons/US Presswire

The crowd at Mountaineer Field gave UConn a lengthy ovation as the players took the field. West Virginia coach Bill Stewart gave Connecticut's Randy Edsall a hug and the teams exchanged handshakes before kickoff.

Howard was stabbed to death early last Sunday outside a university-sponsored dance. No one has been charged in his death. The funeral is Monday in his hometown of Miami.

"It's been a tough week, but what this game does is provide some normalcy to the kids," said Scott Edwards, whose son, Matt, is a redshirt freshman defensive back for Connecticut.

"It's been a really terrible week, but it gets them back to what they know and love and it's important for them to be back on the field," he said. "By playing these guys today, they're honoring Jasper Howard. It's important for their healing and our healing as well."

UConn running back Andre Dixon and wide receiver Kashif Moore carried Howard's helmet and No. 6 jersey from the lockerroom before kickoff. Players from both teams wore stickers on their helmets during the game, won by West Virginia 28-24.