The Connecticut press provided excellent coverage of the UFL’s foray into Hartford yesterday and today. The Courant weighed in after the game with a piece that further cements the news of Hartford receiving a team:

But even as a stream of cars was leaving the parking lot at halftime Thursday night, league officials were glowing. The number of bodies in the stands was secondary to the ability of the people who run Rentschler demonstrating they know how to stage a game.

And according to Commissioner Michael Huyghue, the stadium proved it’s ready for house a franchise.

“Markets like Hartford appeal to us because I think we have the opportunity to come in here, not have a lot of competition and to put a good quality product on the field,” Huyghue said. “There’s just a lot of things here that give us a good feel and make us excited about the prospect.”

The fans that turned out saw the best and the worst of the UFL, as the unbeaten Florida Tuskers beat the winless New York Sentinels, 24-6. Florida (5-0) has already clinched a spot in the league title game while New York (0-5) is playing out the season.

But the game was simply a backdrop. The league plans to add two franchises next season and Hartford is top choice, especially for the Windsor-raised Huyghue.

An announcement is expected before the end of the year. The league owns 50 percent of each franchise and a local group will own 50 percent. League sources have identified Northland Investment Corp. as the likely owner of a Hartford franchise.

Northland AEG also runs Rentschler Field, which is a plus for Huyghue.

“AEG operated facilities always operate like clockwork,” Huyghue said. “They know the sports world, they know how to put on an event. I think that’s important.”

Huyghue said the grass at Rentschler must be replaced by field turf if a UFL franchise is to share the facility with UConn. The league has been contact with UConn, Huyghue said.

UConn coach Randy Edsall has voiced his support in the past for a move to synthetic turf, so the UFL won’t get resistance from the stadium’s primary tenant.

“It’s something we would be prepared and willing to do,” Huyghue said. “We’ve got to make the stadium suitable for us.”

For the rest: http://www.courant.com/sports/football/hc-uflgame1113.artnov13,0,7593252.story