( CNN ) -- When the Connecticut Huskies take to the field to play West Virginia on Saturday , their helmets will carry the initials of cornerback Jasper Howard , who was stabbed to death over the weekend . The incident happened at 12:33 a.m. , shortly after a sponsored student dance on campus . `` It 'll be good to get on the practice field tomorrow , '' UConn head football coach Randy Edsall told reporters Monday . Asked whether the team considered postponing the game , he said , `` I know Jasper would n't want us to do that . I just know that . '' Howard , a 20-year-old cornerback who started in every game for the team last season , was killed in a fight after a student dance on campus Saturday night , authorities said . Edsall said two other UConn players were with Howard at the time of the incident , but declined to identify them . On Monday , the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Howard died of a stab wound to the abdomen . The death has been classified as a homicide , said Bill Farrell , an investigator in the medical examiner 's office . During the dance at the university 's student center , a fire alarm was pulled at 12:26 a.m. , campus police Maj. Ron Blicher told reporters . More than 300 people who were attending the dance left the building and spilled out into the street . A fight broke out between two groups , and Howard and another person were stabbed , police said . Watch family , friends react to loss » . The incident happened at 12:33 a.m. Howard and the other victim were taken to a local hospital . Howard was then airlifted by helicopter to St. Francis Hospital in Hartford , where he later died , police said . The second victim , who was treated and released , was 19-year-old Brian Parker , a redshirt freshman on the UConn football squad , according to CNN affiliate WTNH . Johnny F. Hood , 21 , was arrested in connection to the fight -- not for the stabbing -- and charged with interfering with an officer and breach of peace , according to a police report . He was released on $ 100,000 bond . Hood 's attorney said his client was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time , WTNH reported Monday . UConn police and the Connecticut State Police are investigating the incident . They do n't have a suspect in the stabbing , but they `` do n't believe it was a random act , '' Blicher said . Both students and nonstudents were in the area at the time . Authorities are investigating whether alcohol was involved and what the altercation was about , he said . Anyone with information is asked to contact UConn police . Howard , a father-to-be , was a cornerback for the Huskies , who are 4-2 this season . The team 's Web site says he started in every game last year and led the Big East conference in punt returns . On Saturday , the Huskies beat Louisville 38-25 . Howard was awarded the game ball after the game , Edsall said . Howard 's mother , Joangela , said her son called her after the game , which she watched from her Miami home . Just hours after that chat , she received another call from Edsall , who told her Howard had been stabbed . `` He was a good child , a wonderful , sweet , loving child , '' Joangela Howard told CNN affiliate WSVN . `` I just hope whoever did it turns himself in . [ Jasper ] did n't deserve this . '' Edsall said Howard 's family would be arriving in Connecticut Monday afternoon . CNN 's Gabriel Falcon contributed to this report .
Jasper Howard , 20 , killed after a sponsored student dance on campus . Howard 's death has been classified as a homicide . No suspects , but police `` do n't believe it was a random act '' Slain football player a `` wonderful , sweet , loving child , '' his mother says .