Connecticut (4-5) @ Notre Dame (6-4)
The Huskies make their first ever trip to South Bend on Saturday, badly needing a victory. UConn is teetering on the edge of bowl contention, and winning this one would go a long way towards securing that goal. How Zach Frazer plays in his much publicized return, will be a big key in this one.
After throwing for a PA high school state record 3,674 yards in his junior season, things really took off for Frazer. The types of players he beat for that record? Joe Montana. Dan Marino. Joe Namath. His stock soared..in 2005, according to Rivals.com, Frazer was the number 9 ranked pro-style quarterback in the country. To put that into perspective, Matthew Stafford, former Georgia Bulldog, and current Detroit Lion, was ranked number 1. Josh Freeman, former K-State Wildcat, and current Tampa Bay Buc, was ranked 4th. Ready for this one? Sam Bradford..he of the Oklahoma Sooners…ranked 12th.
Frazer had his pick of schools, and he chose Notre Dame. Just one year later, he found himself buried at 4th on the depth chart, and subsequently transferred to UConn. We know the rest…An injury here, and interception there..things just weren’t working out for Zach.
Life has a funny way of working out sometimes. After replacing an injured Frazer, Cody Endres played well enough that Randy Edsall had little choice but to name him the starter…even when it was clear that Frazer was once again healthy. Zach wouldn’t get his chance to face Notre Dame after all…or would he? As fate would have it, Endres himself is injured… and just like that, Zach Frazer’s career is reborn. Just in time to face his old coach, Charlie Weis…he who thought that Zach Frazer was the 4th best QB on his team…what a backdrop indeed.
Can the Huskies stop the Irish Passing game?
It won’t be easy…and it’s not a good match-up. Notre Dame ranks 6th in the nation in passing yards per game at 321.3. The Huskies rank 76th in passing yards allowed (232.1 per game). # 6 has been sorely missed in the secondary….but the time is now, someone must step up.
Can the Irish stop the Husky rushing attack?
Not likely. UConn is rushing for an impressive 167.9 yards per game…Notre Dame is allowing 153.4. The Huskies must pound the rock, in this one. Andre Dixon, who was dinged up vs Cincy, is a go in this one. Jordan Todman is listed as the starter, but we know Dreads Dixon will be counted upon. I don’t think another high scoring shootout is a good recipe for victory in this one…UConn’s defense would be best served having some energy left in the 4th quarter…and limiting Notre Dame’s possessions will be the best way to achieve that. Pound. The. Rock.
How will Zach Frazer fare against the Notre Dame secondary?
Pretty well. Notre Dame is ranked even lower than Connecticut in pass yards allowed, 85th (237.3). Cincinnati is ranked 41st at 202.80, and Frazer threw for 261 vs them. The Huskies rank an astonishing 39th in passing yards per game with 241. I say astonishing, because last year the Huskies ranked 107th, with 139.7. Amazing. Frazer played probably the best game of his career vs Cincinnati…his decision making was sound, his accuracy was vastly improved…and perhaps most importantly, he didn’t blink on the big stage. If he plays that way on Saturday, the Huskies will be tough to beat.
But what about that Irish mystique?
“We’re not going out there for a tour of the campus or a history lesson. We’re going out there to try and win a football game.” -Scott Lutrus
Does that about sum things up ?
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Good write up on the upcoming UCONN game. The key is whether UCONN secondary can stop the Irish passing game. I believe if UCONN can control the clock and run on the Irish, it could be key to victory here. Fraser just needs to stay calm and not throw any INTs. Run the ball and trust the OL to do their job.
Go Huskies!
The dogs can really turn the season around here.
Also send Weiss packing and raise the middle finger to Notre Dame for not wanting to play us at our home stadium.
We beat them in ND they should have to beg us for a chance to avenge the loss at Rentschler Field. Not Foxboro or NY!
These guys last won a championship 20yrs ago and our stadium is not good enough for you? GET REAL!