Huskies Look Forward to Fighting the Irish

By AMANDA RAUS

Updated 5:34 PM EDT, Fri, Nov 20, 2009

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UConn kicks off against Notre Dame Saturday in the first ever match-up between the Huskies and the Fighting Irish.

Predictions say it will be a close game as the Huskies battle the mystique, the tradition of Notre Dame football.

UConn, coming off a loss to Cincinnati, is looking to boost its 4-5 record for the season. It has lost its last three games, all since the death of Husky Jasper "Jazz" Howard. In four of its losses, UConn has blown fourth quarter leads.

"When we get ahead, we just haven't had the ability to make that one play to get that crucial stop at the end of the ball game,'' UConn coach Randy Edsall said. "It might be confidence in players that haven't been in that situation, the need to make a play to gain that confidence or a matter of not executing the call properly and just a step out of place.''

But Notre Dame will be putting up a fight. This game is the last one Notre Dame seniors will play at home. It could also seal the fate of coach Charlie Weis, who has come under fire for a 6-4 record with back-to-back losses to Navy and Pitt. There are rumors this could be his last season coaching the Fighting Irish.

"I don't think that any decision has been made because I probably would know," Weis said at his weekly press conference. "And I don't know. So with that being said, it's full speed ahead. That's full speed ahead with UConn, then full speed ahead to Stanford, and full speed ahead to going on the road recruiting, and that is exactly the way we're approaching it."

Saturday's match up also brings UConn quarterback Zach Frazer to Notre Dame. He signed with the Irish back in 2006, but transferred to UConn in 2007. Now he'll be playing against some former teammates.

"Notre Dame is so well known throughout the world. If you play them and beat them you get a lot of recognition. I think our program needs that. I think our players are excited to play, just to be on the field and be a part of it, and then take advantage of the opportunity," said Frazer.

Saturday's game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. at Notre Dame Field. You can watch it on NBC Connecticut.