Keys to the Notre Dame game

Offense

The Huskies need to keep the ball out of the hands of Notre Dame and Jimmy Clausen and the running game with Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon is the way to do it. The UConn running game is averaging 167 yards per game on the ground and the tandem of Todman and Dixon have combined for 1,556 yards and 19 touchdowns this season. The Irish can be run against and getting Todman and Dixon to control the clock against a susceptible Notre Dame defense will change the game’s dynamic. UConn quarterback Zach Frazer needs to control his emotions of returning to South Bend and play another tight game like he did against Cincinnati. Notre Dame’s defense has been its weakness this season giving up 153.2 yards a game in the run. That’s a good sign for the Huskies’ power running game.

Notre Dame’s offense is one the best in the country behind Jimmy Clausen. Clausen is a pro quarterback and has passed for 2,053 yards and 21 touchdowns this season averaging 305 yards per game. His receivers are dangerous, Golden Tate has 74 catches for 1,172 yards and 11 touchdowns while Michael Floyd is a big play threat averaging 20 yards a catch and has 606 yards receiving in six injury plagued games. Armando Allen has solidified the running game with 591 yards just to keep defenses honest. Clausen is accurate, with a strong arm, and hasn’t had anyone slow him down. He’s at his best late in the game, which the Huskies need to be wary of.


Defense

UConn’s defense have up over 700 yards of offense to Cincinnati in its last game and left unchecked, Clausen will be able to do the same kind of damage. The one thing that the Huskies can hope for is that the Notre Dame offensive line does have holes in it and Clausen has played this season under tremendous pressure. Lindsey Witten (10 ½ sacks) needs to rediscover that pass rush of early this season and the young pups in the secondary in redshirt freshman safety Jerome Junior, and corners Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Dwayne Gratz have to be more aggressive and confident defending the terrific receivers of Notre Dame. The Huskies have been susceptible to the big plays, and the Fighting Irish are more than capable of getting a couple. Avoiding that will be the key to the Huskies staying in this game.

Notre Dame has a top ranked offense, but it’s defense hasn’t played well for much of this season . They are allowing 390 yards of offense a game including 153.2 on the ground. If Notre Dame wants to put the Huskies away, they must stop the power running game. The Irish only have 18 sacks this season, and free safety Kyle McCarthy is their leading tackler at 78 with five interceptions.


Keys players

1. Lindsey Witten DE, UConn

The Huskies desperately need the senior defensive end Lindsey Witten and his pass rush to show up. The defense is at another level when Witten plays like a pro. If he is ineffective and unenergetic, the Huskies will not stop Notre Dame.

2. Golden Tate, WR Notre Dame

He is Jimmy Clausen’s favorite receiver and will be an impossible cover for the Huskies. Tate can make people miss and can make plays. If he gets going and it turns into pitch and catch with Clausen, it will be a long day for the Huskies.


3. Zach Frazer, QB UConn

Frazer is going to be excited and have a chip on his shoulder being a transfer from Notre Dame. He needs to have that edge, but he can’t go beyond himself. If Frazer doesn’t make mistakes, the Huskies are going to be able to move the ball on Notre Dame and make this a game.