Post game Notre Dame -- Biggest win ever

Andre Dixon immediately had the thoughts come into his head after Teggart's miss to end regulation.

"After thinking about all of the times that we came so close and didn't come out with the win at the end," Dixon said, "I was thinking 'No, not another one of those games.' The I just thought to stay positive and regroup and pull everyone else together."

This was different. The Huskies hadn't lost yet, and in the overtime the Huskies stunned Notre Dame 33-30.

The line dominated. Both Todman and Dixon manhandled Notre Dame as we expected. Todman was explosive, and Dixon was a battering ram late. They thought they could wear down Notre Dame and they did.

As far as the defense, Blidi Wreh Wilson and Dwayne Gratz were terrific today. I think the ND receivers are the best duo in the country. They both played confidently, and that's important. Wilson batted away a ball towards Tate in the overtime to force a field goal. Great strength, reaction time, and confidence to do that against a player like Tate.

When you look at program defining wins, winning in South Bend is at the top of the list.

Let's say this slowly: The University of Connecticut defeated the University of Notre Dame in college football.

Think about that for a second. Or, think about it for the next hour.

Who are these upstarts from Storrs, Conn?

They are a team that is stricken by adversity and life. The Huskies last win was a month ago. In the meantime lives changed, dreams were crushed, people died. It's hard to separate this win from Jasper Howard because it's impossible to talk about this team and not see the effect of Jasper Howard's violent death.

What does Saturday's win mean?

For the first time in a month, the University of Connecticut can smile again.

The players have had fake smiles, and stiff upper lips. We see those everyday. That's what adults do. We put on a brave face.

But, when Andre Dixon darted left and saw his pulling guard, Zach Hurd obliterate a linebacker, the weight of world was off their shoulders. Dixon turned and the players rushed onto the field.

At the epicenter of the college football university, in it's cathedral, the University of Connecticut celebrated.

They celebrated victory, glory and celebrated life.

This was a great game. I don't need to go into the details and the good plays (going for it at midfield in the third quarter) or bad plays (not rushing the ball several more times to make a chip shot field goal for Teggart).

The Huskies won. They walked into Notre Dame Stadium fearless and confident. This isn't a good Notre Dame team (you don't beat the good ones), but it isn't a bad one either.

This is a hallowed place in South Bend. It's my first time here, and the mural of Touchdown Jesus and the field of play is so old it makes the hair stand up on your neck. The stadium is an artifact. There is wooden bleachers and just a pair of small scoreboards that keep down, distance, score and time. The field of play is immaculately simple. The endzones have lines on them and except for a small NBC Sports logo on the small scoreboard, there isn't a single piece of permanent signage in the park.

It feels like a church. Plain and regal. It is an old place, and it has seen it's share of great teams and great games. The University of Connecticut is 5-5, you are your record. But, for the adversity this team showed, and the toughness it has displayed this season, I think they are worthy to have played on this field.

Hey, the Huskies still need a couple of wins to get to a bowl game, and this season is going to end with a mediocre at best record.

For once however let's not be cynical. Enjoy the journey and the game. It's time to appreciate how the Huskies played this game.