by Sports Xchange

KEYS TO THE GAME: Let's see if coordinator Jon Tenuta's defense can create a little havoc for UConn QB Zach Frazer, an injury replacement for Cody Endres. Frazer, who began his career at Notre Dame, is 40 of 78 for 594 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions, since taking over in the past two games. The Irish should focus on the Huskies' running game and take their chances with Frazer.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

WR Golden Tate -- Having an All-American type season, and is able to do so much in the offense. He is the team's leading receiver with 74 catches for 1,172 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he's the team's third-leading rusher with 23 attempts for 159 yards and two scores.

SS Kyle McCarthy -- He has five interceptions for the season and usually finds himself in the right place at the right time. McCarthy, a fifth-year senior playing his final home game, has a team-high 78 tackles, 20 more than anybody else.

RB Armando Allen -- Notre Dame's running game has slowed in the past two games -- a combined 126 yards against Navy and Pitt -- but Allen returned from an ankle injury last week, rushing 14 times for 77 yards. He needs to give the Irish a spark.

ROSTER REPORT:

--RG Trevor Robinson, who had to leave last week's game at Pitt because of an ankle injury that has been a problem for a few weeks, should be fine for UConn. He is listed as the starter.

--OT Sam Young is expected to make his 49th start for Notre Dame, breaking the school record for starts held by S Tom Zbikowski (2004-07) and LB Maurice Crum (2005-08). Young is the only Notre Dame offensive lineman to start every game of his career.

--Backup QB Dayne Crist had surgery for a torn ACL on Nov. 6. "It went very, very well, better than we would have expected," coach Charlie Weis said. "Usually when you get an ACL there's a lot of residual damage along with that, and it was as clean as could be."