IRISH INSIDER

THE Monday, SeptemberNovember 23,19, 20092005 o bserver ConnecticutMichigan 33, State Notre 44 Dame, Notre 30 Dame (2 OT) 41 Broken record Same old story as Irish lose another heartbreaker on Senior Day

By MIKE GOTIMER Sports Writer

When former Yankees catcher Yogi Berra famously quipped “It’s déjà vu all over again,” who would have ever thought he could be talking about Notre Dame football? Notre Dame lost on Senior Day to a Big East team with a losing record that had strug- gled through a season of adversity and was desperately looking for a signature win. Unfortunately for the Irish, it was the second year in a row that this nightmare scenario played out — this time with a 33-30 double-overtime loss to Connecticut capped by ’s game-ending 4-yard run. In 2008, Syracuse came into Notre Dame Stadium to spoil the last home game for Notre Dame’s seniors a week after the Orange had announced head coach Greg Robinson would be fired at the season’s end. After Saturday’s game, Huskies coach Randy Edsall called the win the biggest one in program history. “We’re just very, very proud to win and know that we have to stay humble and stay hun- gry because we still have TOM LA/The Observer other things that we still From left, Irish players James Aldridge, George West, Kerry Neal and Darrin Walls sing the Alma Mater after Connecticut spoiled would like to accomplish,” Notre Dame’s Senior Day with a 33-30 victory in double overtime Saturday. Edsall said. “But there is no doubt that this is the biggest “I really feel miserable for an 8-yard touchdown pass again with a 96-yard kickoff On the ensuing Irish posses- win that we’ve had so far in those 33 guys,” Weis said from junior return for a touchdown that sion, junior running back the short time that we’ve Saturday after the game. to junior wide evened the score 17-17. Armando Allen fumbled on been an FBS school.” “And as I’ve said the other receiver Golden Tate in just The two defenses held until the Notre Dame 41-yard line It was also a much-needed day and I’ve never been a 3:11 to give Notre Dame a 7-0 the Notre Dame offense was with 58 seconds left, giving win for a Connecticut team hypocrite before, I come in lead. In the first quarter stifled in the red zone early in the Huskies a shot to win the that had not won a game here and start talking about alone, the Irish outgained the the fourth quarter, leading to game in regulation. But since the tragic death of jun- me, I’m really barking up the Huskies 169-51. a 23-yard field T e g g a r t ior cornerback Jasper wrong tree, because those Notre Dame capped off an goal from missed a 37- Howard. The Huskies win guys are the guys I should feel 80-yard scoring drive just 28 Ruffer. “I feel miserable. No yard field goal allows them to finally gain for today.” seconds into the second quar- Connecticut one cares more try as time some closure now that they It was a bitter feeling for ter when Clausen got into the marched deep expired to have honored their fallen Weis, who called last year’s on a 1-yard quarter- into Irish terri- about these kids force overtime. teammate with a victory. Senior Day loss to Syracuse a back sneak to give the Irish a tory on its short term and long The two “It’s just another game, but regret, having to face that 14-0 lead. ensuing pos- term than me.” teams traded you’ve got to understand the reality for a second straight But as they had done so session, but t o u c h d o w n human part of this, and season. many times this season, the junior line- passes in the you’ve got to understand what “I feel miserable,” he said. Huskies bounced back on backer Brian Charlie Weis first overtime, this team has gone through,” “No one cares more about their next drive, as running Smith inter- Irish coach and on its sec- Edsall said. “A couple of close these kids short term and back Jordan Todman took a cepted a pass ond overtime games, and then you lose a long term than me. I don’t 43-yard run to the house to from Huskies possession, teammate, you lose a brother, worry about them just now, finish off a scoring drive in junior and former Notre Dame Notre Dame settled for a 36- you lose a son, and you’re try- just today, or just next week. I which the Huskies went 75 quarterback Zach Frazer in yard field goal by Ruffer ing so hard to honor him by worry about them and their yards in 2:41 to pull within a the end zone. before Dixon ran home the winning on the field. We had- lives, which is part of this job touchdown. A field goal by The Huskies would get game winner. n’t done that, so that first win right here.” Huskies sophomore kicker another chance after a stalled With the loss, Notre Dame that we were going to get was In the early going, it Dave Teggart with 3:14 sec- Notre Dame drive, and they has now lost its last four going to be special and what appeared that Notre Dame onds left in the half put the tied the score 20-20 with 1:10 games against Big East foes, better place than here?” would pull away from the score at 14-10. left in the game with a 29- with its last Big East win com- For the Irish, head coach Huskies. After holding After junior kicker David yard field goal from Teggart. ing against Syracuse on Charlie Weis once again found Connecticut to a three-and- Ruffer kicked a 20-yard field The field goal try came only Senior Day in 2005. himself fielding questions out on their first possession, goal to put the Irish back up after a pair of holding penal- from the hot seat after anoth- the Irish marched 69 yards by a touchdown early in the ties negated Connecticut Contact Mike Gotimer at er Senior Day loss. down the field and scored on third quarter, Todman struck touchdown runs. [email protected]

player of the game stat of the game play of the game quote of the game

Jordan Todman 6 Jordan Todman’s 96-yard kickoff “The finality of that being your last Connecticut running back return touchdown in the third quarter opportunity to play for the University of Number of points Notre Dame Notre Dame, I think it’s gut wrenching.” Todman rushed for 130 yards and a scored in regulation after taking The special teams score tied the touchdown and returned a kickoff 96 a 14-0 lead with 14:32 remaining game 17-17 immediately after an Charlie Weis yards for a score. in the second quarter. Irish field goal made it 17-10. Irish coach page 2 The Observer N IRISH INSIDER Monday, November 23, 2009 report card

: As usual, Clausen’s num- bers were phenomenal. But as the B+ offense’s leader, he deserves some of the blame for the unit’s uninspiring finish.

running backs: Allen had a nice day with 170 total yards, but his fumble on Notre B Dame’s last drive in regulation gave the Huskies a shot at a makeable field goal.

receivers: Tate and Floyd both registered at least 100 yards and a touchdown yet again, A- but the Connecticut defensive backs made big plays in critical situations.

offensive line: Clausen was sacked twice and pressured in some critical situations, B+ but the line paved the way for some good gains by Allen.

defensive line: The front four got man- handled in the critical fourth quarter, D as the Huskies were able to physically dominate with a run-first attack.

linebackers: Brian Smith made a critical interception in the end zone, but the line- backers looked a step slow and out of C COURTNEY ECKERLE/The Observer position too often in the run game. Irish senior center Eric Olsen and coach Charlie Weis prepare to take the field before Notre Dame’s 33-30 double-overtime loss to Connecticut Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium. defensive backs: The secondary contained Frazer for most of the day but allowed a B- touchdown pass on 3rd-and-9 in the first overtime. Loss on Senior Day really hurts special teams: Ruffer made three big field goals and Turk looked solid in his return Only being a junior, I didn’t media Sunday, appearing worn believe him. And when he says he to punter. But the Irish gave up a kickoff think the emotions of Notre out, physically and emotionally, cares most about his players in B- return touchdown that changed the com- Dame’s Senior Day would get to despite trying to take a light- these uncertain times, I believe plexion of the game. me. But when Connecticut’s Andre hearted approach with the local him. Dixon scampered into the end beat writers before the press con- Charlie Weis is a good man. He coaching: The Irish came out firing on zone and hand- ference. is a Notre Dame man. And, per- offense but inexplicably went away from ed five fifth- Weis has been the subject of as haps even more importantly, his the no-huddle approach that worked well year seniors, much pointed media speculation players, and especially his seniors, C- in the first quarter, and the run defense including cap- as any figure in the sports world are Notre Dame men. It is looked lost at the end of the game. tains Kyle in recent weeks, and it hurts to admirable the way they have McCarthy and see that happen to a man who stood by their embattled coach overall: Another disheartening Scott Smith, loves Notre Dame and has put so over the last three tumultuous loss on a day when the Irish their second much into turning his program years, and the way in which the hoped to send their seniors out straight Senior around. team emerged from the tunnel 2.59 with a victory. Day loss — Despite his disappointing win- Saturday — standing behind their well, it got to Matt Gamber loss record, the fact is he is still four captains and their head me. part of a Notre Dame family that coach, both literally and figura- It wasn’t just prides itself on its closeness even tively — made me proud to sup- about the loss, Sports Editor in tough times, and this may be port this team, even if the final which dropped the toughest of times for Weis and result didn’t. adding up the Irish to a his players. To hear the boo birds Just as the struggles of Notre shocking to come out for the Band’s tradition- Dame’s players in certain areas of some, disappointing to all 6-5 al 1812 Overture — usually played the game — an inconsistent record this season, exactly where as a tribute to Notre Dame’s head ground game and poor tackling the numbers Notre Dame was a year ago. And coach — following the singing of fundamentals come to mind — are while most Notre Dame fans are the Alma Mater as the team, and a reflection of their head coach, so angry, to say the least, I can’t help particularly the seniors, slowly too is the way with which these Number of November losses during the Charlie but just feel sad for the Notre trickled into the locker room players carried themselves before Weis era at Notre Dame. Weis is 10-10 in the 10 Dame family, from the students stung, for me at least, more than and after what might have been season’s final month in five seasons. and alumni to the players and another close loss that, unfortu- the most painful loss for a group coaches. nately, didn’t come as a huge sur- of players who have endured more Number of Notre Dame games decided by seven Some would argue that you can’t prise. than their fair share of painful 9 points or loss, the most in . The hurt for Charlie Weis, a man paid No, Weis hasn’t beaten USC in losses. Irish are 4-5 in those contests. millions to coach football at his five tries. He’s lost at home to Of course I wish the offensive alma mater and who, by most any Navy twice. He’s lost two straight line played a little nastier, the statistical measure, hasn’t lived Senior Day games. His winning linebackers tackled much better Number of Notre Dame field goals 0in the red up to expectations. But for all percentage is lower than those of and the defensive backs were zone. The Irish scored on all six red zone posses- 3 Weis’ shortcomings — and they’ll both Bob Davie and Tyrone more aggressive with the ball in sions but managed only three . all be discussed over the next Willingham at the time they were the air. Those are only three week or so, until an official fired. examples of concerns and criti- Number of games in which both announcement about the pro- Those damning statistics don’t cisms any casual observers of this 4 and Golden Tate recorded 100 yards receiving. gram’s future is made at some lie, and I can no longer believe he Irish team would make, and, fairly The Irish are 0-4 in those games. point after Saturday’s game at could, should or would be or unfairly, those ultimately fall on Stanford — I still have a great retained. While he’s taken the the shoulders of the head coach, deal of respect for him. right tact with the media by as Weis acknowledged Sunday. Number of yards the Irish offense amassed Just after Weis’ Sunday press politely declining to answer those But if you listened to the seniors in the first quarter. Notre Dame also gained 169 conference, I happened across the loaded “big picture” questions talk about their Notre Dame expe- 163 yards in the third and totaled 452 total. 2005 ESPN video story on “Pass until after the season, I’m not sure rience leading up to their final Right,” when Weis famously stuck I believe him when he says he game in the Stadium, and if you to a promise he made to a dying hasn’t reflected on the program’s watched the pain with which so Number of consecutive starts by senior right 10-year-old Irish fan to pass to the progress and how it affects his job many of them lingered on the field 49 tackle Sam Young, who broke Notre Dame’s right on Notre Dame’s first play status. after this gut-wrenching defeat, all-time record by starting Saturday. against Washington, even though No, I haven’t believed in a lot of you know these guys have given it the Irish were backed up inside the moves Weis has made this sea- all they could. And so has their Number of kickoff for freshman their own 1-yard line. son, and I don’t believe a lot of coach. Theo Riddick this season, a school record. He 727 That was five years ago, just what he’s said as the pressure returned three kicks for 68 yards Saturday. three games into the Weis era that turned up in recent weeks. But The views expressed in this seemed so full of promise. The when he says he’ll continue to column are those of the author contrast was stark between the prepare for Stanford, I believe and not necessarily those of The Number of 100-yard receiving games for Golden Tate this Weis in the video — fresh, ener- him. When he says he’ll continue Observer. 8 season, which ties a school record. He has 14 for his getic, optimistic, well perceived — to recruit “full speed ahead” until Contact Matt Gamber at career, also a school record. and the one who sat in front of the he’s told he’s not coming back, I [email protected] Monday, November 23, 2009 The Observer N IRISH INSIDER page 3 Third straight loss comes as shock scoring summary

1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT Total Connecticut 0 10 7 3 13 33 Notre Dame 7 7 3 3 10 30

First quarter Notre Dame 7, Connecticut 0 Golden Tate 8-yd pass from Jimmy Clausen (David Ruffer kick) with 10:59 remaining. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 3:11 elapsed. Second quarter Notre Dame 14, Connecticut 0 Clausen 1-yd run (Ruffer kick) with 14:32 remaining. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:05 elapsed.

Notre Dame 14, Connecticut 7 Jordan Todman 43-yd run (Dave Teggart kick) with 11:51 remaining. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:41 elapsed.

Notre Dame 14, Connecticut 10 Teggart 39-yd field goal with 3:14 remaining. Drive: 13 plays, 52 yards, 6:12 elapsed. Third quarter Notre Dame 17, Connecticut 10 Ruffer 20-yd field goal with 9:29 remaining. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 5:31 elapsed.

Notre Dame 17, Connecticut 17 TOM LA/The Observer Todman 96-yd kickoff return (Teggart kick) with Senior fullback James Aldridge stands on the field after Notre Dame’s 33-30 loss to Connecticut in double overtime Saturday. 9:17 remaining. The Irish have now lost three straight after a 6-2 start put Notre Dame in BCS contention. Fourth quarter Notre Dame 20, Connecticut 17 were even higher. At 6-2, junior quarterback Jimmy end,” Clausen said. Ruffer 23-yd field goal with 10:47 remaining. By LAURA MYERS the Irish were ranked and Clausen said. “You know, Even though the Senior Drive: 11 plays, 41 yards, 5:32 elapsed. Sports Writer had a chance to play in a it’s just really hard to swal- Day loss looked similar to BCS bowl. Now, after three low.” last year’s, the Irish will Notre Dame 20, Connecticut 20 There was no snow this straight losses the Irish will Added Tate: “Playing now look to conclude the Teggart 29-yd field goal with 1:10 remaining. time, but the rest seemed most likely not even have a close games, at some point regular season differently. Drive: 12 plays, 40 yards, 4:04 elapsed. eerily familiar. shot at the Gator Bowl, it happens, unfortunately.” “We can’t point fingers. First overtime The collapse of a promis- which many Tate and We can only point back at ing season came to a climax had termed a Clausen have ourselves,” McCarthy said. Connecticut 27, Notre Dame 20 Saturday with an emotional fallback for both put up Last year, Notre Dame Kashif Moore 11-yd pass from Zach Frazer Senior Day loss to a Big this year’s “Sitting at 6-2 you big numbers traveled to USC for its last (Teggart kick). East team. And just like squad. know we had a in the losses, game and took a beating in after the 2008 loss to “I would’ve but with an ugly 38-3 loss. Connecticut 27, Notre Dame 27 chance to do some Michael Floyd 4-yd pass from Clausen (Ruffer Syracuse, players are trying laughed in nothing to This year, the Irish will kick). to figure out what went your face if special things, and show for it. again head to California, wrong. you had told then it’s just all taken In the last but this time to take on a Second overtime “It’s just tough,” junior me this is from you.” three games, hot Stanford team. Still, Notre Dame 30, Connecticut 27 Golden Tate what would Tate has they’re hoping for a differ- Ruffer 36-yd field goal. said. “Sitting at 6-2 you h a p p e n , ” notched 368 ent result. Golden Tate know we had a chance to senior safety r e c e i v i n g “The guys are just hang- Connecticut 33, Notre Dame 30 do some special things, and K y l e Irish wide receiver yards, and ing their heads, but we still Andre Dixon 4-yd run. then it’s just all taken from M c C a r t h y Clausen is have one game left and you.” said. 9 4 - o f - 1 3 8 need to keep moving,” jun- In 2008, Notre Dame sat The losses were games passing for 1,064 yards. ior linebacker Brian Smith at 5-2 before ultimately los- seven, eight and nine decid- Statistics like that don’t said. “Losing wears on you, ing four of its last five. It ed by a touchdown or less usually lend themselves to but you have to work to not statistics was a disappointing finish in 2009. Players pointed to three straight losses, but let it wear on you and just for a team that was trying the close decisions in their Clausen said that is beside work to win.” total yards to prove itself after the dis- search for an explanation. the point. astrous 2007 season. “Just losing by very little, “Stats really don’t matter Contact Laura Myers at This season, the stakes those are the tough ones,” unless you get a W at the [email protected]

Tate sets pair of school receiving records rushing yards

kicker Nick Tausch was Connecticut before the mer Irish coaches Bob By MIKE GOTIMER scratched from the game. 2007 season after finishing Davie and Tyrone Sports Writer “It was right before the fourth in the quarterback Willingham. Weis’ home series went off that I found competition to replace winning percentage of .576 passing yards Junior wide receiver out I was going to start,” Brady Quinn. After the ranks as the worst home Golden Tate set two new Ruffer said. “I misheard the game however, Frazer winning percentage school receiving records in coin flip and thought we downplayed the individual amongst all Notre Dame the loss to Connecticut. were going to significance coaches since 1975. With his 39-yard reception take the ball, of the win. in the first quarter, Tate so I started “I don’t feel like I “I don’t feel N Notre Dame’s red zone passed Jeff Samardzija’s kicking field proved anything. I feel like I proved offense struggled once time of possession previous record of 1,249 goals. [Junior a n y t h i n g , ” again to put the ball in the receiving yards from the k i c k e r ] like we proved Frazer said. endzone, converting only 2005 season, and, at the B r a n d o n something today, “I feel like three touchdowns in six red end of the game, he had Walker had you know, coming in we proved zone appearances, includ- 1,295 yards on the year. to yell at me s o m e t h i n g ing in overtime. Going back here and getting On the same catch, Tate to kickoff.” today, you to the Navy game, the Irish passing passed both Samardzija and a victory.” know, coming have scored just seven Tom Gatewood’s shared N Huskies in here and touchdowns in 14 trips to Clausen 30-45-329 Frazer 12-25-141 record of 77 receptions in a junior quar- Zach Frazer getting a vic- the red zone. In their seven single season, and he cur- terback Zach tory.” combined red zone chances rushing rently has 83 catches on F r a z e r Huskies quarterback in the Navy and Pittsburgh the year. walked away N With the games, the Irish have con- Allen 24-106 Todman 26-130 v i c t o r i o u s loss, Irish verted three field goals, Tate 1-12 Dixon 20-114 N Walk-on junior kicker yesterday in his return to coach Charlie Weis’ record committed three turnovers receiving David Ruffer found out that Notre Dame Stadium. at Notre Dame dropped to and missed one field goal. he would start at kicker Frazer, who was a fresh- 35-26, for a winning per- Tate 9-123 Easley 4-67 just before kickoff on man on the Irish roster in centage of .574, below the Contact Mike Gotimer at Floyd 8-104 Griffin 3-33 Saturday after freshman 2006, transferred to winning percentages of for- [email protected] Allen 7-64 Moore 2-13 page 4 The Observer N IRISH INSIDER Monday, November 23, 2009

ANDREW WEBER/The Observer A familiar

story TOM LA/The Observer

Notre Dame reversed its recent trend of struggling to start games, but the

Irish could not sustain their early momentum and lost their third straight game, 33-30 to Connecticut in double overtime. Jimmy Clausen marched the

offense down the field on its first drive, finding Golden Tate for an 8-yard

touchdown pass and a 7-0 lead. On the second play of the second quarter,

Clausen plunged in from one yard out to put Notre Dame up 14-0. A 43-yard

Jordan Todman touchdown run and a Dave Teggart field goal brought

Connecticut to within 14-10. On their first drive of the second half, the Irish

moved deep into Huskies territory but settled for a David Ruffer field goal —

which Todman immediately answered with a 96-yard kickoff return touch-

down to tie the game at 17-17. After trading fourth-quarter field goals, the

teams headed into overtime, as both Connecticut and Notre Dame scored on

touchdown passes on their first drive. But after the Huskies forced the Irish

to settle for a field goal in the second overtime, Andre Dixon ended the game

with a 4-yard touchdown scamper to give Connecticut the 33-30 win.

For more photos, check out the photo gallery at ndsmcobserver.com

ANDREW WEBER/The Observer

TOM LA/The Observer TOM LA/The Observer Clockwise from top: Junior running back Armando Allen has his helmet knocked off as he attempts to cross the goal line; junior quarterback Jimmy Clausen passes to Allen; senior center Eric Olsen runs out of the tunnel before the game; Allen tries to escape a tackler; junior linebacker Harrison Smith dives to make a tackle.