Loss to UConn casts even further doubt on Charlie Weis' future

SOUTH BEND | The ending was startlingly anti-climactic.

All the talk of a reawakening powerhouse, the preseason ranking, the optimism and hope -- or what was left of it -- evaporated completely into the crisp fall night as UConn running back Andre Dixon moved 4 yards untouched into the north end zone of Notre Dame Stadium.

The 2009 Notre Dame football team, hailed as one perhaps capable of greatness, was left holding the pieces of a broken season Saturday, following a 33-30 double-overtime loss to UConn (5-5) on Senior Day.

The loss drops the Irish to 6-5, and with a trip to No. 14 Stanford looming, Notre Dame is staring a second-consecutive six-loss season in the eyes.

And Charlie Weis' job security is now surely fading as well.

Weis, already under fire and now with a worse winning percentage than former Irish coaches Bob Davie or Tyrone Willingham, refused to enter into any conversation about his status after the game.

"Today's not the day for me to reflect on things like that," Weis said, deflecting attention onto his seniors. "Today's the day for me to be worrying about these guys."  

Saturday's game couldn't have started better for the Irish. Notre Dame gained 169 yards in the first quarter alone, and early in the second quarter took a 14-0 lead, while UConn's offense looked next to hapless.

But, as has been the case so often this season, Notre Dame couldn't translate momentum into control, and the visitors closed that gap to 14-10 by halftime.

The teams played to a draw in the second half and the first overtime, before UConn held Notre Dame to a field goal, then scored the decisive touchdown on its last possession.

The Irish got another signature day from Jimmy Clausen -- perhaps his last such performance at Notre Dame Stadium, should the junior turn pro next spring.

"I'm not going to think about it right now," Clausen said. "I'm just going to get ready to go out to California and play Stanford."

Saturday, Clausen went 30-of-45 for 329 yards and two touchdowns, and thoroughly outplayed his counterpart, former Notre Dame signal-caller Zach Frazer.

But not even great was good enough, and the Irish have now lost three in a row.

"I'm just really disappointed that all the seniors had to go out this way," Clausen said. "It's just really tough to swallow."

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

UConn 33, Notre Dame 30, 2OT

Merrillville grad James Aldridge had one carry for 2 yards in his home finale.