GAMEDAY HAS ARRIVED

The last time Zach Frazer faced North Carolina, it was his first collegiate start. It did not go as planned. Frazer threw three interceptions and the Huskies lost their first game of the season 38-12.

It's a new season and Frazer has one win already under his belt as UConn (1-0) looks to atone for last year's loss when they host the Tar Heels (1-0) Saturday at noon on ESPNU.

No. 19 North Carolina, lead by third-year head coach Butch Davis, is coming off one of their most successful seasons in recent memory, going 8-5 and earning a bid to the Meineke Car Care Bowl in 2008. The Tar Heels opened the season with an impressive 40-6 victory over The Citadel last weekend and are led by an experienced quarterback in T.J. Yates.

Although Yates lost some weapons on offense with the departure of Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Tate to the NFL, two freshmen, Josh Boyd and Josh Adams are expected to make an impact as well as junior Greg Little - who had a touchdown catch in North Carolina's win over The Citadel.

The North Carolina defense is potent as well, and returns a lot of last year's talent, including a dominant front seven.

UConn head coach Randy Edsall knows his team is in for a tough game.

"They're a team that is well balanced offensively and is very very physical and runs to the ball extremely well on defense," Edsall said. "It's going to be a tremendous challenge for us on Saturday, but we're looking forward to continue our work to get better."

Perhaps the biggest reason for last year's loss in North Carolina was the fact that the Tar Heels were able to block three Husky punts, including one that was returned for a touchdown. Despite the fact that Ohio was able to tip a Desi Cullen punt last week, Edsall is not worried.

"The bottom line is if we execute they don't block the punt," Edsall said. "If we do what we're supposed to do we won't have issues. Last year we had a breakdown and we opened up a can of worms."

At the same time, it is still fresh in Edsall's mind.

"We know they blocked three and we don't feel like they're not going to be coming after us this year," Edsall said. "We worked on that Sunday and work on it again today."

It was not only the blocked punts that doomed the Huskies last year but three turnovers and 11 penalties as well.

"If we do this again this year, we've got no chance," Edsall said.

The Huskies 23-16 win at Ohio last weekend answered some questions as to who would run the ball in the absence of Donald Brown. Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon provided the answer, combining to run for over 250 yards.

The run-first mentality of the Huskies is something Edsall will hold strongly to.

"I'm a firm believe, and always will be, that if you're going to win football games in this climate you've got to be able to run the football," Edsall said. "You've got to be able to throw the football but first and foremost you've got to run the football."