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Connecticut and its starting quarterback have had a lot in common this season. Both came into the year with high expectations, disappointed fans early and were perhaps prematurely written off.
After leading UConn to a 16-13 upset of West Virginia, though, senior Zach Frazer is back at the top of the depth chart as the Huskies host conference leader Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
And the Huskies (4-4, 1-2 Big East) are suddenly thinking about bowl games again.
''It feels great to be back in there. It feels great to be back playing again,'' said Frazer, who started the first four games before getting benched for inconsistent play.
Frazer fell to third string, but was put back behind center against West Virginia, a week after junior Cody Endres was thrown off the team and redshirt freshman Mike Box sustained a head injury in a loss to Louisville.
Frazer's play against the Mountaineers earned him another start, even though Box is healthy.
''We're in a situation where Zach is experienced, Zach has done a good job, he's shown what he can do,'' coach Randy Edsall said. ''Hopefully everything goes the right way, there's no injuries or anything along those lines, and Zach's our starting quarterback.''
It's not the first time Frazer has a lost and regained his job.
He was once considered a top prospect at Notre Dame, but transferred after falling to fourth on the depth chart behind Jimmy Clausen and others.
He started last season but was benched after a knee injury, then returned as a starter only after Endres sustained a shoulder injury as his replacement. He led UConn on a four-game winning streak to end the season, including a victory in the PapaJohn's Bowl.
''I haven't really been raised to be a quitter,'' he said. ''It was tough. (Being benched this season) was a difficult experience to go through, but ultimately, it was a test.''
He gets another test this week from the Panthers (5-3, 3-0), who have won three straight, all in the Big East, and like the Huskies are coming off a bye week.
Pittsburgh could pull two games ahead of the pack in the conference with a win.
''I like our energy and focus in practice,'' coach Dave Wannstedt said. ''We just can't get ahead of ourselves. We need to take it one day at a time. We'll go up there and see if we can get back on track and play as good as we've played.''
Wannstedt said defensive end Greg Romeus, one of the Big East's top players, may return from the back injury that has sidelined him since the season opener. He'll be a game-time decision.
The Panthers finish the season with games at South Florida and Cincinnati, and the annual Backyard Brawl with West Virginia sandwiched between them.
''We know what's at stake, but we still take it just one game at a time,'' said offensive tackle Jason Pinkston. ''We also know that these four games can make or break our season, so we're aware of the situation.
The Huskies are 4-0 at home his year and 2-1 against the Panthers at Rentschler field.
''I'm optimistic that we'll be able to keep our focus,'' Wanstedt said. ''We've played some road games - at Utah and South Bend where we've had full houses. We hope to take some of that experience up to Connecticut.''
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AP Sport Writer Alan Robinson in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.
