It will be a long day for Kelly Faris. It will be one that consists of two games – one she will participate in and one that she has a vested interest in as a fan.
For starters, Faris will look to help lead the top-ranked Huskies to their 62nd straight win when they meet Louisville at Freedom Hall at noon. She will then pray for a quick return flight back to Connecticut so that she can catch as much of Super Bowl XLIV as she can. After all, her beloved Colts are taking on the Saints in Miami.
Faris lives in Plainfield, Ind., which is roughly 30 minutes outside of Indianapolis. Her family has had season tickets for years and she has been fortunate enough to attend numerous games. Do I even need to tell what her prediction is for the game?
“It’s definitely got to be the Colts,’’ Faris said. “They’re going to disappoint me if they don’t pull it out. But I think they can pull it off. I do. I wish I was going to be going. I’m going to be missing I think like part of the first half at least. It’ll be a fun game once I get to watch it.’’
The Huskies are expected to land at approximately 5 p.m. today. Kickoff is at 6:25. The bus ride back from the airport will be the determining factor as to how much of the game she misses.
Faris was in attendance the last time the Colts reached the Super Bowl Feb. 4. 2007 when they defeated the Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl XLI at the then-named Dolphin Stadium in Miami. MVP Peyton Manning threw for 247 yards and a touchdown.
Tonight, her father, Bob, and her sister, Kristi, will be in Miami.
“We all went to the one that they had three years ago in Miami,’’ Faris said. “Those two are just going this time. They’re going to have fun and enjoy it.’’
With the exception of Lorin Dixon, the Huskies have sided with Faris. They believe the Colts will win. However, the UConn coaching staff is leaning in the direction of the Saints. Kaili McLaren said that assistant coach Marisa Moseley went as far as to say the Saints will win by 750 points.
“In the beginning it was the Colts I think because Kelly was there,’’ McLaren said. “So everybody just tried to say the Colts. But then like the coaches are saying the Saints. So I think the players are more on the Colts side, except for Lorin, and then the coaches are saying the Saints. Lorin just likes to go against the grain always.’’
Rich
