Oct. 25, 2000
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Matt LoVecchio is the go-to-guy for the Irish.
The freshman is the starting quarterback and will probably remain the starting quarterback barring any injury. All of this was confirmed on Monday when doctors decided that Arnaz Battle will not return this season.
“I would have liked to have heard that he could come back and play because I still think right now today he gives us our best option to win,” Irish head coach Bob Davie said. “If I went out there today and all things were equal, Arnaz Battle would be the quarterback. He is an explosive football player. And I’d really be curious to see where he would be right now if he would have played seven games.”
Battle had x-rays taken on Monday, which confirmed that his wrist was healing properly. Doctors opted to put a new cast on him to ensure that the healing process continues. The wrist still caused Battle some discomfort.
Battle suffered a broken navicular in his left wrist in the second game of the season against Nebraska. He has not seen a minute of action since.
“I am disappointed by the news,” Davie said. “But in the same token, you learn to kind of deal with what you are dealt and it does put closure on it.”
With that, Davie and his team will focus on the remaining task at hand. The team’s sights are set on the game against Air Force and then the open date. Davie did hint that some changes might occur.
“There is a lot of football left,” Davie said. “This week is Gary Godsey. Let us get to the open date and let’s see where we are. I think the fact that Arnaz is out for the season could impact that a little bit.”
Freshman Jared Clark is right in the midst of quarterback competition as well. Davie may look to him in terms of backup based on the mobility factor alone.
“Now I think that we have time to sit back and really look at the big picture of the situation and say: You know, with four football games left this year, and hopefully a Bowl Game at the end of the season, you know, who is the backup quarterback,” Davie said.
One thing is certain, LoVecchio remains Notre Dame’s go-to-guy.