Sept. 1, 2000
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Instead of Notre Dame heading into the game on Saturday “outlined against a blue, gray” sky they enter it under the frame of hot and hazy shades of September. The South Bend area has been hit with hotter than normal temperatures forcing a lot of air conditioners to be put on high. Despite this fact, Notre Dame was more relaxed coming out of their last practice against this year’s first opponent than they were last year against Kansas.
“I think we are probably a little farther along from a preparation stand point,” Coach Bob Davie stated. “Just the continuity we’ve had in every phase of the program coming into this game…How we will play Saturday we’ll all wait and see, but to answer your question, we are farther along then we were a year ago.”
KICKER ANNOUNCED
Nick Setta, a sophomore from Lockport, Illinois, has won the placekicking duties while Joey Hildbold retains the punting position he carried throughout last season. Matt McNew, an Irish soccer player for the last four years, will be conducting kickoffs while David Miller will backup Setta at the placekicking position. Coach Davie had high praise for them all, repeating the fact that it was a close race.
“It was really a difficult decision because I really think that all three have improved over the off season…But we just try to be as fair as we can be for our football team. We will start the year off with Nick Setta and I told David Miller that certainly his opportunity will probably come.”
NEW FACES
Coach Davie announced that wide receivers Jovan Witherspoon and Omar Jenkins, plus defensive back Preston Jackson and running back Vontez Duff, may get a chance to enter the game against the Aggies on Saturday.