Sept. 4, 2000

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – It took just one game for the Irish to bounce back into the college football polls.

The Irish are currently ranked 23rd in the Associated Press poll. In fact, Notre Dame managed to leap frog over one of their September opponents in Michigan State.

In the Coaches Poll, the Irish received a ranking of 25th. The team finished just two votes shy of the 24th ranking.

INJURY UPDATE

At the conclusion of Saturday’s game, Irish head coach Bob Davie indicated that no major injuries occurred in the contest. By the time Sunday morning rolled around, various minor injuries popped up in his squad.

Quarterback Arnaz Battle will likely sit out of practice on Monday. He sprained his ankle in Saturday’s game. Davie does not believe that the injury is serious.

Battle’s injury raises an interesting question about who would step forward if he had to sit out a game. Gary Godsey is listed as his backup but has never taken a snap in a college game. Davie has not deemed anyone specifically as the third string quarterback.

Clifford Jefferson will also sit out practice with an ankle sprain as well. Other than those two, the Irish emerged from the game unscathed.

GAMEDAY COMING

Campus is a buzz with the announcement that ESPN will be in town for the big game. ESPN GameDay will broadcast from Notre Dame’s campus. The last time ESPN was in town, the Irish pulled out a huge victory over the defending national champions, Michigan. In the 1998 opener, the Irish upset the Wolverines, 36-20.