Dec. 24, 2004

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame completed the second day of game-week preparations for their Insight Bowl clash with Oregon State with a two-hour practice Friday at the Indian School Park practice facility in Scottsdale.

Another day of sunny skies in the 60’s greeted the Irish as the team went conducted a full pads practice. The workout opened with offensive and defensive team vs. scout drills before moving into special teams work and closing with field goal drills.

“It’s about our ninth or tenth practice (since bowl preparations began) and we’ve pretty much installed the entire game plan,” said interim head coach Kent Baer. “Now, we’re in a situation where we’ve been shaking off the rust from the layoff and we’re starting to finalize what we’re going to be working with in the game. Our focus and intensity are good — that’s an indication of the type of senior leadership this team has.”

During the evening, players participated in a private team Christmas Mass followed by a Christmas Eve team dinner.

UP NEXT – SATURDAY, DEC. 25

On Saturday, the Irish will practice from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Video b-roll and still photography are permitted during the first 20 minutes of practice before the workout is closed to the media. Brief interviews with coaches and with players from the defense will be conducted after practice. Media members should submit their interview requests during the viewing period at the beginning of practice.

The Irish offense will go through a lifting session following practice before the entire team gathers at the hotel for a Christmas lunch featuring a players’ gift exchange and talent show. The players will be released for dinner on their own in the evening before returning for curfew.

Notre Dame and Oregon State are set to clash in the 16th annual Insight Bowl on Tuesday night, Dec. 28, with kickoff slated for 9:47 p.m. EST (7:47 p.m. MST in Phoenix) at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix. The game will be nationally televised by ESPN with the telecast beginning at 7:45 p.m. EST.

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