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Irish Wind Down Preseason Practice

Aug. 24, 2001

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Notre Dame football team is in the midst of wrapping up its preseason football camp. For the past two weeks, the Irish have taken part in two-a-day practices in anticipation of the start of the 2001 football season.

The Irish squad plans on practicing Saturday morning only. The afternoon will be spent together, watching the start of the 2001 season, including the Nebraska game.

“We are all excited about having the opportunity to watch a lot of teams play,” Irish captain Grant Irons said. “It will be nice to get to watch Nebraska play too.”

“It is an exciting time,” quarterback Matt LoVecchio said. “With college football starting up, I think you can feel the intensity and excitement that goes along with it.”

Notre Dame starts the season on September 9 against Nebraska. While the Irish will go the next two weeks without a game, the Cornhuskers start their season on Saturday against Texas Christian.

“It will just be exciting to get a break,” receiver Arnaz Battle said. “We have been putting a lot of hard work into two-a-days so it will be exciting to sit back and see how the college football season is going to start off.”

The plans are for the entire team to gather together and watch the games. While the Irish do not have any games specifically scheduled, they are prepping for Sunday’s scrimmage as if it was a regular season game.

“We are preparing for Sunday’s scrimmage as if it was a game,” tight end Gary Godsey said. “That way we are on task with the other teams.”

While Sunday night’s scrimmage will give the team a chance to showcase their talents, some players are ready for the start of the regular season.

“I am very anxious,” Battle said. “We have been working hard through the off-season, spring ball and these workouts. All of these guys have come out here and come together to make this team better. We feel good about this upcoming season so we are just ready to get it on the road.”

The anxiety may be building for some but the team knows that it must maintain its focus especially with Nebraska as its first opponent

“We have to take it as a positive,” LoVecchio said about the team’s late start. “That just gives us more time to prepare for Nebraska.”

While the Irish are excited about getting some time off, Saturday’s game-watching will not be just for entertainment some note-taking will be done as well.