Aug. 23, 2001
With just a couple two-a-day practices remaining, Notre Dame head coach Bob Davie is making sure his team stays focused.
The weather in the Michiana region has played a less than spectacular role in the Irish preseason training camp. Rains have left the Irish practice fields in soggy conditions.
Not only are the rains taking a toll on the field but on the team’s moral as well. Despite the cloudy and misty conditions, the Irish opted to practice outside.
“Today, we were just trying to grind through it,” Davie said after Thursday morning’s practice. “You have to feel bad to really appreciate what it feels like to feel good.”
QUARTERBACK PROGRESS
It is no secret that sophomore Matt LoVecchio is the player to beat at the quarterback position. He returns as Notre Dame’s leading player in the air attack, having thrown 11 touchdown passes in the 2000 season.
Yet Davie states that he has faith in not only LoVecchio but the other two quarterbacks as well. Right behind the likes of LoVecchio are fellow sophomores Carlyle Holiday and Jared Clark.
“Obviously some of the quarterbacks have not been in a game but if I had to bet I would be comfortable with any of those guys,” Davie said. “Any of those three could go in there and win a football game for us. With that said, Matt LoVecchio has come back and is ahead of the other two right now.”
The quarterback situation is “light years” ahead of where it was last year, according to Davie.
FRESHMEN TRANSITION
Over a week ago, the upperclassmen reported for practice, joining the freshmen. Davie reported that the team is starting to come together and gel.
“I am always worried about the freshmen because they go from having all of the attention to none of the attention,” Davie said. “Now with school starting, the freshmen are back in their dorm rooms by themselves.”
In order to increase team unity between the freshmen and the upperclassmen, the football program plans a couple different things. The freshmen are assigned big brothers on the team who are there to help with everything. Also, tonight the freshmen talent show will take place.
“It is a tough transition for the freshmen and we are just trying to make it easier,” Davie said.