April 28, 2000
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Irish fans should not expect to learn much from Saturday’s preview.
Saturday’s 71st Blue-Gold Scrimmage will not provide too much excitement for the crowds. Davie will follow suit with many of the nation’s top football schools, in reducing the amount of contact allowed in the game. He does not want to start fall practice with a handful of players due to injuries sustained in a spring scrimmage.
“We are going to modify our spring game,” Davie said. “We have to. In my opinion, the day has past of just going out there and having a regular spring game.”
The scrimmage will include kicking drills. It will also feature a points system to award sides for tackles, completions, rushing, etc.
“We just can’t do it because we are coming off a season where we had 15 surgeries,” Davie said. “Our numbers are way down right now. It is just not worth the risk.”
Offensive guard Jim Jones is expected to miss the scrimmage due to his injured knee. Defensive end Ryan Roberts and tight end Dan O’Leary will not play because of back injuries. Andy Wisne, Jordan Black and Sean Mahan will also sit out because of injured shoulders.
During halftime, Notre Dame will announce various awards for the football team. The team will announce next year’s captains. Also the Big Brother Award will be handed out. Chevrolet Player’s of the Game will be honored for the ’99 season.
Following the game, Davie and the football team will stay to sign autographs for the fans.