page 2 | ndsmcobserver.com The Observer u IRISH INSIDER Friday, September 2, 2011

Commentary Football Recruiting Slow down: It’s not time OL Goodman visits campus to drink the kool-aid By DOUGLAS FARMER … You are looking for a lot of man wants to commit [such as Editor-in-Chief guys who could play a lot of po- Goodman], they’ll take him. It is early September in South time against Air Force that sitions.” They aren’t going to hold out for Bend, which can mean only one year — just minutes after NBC Notre Dame’s 2011 season At this point, “a lot” does not a skill guy if they know they can thing — the kool-aid is awfully announcer Tom Hammond may begin Saturday, but the rise above single digits. Frank get an elite offensive lineman.” strong. warned the one thing you don’t recruiting season began long calculates Irish coach Brian No matter what situations de- Notre Dame sits in the top 20 want to do in overtime is turn ago. Because of that, only one Kelly has seven scholarships velop among linemen and skill in both of the major polls. Some over the ball. recruit is officially coming to left to fill in the class of 2012. players, one position remains experts have the Irish as high That is the Notre Dame campus this weekend, as of If an injury were to arise, a satisfied, Frank said. as the top 10. Sports Illustrated football I know, my classmates Wednesday night. player transferred, or if Kelly “I think they are sold on the is so bold as to predict Brian know and my generation knows. Florida offensive lineman opted not to invite back cer- they have on Kelly and company will spend Not a year since has gone by the Evan Goodman will watch the tain potential fifth-year play- campus right now,” he said. January in a BCS bowl game. Irish haven’t lost a game they Irish take on South Florida, ers, that number could rise. “They have a lot of faith in The kool-aid has gotten very should have won – Air Force in Irish recruiting expert Mike But, for now, seven recruits will [freshman] and strong. overtime in 1996, a 23-7 shel- Frank said. likely join the 14 commits Kelly [sophomore] Andrew Hendrix, 9-3 or lacking at the hands of Michi- “He is a big-time player, a guy has already landed. Of those and I think that says a lot that 10-2 re- gan State the following year, who is real high on their list,” 14 commits, seven fall into the they aren’t taking another cords seem never mind the fact that it was said Frank, who heads the on- skill player category – two re- .” exceedingly a home game. And don’t even line ESPN-affiliate Irish Sports ceivers and five defensive backs That being said, a prized plausible. get me started on the 14-7 loss Daily. “He is currently commit- – as well as three offensive line- quarterback will certainly be 11-1 isn’t all to Boston College the week after ted to Arizona State, where he men, two defensive ends and a piece of next year’s recruiting that much my birthday in 2002. I was at has an older brother playing, two linebackers. class. of a reach. that one, and still try to rub my but he wants to check out his “Right now, I think the plan “It also gives them time to re- And 12-0? eyes to get the visions of green other options.” is to take one offensive line- ally find the right kind of guy in Well, it feels jerseys out of them. A slow opening weekend is man and then a bunch of skill the 2013 class.” guys,” Frank said. “It’s just pri- closer than Douglas Farmer Last year it was Navy and not unusual, as high school it has since Tulsa, Navy and Tulsa, and, for students are just as busy at the ority versus who is available Contact Douglas Farmer at … If a big-time offensive line- the 2006 Editor-in-Chief good measure, Navy and Tulsa. beginning of the year as college [email protected] preseason This is the Notre Dame I students. hype. know and love. This is the Notre “The first weekend there just Remember as a kid, com- Dame I will expect to see until isn’t a whole lot of guys com- ing in from playing football in proven otherwise. This is the ing in,” Frank said. “It is [the the backyard, all you wanted Notre Dame I keep coming back recruits’] first or second games was the sugar high from the to for more. as well. kool-aid? Just have some of this Albert Einstein once said the “You’ll start to see it for stuff. It’s potent. definition of insanity is doing Michigan State or Air Force. Looking at this schedule, ev- the same thing over and over USC will be the real big game, ery game feels winnable. After again while expecting different with at least 20 recruits com- all, Las Vegas favored Notre results. ing in.” Dame in all but one game when For the better part of 15 Even once recruits start the season’s lines opened, with years, I have drunk the kool-aid pouring in, Goodman will still the exception being the season- annually. For the better part of be unique in many respects. closing trip to face Stanford and 15 years, Notre Dame has made Most of the visitors will be a bit senior quarterback Andrew me regret the grape aftertaste. smaller than the 6-foot-4 inch, Luck. Then again, no game It is time to stop doing the same 285 pound Goodman. against Michigan, Michigan thing over and over again and “Notre Dame is on a mis- State or USC is ever a guaran- expecting a different result. No sion to find a lot of skill play- tee. Most Irish fans figure any more kool-aid for me. ers,” Frank said. “When they losses this year will come from Oh no, Mr. Kool-Aid Man. Oh mention skill, they are talking some combination of those four no. about running backs, defen- games, and Notre Dame cer- Yes, this is touted as the sive backs and wide receivers tainly won’t lose all four. deepest defensive front Notre That kool-aid may be the only Dame has trotted out in years. drink in town. Yes, senior quarterback Dayne That must be why I am ex- Crist is supposedly a more tremely thirsty — because I’m vocal leader these days. Yes, not drinking it. senior receiver Michael Floyd Typically, age brings cyni- is on a mission to be the best in cism. With each decade comes country. a new handful of memories of But these are annual occur- dreams dashed, plans gone rences, if the names are simply awry and painful disappoint- changed around a bit. ments. Obviously, in my two At some point I may drink the decades, I haven’t seen much of kool-aid again. I may even this that. year, once the Irish survive a But it is all I have seen when near-disaster against Purdue or it comes to Notre Dame football. Pittsburgh. A small sample size usually I’m just hoping it is fruit leaves room for hope, but my punch-flavored, or Orange will small sample size only includes do. Perhaps the type they serve dreams dashed, wasted talents at Fiestas, or the type with lots and the Bush Push. of Sugar in it. I began measuring my breaths by Allen Rossum kick, The views expressed in this punt and interception returns column are those of the author and I measured my joys by Joey and not necessarily those of The Goodspeed touchdowns in 1996. Observer. My first bitter tears followed Contact Douglas Farmer at a fumble in over- [email protected] Friday, September 2, 2011 The Observer u IRISH INSIDER ndsmcobserver.com | page 3 ‘A more resilient man’ Crist battles through season-ending injuries and offseason competition to earn the top depth chart spot

By ANDREW OWENS win.” great escapability. After two Associate Sports Editor The coaching staff has raved knee surgeries, he moved well, about Crist’s performance in fall he was able to extend plays. We When Dayne Crist snaps on his practice, both with his attitude couldn’t have somebody that helmet and runs out of the tun- and on-field performance. The couldn’t extend plays in our of- nel for Saturday’s season open- experience has affected him in fensive system, and he was able er, it will not be the first time ways that a healthy 2010 could to do that.” he has participated in the Irish not have, offensive coordinator Crist said it is not in his nature pregame ritual. But the senior said. to hold back on the field because quarterback will have a differ- “Here’s what the injuries I of the past injuries. ent feeling now, having battled think did for Dayne — they made “I’m going to play with the back from a season-ending knee him a more resilient man,” Mol- same intensity I’ve always injury for the nar said. “In played with and that’s the only second con- other words, way I know how to play is with secutive year he’s really full speed,” he said. “I’m going to to reclaim the been able to do everything I can.” role of starting bounce. It’s While Kelly has mentioned quarterback. “I just hope [Notre Dame taught him “championship” when talking “More than fans] know how much I to get off the about his quarterback, Crist is a n y t h i n g , care and how hard I work floor whenfocused on the short term and [running out to help this team win.” he’s knocked looks at each day as an opportu- of the tun- down maybe nity to grow in year two under nel] will have Dayne Crist in a way that the new system. a very gra- senior quarterback he wouldn’t “This year it’s about playing cious feel to have if he with more maturity and hav- it,” Crist said. had remained ing a greater knowledge base of “I’ll be incred- healthy. It the offense this year,” he said. “I ibly thankful made him ap- think it’s going to help my game for the oppor- preciate the grow, so it’s going to help the of- tunity to go out there and play opportunity he got.” fense grow. Understanding the again and do everything and do Irish coach Brian Kelly agreed hard work and preparation I the things I love. After that it’s that Crist has the ideal mindset do to help my game is going to time to get to work and focus on heading into 2011. help our team get better so we’re South Florida.” “I would say quite frankly and making sure we’re continuing to The signal-caller began the quite honestly, [Crist] is the kind do that at all times.” 2010 season as the starter be- of guy I want to coach,” Kelly When the Irish headed into fall fore sustaining a ruptured patel- said. “He’s tougher mentally. He camp in Kelly’s inaugural sea- la tendon in the loss to Tulsa on handles himself in that leader- son, anyone and everyone knew Oct. 30. The team went 4-5 with ship position in the way I want the starting quarterback job was Crist under center before sopho- our quarterbacks to handle it. Crist’s. This year, he had to beat more quarterback Tommy Rees We have great confidence in his out freshman Everett Golson and took over the reins and guided ability to lead sophomores the Irish to a 4-0 finish, at which our football A n d r e w point many fans were ready to team to a cham- Hendrix and forget about the senior leader. pionship.” Tommy Rees, Observer File Photo “It was tough — you couldn’t Neither Kelly “We have great confidence who had a Senior quarterback Dayne Crist looks to throw a pass during last really worry about those kinds nor Crist envi- in his ability to lead 4-0 record on year’s 28-24 loss to Michigan. of things,” Crist said. “More than sion a less mo- our football team to his side. anything it was about getting bile version of The battle him with everything I could help Michael Floyd and junior tight my body back and just remain- the senior quar- a championship.” was atypi- him with and making sure he end Tyler Eifert. ing confident in my abilities be- terback in 2011, cal because was comfortable here and now “Having the guys we have on cause I’ve always had a great despite the risk Brian Kelly of the close it’s gotten to the point where he offense makes the quarterback’s deal of confidence in what I can of another in- Irish coach bond the came in and played very well job a lot easier, so obviously I do. Really I just try to focus more jury. senior and and gained some great experi- need to help those guys because on what I can do, how I can help “He has to Rees share, ence in the games he played in.” those guys have incredible play- this team as opposed to worry- play the game Crist said. The relationship has evolved making ability,” Crist said. “I ing about all the stuff I couldn’t the way it comes “I’ve said from Crist teaching Rees to the think everybody on this offense control. to him,” Kelly this before, two instructing has a very “I just hope [Notre Dame fans] said when announcing Crist as but we have a brotherly rela- each other. aggressive know how much I care and how the starter Aug. 23. “One of the tionship really,” he said. “When “It’s great mindset and hard I work to help this team things he did in camp was show he first got here I tried to help having a guy out wants to go there you can “There’s nothing more out and score really bounce that I want to do other a lot of points things off,” Crist than play with the rest of and that’s the said. “He sees the guys on this team and goal of the of- some things win for this University.” fense. We’re out there I may real excited not have seen Dayne Crist those guys and vice versa. are back.” We’re trying to senior quarterback Crist’s ef- help each other fect on the get better be- team has im- cause we’re proved with both team guys an increased and understand in helping each vocal leadership and confidence, other get better we’re helping Molnar said. the team get better.” “I think he is the same guy,” he Crist said he hopes his return said. “He is probably more confi- from the injuries parallels those dent than he has been just know- of Jason White and Sam Brad- ing that he’s the starter and get- ford, two Oklahoma quarter- ting virtually all of his reps right backs who suffered knee injuries now with the first unit. He’s been and came back to win the Heis- even sharper than he was lead- man Trophy and, more impor- ing into him being announced as tantly to Crist, earn berths in the the starter.” national championship game. For Crist, the motivation has “I think it’s a positive thing always been the same since he and something to aim for and signed with Notre Dame as a more than anything it instills five-star quarterback in 2008 some confidence that it can be and battled through two injuries done and has been done be- to reach the point he is at today. fore,” he said. “Having that evi- “More than anything, my love dence wasn’t the sole thing that for the game, a love of this Uni- was driving me through rehab versity and a love for my team- and things like that but it’s nice mates [motivates me],” he said. seeing those things and having “There’s nothing more that I something to shoot for.” want to do other than play with Crist benefits from leading the rest of the guys on this team an offense with several offen- and win for this University.” SARAH O’CONNOR/The Observer sive weapons that are big-play Senior quarterback Dayne Crist looks on during Notre Dame’s 28-27 loss to Tulsa in 2010. Crist threats every time they touch the Contact Andrew Owens at suffered a season-ending knee injury during that loss. football, such as senior receiver [email protected] page 4 | ndsmcobserver.com The Observer u IRISH INSIDER Friday, September 2, 2011

IRISH PASSING IRISH RUSHING IRISH OFFENSIVE While essentially all of the off- Given the throw-first men- COACHING season talk around the Irish of- tality of the Brian Kelly spread At this time a year ago, the fense revolved around the quar- system, the ground game will Irish barely had the building terback position, the receiving not be the focus of the offense blocks of a brand-new system. corps improved dramatically — but that doesn’t mean it won’t Now, they have all of the play- and did so largely away from be effective. Junior running book down (except for parts that the headlines (save for perenni- back Cierre Wood’s efficacy as apply to roster-specific situa- Head-to-Head al media target senior Michael a playmaker out of the backfield tions) and have finally flushed Floyd). Junior Theo Riddick will might be the key to a success- out any traces of the Charlie provide a truly explosive second ful season. If he can run the ball Weis pro-style offense that option across from Floyd, who effectively and explosively, he may have been remaining. This will always draw double cover- will give defensive coordinators gives Kelly much more latitude age. nightmares. in his play calling and much of Even better for Notre Dame, Senior running back Jonas what the Irish do will not be the playmaking capability of Gray has taken the words of for- on their 2010 game tape. With Notre Dame Offense the passing game doesn’t stop mer Notre Dame and Pittsburgh fewer mental mistakes and an there. Sophomore receiver TJ Steelers running back Jerome expanded arsenal, Notre Dame 7 TJ Jones So. Jones has developed greatly Bettis to heart and has devel- will have a significant tactical WR 16 DaVaris Daniels Fr. from his promising freshman oped a power-rushing game advantage. year campaign and seniors reminiscent of The Bus himself. 6 Theo Riddick Jr. Robby Toma and John Goodman He will provide a change of pace EDGE: NOTRE DAME WR 9 Robby Tomaa Jr. have grown into leaders. Fresh- much like Robert Hughes did to man DaVaris Daniels has mus- great effect at the end of 2010. cled his way into the rotation on In addition, don’t be surprised 70 Zack Martin Jr. the strength of an explosive fall to see versatile freshman Ev- 20 Cierre Wood Jr. LT 72 Nick Martin Fr. camp and junior tight end Tyler erett Golson and sophomore RB 25 Jonas Gray Sr. Eifert will be one of Crist’s big- Andrew Hendrix see some field 66 Chris Watt Jr. gest third-down targets. time in specialized packages LG 76 Andrew Nuss Sr. The Bulls will not be easy to designed to get them into open 10 Dayne Crist Sr. 52 Braxston Cave Sr. throw against. South Florida space. QB 11 Tommy Rees So. lost only one starter from its South Florida returns the C 57 Mike Golic Jr. Sr. 2010 secondary and returns core of its defensive line and 78 Trevor Robinson Sr. depth on its defensive line as linebacking corps, who will be well. But given the wealth of even better than the 2010 unit, RG 65 Conor Hanratty Fr. options he has when the Irish which ranked No. 4 in the na- 75 Taylor Dever Sr. spread the field, Crist will be tion in terms of rushing touch- RT 72 Nick Martin Fr. able to take advantage of single downs allowed. The Bulls will coverage all over the field. almost certainly be able to force 80 Tyler Eifert Jr. the Irish to win through the air TE 83 Mike Ragone Sr. EDGE: NOTRE DAME and not on the ground.

EDGE: EVEN 3 Michael Floyd Sr. WR 81 John Goodman Sr.

IRISH SPECIAL TEAMS Notre Dame Defense At this point, kicker David Ruffer is essentially automatic. One of 2010’s surprise stories, Ruffer returns for his final year of eligibil- ity and gives the Irish a sure scoring option any time they cross the 35-yard-line. The Irish were mediocre at best in the return game last year, and 12 Robert Blanton Sr. Kelly has hinted that he may look to faces as familiar as Floyd to CB 23 Lo Wood So. give the Irish an explosive option. Realistically, though, expect to see young, unproven playmakers returning kicks and punts.

EDGE: NOTRE DAME 45 Darius Fleming Sr. 22 Harrison Smith Sr. OLB 1 Ishaq Williams Fr. S 15 Dan McCarthy Sr. 90 Ethan Johnson Sr. Notre Dame Specialists 48 Dan Fox Jr. DE 19 Aaron Lynch Fr. ILB 44 Carlo Calabrese Jr. 97 David Ruffer Sr. 98 Sean Cwynar Sr. NG 9 Louis Nix III So. PK 5 Manti Te’o Jr. 35 Ben Turk Jr. ILB 54 Anthony McDonald Sr. 89 Kapron Lewis-Moore Sr. P DE 7 Stephon Tuitt Fr. 55 Prince Shembo So. 60 Jordan Cowart Jr. 26 Jamoris Slaughter Sr. 13 Danny Spond So. LS S 17 Zeke Motta Jr. OLB 6 Theo Riddick Jr. 4 Gary Gray Sr. PR CB 2 Bennett Jackson So. 6 Theo Riddick Jr. KR 2 Bennett Jackson So. KO 27 Kyle Brindza Fr.

Predictions

Allan Joseph Douglas Farmer Eric Prister Sports Editor Editor-in-Chief Sports Writer South Florida is not a familiar All around the world opponents For the first time in years, the name to most Irish fans – but the crumble for the Irish. Irish ended the season better than Bulls cannot be overlooked. Quar- Okay, not really. That’s the whole they started. Wins over rivals USC terback B.J. Daniels leads a potent point of my column on page 2 of this and Miami, as well as over Utah and offensive attack, and the Bulls are Insider. Army, to end the 2010 campaign quick on the defensive side of the Every year, the season-opener propelled Notre Dame into the off- ball. This will not be an easy test comes to Notre Dame ready for the season on a high note, leading to for the Irish – but they are up to biggest game of its life — see San its highest preseason rank since the task. Dayne Crist has an em- Diego State, Nevada and Purdue 2006. Dayne Crist is healthy, Mi- barrassment of targets when he over the last three years. Skip Holtz chael Floyd is back and the defense throws the ball, and the ground game will be an ef- and South Florida will be just as motivated. looks stronger than it has in some time. Brian Kelly has fective change of pace. On the other side of the ball, But every year, the Irish come into their opener actu- changed the attitude around the football program, and the defensive line will harass Daniels and limit his ef- ally ready for a game. For the past three years, Notre changed it for the better. The Irish are frankly tired of fectiveness. Dame has set fans aflutter with its opening-weekend being average, of being just another Notre Dame team. It’s a season opener, though, and that will bring some flair. This year won’t be any different, but again, it’s Losses may come, because in games against Michigan jitters and mishaps with it. The Irish will win, but not only one weekend. and USC, anything can happen. But one will not come quite as comfortably as they could have. The outcome, So, for this weekend, the Irish can go ahead and just at the hands of the son of the last Irish coach to win a however, won’t be in doubt. fly. national championship.

FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 31, South Florida 21 FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 35, South Florida 13 FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 23, South Florida 10 Friday, September 2, 2011 The Observer u IRISH INSIDER ndsmcobserver.com | page 5

USF OFFENSIVE COACHING USF RUSHING USF PASSING Offensive coordinator Todd South Florida lost talented The Bulls return only four Fitch’s unit sputtered as the running back Moise Plancher starters from an offense that 85th-ranked offense in the to graduation after rushing for ranked 101st in passing. Se- country in points per game 793 yards and five touchdowns nior quarterback B.J. Daniels in 2010, with 24.1. The Bulls in 2010. The Bulls also enter returns to lead the South Flor- struggled with both running 2011 returning only seniors Jer- ida passing attack. The 6-foot, Head-to-Head and passing the ball, finishing emiah Warren and Chaz Hine 223-pound signal caller started No. 71 and No. 101, respectively. on the offensive line, so gaining 12 games last year, with mixed Much of their success against consistent yards on a talented results, as he threw 13 intercep- a talented Notre Dame defense Notre Dame front seven may tions and only 11 touchdowns in will depend on the performance prove to be difficult. those contests. of quarterback B.J. Daniels. The Irish only lose linebacker South Florida lost a starter at Brian Smith and nose guard Ian , its tight end and EDGE: NOTRE DAME Williams from their front sev- three offensive linemen from USF Defense en. The squad went 4-0 in the its pass attack. Junior receiver absence of Williams, who was Evan Landi caught 28 passes replaced by nose guards Sean for 390 yards and 2 touchdowns Cwynar and Hafis Williams. last season. 6 Kayvon Webster Jr. Louis Nix enters the front seven Most of Notre Dame’s sec- CB 24 Ernie Tabuteau Jr. rotation this year, as do fresh- ondary remains intact after a men Aaron Lynch, Stephon Tuitt strong finish to the 2010 cam- 16 Fr. and Ishaq Williams. The Irish paign. Harrison Smith, Gary OLB 13 Curtis Weatherspoon Sr. return its most talented group Gray, Robert Blanton, Jamoris of linebackers in recent mem- Slaughter and Zeke Motta all ory, with All-American candi- started or saw considerable ac- 97 Ryne Giddins So. 1 Jerrell Young Sr. date Manti Te’o, Darius Flem- tion last season and improved DE 54 Julius Forte So. FS 26 Mark Joyce So. ing, Prince Shembo and new immensely during the course of 46 Cory Grissom Jr. starter junior Dan Fox, who the season. Smith is viewed as DT 53 Elkino Watson Fr. 36 Sam Barrington Jr. supplanted Carlo Calabrese as a potential All-American candi- 91 Keith McCaskill Sr. MLB 55 Michael Lanaris Jr. a starting inside linebacker. date after snagging the game- DT 92 Luke Sager So. clinching interception at USC EDGE: NOTRE DAME and picking off Miami’s Jacory 41 Patrick Hamption Sr. 8 Jon Lejiste Jr. Harris three times in the Sun DE 96 Anthony Hill Jr. SS 4 Tyson Butler Sr. Bowl. EDGE: NOTRE DAME 34 DeDe Lattimore So. OLB 35 Mike Jeune Jr.

2 Quenton Washington Sr. CB 30 JaQuez Jenkins So.

USF SPECIAL TEAMS USF Offense Kicker Maikon Bonani was one of the most consistent kickers in the Big East for the Bulls last season, converting 17-of-21 field goal 17 Sterling Griffin So. attempts, with a season-long of 47 yards. Punter Justin Brockhaus- WR 83 Deonte Welch Fr. Kann averaged 37.6 yards per punt in 2010, with a long of 57 yards. The Bulls have an explosive return game at both kick returner and punt returner. Punt returner Lindsay Lamar returned two kicks for scores last year. 9 Evan Landi Jr. TE 88 Andreas Shields Jr. EDGE: USF 70 Quinterrius Eatmon Fr. RT 73 Damien Edwards Jr. 60 Danous Estenor Jr. RG 66 Kevin McCaskill Sr. USF Specialists 79 Chaz Hine Sr. 7 BJ Daniels Jr. 28 Maikon Bonani Jr. C 78 Austin Reiter Fr. QB 13 Boby Eveld So. PK 55 Jeremiah Warren Sr. 21 Demetris Murray Jr. 18 Justin Brockhaus-Kann Jr. LG 65 Tony Kibler Fr. RB 3 Darrell Scott Jr. P 74 Mark Popek Jr. 68 Mike Walsh Jr. LT 75 Darren Powe Sr. LS PR 10 Terrence Mitchell So. 11 AJ Love Sr. 5 Lindsey Lamar Jr. WR 80 Stephen Bravo-Brown So. KR 25 Joel Miller Sr. WR 15 Victor Marc Jr. 99 Marvin Kloss Fr. KO

Andrew Owens Chris Masoud Dick Vitale Associate Sports Editor Assistant Managing Editor @DickieV South Florida has no shortage of Notre Dame’s deceptively diffi- speed on its team, and should not cult schedule begins this Saturday be taken lightly. They enter 2011 with a legitimate test in the form @NDObsSports Tough as USF as one of the favorites to win the of South Florida. Dayne Crist’s re- is talented but the ND fighting Big East after finishing with an 8-5 turn to the offense brings back the IRISH will make their faithful record that was identical to Notre deep game, setting up an interest- happy 31- 24! Cant wait to have Dame’s in 2010. ing matchup with the experienced fun @ ND! The Bulls will keep it close in the Bulls secondary. Skip Holtz’s long- first half, but their inability to move awaited return to Notre Dame may FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 31, the ball against a top-notch Irish be a welcome sight to some Irish South Florida 24 defense will lead to excellent field position for a Notre fans, but I would have liked to see someone with a dif- Dame offense with plenty of playmakers. ferent last name. Via Twitter The Irish defense will be the best Notre Dame fans Actually, Holtz is a good coach because he’s a good have seen since the ‘90s — even better than the 2002 coach, and South Florida is a good team because of B.J. unit that carried the team to a 10-win season, and it all Daniels. As long as the defensive line holds, the outside starts with a dominating performance against a wor- backers keep containment and Manti Te’o introduces thy opponent. Manti Te’o will anchor the defense to top- himself to Daniels, the Irish should run away with the 15 finishes in every major category. first win of the year.

PREDICTION: Notre Dame 27, South Florida 10 FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 31, South Florida 13 page 6 | ndsmcobserver.com The Observer u IRISH INSIDER Friday, September 2, 2011 Skip Holtz downplays his return to Notre Dame

By ALLAN JOSEPH coach Faust and [former Irish bas- Sports Editor ketball coach] Digger Phelps and toured the campus,” Holtz said. “I When Skip Holtz was hired as fell in love with it and I said, ‘This is the head coach of South Florida in where I want to go to school.’” early January 2010, Irish fans im- While he was not admitted direct- mediately circled Sept. 3, 2011, on ly to the University, Holtz spent two their calendars as the date on which years at Holy Cross before transfer- a Holtz would once again be prowl- ring to Notre Dame and walking ing the sidelines of Notre Dame Sta- onto the football team during his dium. But if you ask Skip Holtz, his father’s first year at the helm. He homecoming is just one of the many spent one year on the team before subplots in the graduating and season opener spending time at — and it’s no Florida State as more impor- “I just need to keep in a graduate assis- tant than any perspective that the tant and at Colo- of the others. game is much bigger rado State as the “ H a v i n g for South Florida than wide receivers spent so much it is for Skip Holtz.” coach. time as a stu- In 1990, Holtz dent there, returned to Notre having played Skip Holtz Dame Stadium as there, having South Florida coach an assistant to his played there father in a posi- and having tion that would coached there springboard him for four years and with the success to his first head-coaching job at Con- my father had there, it is going to be necticut. Nevertheless, Holtz credits a very exciting time for me,” Skip his success to more than just his Holtz said in a press conference time at Notre Dame. last week. “But Notre Dame playing “Obviously we are who we are AP South Florida is much bigger than because of the experiences we have Bulls coach Skip Holtz returns to Notre Dame Saturday. Holtz is the son of former Notre Dame Skip Holtz returning.” had,” he said. “Lou Holtz has been coach Lou Holtz, the last Irish coach to win a national championship. Holtz’s roots in South Bend stretch a huge influence in my life. He and back to his search for a college at a [former Florida State coach] Bobby and the traditional things on cam- maintain resolve in order to keep his No matter what emotions arise be- time when Gerry Faust coached the Bowden and [former Colorado State pus and explain what they’re walk- emotions in check. fore the game, Holtz knows that kick- Irish and Skip’s father, Lou, was the coach] Earle Bruce have shaped ing into,” Holtz said. “It will be more “I just need to keep in perspec- off will bring him into a familiar focus. head coach at Arkansas, yet to take me.” of an educational purpose — I don’t tive that the game is much bigger “It will be a very memorable day — the reins of the Notre Dame pro- Now that he has the reins of his want them to be oohed and aahed. for South Florida than it is for Skip a day I will always remember and a gram. Holtz visited campus during own BCS-conference program, how- … It will be more facts about the Sta- Holtz,” he said. “I’ll have to put my very emotional day for me,” he said. high school as a prospective football ever, Holtz said he plans to focus only dium and the history than my per- enthusiasm in being back on the “[But] once the ball is on the tee, it’s and basketball player. on the aspects of his homecoming sonal experiences.” back shelf. We’ll start talking and time for the game.” “[Lou] was giving a speech in Chi- that will help his Bulls avoid being With so much of his personal his- addressing Notre Dame and [its] cago, and then we went and took a overwhelmed. tory tied up with Notre Dame foot- personnel and talking about playing Contact Allan Joseph at day in South Bend and we met with “I’ll talk about Touchdown Jesus ball, Holtz admits he will have to at Notre Dame.” [email protected]

GOOD LUCK COACH KELLY!

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