Irish seek to repeat successful
season
By Doug Healey
Assistant Sports Editor
After breaking his wrist last season against Nebraska
and missing the rest of the year, Arnaz Battle found himself in a new
role in No. 23 Notre Dame's season opening 27-10 loss to the fourth-ranked
Cornhuskers.
Instead of throwing passes, he was catching them.
 "I
feel free," Battle told the Associated Press. "I felt like
moving to wide receiver just opened up my athletic ability. Now I’m
just able to go out there and have fun, play loose and try to make things
happen."
Coach Bob Davie said Battle, who had two catches
for eight yards against Nebraska Saturday, has been making things happen
in practice.
"(Battle's) shown very consistent hands catching
the football," Davie told the Associated Press. "To be honest, he’s
made some acrobatic catches. And he runs well with the ball after the
catch."
Throwing the passes to Battle has been sophomore
quarterback Matt LoVecchio, who led the Fighting Irish to a 9-3 record
last year, including seven straight victories to close the regular season
before losing 41-9 to Oregon State in the Fiesta Bowl. Notre Dame was
ranked No. 15 after last season, its highest ranking at the end of a
season since 1995.
The sophomore quarterback threw for just 78 yards
and one interception in the season opener. But last season, LoVecchio
threw for 980 yards and 11 touchdowns. Most importantly, he only threw
one interception, as the Irish set an NCAA record with only eight turnovers
a year ago.
But four turnovers were costly in the loss to Nebraska,
which is just one of seven teams Notre Dame plays that went to bowl
games last year.
The Irish play Purdue at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in
Ross-Ade Stadium.
On offense, the Irish return seven starters from
a unit that averaged 31.3 points per game last year. However, that team
managed only 10 points against the Cornhuskers.
The offense is led by a talented group of running
backs. Returning starter Julius Jones rushed eight times for 19 yards
against the Cornhuskers, but ran for 657 yards and seven touchdowns
last season. Also receiving carries will be Tony Fisher and Terrance
Howard, who combined for 59 yards rushing in the season opener.
Senior captain David Givens, the team's leading
receiver from last year, also returns. He caught seven passes for 66
yards against Nebraska. Last year he caught 25 passes for 310 yards,
including two touchdowns. The addition of Battle provides the Irish
with an explosive duo of receivers.
The Irish did lose two offensive linemen and two
tight ends on the offensive side of the ball, however.
The defense returns six starters, led by a talented
pair of defensive ends. Senior captain Grant Irons has a career total
of 120 tackles, including five for loss. Anthony Weaver, also a senior
captain, led the team with eight sacks in 2000. He has 30 career starts
and 101 tackles. Senior Rocky Boiman, who had 58 tackles, eight for
loss, will also play an integral role in the defense.
Special teams are very experienced for Notre Dame.
Jones is back as the team's kick returner. He was third in the nation
last year and a first team All-American, averaging 28.5 yards per return.
Also back is punter Joey Hildbold and placekicker Nick Setta. Hildbold
was a Ray Guy Award finalist, while averaging 40.93 yards per punt last
season. Setta hit a 29-yard field goal against Nebraska.
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