Preparing for Battle
UHND.com - Frank Vitovitch
August 7, 2000

Notre Dame, Ind - On Thursday the final stage in theprocess of becoming the starting quarterback at Notre Dame begins. When Thursday comesaround Arnaz Battle will be going into summer practice as the number one quarterback onthe team. After two years of watching and learning from Jarious Jackson, Battle will nowbe in Jackson's place to the four incoming quarterbacks.

Many people question whether Battle is ready or not tobecome the starter. While others question whether he has the talent to make it as thestarting quarterback at Notre Dame. One thing is for sure however, come September 2against Texas A&M, Battle will be the starting quarterback.

Over the past two seasons we have only seen Battlesparingly and in those appearances he did not impress many if any. After his first collegeappearance just two weeks into his freshman year however he flashed some talent. In ablowout Battle lead a touchdown drive and connected with Joey Getherall for a 40 yard passplay, still the longest in Battle's career at Notre Dame. After that however Battle sawfew chances until being thrown into the lion's den against USC in the final week of the1998 season. Battle looked like a freshman and made many mistakes.

The USC game of 1998 was the last real action that Battlesaw. We saw him here and there in the 1999 season, but hardly enough to make anyconclusions as to whether he improved much.  According to reports he came into springpractice confident and poised.  He is still untested in high pressure situations.  Besides the USC game of '98 he has only seen mop up work or an occasional serieshere and there.  This summer he will need to continue the maturation process in orderfor Notre Dame to regain its position with college football's elite.

The road will not be easy for Battle however.  Homecontests with Nebraska,  Texas A&M, and Purdue followed by a road trip to EastLansing to play Michigan State in the first four weeks will not make Battle's task anyeasier. 

Battle will be taking over the second most scrutinizedposition in college football, that's after the head coach at Notre Dame, with littleplaying experience and will start by taking on five straight 1999 bowl teams.  Meanwhile, if he starts off slow or isn't an instant hit, fans will be calling forhis head on every internet message board they can find.

There is no question in my mind that Battle has thetalent.  He has shown he has extraordinary athleticism against Kansas last year evenif it was against their second team.  The thing he needs now is confidence.  Howwill he react after his first interception, his first fumble, or his first busted play.  Yes he made this kinds of mistakes against USC but in that situation people wereexpecting them since he was a freshman.  Now, as a junior he will be the starter andexpectations will be much higher.

Battle's transitioning into the starter's role will bedifferent than his predecessor Jarious Jackson's though, at least scheme-wise.  Jackson had a simpler scheme with Jim Colleto while Battle has Kevin Rogers morecomplex offense.  Battle has had two years in the system however and should be readyto go.  He should also be able to use the tight end more which will make his jobeasier.

His success will also depend mainly on the running game.  Jarious Jackson lead Notre Dame to victory over defending national championMichigan in 1998 mainly because he did not have to throw too much.  Jackson only hadto pass a few times and when he did he found open receivers because of the play action.  If Notre Dame can dictate tempo against Texas A&M and pound the ball awaybetween the tackles, Battle will have more success passing and his confidence level shouldsoar.

This will be the first time Battle steps onto the fieldfor summer practice as the starter.  His teammates will be looking to him forleadership and confidence.  How Battle handles this new responsibility will determinehow well he performs.  If he lets get to him he will be jittery and nervous.  However if he welcomes this and takes it head on he will step onto the fieldSeptember 2 ready to win.