Irish Must Persevere
UHND.com - Frank Vitovitch
September 11, 2000

Notre Dame, Ind - Notre Dame will be in a very difficult situation this weekend when they play Purdue at Notre Dame Stadium.  Arnaz Battle won't be playing and may miss the rest of the season.  They are coming off an emotionally draining, hard fought, heart breaking loss to #1 ranked Nebraska, but in order to save their season they must regroup and rally behind whoever Bob Davie picks to start.  Notre Dame can not feel sorry for themselves, not with Purdue and Michigan State coming up.

The heart of this team will be tested more this than it was on Saturday when the Irish went toe to toe with the #1 ranked team in the nation.  Notre Dame must avoid a let down while also overcoming the deviating the loss of their quarterback, Arnaz Battle.  Battle did not impress anyone with his passing, out did with his heart and his courage.  He played the entire game with a broken wrist.  He also turned sure sacks into spectacular.  Many teams would feel sorry for themselves and pack it up for the season - not this team though, not this year.

On Saturday I saw one of the best performances by a Notre Dame in years.  They believed and never gave up.  They fought for 60 minutes(well 58 minutes and  53 seconds - but lets not get into that) and nearly shocked other world.  They must now pick up the pieces.  The pieces left from a very tough loss and the pieces from loosing their starting quarterback and offensive leader.

The performance Saturday leaves me to believe that this team will not feel sorry for themselves, they will not pack it up, and they will definitely come to play when Purdue comes to town.  Notre Dame's press release on their official athletic said quoted Gary Godsey as saying that Arnaz, David Givens, Joey Getherall, and Jabari Holloway came to Godsey's dorm to tell him the news and to let him know that they had faith in him. 

I look for the team to come out inspired.  Many times a team will come out flat after a tough loss, but this won't be the case for Notre Dame this week.  Look for them to use Battle as inspiration as he played the whole game with a broken wrist.  Also, look for the offensive line to come alive.  They have been somewhat silent so far this year.  The line must step up and create holes for Julius Jones and Tony Fisher in order to take pressure off of Gary Godsey whoever starts. 

The defense proved last week that it is for the real.  The secondary is still untested, but the front seven played a sterling game.  They stuffed Nebraska in the second half and will be on a mission this week.  Look for Notre Dame to blitz early and often to rattle Drew Brees. 

Bob Davie has his work cut out for him this week.  He has to get a new quarterback ready and he must get his players back on track.  The loss took a lot out of the Irish and they must be focused on Saturday or Purdue's high powered offense could blow Notre Dame out of the water early.  This team however believes in itself however and won't let that happen.

Purdue is not the type of team you want to face after playing Nebraska.  The Irish must be tired and worn out, but they must also get better in a hurry.  They wont get beat up like last week, but they will get be doing a lot of running.  If Notre Dame can run the ball early to take pressure off of whoever starts, the Irish can control the pace of the game and slow it down, keeping Drew Brees off the field.  Notre Dame will have to wear down the Purdue defense.  Purdue is not very strong on defense and Notre Dame should be able to run on them.

Notre Dame left everything on the field against Nebraska.  Every single player played with everything they had.  Anthony Denman was truly a beast, he was got cut during the game but simply cleaned off the blood and kept playing.  Rocky Boiman was flying all over the field.  Tony Driver was laying people out all game long.  The players left every single Notre Dame fan feeling proud of their team.

If ever there was a weekend Notre Dame needed it's fans support 100%, it is this coming one.  The same thing was said last weekend, but circumstances have changed drastically.  This game will determine what the Irish do this year. If they win, they will have a great season.  If they lose, I fear the Fighting Irish will be in for another ugly season.  So, go out, support the team,DON'T SELL ANY TICKETS TO PURDUE FANS, hang up banners on the hall, and show the team that we are all behind them!!!