Untested core plays like veterans in 22-0 victory
ANDREW SOUKUP
Sports Writer
Brandon Hoyte tried to stay calm. He really did.
But as soon as the sophomore linebacker learned he was starting his first college game less than 30 minutes from his hometown, he couldn't contain his enthusiasm. Neither could Irish coaches after Hoyte's impressive debut Saturday.
Despite finding out he was starting in place of a sickened Courtney Watson less than 48 hours before kickoff, Hoyte finished with a team-leading eight tackles and one sack in Notre Dame's 22-0 shutout of Maryland.
"I'm so proud of that kid and so happy for him," Irish defensive coordinator Kent Baer said Saturday. "When he got on that airplane, he never expected to start tonight. But he did a lot of things in the fall, and he deserved it. He's worked so hard, and everything played out."
Coaches couldn't stop raving about Hoyte in the fall, a relative unknown in the spring who made tremendous strides during two-a-day practices with his keen understanding of the Irish system.
Before the game, Baer promised Hoyte would see significant playing time, but he didn't expect Hoyte to sneak his way into the starting lineup.
At some point between the time Notre Dame boarded the plane to New Jersey Thursday morning and when Baer told Hoyte he was starting Friday afternoon, Watson got so sick he vomited uncontrollably. His viral infection left one of the primary leaders on defense in a windsuit for Notre Dame's season opener.
While Watson, who is listed as probable for Saturday's home opener against Purdue watched from the sidelines, the Irish were forced to start three linebackers — Hoyte, Mike Goolsby and Derek Curry — who had never played a down on defense. All the trio did in its first game was combine for 19 tackles and two sacks, while helping to hold the Terrapins to just 16 rushing yards.
"That was the most fun I've ever had playing ball," said Goolsby, who tied Hoyte for the team lead with eight tackles and one sack. "After the first quarter and getting accustomed to things, I just went out there and was my normal self. I had a blast out there. …
"Taking out the ACC champ like that, that was pretty impressive," he added.
The start was particularly special for Hoyte, who lives about 30 minutes south of Giants Stadium. A large contingent of family, friends and coaches made the trek from Hoyte's Parlin, N.J., home to watch the linebacker start his first collegiate game.
Whenever Hoyte came off the field, he sought out Watson on the sideline for advice. But once Hoyte got on the field, he didn't have to worry about where he had to be on defense — he just let instinct take over.
"I think personally I just understood my material a lot better than in the spring," Hoyte said. "The fact I didn't have to think every time I lined up on the ball and could just play, that helped tremendously."
Baer admitted he was slightly worried about starting three untested linebackers at what is essentially the quarterback position on defense.
Linebackers are responsible for getting the coverage schemes from coaches, relaying them to the players and then making sure players line up correctly.
But the fact that the Irish often try to simulate game conditions in practice made the transition easier for the trio of first-time starters.
"It's not like they haven't done anything before," Baer said. "They play against our offense in practice, which is a pretty good offense. Anytime you play against our offense, it prepares you for a game like this."
The strong debut of Hoyte, Goolsby and Curry allowed Baer and the Irish to breathe a sigh of relief. Still, they're not dwelling on Saturday's victory; they know the Irish have 11 more games to play.
"I think it gives me a great amount of confidence, but the fact is that we have one mission, one goal on this football team," Hoyte said. "That is to win football games."
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, September 3, 2002
