Defensive line has important role against Boilermakers
By ANDREW SOUKUP
Sports Writer
Even after Anthony Weaver graduated, his legacy still lives on with the Irish defensive front.
Notre Dame's defensive front — ends Kyle Budinscak and Ryan Roberts and tackles Darrell Campbell and Cedric Hilliard — played a tremendous role in shutting down Maryland's offense. The Irish rarely blitzed, instead relying on the quartet of defensive linemen to win the battle of the trenches.
A large part of the defensive line's success had to do with the example set by Weaver, a second-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens and team MVP last season.
"He got a lot of attention, but the man deserved it," Campbell said. "We were watching film today, and I said, `Good job, T-Weav,' and I turned and looked at his seat and he wasn't there."
Weaver, who earned second-team All-American honors from ABC Sports last year, helped instill leadership in the group of defensive linemen who would carry on for him when he left. More than anything, he relied less on words and more on his strong work ethic to set an example.
"He left an impression on us," Campbell said. "A lot of us tried to mold our game, our technique after him because he was simply flawless. It was beautiful watching him play."
Campbell was disappointed with his performance against Maryland, in part because he failed to make a tackle. Hilliard recorded one tackle and a sack, while Roberts and Budinscak recorded two and one tackles apiece, respectively.
Saturday, Campbell said the Irish defensive line will be called on once again to help shut down Purdue's multi-dimensional offense, and that means putting pressure on Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton.
"We're going to come after him, but I really believe the coaches want the front four to get the job done," Campbell said. "That will leave some things open for the secondary."
Get fired up earlier
Notre Dame pep rallies will begin a half-hour earlier this year and will still be held at the Joyce Center.
The student portion of the pep rally will begin at 6 p.m., and players will walk in around 6:30.
Injury update
For the second straight day, linebacker Courtney Watson missed practice. Irish coach Tyrone Willingham said Watson was still suffering from lingering effects of the viral infection that kept him out of the Maryland game Saturday.
Offensive lineman Sean Milligan saw limited participation. Notre Dame's starting right guard is listed as day-to-day with what Willingham called muscle spasms.
All Sports Stories for Thursday, September 5, 2002
