Fullback position has promising possibilities
By KATIE McVOY
Associate Sports Editor
While questions swirl around who will play key positions on the Notre Dame offense — quarterback and running back, for example — running backs coach Buzz Preston seems confident about who will be playing fullback for him.
Even though seniors Mike McNair and Tom Lopienski are officially in a "try-out" period for a fifth year of eligibility, Preston is hoping to make them a key part of the 2002 offense.
"I plan on them coming back," Preston said. "And Chris Yura has a chance as soon as he gets himself healthy. We've got some other young men who are working there, too."
The two seniors, who have seen significant time in the 2001 season, should get a chance to play a fourth year with the Irish. But if you ask them, they're keeping their expectations in check.
"Whatever Coach Preston said," Lopienski said. "Whatever he said, I can't argue with that."
"I don't have any pre-conceived expectations," McNair said. "I'm just trying to go out and get better and see where it goes from there."
If they return in the fall, the playing time they will see could be very different from their last three years at Notre Dame. After playing a significant role blocking on the option-heavy offense last season, the fullback position will become a significant part of a versatile offense, Preston said.
Whether it involves blocking, running or receiving, Preston plans to take full advantage of his fullbacks.
"I think if you're going to be successful in college football today, you need to utilize all weapons that you can at the perimeter-type positions," Preston said. "To be one-dimensional in those positions, I think really limits you in college football because of all the things the defense can do to you."
Eliminating that one-dimensional quality will be key on Preston's list for his fullbacks, right after getting them introduced to a whole new offense. In order to make real weapons at the fullback position, Preston needs his players expand their versatility.
"They have to be up and able to do all things," Preston said. "Not just block but run, catch, they have to be mult-dimensional, and they have to be flexible."
That new role will come as a bonus to the two seniors who have spent their time blocking and expect to keep blocking. According to Lopienski, a touchdown scored by a running back is just as rewarding for him as if he crossed the goal line himself. But with this new offense, the bonus possibility of a carry doesn't hurt.
"Really, [at] the fullback position, you're basically going to be a blocker most of the time, so I'm pretty happy with that," he said. "To get a couple of passes or to get to run the ball is a little plus."
"I just want to do whatever I can to help the team and go from there," McNair said.
Despite the fact that Lopienski and McNair rushed for a total of 78 yards for the Irish during the entire course of the 2001 season and Lopienski had only two receptions, Preston has no doubt that the fullbacks can step up to their new role.
"I'm not worried about that," Preston said. "That'll come and it'll all work out."
The fullbacks have a lot to deal with this spring: an unidentified starter at the quarterback position, increased responsibility to receive and carry and a new coach. On the fourth day of practice, it's early to expect the fullbacks to fully comprehend their new role, but Preston sees potential. With the summer to digest their new role, the fullbacks should be ready to take part in the offensive scheme.
"They're young but coming along," Preston said. "It's all new to all of them, but after they get through this spring and get all this heaved on them, I find that in the fall after working the summer on it and getting the terminology, then they'll be all right in the fall."
"I think we're all coming together," Lopienski said. "It takes time. Everything takes time."
All Sports Stories for Friday, April 12, 2002
