Young starters make serious stops
Observer Staff Report
Courtney Watson did not start on Saturday. Doctor's orders kept the most experienced linebacker out of the game with an upset stomach.
Mike Goolsby, however, did start on Saturday. He and the other two starting linebackers had never played a down on defense. But you wouldn't have known by looking at them.
Brandon Hoyte — who replaced Watson — and Goolsby each had eight tackles. Derrick Curry had four.
"I thought Goolsby and Hoyte and Curry did an excellent job," coach Tyrone Willingham said. "They stepped up and made plays just as we would expect them to. We tell our football team that it doesn't matter, we believe it is an oportunty when a guy goes down"
The three linebackers were part of an offense that held Maryland to 16 total rushing yards. The Terrapins had 26 going into the second half. That means they netted minus-10 yards in the final 30 minutes of the game.
"It was a blast out there, that was the most fun I've ever had playing ball," Goolsby said. "After the first quarter, getting accustomed to things, I just went out there being my normal self. I had a blast out there."
Penalties show Irish green
Notre Dame did leave some evidence that they were still an inexperienced team. The Irish had 11 penalties that cost them 80 yards in the course of the game. Nine of those were offensive. Notre Dame was charged with a false start five times, delay of game twice, intentional grounding and holding.
"I need to look at the video to see how much of it was sloppy play," said offensive coordinator Bill Diedrick. "I think it they just came at very inopportunty times."
Five penalites were in Maryland territory.
Not Jones up the middle
For the first time in years, Notre Dame came out throwing. Carlyle Holiday opened the Irish's first series with a 7-yard pass completion to Omar Jenkins — a change from last year, when first-and-10 meant the Irish often ran.
"[The play was] very refreshing," said wide receiver Arnaz Battle, who finished the game with four receptions for 68 yards. "I thought it was coming to me. Carlyle decided to go the other side."
Game time leadership
For the second time in 114 years of football history, the Irish are naming game day captains. The last time the Irish did so was in 1946 under Frank Leahy.
Saturday's game day captains were center Jeff Faine, Battle, cornerback Shane Walton and defensive end Ryan Roberts.
Big time security
National Security Advisor Condolezza Rice was present at the Kickoff Classic. Willingham said that as a close friend, she came to watch and support him.
"Dr. Condolezza Rice is a dear friend," Willingham advisor. "And it was awful nice in the ballgame to see her here."
All Sports Stories for Monday, September 2, 2002
