Irish look to answer question marks
By KATHLEEN O'BRIEN
Associate Sports Editor
Notre Dame enters Saturday's showdown with No. 13 Purdue with two Touchdown Jesus-sized question marks — how the Irish quarterback will play and whether the defense can slow down Purdue's Drew Brees.
Can sophomore Gary Godsey, a quarterback who has never taken a college snap, adequately fill the abyss left by Arnaz Battle's absence?
Godsey projects a confident demeanor, but taking the field before 80,232 fans hungry for victory could throw off even a poised veteran, let alone a rookie recruited as a tight end. He will need receivers Joey Getherall, Jabari Holloway and Dan O'Leary to do a better job of getting to the ball since Godsey cannot run the option like Battle.
"The concerns would be it's a first-time experience again," Irish head coach Bob Davie said. "Not knowing what Gary is going to do, how Gary is going to react. Taking away the creativity that Arnaz had or the ability to make plays is certainly a concern as you go in."
Notre Dame's running backs must carry a little heavier load as well. Battle led the team in rushing against Nebraska, and without him on the field, tailback Julius Jones and Co. have 107 yards to make up.
The Irish defense proved it can stop the run against the rush-oriented No. 1 'Huskers last week. The Irish limited their opponents to 21 points during regulation despite spending most of the day on the field. They clamped down on the 'Huskers during the clutch, holding them to 24 yards on 11 plays in the final three possessions of regulation.
But the defense, playing without senior captain Grant Irons, goes up against the wind this week. Purdue is the No. 1 team in the nation in total offense, utilizing a pass-happy attack that Notre Dame has not yet met the likes of. In the quest to shut down Brees, another interception by free safety Tony Driver or cornerback Shane Walton wouldn't hurt.
"Anytime you have a high-caliber quarterback like himself [Brees] up for the Heisman and with his ability to complete a lot of passes, it's a challenge for the secondary," strong safety Ron Israel said, "What we have to do is just lock in on what he does best, and that's throw, and lock in on the receivers."
A special teams display like last week could easily alter the game's outcome.
Kicker Nick Setta is a flawless six-for-six in points after touchdowns and two-for-two in field goal attempts this season. The Irish average 37.6 yards per kick return, a number bolstered by Jones' 100-yard touchdown return last week, and Getherall dashed back an 83-yard punt return against Nebraska.
"I think it all boils down to making tackles in the secondary, and if the receiver does catch the ball, not letting him get yards after the catch," Notre Dame cornerback Brock Williams said.
All Sports Stories for Friday, September 15, 2000
