FOOTBALL: Holiday no longer cause for concern
By KATIE McVOY
Associate Sports Editor
For the first time in three weeks, Notre Dame quarterback Carlyle Holiday's shoulder isn't the cause for too much concern. Neither is his status as the starter.
After passing for 145 yards against Pittsburgh Saturday, the junior signal caller is back as the unquestioned Irish starter. And his health is fine.
"My shoulder is really fine," he said.
Holiday played a more tentative run game Saturday, running less risk of getting hit. He recorded only three carries for — three yards. Despite limiting Holiday's options, the shoulder injury may offer Holiday an opportunity to practice patience in the pocket.
"I think in some ways it really does kind of help him," said offensive coordinator Bill Diedrick. "It's kind of like one of those choke collars — you start to do something and it grabs you back. I think in a way it's made him be a little bit more, not only patient, but I think also get the ball out of his hands a little bit more.
High ball
The Irish will be playing high Saturday, high altitude that is. Air Force, situated high above sea level in Colorado Springs, may offer Notre Dame some added difficulty as the team adjusts to the mountain air. But the Irish coaching staff believes that their team is prepared.
"I think you're in good physical condition," Diedrick said. "I think if you hydrate really well, I think most of it is more mental-mind kind of thing."
Willing-ham is planning on using the same player rotation that he has used all season and is not planning on making any adjustments based on the altitude.
"As long as both teams have to play at the same level, I am okay," Willingham said. "… I think we have been rotating our guys pretty much at all of our key positions, those positions especially that we feel like we have the ability to rotate, and we'll continue that."
Battling back
Although coaches say he's still learning, Arnaz Battle is becoming a weapon for the Irish. In Saturday's game against Pittsburgh, Battle had 10 receptions for 101 yards, just one reception short of the 11-reception total he had for the entire rest of the season heading into the game.
"I think Arnaz Battle has done a great job of slowly learning the position," Willingham said. "… In my estimation he's really just starting to learn the position … so, participating and playing every week is allowing him to grow and learn the position better."
In addition to growing each game, Battle has had some successes that have boosted his confidence. The game-winning touchdown reception against Michigan State was the first in a string of successful performances.
"I hope that every small and every large success that he had just allows him to grow immeasurably so we can get, hopefully, the kind of offensive play that we think could come out of our offense," Willingham said.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, October 16, 2002
