Irish seek revenge against Eagles
By TIM CASEY
Assistant Sports Editor
Sounds like a scene straight from Hollywood.
Notre Dame had just lost 27-21 to Michigan State on Sept. 23, fallen to 2-2 and faced the possibility of losing its starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. Facing an uncertain future, coach Bob Davie met with the entire squad, put the rest of the schedule on a board and spoke from the heart.
"That was the last time and really the only time that I talked about anything like that," Davie said on Monday. "I thought at that time it was realistic because of the attitude of this team to say that we could win and we could have a successful season."
And now, after four straight victories the Irish are steadily climbing the rankings. They stand at No. 11 in the Associated Press poll, No. 12 in the USA Today/ESPN poll and, most importantly, No. 12 in the latest Bowl Championship Series standings. If Notre Dame wins their three remaining games, an invitation to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans or the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Ariz. is a strong possibility.
"It's a tremendous opportunity for this football team," Davie said. "But everyone realizes after watching college football this weekend how topsy-turvy things are and how every week is a different challenge."
Davie's cautious attitude stems from the past two seasons, when his "November to Remember" motto became more forgetful than memorable. In 1998, one week after Jarious Jackson injured his right knee, Notre Dame's 10-0 loss to USC ended their BCS chances. Then last year, after four straight victories, the Irish lost their final four. Included in the stretch was a 31-29 loss to this week's opponent, Boston College. Notre Dame entered the game at 5-5 and could have qualified for a bowl berth with a victory.
Following the game, several Boston College players returned to the field and celebrated by tearing up pieces of grass from the Stadium.
"I remember vividly [former Boston College defensive lineman] Chris Hovan picking up grass and running around," senior offensive guard Jim Jones said. "You don't like to see that on your home field."
Whereas the Eagles came to South Bend in 1999 with a formidable defense, a 7-2 record and a No. 25 national ranking, this year's squad has struggled against quality opponents. Their 6-3 record includes wins over teams with a combined 15-33 record. But the Eagles have lost by an average of nearly 17 points a game against West Virginia (4-4 on the season), Virginia Tech (8-1) and Pittsburgh (5-3). Boston College has won two straight, including a 31-3 victory over Temple on Saturday.
"They cost us a bowl game [last year]," senior tight end Jabari Holloway said. "As far as them celebrating that's going to come when you beat Notre Dame. Beating Notre Dame is a life-crowning achievement."
And for Holloway, one he hopes does not occur again in 2000.
Hasselbeck out for game
One year after playing arguably the best game of his career, Boston College quarterback Tim Hasselbeck will be a spectator on Saturday.
The Eagles starter suffered an medial collateral ligament injury in his left knee during the second quarter against Temple. On Monday, Boston Colllege coach Tom O'Brien said "whether it's two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, we don't know right yet. But he definitely cannot play this weekend."
Brian St. Pierre, who threw for 118 yards and a touchdown after replacing Hasselbeck on Saturday, will start against the Irish. St. Pierre, a sophomore, has played in all nine games this year and has completed 30-of-45 passes for 369 yards. He has also rushed seven times for negative 17 yards and a touchdown.
"It's not like he's a typical backup quarterback," Davie said. "Anytime you lose your starting quarterback it's difficult but I think in their situation, they have about as close to having two starters as anyone in college football does."
Hasselbeck completed 20-of-30 passes for 272 yards and gained 60 yards on 15 carries in last season's victory.
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, November 7, 2000
