Irish Kick Off Season Tonight With Virginia
Lou Holtz wouldn’t even consider questions about Notre Dame winning the national championship until late last season, so it’s not surprising that he’s poor-mouthing Irish chances of a repeat performance.
“We’re not a top-20 team right now,” Holtz said as the Irish prepared to play Virginia tonight in the Kickoff game. “We’re not as good as you think, but we’re probably not as bad as I think.”
In the last month, Notre Dame has lost seven standout players. One quit, another transferred, two were banished for disciplinary reasons, two couldn’t recover from lingering injuries and one was declared academically ineligible.
The most damaging departures were All-American linebacker Michael Stonebreaker and running back Tony Brooks, the team’s second-leading rusher last season. Also gone are defensive tackle George Williams, fullback Braxston Banks, defensive end Arnold Ale, linebacker John Foley and offensive tackle Pete Rausch.
The Irish do have quarterback Tony Rice, who passed for 1,176 yards and eight touchdowns last season, but also led the team in rushing with 700 yards.
George Welsh has led the Cavaliers to five winning seasons in the past six years and all but four starters return from a 7-4 team.
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