FRESH START

Matt LoVecchio did something Saturday for Notre Dame that Paul Hornung, John Huarte, Joe Theismann and Joe Montana never did during their days with the Irish. LoVecchio became only the fourth quarterback at the school since 1952 to start a game as a true freshman. The results have been mixed for LoVecchio’s freshman predecessors after they left South Bend, and none set the college football world on fire in their debuts. Here is how each of the four fared in their first starts:

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Player Date and Result Statistics Matt LoVecchio Oct. 7, 2000 (fifth game) 10 of 18 for 100 yards, 2 TDs Notre Dame 20, Stanford 14 13 carries, 36 yards Kent Graham Nov. 7, 1987 (eighth game) 6 of 8 for 111 yards, O TDs Notre Dame 32, Boston College 25 3 carries, 7 yards Steve Beuerlein Oct. 1, 1983 (fourth game) 8 of 12 for 133 yards, 0 TDs Notre Dame 27, Colorado 3 No rushing attempts Blair Kiel Oct. 11, 1980 (fourth game) 4 of 17 for 35 yards, O TDs Notre Dame 32, Miami 14 11 carries, 28 yards, 1 TD

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