Notre Damethe Pauperof College Football

When Notre Dame football Coach Bob Davie looked around at an 0-3 start, and called his team “needy,” it struck a chord among close followers of the program. After losing, 24-3, to Texas A&M; on Saturday, Notre Dame is 0-3 for the first time.

Not the first time since ...

How about the first time in the program’s vaunted history.

“Yes, and the next thing we’ll hear is that somebody is organizing a telethon to benefit Queen Elizabeth and her brood,” wrote columnist Fran Blinebury of the Houston Chronicle.

“Never hurts to pass the collection plate to get the royal family a new jeweled scepter, you know.... Needy, huh?”

*

Trivia time: How many seasons did Jim Brown lead the NFL in rushing?

*

Oliver Stone watch: The Guardian newspaper was curious about the recent admission of Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo, who revealed certain aspects about his endorsement deal with Nike. The oft-injured Ronaldo played in the 1998 World Cup final in Paris under odd circumstances.

“In an admission that will prick up the ears of conspiracy theorists around the world, Ronaldo has announced that his sponsorship contract with Nike demands that he plays for Brazil,” the Guardian said. “The Internazionale striker, who has been injured for the best part of the last two years, was surrounded by speculation after he famously played in the 1998 World Cup final only hours after experiencing a mysterious fit.”

*

More soccer: Cross-town rivals Manchester City and Manchester United will play Oct. 19 to raise funds for the families of firefighters killed in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York.

Said British Prime Minister Tony Blair: “This city [Manchester] has felt the impact of terrorism on its streets, so there should be no surprise at the determination of the people of Manchester to do what they can to support those who have suffered.”

*

Legends United: Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan, on former Boston Bruin defenseman Ray Bourque:

“Ray Bourque, whose number 77 will be retired, just misses taking up residence in the inner sanctum. But he won’t really mind his new neighbors on Athletic Immortality Boulevard, one would think. He should get along nicely with Bob Cousy and John Havlicek.

“Bourque equates very nicely to Havlicek. Each excelled on both offense and defense. Each thought it a mortal sin to miss a game. Each led more by example than by verbiage.”

*

Bulletin blast: Wonder if Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post got a couple of e-mails Friday in response to his column about Colorado’s upcoming game against 12th-ranked Kansas State.

“What hurts most aren’t those nine consecutive losses to Nebraska, but the undeniable fact the Buffaloes have been supplanted among the nation’s elite by Kansas State, a nowhere school that’s nothing more than a truck stop filled with junior college transients who couldn’t make the grade as real students.”

*

Trivia answer: Eight.

*

And finally: Tennis player Marc Rosset of Switzerland, on being 30: “Emotionally, I feel younger than 19; physically, it depends on the day.”