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DE
Kyle Budinscak |
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2002
Statistics
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Coach:
Tyrone Willingham
10-3,
1 year |
2002
Record: 10-3
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vs.
Maryland |
WON
22-0 |
PURDUE |
WON
24-17 |
MICHIGAN |
WON
25-23 |
at
Michigan State |
WON
21-17 |
STANFORD |
WON
31-7 |
PITTSBURGH |
WON
14-6 |
at
Air Force |
WON
21-14 |
at
Florida State |
WON
34-24 |
BOSTON
COLLEGE |
LOST
7-14 |
at
Navy |
WON
30-23 |
RUTGERS |
WON
42-0 |
at
Southern Cal |
LOST
13-44 |
GATOR
BOWL
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North
Carolina State |
LOST
6-28 |
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2002 Final Rankings
AP-17, Coaches-17, BCS-9
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2003
Outlook
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Willingham
was the coaching story of the year for the
first 10 weeks of the season, as Notre Dame
climbed from preseason purgatory to the
Top Ten. That says much for the long-term
impact this guy will have. But this year
is not all that, it is now, immediate and
unknown. A senior-laden offensive line saved
Willingham's first season. But now, graduation
has hit, and there's a sizable rebuilding
job ahead under the Golden Dome. This is
obviously, then, a transition year for Willingham
and this program. The Irish roster is still
composed mainly of recruits from the Davie
era, which hampers Willingham a bit as he
attempts to remake the Irish in a speedier,
more versatile mold. He'll need a few more
classes of his own to attain mobile linemen
and quicker receivers.
Defense
is the big weapon most will be anticipating
as they face this team. The system they
run requires all 11 players to recognize
their zone and/or specific chore for that
play. This defense routinely switches responsibilities
between who is designated and for which
tasks. Their "offset" versatility
makes opposing QBs freak as they simultaneously
see down-linemen dropping back to cover
with full-sprinting DBs flying all over.
It will be ironic if/when the secondary
winds up being this teams Achilles heel.
But either that area, or the special teams,
will be ND's undoing with hindsight next
January, if they struggle. Many of the power-houses
the Irish face are also retooling in 2003,
so the biggest foes could conceivably use
ND or ND could use them as stepping stones
to that next level.
The
offense isn't as expected to be developed
to the point of greatness early. Still,
the offense is the variable that will make
or break this squad. If, with a little luck'o'the
Irish, they do deliver early, and knowing
their defense will be sharp, South Bend
will (again surprisingly) seem BCS-bound.
Notre
Dame starts with a brutal schedule - seven
of its first eight opponents were bowl teams
in 2002. Michigan, USC and FSU could all
be Top Ten contenders, and the Irish aren't
going to sneak up on anybody this season.
So don't expect an 8-0 start, or anything
like it. But the Irish do return an experienced
defense, which should keep them in most
games regardless of the secondary's margin
of play. Skill players Grant, Jenkins and
Stovall will give them enough firepower
to put points on the board. The formula
of balance is in place for success to be
earned.
The
season could really play out many different
ways. But look for Notre Dame to win 7-9
games this season and improve toward the
end of the year -- pointing themselves toward,
at least, a decent bowl destination. They
will be the nation's best 4-to-6 loss team,
if so, losing by a combined 30 points or
less. What's being said is that every game
could be tight. And the Irish could find
themselves using their special BCS exemptions
to sneak into what could have been last
season. You don't say, Shamus, you don't
say
but we do, so be ready if it happens.
Projected
2003 record: 8-4
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SPRING
MVP
LB Courtney Watson
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OFFENSIVE
MVP
QB Chris Olsen
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DEFENSIVE
MVP
DE Justin Tuck
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TOP
NEWCOMER
QB Chris Olsen
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NOTRE
DAME
*POWER RATINGS
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Offense
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Defense
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QB
- 3 |
DL
- 4.5 |
RB
- 3.5 |
LB
- 4.5 |
WR
- 4 |
DB
- 4 |
OL
- 3.5 |
.. |
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RETURNING
LEADERS
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Passing:
Carlyle Holiday, 257-129-5, 1788 yds., 10
TD's
Rushing: Ryan Grant, 261 att., 1085
yds., 9 TD's
Receiving: Omar Jenkins, 37 rec.,
633 yds., 3 TD's
Scoring: Nicholas Setta, 14-25 FG,
32-32 PAT, 74 pts.
Punting: D.J. Fitzpatrick, 1 punt,
31.0 avg.
Kicking: Nicholas Setta, 14-25 FG,
32-32 PAT, 74 pts.
Tackles: Courtney Watson, 90 tot.,
51 solo
Sacks: Darrell Campbell, 8 sacks
Interceptions: Courtney Watson, 4
for 123 yds.
Kickoff returns: Vontez Duff, 19
ret., 27.7 avg.
Punt returns: Vontez Duff, 40 ret.,
9.6 avg.
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LB
Courtney Watson |
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NOTRE
DAME |
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OFFENSE
- 5
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----RETURNING
STARTERS----
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DEFENSE
- 8
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KEY
LOSSES
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OFFENSE:
Tom Lopienski-FB, Arnaz Battle-WR, Jordan
Black-OT, Sean Mahan-OG, Jeff Faine-C (NFL),
Brennan Curtain-OT (NFL) |
DEFENSE:
Ryan
Roberts-DE, Shane Walton-CB, Gerome Sapp-SS,
Joey Hildbold-P |
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2003
OFFENSE
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By
Joe Howley
Royal Oak, Mich.
contributing writer Dave Hershorin
There's
plenty of rebuilding to do in Year Two of the
Tyrone Willingham regime. The Fighting Irish,
though, aren't exactly bankrupt for talent. Still,
this offense will initially sputter and fly out
of control like an adolescent, to eventually grow
into a consistently functioning part of what will
be a Top 10-calibur team by 2003's end.
Holiday
struggled at times to master the new offensive
approach, and the Fighting Irish finished an anemic
91st in the NCAA Division I passing rankings.
Remember, he was not recruited with this scheme
in mind. But while Holiday's numbers weren't impressive,
he avoided catastrophic mistakes (only 5 INTs)
and generated enough offense so the standout ND
defense could win games. Holiday could face a
challenge from junior Pat Dillingham, considered
a stronger drop-back passer, but Dillingham has
to fix his accuracy problem (7 INTs) before he'll
have many chances to unseat Holiday. In the minds
of most Irish fans, they say forget about it.
Barring an injury to Holiday, much like 2002,
the job is set...Willingham is unlikely to rotate.
The
Irish can bank on Ryan Grant, who presents the
versatility needed for a quality running back.
Only a first year player in 2002, Grant looks
to be a name most NBC announcers should wear out
before long. Look for a consistent improvement
with each game.
The
Irish also feature a pair of promising wideouts
in Omar Jenkins and Maurice Stovall, both of whom
should see significantly increased action as senior
quarterback Carlyle Holiday is more properly adjusted
for his second year in the "west coast"
offense. Back-ups are vital for developing the
needed extra dimensions a WC approach has to have
for success. Any candidates for third- and fourth-receiver
are being welcomed until August. We will tell
all as needed for these developments.
On
the offensive line, starting right guard Sean
Milligan applied for a fifth year of eligibility.
He should be the most dependable blocker up front
as Willingham will otherwise have to rebuild a
depleted line. C Jeff Faine's early entry into
the NFL draft left the line without four starters,
although senior Jim Molinaro applied for a fifth
year and should step into a starting role at tackle.
It always takes some time for an offensive line
to develop, and the Irish will be shaky in the
trenches until that occurs. ND's allowed 38 sacks
and averaged an un-Irish-like 3.4 yards-per-rush.
Willingham will focus on this in spring and summer,
and we will update the line's progress, too, when
warranted. The talent is there, but in players
not recruited by Willingham. This means run-blockers
abound, but hi-breaded, big-and-mobile pulling/roll-out
types don't. But Ty can pick and choose from the
nation's best here at Notre Dame, huh.
Fifth-year
senior TE Gary Godsey is expected back, a big
plus. His height and size, both as a blocker and
pass-catcher, should be a great advantage in helping
their sophisticated scheme going. Willingham will
keep him closer for the first few games, until
the O-line gels. Godsey will permanently occupy
(and eventually exploit) opposing LBs as he becomes
a difference-maker.
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QB
Carlyle Holiday
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NOTRE
DAME 2003 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in bold
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OFFENSE
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QB |
Carlyle
Holiday-Jr |
Pat
Dillingham-So / Chris Olsen-So |
FB |
Rashon
Powers-Neal-Jr |
Julius
Jones-Sr |
RB |
Ryan
Grant-Jr |
Marcus
Wilson-Jr |
WR |
Omar
Jenkins-Sr |
Maurice
Stovall-So |
WR |
Rhema
McKnight-So |
Matt
Shelton-Jr |
TE |
Gary
Godsey-Sr |
Jared
Clark-Sr |
OT |
Matt
LeVoir-Jr |
Jamie
Ryan-So |
OG |
Dan
Stevenson-Jr |
Darrin
Mitchell-jr |
C |
Zachary
Giles-Jr |
Bob
Morton-So |
OG |
Sean
Milligan-Sr |
Scott
Rairdon-So |
OT |
Jim
Molinaro-Sr |
James
Bonelli-So |
K |
Nicholas
Setta-Sr |
D.J.
Fitzpatrick-Jr |
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2003
DEFENSE
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By
Joe Howley
Royal Oak, Mich.
contributing writer Dave Hershorin
Seven
starters are expected back for an outstanding
defense that ranked 9th in I-A. Leading the charge
will be fifth-year senior FS Glenn Earl, gritty
ILB Mike Goolsby, and MLB Courtney Watson, 2002
Butkus Award semi-finalist even after missing
a few early games due to injury.
The
Irish run an "offset" 4-3 defense, and
a powerful run-stuffer at nose guard is critical
to making that alignment work. Senior Cedric Hilliard's
return, along with two other deeply-experienced
trench men, make the Irish interior defense again
strong up the middle. Keeping opponents just under
3 yards-per-carry and 100 rushing yards-per-game
should continue true.
Senior
talent (and depth) at DE makes their pass-rush
look as promising as their run-stopping. Derek
Curry, a speedy sack specialist at the weak-side
linebacker, is the key to beating 2002's sack
total (38). Teamed with the veteran interior line
and to-quality LBs, the Notre Dame front seven
is again going to be brutal. And savvy. This unit
will be better than their numbers show as they
play about the toughest schedule in I-A. Eight
in the box isn't necessary with their interchange-ability.
The
graduation losses for the Irish defense were scattered
by position, so Notre Dame doesn't have any glaring
holes screaming for an instant fix. Losing two
DBs of the caliber of Walton and Sapp will hurt,
though. It will be up to some untested corners
(such as juniors Preston Jackson and Dwight Ellick)
to step into those vacancies and keep the Irish
pass defense tight. This is a concern until proven
to be a strength. Senior Vontez Duff returns as
the leading cover man for the Irish. His reactions
in man-to-man give the Irish a potential shutdown-corner.
And forget his recovery speed. Senior Garron Bible
also saw scant starting action and should step
into the role vacated by Gerome Sapp. The unit
has the naughty "p" word, potential.
Will it work for or against them, though - that
is the biggest, unanswerable question the season
will answer.
While
strategizing, it's evident opposing Off. Coordinators
will sooner build a game-plan based on passing.
That means early contests (at home with Wazzu,
at Michigan, and at Pitt) will put these troops
in harms way to then be battle-tested going into
a somewhat easier second half of their schedule.
The secondary needs to be a strength by then for
any chance at the BCS.
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CB
Vontez Duff
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NOTRE
DAME 2003 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in bold
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DEFENSE
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DE |
Kyle
Budinscak-Jr |
Travis
Leitko-So |
DT |
Darrell
Campbell-Jr |
Greg
Pauly-Sr |
NG |
Cedric
Hilliard-Sr |
Derek
Landri-So |
DE |
Justin
Tuck-Jr |
Jason
Sapp-Sr |
ILB |
Mike
Goolsby-Sr |
Corey
Mayes-Jr |
ILB |
Courtney
Watson-Sr |
Brandon
Hoyte-Jr |
OLB |
Derek
Curry-Jr |
Jerome
Collins-Sr |
CB |
Vontez
Duff-Sr |
Dwight
Ellick-Jr |
CB |
Jason
Beckstrom-Sr |
Preston
Jackson-Sr |
SS |
Garron
Bible-Jr |
Lionel
Bolen-Jr |
FS |
Glenn
Earl-Sr |
Quentin
Burrell-Jr |
P |
.. |
.. |
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2003
SPECIAL TEAMS
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Nick
Setta returns as a fifth-year senior, and will give
the Irish a tested PK. Setta had a remarkable effort
just two seasons ago, but became somewhat erratic in
2002. Vontez Duff is a superb talent that keeps opposition
on eggshells whenever he is back to receive kicks and
will again give the Irish a breakaway threat to go the
distance. Duff has also returned punts, but showed much
less success here. A personnel switch at that position
won't be a surprise. Punter Joey Hildbold graduated
with no immediate successor in sight. Setta and walk-on
soph D.J. Fitzpatrick will get a shot at the punting
chores, but neither one has shown much talent. Overall
the Irish special teams aren't very impressive, and
upgrading that department will be a big priority for
Willingham in preseason drills. Depth and recruiting
will come to bear if this unit improves. Several games
will be marginally lost otherwise, with poor field-position
and (a lack of) defensive depth the main symptoms and
culprits of such losses.
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The good news around South Bend this off-season
is the return of TB Julius Jones to an offense
that lacked a threatening run game. Sure,
Ryan Grant racked up 1000 yards, but did
he really strike fear into defenses? Probably
not. With the addition of Jones, the Irish
now have their most potent 1-2 combo since
Jerome Bettis and Reggie Brooks
How
good is soph QB Chris Olsen? Well, maybe
good enough to create a QB controversy.
When asked who the starting QB for the fall
would be, Tyrone Willingham's response was,
"time will tell"
TE Jared
Clark may be the best tight end nobody thinks
about this season. After an impressive spring,
Clark could be a sleeper for the Mackey
Award. Keep an eye on that boy
Willingham
stated that the offensive line still has
a lot of work to do. Not good to hear, when
they must play defensive-oriented Washington
State and Michigan in their first two games.
The Irish have been rotating through linebackers
this spring, with a few injuries causing
plague. This, in turn, has helped create
depth and a sense of who can do what and
each position
The buzz in the secondary
involves the return of CB Jason Beckstrom,
who sat out last year to injury. Beckstrom
has had a gradual recovery and his efforts
this spring have shown that he is capable
of manning the starting corner spot opposite
Duff
As a fourth linebacker this season,
Jerome Collins will be just as important
as those inked in the starting spots. He
is a specimen at outside linebacker and
is a tackling machine. His presence helps
give the Irish one of the strongest LB corps
in the nation
CB Vontez Duff, one of
the best all-around athletes on the team,
is clearly the leader on this side of the
ball, along with Watson.
The
addition of Jones will bolster the special
teams immensely. He and Duff (as well as
Rema McKnight) on both kick and punt returns
will make the Irish a threat in all three
phases of the game
One would think
it might not be wise to have Nick Setta
handle both the kick and punt chores, but
Willingham wants the best man for the job.
So far, that man is Setta. Junior D.J. Fitzpatrick
has struggled to average more than 35 yards
per kick. Setta's 40-yard average has given
him precedence. There's also the chance
that incoming frosh Geoffrey Price will
win the job.
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