I noticed another QB in the practice video wearing #16? Do we know who that is? He didn't run any of the drills, but he was tossing some passes on the side with the rest of the QB's.
ND101 | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 12:17 pm | #

Speaking of number 13...
I think that a QB named Joe Felitsky may have worn that jersey in 1983. If my memory is right, Felitsky followed Dan Marino at Central Catholic H.S. in Pittsburgh, wore his number, and maybe even broke a record or two. Highly touted and recruited by everybody, he signed in the same recruiting class as Steve Beuerlein, saw the writing on the wall, and transferred to either Pitt or West Virginia.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 12:30 pm | #

John Carney was a pretty successful kicker with #3. Also, best named wearer of #13-- Jimmy Friday.
Sam | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 12:30 pm | #

ND101 - According to the roster, walk-on Justin Gillett.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 12:30 pm | #

Id just like to say that D's comment isnt necesarily a great one. Last time someone hyped up that wore 3 was D Walker LAST YEAR, as far as I am concerned he was a bust. Travis Thomas should have been the starting tailback, his work ethic is impeccable compared to D Walk. Someone tell me if he practiced hard at all. Something tells me he didnt, so there is your BUSTer.
Paul S. | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 12:34 pm | #

Pat -
I’m rather surprised that Coach Weis turned your practice film request. Maybe C.O.D.?
I suspect your application for press credentials was nixed as well? At the home opener when I’m sitting in the “The Box” with Regis and Father Jenkins, I’ll see what I can do to straighten this all out.
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 12:41 pm | #

"turned down" If I could read I'd be dangerous.
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 12:42 pm | #

Darius Walker was a bust? I'm not quite sure how you calculate that one. Yeah he didn't have homerun hitting speed, but his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and gain over 1000 yards the past two years seems pretty substantial to me.
Matt | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 12:47 pm | #

Paul S. - I must say I find your level of animosity a bit surprising. I don't really mind the criticism of BGS for failing to cover hockey to your liking, but the cheap shot on Darius is pretty weak. It's pretty hard to call ND's 4th all-time leading rusher a bust.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 12:54 pm | #

Paul S.,

Yeah. DWalk basically won the Michigan game for us in his first game against Michigan his freshman year, is in the top ten for receptions Alltime at ND (as a RB no less), became the 4th leading Rusher in ND history (along with names like Watters, Brooks, Bettis, Denson, Pinkett), and has put up over 3,000 total yards over the past two seasons when you combine his receiving and rushing yards, all without even playing his senior season. Travis Thomas on the other hand (though I love the way he works) has what, 500 career ballpark rushing yards?


Yeah, DWalk was a real bust.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 12:59 pm | #

Also on the list of busts, I would like to add the names:

Montana - guy hardly even played, he
was nuthin

Quinn - come on, couldn't win the big one

Bettis - never started at tailback, never won a championship, way too slow to play, left too early

Tim Brown - dropped his first kickoff return, never had that many receiving yards, first few teams lost too many games

All losers.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 1:04 pm | #

Brad, you forgot about that crummy Paul Hornung.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 1:13 pm | #

Also starring at ND with #12 was the great Ricky Watters.
Sweetlou | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 1:36 pm | #

The thing we're going to miss most about Darius: his hands. We've gotten very spoiled by the fact that he caught just about everything thrown his way and turned it into three yard minimum.

Yeah, yeah--he should have broken many of those 3 yarders for big ones. I know.

In an offense like Weis', swings aand dumps to the RB are the glue that holds drives together. We got a few glimpses last year of what happens when those passes get dropped: the drive dies.

I'm guessing one of the new guys has some hands. I'm also guessing that the ability to catch the ball is over 50% of what Weis requires of an RB.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 1:42 pm | #

Id just like to say that Paul S.'s comment isnt necesarily a great one. Last time someone posted something like that was Voiceinthewilderness, as far as I am concerned he was a bust. suave_andrew should have been the poster on this topic, his work ethic is impeccable compared to Paul S. Someone tell me if he posted well at all. Something tells me he didnt, so there is your BUSTer.
NDDL99 | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 1:43 pm | #

Guglielmi was a legit All American on some great teams, the last of Leahy and Brennan's first. By today's standards, his passing stats are not eye popping, but he was good.
Hornung wasn't much of a passer. On a bad team, ND's best play was a Hornung sneak.
jake | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 2:05 pm | #

"[Travis Thomas'] work ethic is impeccable compared to D Walk"

based on........?

sit the hell down.
imposs1ble | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 2:18 pm | #

Wow, Impressive response from the fans, setting the record straight on DWalker.

He's ND leading RB receiver. He's 4th on the all time running yards list, and he didn't even run the ball his senior year (which would have put him at #1).

He's got NFL spring in his step as he OUTJUMPED EVERY RB at the NFL combine. He only busted one long run against LSU, but he picked up and played well to carry ND in QUITE A FEW big games. His line might have tanked, but DW's work ethic is beyond question.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 2:38 pm | #

Oh, the point that I really wanted to make . . .

I thought it was great that DD did NOT pack #9 Tony Rice's number. Rice was great, he knew how to win games, but I like the fact that DD seems focused to prove he will be a winning pocket passing QB 1rst and successful running QB 2nd.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 2:39 pm | #

Felitsky was a freshman along with Beurlein in 1983, but had abdominal surgery (I think) and never had a chance after that. He did transfer to Pitt and started there at some point.
JohnF | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 3:07 pm | #

Great point on pass catching Hal. This is a big reason that I am excited to see what Robert Hughes can do. Every description that I hear about that kid mentions his great hands. I love the idea of a big back like that bearing down on a cornerback in the open field.

Oh, and I hope that every one of our backs can be as big a BUSTer as Walker. It will make the QB decision completely irrelevant.
Abe Froman | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 3:19 pm | #

How about this classic D. Jones comment today from sportscrack.com:

Big game against USC: Green jersey or navy jersey?
"I don't really think the jersey that we wear will matter, as long as we show up to play balls out!"

The kid has my vote.
Long live Brady | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 3:35 pm | #

Paul S.,
Maybe it's time for another "on the road to Damascus moment" eh?
Major Onions | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 4:07 pm | #

Didn't Chris Olsen wear #12 while at ND?
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 4:29 pm | #

He may have anon. He's not on the all-time roster, but that does sound a bit familiar.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 4:58 pm | #

nice quote LLB. What a quarterback battle this is shaping up to be. Spiderman vs. Green Lantern. Boo Berry vs. Count Chocula. Danny LaRusso vs. Johnny Lawrence.

No matter who starts, we can also undoubtably look forward to the angstful and well informed second guessing which will result should our new signal caller not appear the second coming of Joe Montana on September 1st. To those about to be under the microscope, I salute you!
indy | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 6:47 pm | #

Chris Olsen was definitely #12 at ND before transferring to Virginia.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 6:48 pm | #

if Charlie keeps refusing to return my phone calls I may have to go over his head to the trustees with my plan to introduce the split-back formation into the playbook this year. When I say split-back, I don't mean halfback. Hike to the left, you have the pass/scramble threat. To the right, the deep ball. College football will never be the same. Does anyone know if bone spurs will stop you from blocking an end blitzer? Also, if I can borrow some duct tape from someone, I may be able to get through to Powlus on this.
indy | Email | Homepage | 03.23.07 - 7:12 pm | #

No one on our team has bone spurs, so I'm not sure what you're talking about. At least no one is limited in any way, as per the Horse himself. And Powlus is only a step above the players, and doesn't really have much say in things.
Kyle | Email | Homepage | 03.24.07 - 2:10 am | #

No. 13 Jimmy Friday, a defensive back had the best comment on superstition. When he once was asked if he thought the number was unlucky,he replied: "Yes, for the other guy. When I hit them it's their bad luck."
Tim | Email | Homepage | 03.24.07 - 9:41 am | #

Schedule Change?

I could have sworn ND was @ UNC this coming year because I was planning on visiting a friend. Did the game get switched recently to 2008?

Glad I didnt buy tickets yet.

Anyone let me know if you have an answer.
Brian Q. | Email | Homepage | 03.24.07 - 9:44 am | #

Jack Chevigny DID NOT score the winning TD in the 'Win One for the Gipper' game -Army 1928.
Chevigny scored the tying td and supposedly said 'That's one for the Gipper'.
Johnny "One Play" O'Brien scored the winning TD on a pass from Niemiec.
ND 12 Army 6
Chevigny was later killed in WWII at Iwo Jima
Matt C | Email | Homepage | 03.24.07 - 10:21 am | #

Brian Q - no when the game was originally scheduled with UNC it was a home and home, but with a year in between. We had to fit Duke in somewhere you know! I know this because my neighbor is a UNC alum and kept telling me about all the revenge they were going to exact on ND in 2008.
Atlantadomer | Email | Homepage | 03.24.07 - 10:24 am | #

Tim,

Jimmy Friday #13 was a linebacker.

That is all.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 03.24.07 - 11:24 am | #

What a stupid, time wasting article. Who cares about freaking jersey numbers? Stupid.
Peter | Email | Homepage | 03.24.07 - 11:56 am | #

TRADITION.
ND '03 | Email | Homepage | 03.24.07 - 12:06 pm | #

It's a joke, Kyle. Charlie always returns my phone calls.
indy | Email | Homepage | 03.24.07 - 12:40 pm | #

Lazy mistake on my part Matt C. Thanks for the correction.

Another Chevigny fact.

Texas hired him to become its head coach in 1934, and charged him with beating Notre Dame that first year, and he did. So impressed were the Longhorns faithful that they gave him a fountain pen with the inscription, "to an old Notre Damer who beat Notre Dame."

Chevigny's light faded quickly at Texas, and by 1937, the handsome coach had gone, to be replaced by Dana X. Bible. Chevigny returned to Chicago, and when World War II started, he became a Marine officer.

Jack Chevigny was killed at Iwo Jima, but it was the odyssey of his fountain pen that caught the attention of Bill Stern, a famous broadcaster of the time. It seems when the officers of Japan and The United States met aboard the USS Missouri to sign the truce signifying the end of World War II, a US officer noticed a Japanese officer signing the documents with a shiny gold fountain pen with an inscription on it.

The officer asked to see the pen, and read the words, "to an old Notre Damer who beat Notre Dame." Aware of the legacy of Chevigny, the officer put the pen in his pocket and took it back to Chicago, and found Chevigny's sister and gave her the pen, which must have been taken from Chevigny's body during the battle where so many died.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 03.24.07 - 1:07 pm | #

Paul S.-

Your fly-by baseless comments are extremely annoying. Just so you know. Darius was one of the hardest worked on the team, ask anyone. I wish your comments had even a bit of reality to them. Worthless.
Chris | Email | Homepage | 03.24.07 - 7:18 pm | #

Peter,

What a stupid, time wasting comment. Who cares about freaking Peter? Stupid.
DCDomer | Email | Homepage | 03.24.07 - 7:43 pm | #

I'm just mad that Pat didn't link the "#3" rundown BGS posted back in the summer of '05 (with an assist from Paul of classic ground).

http://bluegraysky.blogspot.com/ ...988698472896588

Wassup wid dat.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 03.24.07 - 7:51 pm | #

Doh.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 03.25.07 - 10:50 am | #

For what it's worth, I remember Ornstein as being #8.
Buck Mulligan | Email | Homepage | 03.25.07 - 11:38 am | #

Three didnt really become the legendary number that it is until Joe Montana wore it in his delightful journey through ND lore. 5- Terry Hanratty, 7- John Hurate, Joe Theismann, Steve Beurlein. We made the number 3 legendary, and Quinn set all the records and wore 10. The number doesnt matter, it is the man wearing the number.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 03.25.07 - 12:52 pm | #

Rusty Lisch, Bill Zloch number 6, Blair Kiel number 5, Tim Koegel 14, Tom Clements 2, Cliff Brown 8, Pat Steenburge 11, Tony Rice 9, Terry Andrysiak 2, Rick Slager 11, Mike Courey 2
Doug | Email | Homepage | 03.25.07 - 4:34 pm | #

Gary Forstyk 8, who can answer the trivia question about Forstyk? I am betting Bill or Voice in the Wilderness can. How is he infamous or famous at ND?
Doug | Email | Homepage | 03.25.07 - 4:36 pm | #

Injured against Purdue in '77 Montana comes in and saves the day...
Dana Payne | Email | Homepage | 03.25.07 - 5:53 pm | #

good job Dana, who hit him?
Doug | Email | Homepage | 03.25.07 - 7:25 pm | #

Peter-

so worthless you not only took the time to read it, but then to comment on it. Like anyone actually cares about your opinion about this article. "Oh Peter doesn't like it? Let's take it down and re-write it." Sheesh.

Is anyone concerned about Gary Gray's broken arm? I know it's a "minor" break, so I'm not too too worried, but it's very unfortunate we brought him in early to work in the spring and maybe compete for time in the fall, and now the spring is a least partially wiped out (although, he can still do a lot more with a broken arm than a torn acl or something)
Chris | Email | Homepage | 03.26.07 - 2:38 am | #

Is Kevin McDougal the only starting #15 in ND history?
Mike S | Email | Homepage | 03.26.07 - 9:35 am | #

Prince to cornerback. Thoughts?
Eric | Email | Homepage | 03.26.07 - 10:11 am | #

Where did you hear Prince to CB? If true, I think it's a good move for him. RB is just very, very deep, and he didn't impress too much last season, although his time was very limited. He never found enough open space to utilize his speed. CB is also getting deep, but he should have the speed to compete at that position.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 03.26.07 - 10:49 am | #

Weis mentioned it in the most recent presser. It sounds to be a mutual agreement. Also, Prince did play CB in high school.
Eric | Email | Homepage | 03.26.07 - 11:50 am | #

Eric's right about Prince playing in highschool, and he was an all-state selection as a junior at CB
Chris | Email | Homepage | 03.26.07 - 3:17 pm | #

thats confirmed, Prince asked weis to be moved and its done...
morrissey mustache month | Email | Homepage | 03.26.07 - 8:29 pm | #

I look for Charlie to groom Prince into a very fine kick returner too. I never feel like we are going to break a kick off anymore, it used to be exciting when Tim Brown or Rocket was back there waiting, anticipation was always high. I think MP could develop into a fine DB and kick returner giving us many options in the defensive backfield and much, much depth at corner.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 03.27.07 - 7:28 am | #

Another favorite 13 - Pat Eilers,tranfer from Yale who scored the go-ahead touchdown versus Miami in '88. Met him at Redskins training camp later and he was a great guy.
seymour 85 | Email | Homepage | 03.27.07 - 12:09 pm | #

Preston Jackson wore number 15 and he started for a while, if only because no one else could.

Prince to CB sounds like a good move, but it's dissapointing that we won't get to see him use that blazing speed on offense. Did CW mention him as a kick returner in his presser? That sounds enticing.
Jon | Email | Homepage | 03.28.07 - 10:18 pm | #

For what it's worth, I have heard somewhere (hell, maybe I heard it here) that some comparisons are being made between Rocket and Prince - the least of which being the number. Small, shifty, lightning-quick acceleration, possibly Middle-Eastern first name... it's uncanny.
AS | Email | Homepage | 03.29.07 - 12:07 am | #