Bob Davie's latest excuse is a "rash of injuries" that have hit his team.
However, like all other Davie excuses (see the article entitled "No More
Excuses" written on September 22, 1999 and posted on this web site), this
one is completely illegitimate.  On defense, the only player on the two-deep
roster that missed the BC game because of an injury was Jason Ching, who has
not been an impact player during his entire four years at ND.  Supposedly
injured defensive players like Ron Israel and Grant Irons played against BC.
Certain players may have been held out of practice the week leading up to
the BC game, but (i) those players could still watch film to prepare for the
game, (ii) those players could conserve their energy for the game, and (iii)
practice time the 11th week of the season should not be as critical as the
first week of the season.  The ND defense that played all of its key players
gave up 31 points to BC.  On offense, the only players on the two-deep
roster that were missing against BC because of injury were three offensive
line starters.  While the loss of a few linemen can disrupt an offensive
gameplan, the three linemen who were unavailable had not been playing at a
consistently high level all season and probably should have been replaced
anyway.  Even when it was completely intact with starters, the offensive
line has been inconsistent, and quite frankly, poor all season.  As examples
of the line's ineffectiveness all season, note that the offense has been
unable all year to sustain a consistent running game and note the tremendous
number of sacks that have been surrendered by the offensive line (something
like 33 compared with 8 last year).  It was time on the offensive line to
give some other guys an opportunity, so the injuries to those three starting
linemen should not have been devastating.  With the emergence of Julius
Jones, Tony Driver would not have been on the two-deep roster at tailback
against BC and coming into the season, Mike McNair was not on the two-deep
roster at fullback.  Therefore, for the BC game, only 4 players on the
two-deep roster were out because of injury.  One of the players (Ching)
hasn't been an impact player for 4 years and the other three (offensive
linemen) were inconsistent and ineffective and probably should have been
replaced anyway.  This latest excuse about injuries is yet another
illegitimate one by the master excuse-maker and loser, Bob Davie.  One can
only hope that the adminstration sees through these ridiculous excuses that
Davie has conjured up this year (youth, lack of talent, difficult schedule
and injuries) and fires this guy immediately after the Stanford game.  By
the way, BC is 8-2 and has 8 new starters on offense this year.  This fact
just proves how ridiculous Davie's "youth and inexperience" excuse is.  For
those who are not yet convinced that Davie must go, note that after the BC
game, he said that he wouldn't be surprised with a 5-6 record next year as
well.  He claims that all he is doing is being "truthful and realistic." It
is time to end the excuses and expectation of mediocrity.  At least
basketball season looks promising.  In just three games, Matt Doherty has
instilled a winning attitude on his team.  No excuses are made by Doherty,
he just demands excellence and will not stand for mediocrity.  The
basketball team expects to win every game, regardless of the opponent, ND's
limited personnel or whether they are playing at home or in a hostile
environment.  Just look at what Troy Murphy recently said in the South Bend
Tribune - "Our confidence comes directly from Coach Doherty and we didn't
have that last year,'' said Murphy. "We go into every game and think we can
win and prepare to win.''  The football team desperately needs the type of
leadership and attitude being displayed by Doherty.  The Notre Dame players,
fans and alumni deserve better than an excuse-maker like Davie who doesn't
set high standards, doesn't believe in his players and is willing to accept
mediocrity.  Notre Dame football deserves a coach like Matt Doherty.  It is
up to the ND administration to replace Davie with such a person immediately
after this season.