Notre Dame Football has had many big weeks in the past. This week will definitely add to that history of big weeks. The team is scheduled to play against FSU on this week. Thirty nine players have been in quarantine or insolation over the past couple weeks since the USF game.
The events of this past weekends games show that all teams are vulnerable. Top Ten teams are falling like the leaves outside. One by one, some of the best teams have one or even two losses. The Fightin’ Irish are going to need their experience and resilience to show FSU that they will not just rollover and submit. 18 Players will be borderline ready to come out of isolation this coming week.
COVID Status Of Players
On Thursday there was an opportunity for the media to sit down with Rob Hunt, Director of Athletic Training and Rehabilitative Services and Head Athletic Trainer for Football and Dick Corbett Head Football Coach Brian Kelly. The session was short, but the information coming out of the session was good. The team seems to understand where the “bubble” had some leaks and took the necessary steps to seal it up.
Rob Hunt
The Director of Athletic Training and Rehabilitative Services and Head Athletic Trainer for Football Rob Hunt responded to media questions. One of the questions was about what it takes for a player to get back to game speed. Hunt’s response was verbatim of what we have been reporting from ACC Guidelines for COVID.
Brian Kelly
Coach Kelly was straight and to the point. “We are going to be able to prepare the team for Florida State.” Coach did not want to go into the details of which starter, or what position was effected by the current events. Coach was very open with who benefited from the “extra time off” over the past two weeks. “Kevin Austin is in a running program right now, and he is on track. Hamilton is in great shape now, and is expected to be a full go. Ben is looking really, really good running and is feeling no effects from the hamstring.”
The Wrap Up
The Fightin” Irish are on the clock. This team is going to need to come together and give 110% this week. The team doesn’t want to come in flat against the Seminoles. The importance of paying attention to detail, execution by the offense, defense and special teams is of the utmost importance. The other element not mentioned previously is the mental aspect of the game. It will take mental toughness to recover from being off the field for two weeks. Especially having lost momentum of coming off a 2-0 start. The Fightin’ Irish have had some important weeks in the past. They need to put them aside and be ready to dictate momentum against FSU on Saturday night.
The game will be broadcast by NBC at 7:30 PM EST and can be heard here. The weather forecast for Saturday is currently looking like clear and in the 50’s. But, it’s Sunday and of course it’s Northern Indiana and it’s fall. It will be hitting weather for sure.
Cheers and Go Irish ☘🏈🌩
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