Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1162458
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 16, 2019 53 Linebackers: Anthony Denman, Bobbie Howard, Rocky Boiman and Kory Minor This was the deepest area, which is why we went to a 3-4 alignment, with Denman and Howard on the inside, and Boiman and Minor on the flanks. All four were team captains. Despite playing only Davie's first two seasons (1997-98), Howard's 234 tackles (including bowls) in that time were the most in his tenure, and his 89-yard interception return for a touch- down in the 1998 LSU game was a memorable feat. Denman had the second-most tack- les in the Davie era with 218 (26 for lost yardage) and earned second-team As- sociated Press All-America accolades (plus team MVP) as a senior in 2000 for the Fiesta Bowl-bound Irish. Like Howard, Minor already was a junior when Davie took the reins in 1997, but in those two years he pro- duced 164 tackles with 24.5 for lost yardage (10.5 sacks). Boiman played all four years under Davie (1998-2001), earning a captain's role, and 24 of his 164 stops were for loss. Later he was a Super Bowl winner for the Indianapolis Colts. Honorable mentions to Tyreo Har- rison — who won the prestigious Nick Pietrosante Award in 2001 from team- mates for his courage, loyalty and ded- ication — and Courtney Watson, who blossomed more as a fifth-year senior under new coach Tyrone Willingham. Defensive Backs: Shane Walton, Brock Williams, Deke Cooper and A'Jani Sanders Walton and Williams at corner, with Cooper and Sanders the safeties. Although Walton would earn con- sensus All-America honors in 2002 under Willingham, he already began making an impact under Davie as a walk-on from the soccer team. This included a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown against Drew Brees in the 23-21 victory over Purdue in 2000, the year the Boilermakers won the Big Ten. Williams started for the 1998 and 2000 teams (ineligible in 1999) that both went 9-3, and he was a third- round NFL Draft selection. Only Weaver was drafted higher among defensive recruits under Davie. Cooper recorded 180 stops under Davie, the most famous for a loss on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line ver- sus Boston College in 1998 to preserve a 31-26 victory. Sanders had the most interceptions (eight) in the Davie era and third- most tackles (214), with a team-high 91 as a senior in 1999. Honorable mentions to safety Tony Driver, who also played running back, and Deveron Harper at corner. Specialists: Nicholas Setta, Joey Hildbold, Joey Getherall and Vontez Duff Setta was 23 of 31 on field goals in Davie's last two seasons (2000-01), most famously the 38-yard boot as time expired in the 23-21 win versus Purdue in 2000. Hildbold averaged 40.8 yards in his three seasons as the starting punter for Davie. Getherall earned All-America no- tice as a 2000 senior in punt returns with a 16.3 average on 24 returns, in- cluding two for touchdowns. In Da- vie's final game, at Purdue in 2001, Duff had a 96-yard kickoff return for a score and averaged 30 yards on his 12 runbacks. ✦ Cornerback Shane Walton, who joined the Irish football team as a walk-on from the soccer team, began making an impact for Davie with big plays like a 60-yard interception return for a touch- down against Drew Brees in the 23-21 victory over Purdue in 2000. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME MEDIA RELATIONS ACCOMMODATIONS Vintage Notre Dame Memorabilia Augie's Locker Room ND Stadium Items, Jerseys, Helmets, Autographs and One of a Kind Rockne Items. COME INTO THE STORE TO SEE OUR RARE NOTRE DAME HELMET DISPLAY, 1900 - PRESENT!! Voted Best Notre Dame Collectables in the Country! 1811 South Bend Ave. South Bend , I n 46637 574-277-NDND (6363) www.augieslockerroom.com FACEBOOK.COM/AUGIESLOCKERROOM NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL GAMES on VHS or DVD for sale, from 1928 to present. Contact Peter Rahas at 7700 Golden Filly St., Las Vegas, NV 89131 or call 1-702-395-2974 MEMORABILIA 2 Notre Dame Game Football Weekends Available 2 nights ON Campus! Price Includes: Game Ticket, Parking for the weekend, Bed at Sacred Heart Parish Hall on campus and Lunch at Legend's Tent prior to game. Choose either: Virginia 9/27, 9/28, 9/29 $475 each Virginia Tech 11/1, 11/2, 11/3 $475 each Proceeds benefit the Student Scholarship Fund, South Jersey Notre Dame Club E-mail bill.burns.68@alumni.nd.edu Or call Bill Burns 609-368-1962 Varsity Club Suites Varsity Club Suite Available Bowling Green Weekend Friday 10/4 - Saturday 10/5 $1,100 Call John @ 914-967-3023 M A R K E T P L A C E GREAT CONDOS FOR RENT 35 Miles From Stadium 800-The-Cove Call 877-630-8768 to advertise in BGI! Want a prayer published? Call 800-421-7751