Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com PRESEASON 2020 9 UNDER THE DOME have to be realistic. I have to have a replacement for me, and our coaches all have replacements if they were to get sick. "We have to think in those lines [with] our starters as well. We have to practice accordingly." GETTING TO THE START Notre Dame students re- turned Aug. 10, and eight days later a COVID-19 outbreak raged. From Aug. 17-19, Notre Dame reported at least 70 new cases per day from its on-cam- pus testing center, with a posi- tivity rate over 15 percent each day. Indiana's positivity rate, for comparison, was 7.5 percent for the week of Aug. 8-14. In response, university presi- dent Fr. John Jenkins suspended in-person classes through at least Sept. 2, closed public spaces on campus and restricted dorm access to residents only. Students who live off campus were asked to remain there. Early returns indicate progress. After those three straight days with 70 posi- tive tests, Notre Dame reported four in a row with 30 or fewer. The last three yielded rates less than 10 percent. Notre Dame canceled prac- tices Aug. 19-21 "out of an abun- dance of caution" and tested players Aug. 19 and 21, the sec- ond and third tests that week. The normal plan was once per week. The Aug. 19 results showed five positives. The university re- ported zero positives out of 214 surveillance tests on Aug. 21, suggesting the football team had no additional positives. Seven players have tested positive since Aug. 10, com- pared to just two the previ- ous two months, but the team avoided the outbreak the gen- eral student body suffered. "You have to fight through some tough things, tough days and making decisions you're not used to," Kelly said. "I'm proud they can do it at this time in their life. "We're all products of our past experiences and habits, and they have to break some habits that at their age they're not keen on doing, but they have." ✦ FALL SEASON AN ELIGIBILITY FREEBIE Imagine four-year Notre Dame starting quarterback Ian Book — despite not taking the job until his third year on campus. Or seventh-year senior Shaun Crawford. Or third-year "freshman" Brendon Clark. There's now a path for those oddities, and many others in a similar mold, to happen in college football and other fall sports. The 2020 fall sports season — whether it is held as scheduled, in the spring or not at all — will not count toward a student- athlete's eligibility, the NCAA said. In football, anyone who plays a full year (if able) will keep that year of eligibility. Players who were set to exhaust their eligibility this season who choose to return to their teams will not count toward their team's scholarship limit. The schools are under no obligation, though, to invite them back and can reduce or not renew the athletic finan- cial aid they were previously receiving. In April, the NCAA issued the same rule for spring sport athletes who had their seasons cut short. Notre Dame football has 14 scholarship players whose eligibil- ity was set to expire after the 2020 season: Book; wide receivers Bennett Skowronek and Javon McKinley; tight end Brock Wright; offensive linemen Liam Eichenberg, Tommy Kraemer and Robert Hainsey; defensive linemen Daelin Hayes, Ade Ogundeji and Kurt Hinish; linebacker Jordan Genmark Heath; defensive backs Nick McCloud and Crawford; and kicker Jonathan Doerer. — Patrick Engel Books available at the Notre Dame Bookstore or by email: jimjanegillis@aol.com • 925-932-6454 The Cemetery Beneath The Golden Dome A history of Cedar Grove Cemetery at the University of Notre Dame, 1830 to 2013 Stories of alumni and others buried there Features foreword by the late Fr. Theodore Hesburgh by Jim and Jane Gillis Where Sleep the Makers of Notre Dame From Sorin to Hesburgh: The History of Holy Cross Cemetery The conflict between CSC Priests and CSC Brothers Why was Notre Dame bought and sold? When was it sold? by Jim and Jane Gillis Prominent People of Notre Dame Past and Present CookBook Features recipes submitted by 50 prominent ND greats including our beloved Regis Philbin, Mike Brey, Lou Holtz, Muffet McGraw, Fathers Malloy and Jenkins, John Huarte, George Kunz and many others! Recipes, bios and pictures combine to create this unique book that is sure to be a favorite in your kitchen or library. by Jane Gillis EMAIL YOUR ORDERS TODAY!