Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/145833
this summer, I'm just glad to be around my friends again." 20 Years Ago: Aug. 28, 1993 Earlier in the summer, Fighting Irish head coach Lou Holtz is made aware that Sports Illustrated college football writer Doug Looney and Don Yaeger are about to have their book — Under The Tarnished Dome: How Notre Dame Sold Its Soul For Football Glory — published right before the season. On this day, though, one week before the opener, Holtz has much more on his mind. Freshman phenom quarterback Ron Powlus, the High School National Player of the Year, breaks his clavicle in the team's final scrimmage of the preseason. "This is probably one of the worst days of my life in football," said an ashen and crestfallen Holtz after the practice. "I've never seen anything like it — his peripheral vision, poise, quick release, throwing motion, presence … I never thought a freshman could come in at Notre Dame, face the caliber of competition he does, pick up an intricate offense and then execute it flawlessly." Now the Irish had to settle on undistinguished senior Kevin McDougal, who had attempted only 21 passes his first three seasons. Overall, it's considered a rebuilding year for the Fighting Irish because they need to replace their entire backfield of No. 2 NFL pick and quarterback Rick Mirer, No. 10 NFL selection and fullback Jerome Bettis and second-round choice Reggie Brooks, who finished fifth in the 1992 Heisman Trophy balloting after compiling 1,343 yards rushing and 8.04 yards per carry. — Lou Somogyi Projected starting QB Ron Powlus suffered a preseason injury in 1993. photo by hans scott