Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/208902
Upon Further Review todd D. burlage Z The Last Hurrah For The Dynamic Duo ack Martin and Chris Watt, or is it Chris Watt and Zack Martin? Whatever the listing order, writing a story individually about either of these two Irish seniors is impossible without including input from them collectively, because they are practically inseparable. For more than five years, Martin and Watt have been joined at the hip — quite literally — since they arrived at Notre Dame together in the summer of 2009 as hotshot freshmen in the last Heading into the game versus Pittsburgh Nov. 9, fifth-year seniors recruiting class of former Zach Martin (left) and Chris Watt (right) had started next to each head coach Charlie Weis. other on the left side of Notre Dame's offensive line in 34 of 35 Rated as the two best of- games the last three seasons. photo by Joe Raymond fensive linemen in the Midwest out of high school — Martin from head down the Notre Dame Stadium Bishop Chatard in Indianapolis, and tunnel next weekend and slap the Watt from Glen Ellyn outside of Chi- "Play Like A Champion" sign in their cago — these two roughnecks were fa- final home game, the emotions will be miliar with each other before arriving hard to contain. Five years is a long time … that at Notre Dame. But neither imagined the kind of bond they would develop passes in the blink of an Irish eye. "My career at Notre Dame has gone in their five years together here. Holding down the left side of the of- 100 percent beyond what I expected," fensive line for three straight seasons Martin said. "And to be able to finish — Martin at tackle and Watt at guard it out with my good friends … it can't — these linemates have become the get much better than this, playing anchor to one of the best pass protec- football with these guys every day." And Watt and Martin have become tion units in the country. And when these two best friends two of the best.