of the field [at the Blue-Gold Game],
going out there and it's really about
getting a surface where there's some
consistency week in and week out for
our players," Kelly said. "I think today
was an indication. We can't even prac-
tice out there.
"We want to be able to get out there
with our team. We want some safety
issues to be not part of the equation.
And look, I think everybody is in
agreement: If we can get the best sur-
face there as grass, we'd love to have
that. We just haven't been able to get
to that."
Consistency is a reason the players
appreciate it as well. Sophomore line-
backer Jaylon Smith said the amount
of dead grass at the spring game re-
sembled that of a high school field.
"I'll imagine it will be a little better in
August," he said. ✦
The playing surface at Notre Dame Stadium had to be replaced four times in 2013 alone, which contrib-
uted to the decision to make the change to FieldTurf.
PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA
