Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME Career Elsewhere: Kelchner started two seasons for the Mountaineers and had a superb senior year while leading the nation in passing efficiency with a 164.0 rating en route to an 11-0 regular season before getting thumped by Florida in the Sugar Bowl. 2. Zak Kustok (Northwestern, 1999-2001) At Notre Dame: After redshirting as a freshman in 1997, he exited in the first month of his sopho- more year in 1998 when freshman Arnaz Battle moved ahead of him for the No. 2 spot behind starter Jarious Jackson. Career Elsewhere: In two and a half seasons as the Northwestern starter, Kustok totaled 5,822 yards passing with 42 touchdowns, plus 1,294 yards rushing with 22 scores. He guided the Wildcats to a share of the 2000 Big Ten title and led the league in total offense with 3,272 yards the follow- ing season. 3. Randy Wright (Wisconsin, 1981-83) At Notre Dame: He enrolled in 1979 and wasn't among the top four on the depth chart. The fol- lowing year, Notre Dame signed Parade's No. 1- (Scott Grooms) and No. 3-ranked (Blair Kiel) quar- terbacks, and Kiel took over as the starter as a freshman. Career Elsewhere: While with the Badgers, Wright started his last two seasons and directed 7-5 and 7-4 finishes, passing for 4,438 yards and 34 touchdowns. As a senior in 1983, he led the Big Ten in total touchdowns with 25. The sixth-round selection of Green Bay played five years in the NFL, starting all 16 games for the Packers in 1986. 4. Kent Graham (Ohio State, 1990-91) At Notre Dame: An elite recruit in 1987, he was inserted periodically in passing situations as a freshman to complement option specialist Tony Rice. The following year, Rice was given exclusive reins while helping guide Notre Dame's most recent national title. That prompted Graham to trans- fer. Career Elsewhere: The 6-5 Graham became a starter as a senior and passed for a modest 1,018 yards and four touchdowns during the 8-4 season, but his size and arm strength made him an eighth- round pick. He played with six NFL teams in 11 years, starting 38 times and passing for 7,801 yards. 5. Ken Karcher (Tulane, 1984-85) At Notre Dame: Touted by one analyst as another potential Joe Willie Namath, the Western Penn- sylvania native was the No. 4 QB as a freshman in 1981 and then Kiel's backup in 1982. After rough times in two starts while replacing an injured Kiel, he transferred to Tulane. Career Elsewhere: Karcher started two years for the Green Wave and passed for 3,560 yards and 18 touchdowns before going undrafted. Still, he started three games for Denver as a replacement player during the 1987 NFL strike, and then backed up John Elway the following year. Want to stay up-to-date with all the Irish news? Like Us On Facebook: www.facebook.com/blueandgoldillustrated Follow Us On Twitter: www.twitter.com/BGInews