Blue and Gold Illustrated

Preseason 2017

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/864798

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 35 of 99

36 PRESEASON 2017 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY LOU SOMOGYI W hen Notre Dame's three- week training camp from Aug. 1-20 concluded, there was virtually zero drama, other than holding the final scrim- mage — open to the public — at the refurbished new Notre Dame Stadium. It was a sharp contrast to last Au- gust, when one crisis or distraction after another piled up to portend a miserable 4-8 campaign, only the fourth time since 1887 the Fighting Irish had lost so many games. • No major injuries were incurred during those three weeks. The most notable health setback was a pulled hamstring by junior tight end Alizé Mack Aug. 5 that sidelined him al- most two weeks before he returned to action. Senior reserve nose tackle Daniel Cage was ruled out for the 2017 sea- son prior to camp because of medi- cal issues, while reserve defensive tackle Elijah Taylor was still recover- ing from a Lisfranc injury suffered in the spring. • No academic suspensions, unlike the infamous "Frozen 5" situation that created a pall throughout the 8-5 campaign in 2014 and 2016 (includ- ing the NCAA ruling to vacate of all 21 wins in 2012-13, which is under appeal), or even Mack having to sit out last season. • No off-field suspensions (at least none publicly known), unlike the six arrests made on the night of last year's final day of training camp. Senior All-American left tackle Mike McGlinchey — one of a school- record seven captains — said ac- countability among all the players academically, socially and athleti- cally was the foremost mandate since last January (when six of the captains already were in place) and constantly reinforced, including by director of athletics Jack Swarbrick. "We were going to be a smarter football team on and off the field," McGlinchey said. "It's time for Notre Dame to stop being in the headlines in a negative way. "Everybody understands the re- sponsibility that comes with playing football here. We're starting to see what we're actually capable of, and I think that allows guys to dial in a little more, keep their eye on the prize and not let themselves slip in a social situ- ation or on the field or wherever it is. NO PLACE TO GO BUT UP The nightmare of 2016 elicits pride and focus for better results this season Fifth-year senior left tackle Mike McGlinchey noted that the Irish have placed a heavy emphasis on accountability from the players academically, socially and athletically, which paid dividends with a distraction-free fall camp. PHOTO BY RICK KIMBALL

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Blue and Gold Illustrated - Preseason 2017