The Provincial Report: Notre Dame

Up in West Bend, Indiana, they like their domes golden, their parochial students to be papists, and their football to be collegiate. Or at least they did until this year. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame got whacked yesterday with a whacking stick by Michigan 38-0 and are now 0-3 for just the second time in school history. Worse than that, the Irish have scored just 13 points in those three games and have yet to put up an offensive touchdown. (Touchdownless Jesus?)

But Irish fans have a long and proud history and many great names have passed through those hallowed halls. Maybe checking in with some alums playing in the pros will help bring back more pleasant memories for the Notre Dame faithful.

There were plenty of pleasant memories for Cleveland fans this weekend as the Browns won a shootout against the Bengals 51-45, but it wasn’t Brady Quinn that was getting all the glory. The Mighty Quinn was still riding the pine Sunday as Derek Anderson (a Beaver from Oregon State) threw for five touchdown passes and 328 yards.

Former Irish player Julius Jones, though, did his school proud, rushing for 32 yards in the Cowboys win over Miami. Tight end Anthony Fasano also had a catch for 12 yards.

When the Packers took the field in the Meadowlands, Carlyle Holiday wasn’t on the active roster after being put on injured reserve with a knee injury, but running back Ryan Grant did come through with a catch for 22 yards. Justin Tuck recorded three tackles and a sack for the Giants.

Punter Hunter Smith averaged 42.7 yards on three kicks for the Indianapolis Colts on the road against Tennessee, while teammate Rocky Boiman recorded a tackle.

In the Texans-Panthers tilt, Anthony Weaver made three tackles and was credited with an assist for Houston, while Deke Cooper had five tackles for Carolina.

Bryant Young came through big for the 49ers, recording six tackles and two sacks against the Rams. He also caused a fumble in the third quarter. Meanwhile, Arnaz Battle had two catches for 17 yards.

Against the Jets, Gerome Sapp played well with four tackles and a sack. He also knocked down a pass to help the Ravens win. Tight end John Owens, however, could do little to help the New Orleans Saints run with the Buccaneers, even though he caught a pass for four yards.

Kicker John Carney was a difference maker for the Jaguars, banging through two field goals and a PAT. Bertrand Berry, who plays for the Cardinals, recoded a tackle in Arizona’s win over Seattle.

And finally, neither Corey Mays nor Mike Richardson suited up for the Patriots game against the Chargers, but they were probably scanning the San Diego sideline trying to steal some signals.

The Provincial Report: Notre Dame and related information can be found in Fighting Irish, NCAA Football, Provincial Report