Don't turn your backs just yet as QB Nate Montana (#16) showed that he is truly the Son of Joe during Saturday's Blue and Gold game
The ghost of Montana revisited South Bend this Saturday before a crowd of 27,241 screaming Irish fans. During Notre Dame’s annual spring game, Nate Montana surpassed all expectations as he led his team to victory á la Joe Montana. The young Montana went 18 for 30 throwing for 223 yards, three TDs, and INT to lead the Gold to a thrilling victory over the Blue 27-19.
Montana, who played for Pasadena City College last season, is not expected to start or even get much significant playing time this year, but if he continues to shine, he will certainly be the back-up to Crist and ahead of the three freshman QBs who are all waiting for their turn.
Expected starter Dayne Crist, who is returning from an ACL tear, also impressed the fan faithful by completing 20 of 31 passes for 172 yards and a TD. The only blemish on the day was his two interceptions, but in his defense, he is still adapting to Kelly’s spread offense.
Other notables include RB Cierre Wood who scampered for 110 yards and 2 TDs. For those of you who know Kelly’s style, he plays complex offensive schemes with little defensive pressure in the spring game. Therefore, it’s hard to know exactly how well the offense was playing because there wasn’t much intensity on defense. The defense ran simple pass and run schemes that didn’t apply much pressure on the gunslingers leaving plenty of time to pass the ball.
Patience is running thin in South Bend and the school is looking for a strong season with a major bowl invitation. Anything less than a BCS bowl game will present another disappointing season for this storied program. If the spring game is an indication of what’s to come, 2010 will prove to be an exciting season.
