After fumbling in Notre Dame’s opening-week 20-17 loss at BYU, sophomore Irish tailback Travis Thomas spent plenty of time on the bench for the remainder of that game. Against Michigan, he didn’t get a carry. Given an opportunity against Michigan State, Thomas again fumbled. But he hasn’t fumbled away his coaches’ confidence in him.
In fact, Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham said, the Irish are working to prop up Thomas’ confidence after a rough start to the season.
“You keep letting him know that at some point, the opportunity will present itself, and that when that opportunity arises, we have confidence in him and we will expect him to rise to the occasion,” Willingham said.
Ryan Grant, Darius Walker and Thomas could put up big numbers Saturday. Washington has given up 561 yards rushing in its two games.
– Next: Saturday vs. Washington, 2:30 p.m., WMAQ-Ch. 5