December 26, 1998
By EDDIE PELLS
AP Sports Writer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- Notre Dame quarterback Jarious Jackson went
through practice without any problems Saturday, although coach Bob Davie said
it was too soon to tell if he would be able to play in the Gator Bowl.
"He ran and threw, did everything we asked," Davie said. "Tomorrow will
be more telling. We'll be in full pads, there will be more contact. And we'll
know more as the week progresses."
Both the No. 17 Irish (9-2) and No. 12 Georgia Tech (9-2) arrived in
Jacksonville and went through light workouts, comparable to what the teams
would normally do on a Sunday after a game.
They meet Friday at Alltel Stadium, the venue formerly known as the Gator
Bowl.
Jackson's health is the big question leading up to the game. He suffered a
knee injury Nov. 21 while taking an intentional safety at the close of a 39-36
victory over LSU.
With Arnaz Battle at the helm the next week, the Irish lost 10-0 to Southern
California and saw its hopes dashed for a bid into the Bowl Championship
Series.
Regardless of Jackson's health, Davie said Battle would play against the
Yellow Jackets. He feels it's crucial for the team to prepare to play behind
both Jackson and Battle, a freshman who went 7-for-19 for 94 yards and two
interceptions in the loss to the Trojans.
"You don't want to put all your eggs in one basket," Davie said. "What if
we get geared up for Jarious to play and he goes out after five plays? That can
take all the air out of your balloon."
Jackson has thrown for 1,740 yards and 13 touchdowns this season and went
9-1 as a starter.
Neither team reported academic casualties or new injuries.
All but one player - Notre Dame's John Teasdale - arrived on time. Teasdale
had two flights canceled because of bad weather as he tried to make it to north
Florida from his home in Kansas City.
Georgia Tech coach George O'Leary said he had few complaints about his
team's workout or its overall health.
"Everyone who played against Georgia is here," he said, referring to the
21-19 victory in Tech's last regular-season game.
"We got the kinks out, not much else," he said.
