July 7, 2005

Photo Gallery

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Mike Haveard (Pensacola, Fla.) ran for one touchdown, returned an interception for another and completed a two-point conversion en route to leading the Gold team to a 20-0 victory in the culminating event of the third-annual Notre Dame Football Fantasy Camp - a flag football game in Notre Dame Stadium - Saturday, July 2.

Prior to the game, the camp's 51 participants were put through a game day routine mirroring that of an actual Irish football player. Rev. James Riehle celebrated mass Saturday morning at Notre Dame's hallowed grotto before the teams walked to the stadium.

After the campers warmed up on the field, they reconvened in the varsity locker room, where they got a surprise visit from legendary Irish coach Ara Parseghian, who delivered the pregame address.

Once the speech concluded the players walked down the famous stairs, touched the "Play Like A Champion Today" sign and ran out of Notre Dame Stadium's historic tunnel to meet in competition under the watchful eyes of Touchdown Jesus.

The game was a defensive battle through the first two quarters, and the teams headed into the locker room deadlocked at 0-0. After the Gold squad, coached by Irish offensive coordinator Mike Haywood, failed to convert a fourth-down play on their first drive, Notre Dame defensive line coach Jappy Oliver and director of personnel development Ron Powlus' Blue team squandered excellent field position when R.J. Fuhr (Ocala, Fla.) came up with an interception. Neither team made it past the opponent's 30-yard line in the opening half.

The Blue team took possession of the ball to open the second half, and appeared to have some offensive momentum before a penalty pushed them back into their own territory. On the next play, Gold team member James Barry (St. Charles, Ill.) picked off a pass in the flat and raced 56 yards for the game's first score. Haveard found Fuhr in the end zone for the conversion, making the score 8-0.

On their next possession the Blue squad was again able to gain ground, moving deep into Gold territory. On first down from the Gold 20, the defense struck again as Haveard snatched a tipped ball out of the air and rumbled 82 yards the other way for the touchdown. The two-point conversion attempt failed, and the Gold squad took a 14-0 lead into the final quarter.

Haveard would come up with another interception on the Blue squad's last fourth-quarter gasp, and would culminate the game with a rushing touchdown from one yard out to give the Gold a 20-0 win.