Junior quarterback Brady Quinn was named one of 15 finalists named for the 2005 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Tuesday.
Quinn joins the likes of Matt Leinart of USC, Vince Young of Texas and Drew Stanton of Michigan State as a finalist for the prestigious award.
Quinn has completed 195-of-299 passes this season for 2,647 yards, and is just 106 yards away from breaking Jarious Jackson's single-season passing record of 2,753.
The junior is 538 yards away from the career passing record of 7,064, held by Ron Powlus, who is now the Director of Personnel Development for the Irish.
Quinn has also thrown for 23 touchdowns and four interceptions in his third year as the Notre Dame starting quarterback.
Three finalists for the O'Brien Award will be announced Nov. 22, and the winner will be named on Dec. 8.
A little history
Before coming to Notre Dame, Irish head coach Charlie Weis worked under New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Belichick's dad Steve was an assistant coach at Navy for 33 years.
"Trust me, he'll work me up at the game and be all over me," Weis said of Bill Belichick. "I'm sure he'll be around."
Weis said he watched part of the New England-Indianapolis game on Monday night, but that he had to turn it off after the Patriots were down big.
"I watched about part of the first half and then I got sick, so I just said that's enough," Weis said. "I didn't throw in the towel on who would win, but there came a point where it was time to go home and get in bed and go to sleep."
The final score was 40-21 in favor of the Colts.
Knowing what to expect
Weis said Tuesday that it's no secret as to what Navy will try to do on Saturday. On the contrary, Weis prides himself in designing a new game plan each week, tailored to the Irish's opponents.
"They are a little bit contrasting to me in the fact that they're going to come out and take play action shots, and one of the reasons why they're averaging 20 yards a catch with all those skilled receivers is because everyone spends so much time trying to stop the run," he said. "All of a sudden everyone is trying to stop the run, and next thing you know they're behind you. They execute very well and I have a lot of respect for their offense."
