Practice Observations, 10/2/07

Notre Dame went outside to practice at Cartier Field in preparation for its trip to beautiful, sunny Southern California and a game with UCLA.

• Guess who's back at practice -- offensive guards Chris Stewart (left because he considered transferring) and Dan Wenger (returning from injury).
• One player who wasn't there, though, is junior wide receiver David Grimes. Charlie Weis said Tuesday that Grimes is "50-50" for Saturday's game.
• Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White was also there with a sizable entourage. Of the group, we only recognized assistant athletic director Stan Wilcox.
• Notre Dame spent its open part of the practice working on live special teams.
• Linebackers coach Brian Polian told everyone it would be full speed.
• Both Brandon Walker and Nate Whitaker made extra points. From 33 yards, Walker was wide left. From 35 yards, Whitaker was good. From 35 yards, Walker was good. From 37 yards, Whitaker was wide right. From 40 yards, Walker was good and Whitaker was wide left. From 43 yards, Walker was good and Whitaker was wide left.
• As far as punting, Eric Maust and Geoff Price both boomed the ball pretty good. Maust has replaced Price as the starting punter on the depth chart.
• Pat Kuntz is an enthusiastic blocker, saying "Yeah, yeah baby," when he came in.

Don't forget about our predictions contest for Notre Dame-UCLA. E-mail your final score guesses to mrothstein@jg.net. Don't forget about that Friday mailbag, e-mail us at mrothstein@jg.net or drop comments in the box below.
-By Michael Rothstein of The Journal Gazette