Lou Holtz, And Elderly Team, Ready To Take On Japan

Friday, July 24, 2009


Back when the U.S. National Football Team upended Japan at the 2007 IFAF World Championship, few people even realized there was such a competition. Well Lou Holtz isn't just a regular person or coach, so the former Notre Dame coach decided to challenge the gutsy Japanese team to a game. Their national team versus a collection of Notre Dame alums.

Now you would think this wouldn't fair with names like Tim Brown, Jerome Bettis, Reggie Brooks, Raghib Ismail and Rick Mirer, but none of those "youngins" are involved in the contest. Well Reggie Brooks and Tim Brown are coaches, but that doesn't count. No, Holtz thinks he can beat the Japanese with elder statesmen like, QB Tony Rice (41), WR Bobby Brown (32) and RB Ray Zellars (36). Via the AP....

TOKYO – Lou Holtz expects his players to uphold the Notre Dame football tradition when they face Japan in the Notre Dame Japan Bowl.

Holtz will coach a selection of alumni from the Notre Dame college team against Japan's national American football team and expects a tough game from the hosts.

"Their football has improved tremendously," Holtz said Friday at Tokyo Dome. "They've looked at film, they understand the game ... if we have an advantage it's in the lines, but they are quicker and in better shape so I'm a little worried about the second half."

The Fighting Irish alumni had only six practice sessions to prepare for the game and Holtz said avoiding injuries will be a key challenge.

"It's been a zoo," said Holtz. "When you get older players its tough but we're ready to go. It's Notre Dame football and we'll play the way Notre Dame is supposed to play."
If Lou Holtz gets out a samurai sword for his motivational speech, someone HAS to get tape of that to me IMMEDIATELY! The kickoff is this Saturday night at 4pm (3am in the States), but unfortunately it won't be aired live. However, you can see the game at 10pm, on August 10th, on CBS' College Sports Network. Check your local listings, and good luck, Lou!

Posted by Awful Announcing at 4:16 PM

6 Comments:

Those Dr. Lou segments should be chock full of zen goodness this fall....

Unknown said...
Jul 24, 2009, 5:45:00 PM  

If they get their asses handed to them, then he will have upheld the Notre Dame football tradition of the past few years.

alex said...
Jul 24, 2009, 8:14:00 PM  

Who was it who said that Lou Holtz leaves a trail of slime everywhere he goes?

Kevin said...
Jul 26, 2009, 1:46:00 AM  

Congrats on all the success here. Took a look at your Press page and was amazed to see the mention you have received from "main stream" sources. Perhaps we can link. I'm over at Basketballwithdinogomez.com I also noticed you worked for Washington Wizards for a bit. Maybe I can ask you a few questions in regards to that.

Dino

Anonymous said...
Jul 27, 2009, 4:14:00 AM  

When is Lou Holtz going to Japan with an All-Star team of former South Carolina players?

walnuts said...
Jul 27, 2009, 12:07:00 PM  

He's not. There aren't enough former South Carolina players good enough to make a full team.

alex said...
Jul 27, 2009, 12:14:00 PM  

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