Mooney's McCarthy can't play, but excited

The Notre Dame freshman defensive back had in-season shoulder surgery.
By ROB TODOR
VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Kyle McCarthy looked around Sun Devil Stadium and pondered the question just for a second.
Did you think a year ago you would be sitting here?
"I mean, that's why you come to a program like Notre Dame," said McCarthy, the freshman defensive back from Cardinal Mooney High. "To play in games like this."
Unfortunately for McCarthy, in-season shoulder surgery will preclude him from participating in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl between the Fighting Irish and Ohio State Monday.
That won't preclude the son of John and Janet McCarthy from soaking in all of the pre-game preparation and game-night excitement.
"It's a great atmosphere," said McCarthy Friday inside Sun Devil Stadium, the site of Monday's game. "The fact that it's a BCS game and we're playing Coach [Jim] Tressel and Ohio State makes it pretty special."
Began year as backup
McCarthy, who led Mooney to the Division IV state championship in 2004 and was named MVP of the title victory over Versailles, began the season as a backup to junior safety Tom Zbikowski.
The two are quite similar. Zbikowski, from Arlington Heights, Ill., is, like McCarthy, a fast and talented all-purpose player. He led the team with five interceptions and he also returns punts, taking two back for touchdowns this season.
"Tom has kind of taken me under his wing, as far as teaching me how to play the [college] game and helping me learn the position," McCarthy said.
Zbikowski will have one more season of eligibility and McCarthy hopes to step right into the position.
"Kyle is kind of in the same situation I was when I came to Notre Dame," Zbikowski said. "I was also a quarterback [in high school] and switched to safety when I got here."
In fact, Zbikowski noted, he wore uniform No. 28 his freshman year -- when he redshirted -- before changing to No. 9.
"Kyle is a smart player," Zbikowski said, "and he's always asking questions.
"He had to get some surgery this season which was kind of a setback but he's going to be ready to go next spring."
Willingness to learn
Zbikowski said McCarthy's willingness to learn is his greatest asset while being sidelined.
"He takes it all in so when you have a guy like that you're happy to help him out," Zbikowski said.
McCarthy has yet to officially declare a major but said he's leaning towards business.
As far as football, he wants to continue working in the weight room and the classroom, and in film study, so that he's prepared when he gets his opportunity on the field.
"I'm anxious to show [the coaches] what I can do," he said.
McCarthy had a unique chance to do just that before the Fighting Irish played the U.S. Naval Academy in mid-November.
Scout team quarterback
As Notre Dame prepared for Navy's option offense, McCarthy was asked to play quarterback on the scout team, emulating Navy's Lamar Owens.
"That was a lot of fun," said McCarthy, smiling as he remembered the experience. "It made me feel like I was back in high school again.
"I was happy to do it ... anything the coaching staff wanted me to do."
Somewhat surprisingly, McCarthy showed a diplomatic side when asked his opinion on Monday's showdown with the Buckeyes.
"Two great teams, two great coaches," he said. "It should be a great game."
todor@vindy.com