NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL Weis wants win for the seniors

Some of them have played under three head coaches during their careers.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -- Some Notre Dame seniors have played under three head coaches and saw another resign because of embarrassing lies about his credentials. They've gone through mediocrity and a return to glory.
After going through so many ups and downs, first-year coach Charlie Weis wants to send the senior class out with a win against Syracuse (1-8) Saturday in their final home game.
"You have to really admire their intestinal fortitude because it would have been very easy to throw in the towel -- you know, enough is enough after a while," Weis said Tuesday. "But they've maintained their persistence and their hard work and their perseverance is paying off and hopefully rewarding them with a pretty decent senior year."
Seek first BCS berth
The fifth-year seniors signed with the Irish in the wake of Notre Dame's 2000 Fiesta Bowl appearance. Now they are on the verge of earning their first Bowl Championship Series berth. The sixth-ranked Irish (7-2) will be eligible if they win their final two games against Syracuse and Stanford.
But Irish players say they aren't focused on bowls.
"The guys playing their last home game in the stadium will be our biggest motivation," quarterback Brady Quinn said.
Linebacker Brandon Hoyte is among those fifth-year seniors who have called Bob Davie, George O'Leary, Tyrone Willingham and Weis coach. But he doesn't have any regrets about his time at Notre Dame.
"I've taken nothing but positives away from Notre Dame. That might be hard to understand from the outside looking in," Hoyte said. "But ever since I've been here the only thing people have made me do is strive to be the best. That's probably the thing I'm most appreciative for Notre Dame is there's no acceptance of mediocrity."
Back on upswing
Davie and Willingham were fired after mediocre seasons. But now the program is back on the upswing, just as it was when Hoyte earned a starting spot in 2002 as the Irish got off to an 8-0 season under Willingham. But Hoyte said he has been better able to enjoy this year.
"It's a different experience when you're winning at a place like Notre Dame," he said.
To keep the Irish from becoming too emotional about the last game for the seniors, Weis prepared a seven-minute tape of Notre Dame's last game against Syracuse, a 38-12 loss two years ago.
Ready for Sycacuse
"It's a quick reminder that this game is really about playing Syracuse as much as it is being respectful to the seniors," he said.
Hoyte doesn't think the Irish will have any trouble keeping the proper perspective.
"Because our coaches do a good job day in and day out of keeping us focused and keeping us humble," he said.
"I think that's one thing that comes with great coaching as well as maturity on the team."
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