Poor kid
One of the most inspiring players on the Irish likely saw his season end on Saturday night. Doing what he does better than most in the country — covering a punt — Notre Dame’s Mike Anello cracked a bone in his leg, according to Weis. Anello was carted off the field after the injury with his leg in a splint.
Anello is my favorite player after Pat Kuntz. You just can’t help but love the passion this kid brings to the game. He is a senior this year, and he will certainly be missed. For those who don’t know his story, he has been called “hope for white, short, skinny kids everywhere.” He’s a walk on who earned a scholarship two years in a row (no mean feat). He plays on special teams and makes incredible tackles every game. One game- I don’t remember which one- he went to tackle the punt returner, missed it, got back up and tackled him on the opposite sideline, before any of the other ND guys could get there. That’s how much heart this kid has.
He got hurt very early in the USC game and was clearly pissed off that he couldn’t play. It was so bad that they drove him off the field- he couldn’t even limp to the sideline. I was hoping he would be back for the bowl game, but there’s no hope if he broke his leg.
Also taken out by USC: Armando Allen, injured (has anyone heard anything more on him?) and Robert Hughes, ejected. Hughes will have to miss the first half of the bowl game. Charlie said he’d never seen a player ejected for being punched in the face.
Still out, hopefully back for the bowl: Michael Floyd and Brian Smith, both injured.
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I believe Anello can apply for a fifth year of eligibility next year, so he may be back. He was definitely the best thing about the team this year.
Wow, really? Has a walk on ever played a fifth year? Does he have to earn a scholarship again or can they just give it to him already?
This was actually the first year he earned a scholarship. He started being a regular on special teams last year at the Michigan game, but this is the first year he has received a scholarship. And yes it is most likely that he will return for a 5th year.
Thanks for the correction Meghan- I didn’t check my facts as well as I should have before hitting publish. You’re totally right.