Weis: Receiver Grimes' career day just the beginning
By TOM COYNE
Associated Press Sports
Oct 25, 2006
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis put David Grimes in good company.
Weis said Grimes was one of three offensive players who played well in the 11th-ranked Fighting Irish's comeback win over UCLA on Saturday. Weis' list also included quarterback Brady Quinn and Grimes' fellow receiver Jeff Samardzija.
It was that kind of game for Grimes, who had eight catches for 79 yards - one more reception than the sophomore previously had in his career.
"He stepped up big,'' Weis said.
Grimes slipped as he cut back for his final catch against the Bruins, regaining his balance just in time to make a diving grab. The catch for 14 yards set up the next play - the winning 45-yard TD pass from Quinn to Samardzija.
"You couldn't put that any other place than Brady put it and David made a great catch with his fingertips and gets that ball,'' receivers coach Rob Ianello said.
Five of Grimes' receptions came in the second half. He had catches for 13 yards and 7 yards in helping set up Notre Dame's field goal in the third quarter.
But he also came up a yard short on third-and-10 late in the fourth quarter. Quinn was stopped for no gain on the next play in what could have been Notre Dame's last chance in its 20-17 win. Grimes said his brother Carl, a Michigan State receiver, criticized him for not getting the extra yard, saying he should have been more aware of the yardage he needed.
Weis had said repeatedly during the preseason that he expected big things from Grimes. But the only glimmer Grimes showed was his four catches for 48 yards against Michigan. So it's not surprising UCLA focused on Samardzija and Rhema McKnight.
But Samardzija, who only had 24 catches his first two years at Notre Dame, said he's talked to Grimes about being patient.
"He knows what he's capable of,'' Samardzija said. "Sometimes it just takes time.''
Grimes said he's tried to learn from both Samardzija and McKnight, who have been through good and bad seasons with the Irish (6-1), who travel to play Navy on Saturday.
"They've taught me a lot - to be humble, to take things in stride and how to improve my game,'' he said.
Grimes, one of the fastest players on the team, said he always had confidence in himself, but his play against UCLA helped. "It gave my teammates confidence in me because they realize that I can make a big play. I can be counted on in big-time situations,'' he said.
Weis said the big game against UCLA should be just the start.
"What it did is, it gives Brady another weapon,'' Weis said. "You have more confidence just slinging it over there.''
With the looming departures of seniors Samardzija and McKnight, who likely will finish 1-2 on Notre Dame's career receiving list, Grimes will be counted on even more in the future to make big plays. For now, though, he is satisfied being Notre Dame's third wide receiver.
