Thomas Doesn't Play

Sure, there’s no mystery that Notre Dame won its second straight game by beating previously unbeaten Purdue 35-21 today.

But there was a mystery at Notre Dame Stadium and it centered on what was up with senior linebacker Travis Thomas. He looked good walking onto the field for the pre-game coin toss. He looked good standing on the sidelines. But he didn’t play.

The reason, coach Charlie Weis said, was that Thomas was hurt. He suffered a rib injury in the last play of the game last Saturday against Michigan State. He was sore all week and when the ribs continued to bother him in pre-game warm-ups, Weis decided to rest him and play backup Joe Brockington.

Brockington had three tackles and broke up a pass.

So ends the mystery.