When The Going Gets Tough
Notre Dame's Thomas Continues to Fight
By Joe Giardina

It took more than three games - 185 minutes to be exact - but finally, running back Travis Thomas and Notre Dame scored an offensive touchdown. It wasn't pretty; in fact it came in defeat as the Fighting Irish dropped to 0-4 for the first time in their storied 119 year history. But as Thomas crossed the goal line 4:59 into their 31-14 loss to Michigan State, the fifth year senior from Washington, PA was at least relieved to finally have found a true position.

"It's a good thing when you only have one thing to focus on," Thomas, who has split time at linebacker and running back in the past, said. "You can really tune into individual small things that you need to do to make yourself better as a player."

In his first four years in South Bend, the 6'0, 216 pound Thomas was primarily known as a special teams ace. In fact, he has been voted a team captain for two straight years due to those contributions. But he would be the first to tell you his natural position is at running back. And while he has made some contributions on offense in the past, this year his focus has switched entirely to that side of the ball. And never has Notre Dame needed him more than this season - both on and off the field.

Last year's leaders, quarterback Brady Quinn, wide receiver Jeff Samardzija and running back Darius Walker have all moved on. Now, the leadership is in Thomas' hands, among others.

"You always start with the senior leadership," Coach Charlie Weis said. "Really, the guys that I watch the most are really successful, [John] Carlson and Travis Thomas. Not just because they're captains, but because of their vocal leadership, whether in the huddle or out of the huddle."

With true freshman Jimmy Clausen at quarterback, teams are loading the box with defenders, daring the Irish to beat them through the air. The ugly result of that has been an average of 0.8 yards per rush through their first four games. Factor that into a less than impressive passing game and Notre Dame has quickly found themselves in uncharted territory - at the bare bottom of the NCAA.

While Thomas might not help dramatically on the field - he only had 390 yards and seven touchdowns for his career entering this season - the Irish coaches are hoping his work ethic and approach will rub off on the younger players.

"Everyone's leadership style is different than the other," Thomas said. "Some are more leaders by example, some are more vocal. I just think whoever is out there needs to do their job and by doing your job you're helping the team."

Part of the reason Thomas can be counted on as a leader is because of the unselfishness he has shown at his career at Notre Dame. Linebacker, running back, special teams - he has played it all and done whatever has been asked of him.

"One of the things that I do is try to take pride in everything that I do," Thomas said. "I just try to do my best… doing whatever you're asked to do, whether it be offense, defense, special teams or anything in particular."

That approach is not too different from that which he followed during his high school career.

As a standout at Washington High School, Thomas excelled in many areas, too. At running back he had 2,730 yards and 56 touchdowns for his career, third on the school's all-time list. At strong safety he recorded 140 tackles as a junior, leading the team to a 15-0 record and a Pennsylvania Class AA state title. And as an outside linebacker he tallied 137 tackles in his senior year on his way to earning all-state honors. He was a member of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 in 2001 and 2002 and he was a three time all-conference selection.

But he succeeded in the classroom as well. Thomas was named class president his senior year at Washington and he also won the scholar-athlete award at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio. Just this past May he graduated from the Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business with a degree in management and right now he is currently enrolled in graduate studies.

Thomas won't win any Heisman Trophies or Maxwell Awards for his production at Notre Dame. He won't be able to carry the team on his back for the rest of the season. Odds are he won't even be able to get them back into a bowl game. But those in South Bend are hoping his leadership on and off the field might lead the way for the Jimmy Clausen's of the team to someday be ready to take over the reigns and get the Fighting Irish back on top.

Joe Giardina is a staff writer for PSR.