Brady's back
Quinn to return to Notre Dame for senior season
Updated: Wednesday December 28, 2005 8:36PM
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Brady Quinn says he would love to be the quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals. Just not next season.
The Fighting Irish quarterback, who finished fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy, said Wednesday he will return to Notre Dame for his senior season. Quinn made up his mind while he was home over Christmas break.
"I'm a big believer in my faith and I actually believe God helped me make the decision to come to Notre Dame for a reason," Quinn said. "I feel the same way about him giving me the feeling it's in my best interest to come back for another year and it's in my best interest to finish up school and be ready for the real world when football ends."
Quinn had indicated last month that he likely would return, but said he would wait until after the season was over to make a decision. Quinn said seeing how many athletes say they will return to school and then don't was also a factor in his decision.
"I have so many goals and ambitions outside of football that it really is best for me to come back for an extra year and get the tutelage from coach Weis that you can't receive in the NFL. He's not there any more; he's here now," Quinn said. "So why not utilize that as long as you can and go for every goal that you want."
Quinn saw his passing stats skyrocket during Charlie Weis' first year at Notre Dame. He went from passing for 2,586 yards last season, completing 56 percent of his passes, to passing for a school-record 3,633 yards and a 65 percent completion rate. He also went from throwing 17 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions last season to throwing 32 touchdowns passes and seven interceptions this year.
Weis said he understands why Quinn would at least want to think about turning pro, but that he wasn't ever worried Quinn wouldn't be coming back.
"He wants to leave Notre Dame with a few more things he hasn't accomplished yet," Weis said.
Quinn owns just about every Notre Dame passing record already, including being the career passing leader with another year to go. But he does still have at least one big goal.
"I want to win a national championship and I think our team has the ability without a doubt to win it, especially with the people we have coming back on offense and defense," he said.
He made the comments after he was asked whether he would like to play for the Cardinals.
"I'd love to be out here," he said.
Quinn said he loves the area so much he'd like to return to the Fiesta Bowl next season, when it will be the site of the national championship game.
Even though Weis said he expected Quinn to come back, he was still happy to hear of the decision.
"That makes me happy," he said. "It's great for the foundation of the program."
Quinn to return to Notre Dame for senior season
Updated: Wednesday December 28, 2005 8:36PM
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Brady Quinn says he would love to be the quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals. Just not next season.
The Fighting Irish quarterback, who finished fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy, said Wednesday he will return to Notre Dame for his senior season. Quinn made up his mind while he was home over Christmas break.
"I'm a big believer in my faith and I actually believe God helped me make the decision to come to Notre Dame for a reason," Quinn said. "I feel the same way about him giving me the feeling it's in my best interest to come back for another year and it's in my best interest to finish up school and be ready for the real world when football ends."
Quinn had indicated last month that he likely would return, but said he would wait until after the season was over to make a decision. Quinn said seeing how many athletes say they will return to school and then don't was also a factor in his decision.
"I have so many goals and ambitions outside of football that it really is best for me to come back for an extra year and get the tutelage from coach Weis that you can't receive in the NFL. He's not there any more; he's here now," Quinn said. "So why not utilize that as long as you can and go for every goal that you want."
Quinn saw his passing stats skyrocket during Charlie Weis' first year at Notre Dame. He went from passing for 2,586 yards last season, completing 56 percent of his passes, to passing for a school-record 3,633 yards and a 65 percent completion rate. He also went from throwing 17 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions last season to throwing 32 touchdowns passes and seven interceptions this year.
Weis said he understands why Quinn would at least want to think about turning pro, but that he wasn't ever worried Quinn wouldn't be coming back.
"He wants to leave Notre Dame with a few more things he hasn't accomplished yet," Weis said.
Quinn owns just about every Notre Dame passing record already, including being the career passing leader with another year to go. But he does still have at least one big goal.
"I want to win a national championship and I think our team has the ability without a doubt to win it, especially with the people we have coming back on offense and defense," he said.
He made the comments after he was asked whether he would like to play for the Cardinals.
"I'd love to be out here," he said.
Quinn said he loves the area so much he'd like to return to the Fiesta Bowl next season, when it will be the site of the national championship game.
Even though Weis said he expected Quinn to come back, he was still happy to hear of the decision.
"That makes me happy," he said. "It's great for the foundation of the program."
