Fear of failure driving Irish QB Crist

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame quarterback Dayne Crist doesn't want to let his teammates down.

That's what he's thinking every night when he opens his playbook to study. It's what he's thinking when he works to rehab his surgically repaired right knee. It's also what he's thinking when coaches are yelling at him.

Crist knows the success of the spread offense new coach Brian Kelly is installing depends on how much the quarterback can handle, and the Irish are counting on Crist to master it. Crist says he embraces that challenge.

Offensive coordinator Charley Molnar said it's been difficult to fully evaluate Crist because he is limited by what he can do during spring practice as he recovers from his knee surgery.