NOTRE DAME

Notre Dame has completed the first half of its 2006 season. Are the Irish (5-1) a better team than they were six games into last year, Charlie Weis’ first as coach? Maybe, Weis said.

“I want to study that . . . I’m going to compare where we are this year at six games to where we were last year at six games,” he said. “I want to look at the opponents too. . . . It’s been a pretty tough first six games.” . . .

Freshman Ryan Burkhart, who handled kickoff duties Saturday, will continue to fill that role.

“He’s settled in as the guy we’re going to use,” Weis said. “Now, of course, to quote an old mentor of mine, `I reserve the right to change my mind.'”