SOUTH BEND — Strength up the middle is one of the reasons Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly gave for his great optimism as the Fighting Irish prepare for the upcoming 2012 season.

“We are really good up the middle on both sides of the ball,” the third-year coach said Thursday during Notre Dame media day.”We have the physical abilities in the trenches to handle ourselves against anyone in  the country. Being strong up front in its self gives you a chance to win every game.”

One component of that strength on offense is 6-3 (304) fifth-year senior Braxston Cave, the starting center.

The Irish finished with an 8-5 record last season.

“We have a chip on our shoulder to prove how good we are,” the 2007 Penn High School graduate said. “Coach (Kelly) has told us a lot of the team’s success this season is going to be determined by how we play in the line. We can put the team in a good position to win games.

“One of my roles as a leader in the offensive line is letting guys know how to get prepared in case they have to step in during the season. It’s also part of my job to make sure, football-wise, everyone is on the same page.”

He graduated with a psychology degree last year and is enrolled in the graduate studies program.

“I like to think I’m one of the smarter players on the team, but at Notre Dame you are not going to find a lot of players that aren’t smart,” he quipped.

Cave started the first nine games in 2011 before suffering a season-ending foot injury in the Wake Forest game. The injury also caused him to miss spring practice.

A new attitude

He believes there is a different attitude among the players in the line this season.

“It’s a tight-knit group. There’s something special here,” Cave said. “It’s something I haven’t felt since I’ve been here. I can’t think of a more exciting way for me to return for a fifth year here at Notre Dame.”

Cave has been named to the Rimington Watch List for the 2012 season. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding collegiate center.

“The offensive line has had a great preseason,” he said. “Our goal is to be the best offensive line in the country.”

One of the reasons Cave feels the line is ready for a good season is the addition of Harry Hiestand as offensive line and running game coordinator.

“His presence has helped pull the group together,” Cave said. “He brought us together during the summer, whether it was to watch film or just  to have pizza. Little things like having a pizza party make it fun.”

Hiestand has a total of 29 years of coaching experience. Among the colleges he has worked at are Cincinnati, Missouri, Illinois and Tennessee. He was the offensive line coach for the Chicago Bears from 2005-09.

The Bears were NFC North division champions in 2005 and 2006, advancing to Super Bowl XLI following the 2006 campaign. Three Chicago running backs rushed for over 1,200 in a single season during his tenure, while Olin Kreutz was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and Ruben Brown made the Pro Bowl roster once.

Sophomore Everett Golson and junior Andrew Hendrix appear to be the leaders to start the opener with Navy in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday, Sept. 1.

“Both of them are doing well in practice,” Cave said. “As far as the line is concerned the blocking schemes are the same no matter who is at quarterback.”

Other Irish linemen returning for the season with staring experience are 6-4 (304) senior Zach Martin (Indianapolis Bishop Chatard graduate), 6-3 (310) senior Chris Watt (Glen Ellyn, Illinois) and 6-3 (295) fifth-year senior Mike Golic Jr. Martin and Watt have started 13 games apiece and Golic Jr. four.

The importance of communication

Communication among the linemen is a key for the Irish and a responsibility of Cave’s as the starting center.

“Since we don’t huddle it’s my job to talk to the guys and let them know the blocking schemes,” the three-year letterwinner said. “The left side of the line (Martin at tackle and Watt at guard) have been together before so we will need some new guys to step in.”

The preseason depth chart has Golic Jr. or 6-4 (290) sophomore Nick Martin (an Indianapolis Bishop Chatard product) at right guard and 6-5 (309) junior Christian Lombard (Inverness, Ill.) at right tackle. Nick Martin is the younger bother of Zach Martin.

Dreams of the NFL

Cave, who has NFL aspirations, has spent his high school and collegiate playing careers in St. Joseph County.

“The support from the Penn fans and the community in general has been great,” he said.

“Next year, hopefully I will still be playing but in a different area. That is going to be different.”

Cave played for Cory Yeoman at Penn.

“I talk to Coach Cory as often as possible,” he said

Cave and a couple of Notre Dame teammates, including senior linebacker Manti Te’o, were in attendance Friday night as the Penn Kingsmen hosted the Valparaiso Vikings in a season opener.

As a senior at Penn, Cave was one of the 12 finalists for Indiana’s Mr. Football Award and was the runner-up for the Offensive Lineman of the Year Award presented by The Indianapolis Star.

Other Penn offensive linemen who have played for the Irish are Thomas Bemenderfer and Mike Rosenthal.

The son of Rick and Kim Cave is looking forward to the upcoming trip to Ireland.

“Part of my dad’s side of the family has relatives there,” he said.

“Dad has always talked about going there. Now I’m giving him the chance.

“The only time I’ve been out of the country before was going to Mexico on spring break.”

Braxston is named after former Irish player Braxston Banks, according to the Notre Dame media guide.

Paying it forward

As a senior another part of Cave’s team duties is serving as a mentor to the younger players.

“I had guys to look up to when I was a freshman and now that guy is me,” Cave said.

Cave carries a permanent reminder of his faith, as the Bible verse Romans 8:31 “If God is for us who can be against us,” is tattooed on one of his arms.