ND Sets Table For Five
After a 1-3 start, Notre Dame set an ambitious goal: win the next five in a row (Zenyatta won her 19th straight Saturday and could retire after the Breeder's Cup Classic with a record 20 victories).
The Irish got off to a good start, although sloppy much of the time, by beating foe Boston College 31-13. The table has been set, and we're not talking about a romantic dinner, close to the music.
The Irish won't face a good quarterback until they play Utah. Actually, it really doesn't matter too much since ND has a habit of making no-namers into big-gamers out of opposing passers. Hell, BC's third string QB, a young man by the name of MacaroniLasagna (or something like that) fared very well against the Irish secondary, which continues to be inconsistent, erratic, and often in the clutch, porous.
Now to Dayne Crist. Many post-game headlines read that he lead the Irish to victory over the Eagles. We're not sure any ND player deserves that accolade. Many of Crist's passes were too quick, too low, or too high. There is no excuse for that precarious performance. And, God bless him, coach Brian Kelly time-and-again reamed Dayne on the sidelines after those errant throws. The young QB will get better.
By the way, it was refreshing to see Kelly chewing ass whether it was Dayne, a lousy punt by Turk or a careless kick by Ruffer. He was all over his players big-time when they screwed-up; fond memories of Lou Holtz.
As you know, we have been touting Bennett Jackson to return kicks and he got his chance. He looked pretty damn good and he's going to break one down the line. John Goodman's confidence and sure hands on punt returns are impressive--not his runbacks. We do hope that Long John is given another chance to throw the ball to a receiver on offense. That's a good play and he has a good arm. Hopefully, he will throw close enough so a wideout can catch it.
Poor Kyle Rudolph. Over the last two games, he has 2 catches for 3 yards and a touchdown. He's being covered closely. Unfortunately, those who cover and select the All-American team, may no longer be watching closely. Perhaps his stats will improve markedly. At this moment, Theo Riddick is the go-to guy.
Ian Williams continues to improve---groaning, grunting and pushing down the middle. Lewis-Moore is so-so, and Ethan Johnson is a bust so far, Over-all, they didn't get much of a rush on the macaroni muncher.
Te'o gets the publicity, but Calabrese has been the brute at LB. As they say in real estate, he "shows well."
Chris Watt (O) and Tyler Stockton (D) gave a good account of themselves, as did Mike Golic, Jr., a worthy sub for the injured Braxton Cave.
Pitt is up next, followed by Western Michigan, Navy and Tulsa (with their high-flying aerial circus and not much more)--all winnable...no excuses!
The stretch will be tougher with the exception of the gimme, Army. Utah is good, but still a mystery. Southern Cal is fair game this season. Their coach is a prick and that should be incentive enough for the Irish, notwithstanding the Trojan thumpings over the past several seasons.
Next Saturday, dinner for two, featuring Panther. Burn it!
--ScottB
The Irish got off to a good start, although sloppy much of the time, by beating foe Boston College 31-13. The table has been set, and we're not talking about a romantic dinner, close to the music.
The Irish won't face a good quarterback until they play Utah. Actually, it really doesn't matter too much since ND has a habit of making no-namers into big-gamers out of opposing passers. Hell, BC's third string QB, a young man by the name of MacaroniLasagna (or something like that) fared very well against the Irish secondary, which continues to be inconsistent, erratic, and often in the clutch, porous.
Now to Dayne Crist. Many post-game headlines read that he lead the Irish to victory over the Eagles. We're not sure any ND player deserves that accolade. Many of Crist's passes were too quick, too low, or too high. There is no excuse for that precarious performance. And, God bless him, coach Brian Kelly time-and-again reamed Dayne on the sidelines after those errant throws. The young QB will get better.
By the way, it was refreshing to see Kelly chewing ass whether it was Dayne, a lousy punt by Turk or a careless kick by Ruffer. He was all over his players big-time when they screwed-up; fond memories of Lou Holtz.
As you know, we have been touting Bennett Jackson to return kicks and he got his chance. He looked pretty damn good and he's going to break one down the line. John Goodman's confidence and sure hands on punt returns are impressive--not his runbacks. We do hope that Long John is given another chance to throw the ball to a receiver on offense. That's a good play and he has a good arm. Hopefully, he will throw close enough so a wideout can catch it.
Poor Kyle Rudolph. Over the last two games, he has 2 catches for 3 yards and a touchdown. He's being covered closely. Unfortunately, those who cover and select the All-American team, may no longer be watching closely. Perhaps his stats will improve markedly. At this moment, Theo Riddick is the go-to guy.
Ian Williams continues to improve---groaning, grunting and pushing down the middle. Lewis-Moore is so-so, and Ethan Johnson is a bust so far, Over-all, they didn't get much of a rush on the macaroni muncher.
Te'o gets the publicity, but Calabrese has been the brute at LB. As they say in real estate, he "shows well."
Chris Watt (O) and Tyler Stockton (D) gave a good account of themselves, as did Mike Golic, Jr., a worthy sub for the injured Braxton Cave.
Pitt is up next, followed by Western Michigan, Navy and Tulsa (with their high-flying aerial circus and not much more)--all winnable...no excuses!
The stretch will be tougher with the exception of the gimme, Army. Utah is good, but still a mystery. Southern Cal is fair game this season. Their coach is a prick and that should be incentive enough for the Irish, notwithstanding the Trojan thumpings over the past several seasons.
Next Saturday, dinner for two, featuring Panther. Burn it!
--ScottB
posted by OLD SHILLELAGH at 2:07 PM
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