JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 3, 2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 3, 2025

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Eric Hansen

3:11

OK I am out of gas. Thanks for all the great questions today, especially since the dum-dum typing this forget to include the question link originally. We don't yet have a media availability schedule, but my sense is that'll start Saturday. So keep glued to insideNDsports.com for all the injury and team updates. As far as the next chat, likely won't be before next Saturday since the next game is a night game. Win or lose. I'll keep you posted on my social media, website and message board, Thanks again.

3:08

Bob, it don't think it crossed my mind and that feels like a trick question LOL.

Bob Loganville, GA

3:07

Eric, Seems I am the only happy person at work today. Maybe it is because my office is 25 minutes from the University of Georgia campus! Were you surprised MF didn't let the clock run down at the end of the 1st half and kick the FG with no time left on the clock. Or worse case make Georgia use their time outs? I was literally screaming at the TV to take the 10 second run off and run the clock down as ND had TOs to stop the clock it it needed. Obviously I was wrong with how it played out.

Eric Hansen

3:07

Ryan, Riley showed great toughness and poise and they'll need another dose of that in the semis. You have been nailing the scores pretty well all year. I might need to take your lead. I do think it will be a game played in the 20s, though. Not ready to make an actual prediction. You are way ahead of me.

Ryan Frankfort illinois

3:06

Good Afternoon Eric what do you think about the play of Riley Leonard he looked good yesterday vs Georgia i think we beat Penn State Next Week 35-21 or something like that GO IRISH ☘️☘️☘️🏈🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

3:05

Hi Tom. It's nice to have that position flexibility. And given that ND landed two strong receivers in the portal, they don't have to fast-track Richardson. My sense is he stays on offense, which is where ND recruited him to play. But injuries or unexpected departures could always alter tha plan.

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

3:03

Eric, with Antavious Richardson an EE, do you think the coaches will use Spring ball to help figure out which side of the ball will be the best for ND and for the player??? Do you have any info as to where he might wind up playing?? He just seems to have skills that could work either at WR or DB. Thanks and Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

3:03

I did not.

Tony, Lake Mary, FL

3:02

Did you notice Jadarian Price jump on the not punt play

Eric Hansen

"So, are we going to be all right? I guess it’s over in game 2? Or are we just going to keep rolling.’
“And I think that’s what we’re going to do. Let’s keep rolling.”

3:02

This shouldn’t be a crossroads stretch not only for this season, but setting the stage for where this program is headed. But here the Irish are one week after being the nation’s feel-good thread.
There’s opportunity, though, and that can’t be dismissed any more than the real urgency playing the team next Saturday picked to finish 18th in the Big Ten, Purdue, like the ND players’ hair is on fire.
Freeman has been authentic enough, consistent enough, transparent enough that he didn’t lose the locker room on Saturday along with the game. And that matters big time.
“This isn’t the end of our season, and we know that,” All-America nose guard Howard Cross III said. “Yeah, this sucks. We know that. Everybody knows that. All of our fans know that.
“But I’m going to tell you all what I told everybody: ‘Use that. Use what everybody’s telling you. You’re going to be hearing all week that we suck. All right, use that, because in all due respect, in seven days, we’re on the field again.

3:01

AND THIS:

So how does Notre Dame move forward with 10 regular-season games left and a perceptual mountain to scale to reinstate a CFP trajectory? By focusing on the little picture that the outside world is baiting them not to.

In other words, just a whiff of social media can be toxic.

“I think everybody’s going to be looking at me,” quarterback Riley Leonard offered. “So, how I approached today, how I approach tomorrow, how I approach this afternoon is going to be indicative.

“And, hopefully, people will follow how I approach things. Obviously, all the eyes are on me, so I’ve got to lead by example right now.”

Whatever a redemptive road can look like, this is where it starts. Doubling down on the quarterback who emerged out of a four-deep QB room as the No. 1 option and owning the coaching deficiencies, the preparation deficiencies that led to an underwhelming pass-efficiency mark (92.8) on Saturday.

3:00

Hi Don. I apologize. I finished working at 3:30 a.m. and started working today as soon as I woke up, but haven't had a chance yet to talk to anyone from ND or dig around on some of the things you're asking. I should be able to do so tomorrow, so please check out our work as we move forward. Let me answer what I can from what you asked me. Mills is out for the rest of the playoff. He will not return. Here is a couple of excerpts from my column after the NIU game:

Don in Scottsdale

2:53

Wow. The pre season stuff was so positive regarding this team, then NIU happened. Freeman did a GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! job from that day forward. Feels like he created a template for the future. (not quite 17) Did you see this coming after NIU? Did Mills have surgery? Any chance of him playing against PSU? I don't think he traveled with the team, is that a surprise or is he done with his college career? Think Love will be able to go in 6 days?

Eric Hansen

2:53

Robert, I am going to type Bryant Young too in one of my stories, and I know you mean Bryce. Heck, I called Bryson Dailey Carson Dailey on Football Never Sleeps during Army week, so we're even. Wow, great Fast Times reference. Impressive. I think Marcus Freeman has been really good at identifying freshmen who can help early, whether they be January or June enrollees. I think sometimes Brian Kelly wasn't open-minded about some freshmen who could have helped, especially if they were not early enrollees.

Robert - Dunedin,FL

2:48

Eric- Bryant Young is going to be an unstoppable force! He gave me flashbacks of Forrest Whitaker on FAST Times at Ridgemont High. Can you recall any recruiting class ND has had whose freshman class has contributed as much as this one?

Eric Hansen

2:48

Hi Palm Beach. ND is coming your direction. The Irish are really going to bury the portal proceedings as much as they can until the playoff run is over, whenever that may be. The QB thing is weird. I don't see the Irish going down that road.

Palm Beach Irish

2:47

Please have everyone calm down....we have played 2 games in past month so players are conditioned for a one week turn around...do you know of transfer commits but cannot divulge?...Can you confirm the chatter about ND taking a QB in the portal?....thanks Eric for all you do..

Eric Hansen

2:46

Tom, really appreciate the kind words for me and for Marcus. My oldest son is just a little younger than Marcus and had six kids all about the same ages, and knowing what he has to do to balance all the demands of family and work gives me appreciation and insight into how tall a task that is for Marcus Freeman. But the people who have longevity in the coaching business tend to be the ones who strive for balance. Yes he works hard, but he also has a life around work that keeps it in perspective and also allows him to renew and refill. And that is a great lesson to already be putting into practice without having to get that forcefed to you by circumstances.

Tom Sellersburg, IN

2:42

so sorry I've hit the return button twice now by mistake. As I was trying to say I'm a long time ND football fan and enjoyed the 60's - 90's and not so much after that. Marcus Freeman is the real deal as a coach and human being. I'm very happy ND extended his contract. it looks to me you and coach Freeman have a good relationship by the way he reacts to you during media interviews; so how do we keep coach Freeman from burning out from the bright, hot spot light ND football is? Now that I've got this good feeling back, I want it to go on past the Ara and Holtz years. Ask Coach Freeman for me to follow is own advice, one play, one life and stay in the moment for his own sanity. For example ignore, ignore the crazy who wanted him fired after the NIU game! Thanks Eric, I enjoy your "stuff"!

2:41

Hello Eric, Long time reader and thank you for your work I really enjoy it. Long time ND football fan beginning with Ara and the great times from the 60,s through the 90's; not so much since. Marcus Freeman is the real deal as coach and human beoing\\\

Eric Hansen

2:41

Mike, thanks for tuning in. We had a blast. And we'll keep them coming, Had our largest live audience yet last night. ... The timelines with both Betelho and Traore can be tricky. In interviews in New Orleans, both expressed optimism they will be healthy before the start of the season, but timelines can be tricky and so can mental hurdles. But let's say everything goes perfectly, Josh Burnham will move back to the field end side, joining Bryce Young over there. Let's say Loghan Thomas puts on weight and is ready to roll in 2025, then maybe bounding Junior to both positions or Boubacar makes some sense. It's a first-world problem. Chris Burgess is likely the most camera-ready among the freshmen ends, and he might end up inside in the long run, which isn't a bad thing.

Mike from Rochester NY

2:35

Eric, loved the ITE with Bob Morton last night, hopefully we’ll have two more before the season ends!!!!!! I was really worried about our run defense with the loss of Mills and our problems stopping the run often this season. Big kudos to last night’s DLinemen and Coach Wash for an outstanding effort and loved seeing Hinish close GA out with a sack! My question is, we seem to be incredibly deep at Vyper with the way Junior T has come on and assuming Botelho and Traore fully bounce back from their injuries. Do you think one of them flips to the other end spot with Oben done after this year? Or sre Burnham and Young the starters there and we just have a great depth problem at Vyper?

Eric Hansen

2:34

Happy New Year, Matt. My radio partner, Darin Pritchett has the bandwidth and initiative to look at the rulebook, and his interpretation in the NCAA rulebook, that includes the SEC, was that since the long snapper never touches the ball it was as if ND didn't break the huddle and so it was legal. No, the SEC doesn't have its own set of rules. Not yet anyway. I think those were Big 12 officials, but I don't want to break the flow of the chat right now to check. I will for the transcript. ... But here's the deal. Whether Kirby thought it was legal or not, he could have called itmeout -- and didn't. he could have warned his team not to jump offsides, and they did jump offsides.

Matt from Austin

2:30

Hi Eric, sorry that I'm so late to the chat this week, but thank you for all of your work with probably no sleep. Kirby Smart kept saying that the eleven player switch was illegal in the SEC and ND should have been penalized, negating the brilliant first down when Georgia jumped offside. Is that really true and do the conferences have different interpretations of the rule. I believe the game officials were a Big 10 crew. Happy New Year my friend. Thank you, Matt

Eric Hansen

2:29

Matt, thanks. There are no glaring advantages ND has ... nor really Penn State either. These start to become games where winning in the margins start to add up -- special teams, turnover margin, penalties, innovation, depth. ND is in good position in most of those areas. And their win against Georgia is better than anything Penn State has done this season to date. But really, really close matchup.

Matt from Muscatine, IA

2:25

Thank you for sharing so frankly. I appreciate it, and your coverage. Too bad we can’t bond over disliking Michigan though… I think the second half of my question upstaged the first part about advantages and disadvantages in the ND-PSU game. Thank you!

Eric Hansen

2:25

I need more time to scheme for Ty Warren LOL, No. 44. I mentioned earlier rotating different players on him when ND is in man. The running backs are a big problem, because of Penn State's offensive balance and because Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen are both big backs with speed. Ohio State really was the only team that hit the trifecta there in getting a handle on all three in a 20-13 Buckeye win. Minnesota did a good job with the running game in a 1-point loss but had no answer for Warren. That would be my starting point in terms of putting together a game plan. More to come after some more research. Happy New Year.

JoeP from Los Angeles

2:15

Happy New Year, Eric! Love the work you do, and looking forward to more your great insights from you in 2025. As I generally like to do, I'm anointing you ND's defensive coordinator again, this time for the Penn St. game. While I know AG likes to mix things up, how do you scheme to prevent #44 and the two RBs from wreaking havoc on our depleted defense? Thanks again.

Eric Hansen

2:15

And so, I am able to watch games and dive into the WHY and yet still appreciate the emptions from fans but not let that cloud my work. So I'd say I am a fan of college football. I am a fan of people with integrity. And both of those things make me smile. So no rooting interest. it's kind of like asking which is your favorite kid. Or does this dress make my butt look big? There is no right answer to those questions if you want to live in a peaceful world.

2:12

Matt, I think it's a fair question to ask about fandom and allegiances. So let me answer it. I grew up a STAUNCH Ohio State fan. My first fistfight of my life, as Kindergartener, was over who was going to win Ohio State/Michigan. I used to have a bumper sticker in my room that read: Directions to Ann Arbor: North 'til you smell it, west 'til you step in it. OK having said all of that, the best thing that happened to me was my first full-time job was covering Indiana University football and basketball. It was a program I felt pretty neutral about growing up. On top of that, my mind works very analytically. So to be the best version of me, losing the fandom was a must and playing into my analytical mind was an asset. (more)

Matt from Muscatine, IA

2:06

Hi Eric, thank you for doing these! What are the two biggest advantages and disadvantages ND has versus PSU? Also, I’m curious, as an OSU alum, do you cheer for the Buckeyes? I know you try to treat ND professionally and just enjoy the ride each season gives you, but, when ND has played OSU, what’s that like for you? (Hopefully, this question or your answer to it doesn’t get some of your readers mad—I appreciate your coverage, whatever your response is). Thank you, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

Eric Hansen

2:04

Hi Jonathan. I want to wait until it's all said and done before I got too big-picture on the playoff. But the one thing I feel like I can declare is 12 is the right number, if not 14. Either one is better than four. If it were four, guess who did not make it into the playoff -- Ohio State and Notre Dame.

Jonathan in Addison, TX

2:00

Eric!!! Longest season ever!!! Happy 2025!!! Big picture, what have we learned from the playoffs thus far? That the ACC is way, way behind the field? That the SEC ain’t head/shoulders ahead? But the B1G might be? What’s your sense?

Eric Hansen

1:59

Sorry, Stan. My brain froze over that first line. Thanks for being so complimentary, whether you're enjoying the rescinding of the "no drinking" rule or not today. Heartfelt appreciation. .. In my bracket, I picked Oregon and Notre Dame to arrive there. But I felt Ohio State was the worst matchup for anybody ... just didn't know how their post-Michigan psyche would play. If Notre Dame does face THE Ohio State University in the finals, and we can have fun and speculate here, where the Buckeyes' fault lines are (and they aren't pronounced) is turnover margin, red zone offense and defense, third-down efficiency, an intermittent goodness in the running game. That's really nitpicking it. And at least ND has the No. 1 pass-efficiency defense to pair against those great Buckeye receivers.

Stan now from Glen Allen

1:52

First of all, thank you and Tyler for the best commentary I have read ever. I enjoyed reading your work that is long on meat and devoid of filler. I get the sense that you think that the Irish can wind up in the championship game. If they do and have to face the Buckeyes, what is the scenario that would favor Notre Dame?

Eric Hansen

when teams sell out on stopping the traditional running game, he'll lean heavier into the QB run game and he'll get his RB involved in the downfield passing game.

1:49

Notre Dame won the rushing battle 154-62. And Marcus Freeman is now 29-3 when his teams get that checkmark and 3-6 when they do not. So you're on point. In both of ND's playoff losses, in its BCS Championship Game loss, in its ACC title game loss to Clemson, it was outrushed in all of those games. I'll update the numbers this week, but going into the playoff ... Penn State was 9th in rush defense and sixth in total defense, Ohio State 7th/1st, Texas 15th/3rd. Riley Leonard as a passer becomes a factor, but Riley Leonard as a runner is more valuable than ever, so keep on eye on that. We saw some wrinkles with the wide receivers getting some jet sweeps. A healthy Jeremiyah Love would help. One thing Denbrock has done during his career (more)

Denny from Beaverton

1:41

Hi Eric; Turning point win for Coach Freeman and the Notre Dame team in national perception. Our defense is GREAT, despite the injuries we've had, and they are what got us here. Running the football is getting especially hard the past two games. Better teams and better athletes are a big factor. I know you will put out the 5 important categories for the remaining 4 teams but I was wondering how our run game against Georgia did compared to other teams that have played them. Maybe I am being picky, but I just feel that we will need to have effective rushing yardage in the coming 1 or 2 games. Perhaps Coach Denbrock needs to find new wrinkles to get that yardage. What are your thoughts about this? So grateful for your chats Eric. We look forward to them!

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