JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 2, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Nov. 2, 2022

Eric Hansen

3:43

Ugh, I've got too may questions in the queue and no time left. Thanks to everyone who submitted one (or more). If you want to try to submit questions live on our Monday night YouTube show, your odds increase significantly of them being answered. Of course you'll have to put up with us mispronouncing your name and having Tyler's opinions sprinkled in there. As for the chat, we'll be back to do it all over against next Wednesday at noon EST.

3:40

Adam there's a lot to unpack there for the chat format. Syracuse ran on Clemson, but Garrett Shrader (QB) did most of the running. Wake's running game worked because they could get the ball downfield, which kept Clemson from loading the box. I'm not sure how ND's O-line will do, because Pyne's performance plays into it indirectly. But what I will say is ND will not win the game if it doesn't win the battle of the lines of scrimmage on both sides.

Adam (Dayton, OH)

3:37

Eric,you the man! Excellent "measure-up" game for the Irish. Read a stat from Jamie Uyema (sp), believe it was "opportunity rate". The percentage of times an offense rushed for 4 yards when at least 4 yards were available. It was from a defensive POV though, so basically Clemson's defense is ranked in the 100s in this measure...they can give up rushing yards. Yet, I know they have "dudes" on the d-line. Can the Irish offensive line match up and will they be able to run the ball? I imagine Clemson will load the box and bracket Mayer, do you concur? Can Pyne make plays to the receivers on the outside, and will he have to for ND to have a chance? Is this a tougher or easier matchup than Ohio State?

Eric Hansen

3:36

Hi Jonathan ... just made it. Glad you like those. ND shuffled guys around on the D-line, so there was a lot more Justin Ademilola at Rylie MIlls' end spot and Mills played a lot inside. The reps went down for Chris Smith and Gabe Rubio. I think if Botelhle continues to practice well and Mills continues to play well inside, that could be a pattern. We'll see. Rees said last night that both Colzie and Merriweather have really picked it up in practice, so they should play more. Watts has been surging as well.

Jonathan in Addison, TX

3:31

Eric, hi! Am I too late to get into the queue? Love the snap-count info you all publish each week on the previous game. Was pleasantly surprised to see Watts, Colzie, and Botelho with season highs (if memory serves) in participation as well as production. Correspondingly, I saw what I assume were lows from Lenzy and Griffith. But I’m not sure which defender may have lost time to make room for Botelho. Do you know? Do you expect the trend towards these 3 (and away from the others) to continue? Or do you see it as matchup-induced only? Appreciate any insight you can offer on the reasons for it as well.

Eric Hansen

3:30

I'll check in with our recruiting writer, Kyle Kelly, who's a lot more involved in those types of discusssions and get you and anwer next week, but I hadn't heard that Dasan was unhappy at IU. ... as far as the UCLA commit for baseball, Cholowsky, I think that's remote, but we'll see.

John - Palmyra, PA

3:26

Yes, Dasan. Any word on if ND would take him to replace Keeley? The QB I was referring to is Roch Cholowsky.

Eric Hansen

"Now, pictures change. You have to react. You have to be a player. But we’re trying to give our guys a great opportunity to be successful.”

3:25

“That’s where it derived from. Trying to give our guys a great opportunity to have success and try to get their eyes in the right spot and try to get them in the right call as consistently as we can, so it takes some of the experience out of it. As they build experience, you start peeling it back. Well, you start the season and your quarterback gets hurt. You’re a couple more games in with another quarterback who’s inexperienced, how can you continue to help him? It was really derived by trying to help.

“The other thing is it shrinks what we ask him to know and do. So if we’re scanning stuff, there’s a truncated menu of things that we’re going to get to. It allows our players to say, ‘We’re in this formation. These are the four calls that I can get to.’ Drew, if I call this, this is what we’re seeing. If I call this, this is what we’re seeing. It allows us to help some of those decisions happen." (more)

3:24

Jordan, I think the "scan offense" is univerally despised by ND fans. I'll admit the optics are, well, annoying. And when it doesn't produce, it's more than annoying, I would imagine, for the fan base. But let me give you Tommy Rees' own words for why it's used. This is from media interviews Tuesday night:

“We are using it more. Definitely. Definitely using it more. A lot of it was dictated by personnel. “You go into a year with a fifth-year like (Jack) Coan, there’s a certain amount of reps that he’s had where you know he’s going to see things a certain way. You go into a season like this season, you have two quarterbacks that have never started a game between the two of them. How can you help them? How can you take some of that off of them and put it on us?" (more)

Jordan from SB

3:20

Eric, They say if it's stupid and it works, then it's not stupid. I suppose since we scored before the half that it technically "worked". My question is, doesn't it seem inefficient to run a "look to me offense" with less than a minute on a running clock? Seems like a 2 minute package of plays that Pyne (or whomever is under center) can run without having to check with the sideline would make more sense. I don't think we can reasonably rely on Drew to complete long balls to get in scoring position as he has shown it is not his forte.

Eric Hansen

3:19

Hi Billy, thanks for the nice long intro. I'm going to cut and paste it and have Tyler James use that on our podcasts (I kid, I kid). I think the ND players have seen Drew at his best, so they know there's another level than what he's shown the past three games. Now it's not a Joe Montana level, but given how well some of the other elements of the team have come along, I do think there's a general confidence Pyne CAN play well enough to help ND be in every game remaining on its schedule. Now WILL he?

Billy from Natick MA

3:16

As a first time caller but regular reader, just wanted to say I continue to respect your level-headed perspective, and hope you continue to cement what seems to be a unique niche as the pre-eminent, reasonable observer/commentator re: Dome football. Thanks for being that guy. That said, an unreasonable question: with seemingly most everyone outside the program down on Drew Pyne, bless him, am wondering if you might have gleaned any feel for whether teammates believe he can make enough plays to win? Doubt we'll be pushing Clemson's pro d-line around or be doing it with Mayer and Tommy-mirrors against smart coaches with speed and talent everywhere else -- the quarterback's gonna have to use the field, keep it from shrinking, no? Hard to go into a game against confident, good guys if, in your heart of hearts, you feel sorta handicapped - basically, do you think the players have enough faith in Drew so that, if they play a reasonably clean game and do their part, they will win this game?

Eric Hansen

3:16

Hi Matt. I hope I pointed out those things in my article, but I wouldn't go as far to say ND has turned the corner forever. The next stage for the Irish is getting those performances consistently, and the QB play is worrisome, because even if it improves and stabilizes, it's only going to do so marginally. But when you look at the key metrics beyond pass effiency, the arrow is pointing up, which usually indicates sustainable success.

Matthew from St. Louis

3:13

Hi Eric! Thank you for doing this every week. One of your articles after the Syracuse game sounded like you are pretty optimistic that ND has rounded the corner. I’m still not sure I’m ready to believe. Since you are such a grounded reporter, what has convinced you that this wasn’t just a decent showing against a team still recovering from playing Clemson? Thank you!

Eric Hansen

3:13

Skip. I'll wait until after the season for grade, detentions and extra recess.

Skip from Houston

3:12

I think you have properly shied away from grading ND coaches. Perhaps after eight games it is fair to pose this question. How would you rate the effectiveness of each ND coach (other than the special teams coach who must get an A) and coaching staff as a whole? Thank you.

Eric Hansen

3:11

John, he's still playing out the process with Notre Dame really no longer on his radar. The recruitment changed when an uncle got involved. ... As far as Deland's sons, one medically retired from football (Deland II). The one in high school (Daeh) is a cornerback and is headed to Cincinnati. ND is signing two elite CB prospects in this class in Christian Gray and Micah Bell. ... The one who could help possibly is Dassan, a freshman edge player at Indiana who has 36 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and 4 sacks. I'm not sure that he would want to leave IU. ... The baseball player that I assume you're talking about is Ryan Mooney. The WR is up to 12 scholarship offers for football, including two from Power 5 schools, so I don't think the percentage is high he'd want to walk on at ND. ... Elite QBs many times believe they're better than the people they'll be competing against.

John - Palmyra, PA

2:57

What is going on with Keon Keeley? I have a feeling he’s not completely done with Notre Dame. He seems very much like a Notre Dame man, and Hass to be aware of what is brewing in South Bend. No? In the event that he does not return to the class, any chance that Deland McCullough’s son/sons gain admission through the portal? The young baseball players film looks great. Give me a percentage that he actually walks on the practice field at Notre Dame. Lastly, what is Christopher Vezzina thinking? Is it the warm weather, the southern girls, or does he really think he has a chance of playing before Klubnik? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:57

Since we just addressed the Pyne critiques, let me focus on your Evans question. I think it's possible — since Evans was a high school quarterback -- to throw out of the sneak play they've run with him four times. As a true Wildcat package, no. Because he's not an elite runner, but expanding the Mitchapalooza package, yeah I think there are some interesting possibilities there.

Jerry Dallas, Tx

2:54

Jerry from Dallas. Eric, I don't understand the non-stop vitriol against Drew Pyne. Pyne must read this and it can't help his confidence. Yes, he hasn't played well, but he's all we've got. It's not like Freeman can bring in a CJ Stroud, and, as I understand it, things won't improve with Steve Angeli, at least at this point. Would using the wildcat with Evans more help?

Eric Hansen

2:53

Tom, thanks. I hope the critique of Pyne doesn't come off as a personal attack. It is not meant to be. I try to be analytical and support that analysis with facts and reasonable projections. I think most of the chat-heads here are trying to do the same -- asking how can this situatoin get better? To your play, you do realize if this is a really good idea, that you're submitting it to the wrong person? I assume you are including the QB in the three-many backfield. Otherwise, you'd have 12 men on the field which would work, but is cheating. I wouldn't mind seeing your play. I would not use it against Clemson, however. Maybe Navy.

Tom from Toronto

2:48

Hi Eric, I really enjoy the chats. You get interesting questions and you provide knowledgeable and insightful answers. Thank you. I have a minor rant and a play. I think that it is time for all of us to cut Drew Pyne some slack. He is doing his best and has performed adequately. He is due for a breakout game and it may come this weekend. As to the play, on ND's first possession, first play, three man backfield, Michael Mayer left, two wide outs. Fake hand off to the first back, keep the second back in to pick up the blitz, and fire the ball to the right wide out for a long completion/touchdown. What do you think? Am I being delusional or can this work? Thank you.

Eric Hansen

2:48

In following up on Botelho, ND does have a grad assistant that helps with the defensive line (Michael Moon). The team LOVES Botelho. He has a lot of support and a lot of people rooting for him. I believe Mike Elston leaving was very hard on him. Will I have a chance to talk to him soon? I hope so. ND has been great at getting us a pretty wide vareity of players we didn't often get in the Kelly regime. We have never gotten a chance to interview Jordan ... yet.

Jeff from Phoenix

2:44

Hey Eric, I’d appreciate your thoughts on Jordan Botelho and his much improved visibility and impact vs Syracuse. Golden said a good week of practice translated to more opportunity. But is there any reason that only now, in his third year, we have seen him step up and to believe his impact will be sustained? Does he now connect with one of the new coaches or is there another player that is pushing and mentoring him? Will you have a chance to talk with him in the near future? Thanks as always-

Eric Hansen

2:42

You're welcome, and plan to get to your email tonight. Yes, there are two possibilities: the Gator Bowl and the Reliaquest Bowl.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

2:40

Hi Eric, Let's say ND finishes 8-4 and LSU loses to Alabama and finishes 9-3 are there any possibilities where ND and LSU could meet in a Bowl game? I'm sure the media would have a field day with that one!! Thanks for taking all the time you do to answer all of questions. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

2:39

No. 1. I think the three coordinators and three schemes in three years hurt Botelho more than any other Irish defensive player. No. 2, he was playing behind a future first-round draft choice (Isaiah Foskey) AND one of the most productive defensive players this season (Justin Ademilola). Foskey now is playing an even higher number of snaps than he was earlier in the season. Botelho's opening came because of a surge in practice AND Golden playing Foskey and Justin together against Syracuse at time. Still, it means taking one of those guys off the field if you're going to play Botelho. Here's the good news. He has a chance to be a starter next year. AND, if he can be a surer tackler and play the run better, it'll open up more opportunities for him. I would not give up on that happening.

2:32

Hi Mike. There's a few Jordan Botelho questions and you sound the angriest about it. Full disclosure, Botelho has fascinated me since he signed with the Irish because of his mix of extreme volatility and extreme talent walking in the door. The EASIEST path for Botelho once he got sent home the summer of his freshman year for violating COVID protocols repeatedly and once he sat more than played because he couldn't channel his aggression into production was to run away and transfer. He did not. He stayed, grew up and got better. I admire that. So why hasn't there been a bigger payoff this year? (more)

Mike, Gilbert,AZ

2:27

Eric, I’m in disbelief that it takes a player until game 7 to get on the field. Golden said Bothelo was learning the D. How about putting him in on 3rd down and saying go get the QB?I always thought guys who could sack the QB were quite valuable. Total misuse of a player. What do you think? Thanks for the chats. Go IRISH!

Eric Hansen

2:26

His understanding and involvement is growing by the week.

Michael from Atlanta

2:26

Hi Eric-Thanks for the chats. Any idea how involved Freeman is with the offense-both game planning, personnel, during the game, etc.?

Eric Hansen

2:26

Hi Tom. I answered the Tyree question already, but let me get to the other parts. Syracuse nose guard Kevon Darton and his quickness has been a problem for just about everyone he's faced. He's third on the team in tackles (36), which is very unusual for a nose guard. Tommy Rees was singing his praises Tuesday night with what he can accomplish with his quickness. Yes, it would be nice to see Colize replicate the success he had against Syrcause, and do it on all parts of the field, including the red zone.

Tom from Grand Rapids

2:23

Eric, Welcome to November and 70 degree temperatures. I shouldn’t be shocked with the way this season is going. Was it just me or did #52 have a really tough time with an undersized nose, who just out-toughed him? It was nice to see Colzie active and involved, might his big body be another weapon down near the goal line to take an extra body away from #87? What are your thoughts of moving Tyree to slot, and for now, rotating just two tailbacks? Tyree needs space to be most effective, and right now he’s not seeing it in the backfield. I like his chances against linebackers in space with some play action mixed in to help……as always Go IRISH ☘️

Eric Hansen

2:19

Kevin, you did miss it. Over and over LOL. Marcus Freeman has answered it. Al Golden as answered it. What feeds a good red zone defense are three things: Turnovers, missed field goals and teams going for it on fourth down and failing. That's the remedy. Notre Dame has surged dramatically in recent weeks in many defensive categories -- most significantly run defense, third-down defense and total defense. In fact, at No. 28 in total D, ND is now one spot behind Clemson (27). The Irish D has finally started to generate some turnovers. If they can get those in the red zone, that area will improve quickly.

Kevin-Sleepy Eye,MN

2:14

ERIC!!!! I could have missed it; but did anyone question Marcus on red zone defense on Monday? I would think it would be emphasized heavily this week. Is our red zone defense the biggest weakness our defense has?

Eric Hansen

2:14

Rich it appears that you have submitted a rhetorical statement. I will let it stand on its own. Talk amongst yourselves.

Rich Key West

2:10

It appears to me like the time has come for Tommy Rees to prove that he deserves the Offensive Coordinator and more so Quarterback coach positions. Pyne is struggling horribly and with Clemson and Southern Cal coming up we need a quarterback with some confidence and ability to compete. He obviously can play much better but needs someone to lift his performance up to the level expected of him. That has to be Rees with some help from his boss. They evidently have not prepared Angeli to step in or he surely would have done so. This is what the coaches are paid to do, so its time for them to do their job.

Eric Hansen

2:10

Clemson had trouble against Wake Forest's wide receivers, but ND's haven't proven to be at their level. And Clemson has been an improved defense. Given Pyne's strengths and limitations, I'd try to get the ball out quick to the backs and Mayer and methodically drive down the field bleding in the run and taking some occasional deep shots. The challenge with my strategy is that it would require a very high completion percentage to make it work, something Pyne has struggled with the past three games.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:06

Eric, Thanks for hosting. How many things have gone wrong with the passing game? Exclude the O line development for now. QB accuracy, QB can't run designed run plays, not finding receivers at all, or finding too late, injuries part or full time to 4 tight ends and three receivers, Running backs not picking up blitzes like Kyren W did, wrong patterns being run, dropped balls, What can we expect from the passing game this week to complement the running game as part of a plan to win this week's game?

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