JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 15, 2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Oct. 15, 2025

Eric Hansen

1:39

OK that's going to have to do it for this week. I'm off to women's basketball media day, which would have been much better being scheduled next week LOL. Oh well. Thanks for all the great questions! And, check out Mike Singer, Landon Tengwall, Tyler Horka and me on the Notre Dame Football Show tonight live at 8 ET on the blueandgold YouTube channel. As far as the chats, we'll be back next Wednesday at our regular noon ET time slot to do it all again.

1:35

Hi Matt. I addressed the Bryce Young part of this earlier, so let me focus on Boubacar Traore. While Bryce Young is ND's sixth-ranked defender in the first half of the season, BT is No. 2. And he's good across the board. No. 2 overall behind Leonard Moore. No. 1 pass rush of anyone with more than one pass-rush snap. No. 2 tackler behind Tae Johnson and even No. 4 in coverage overall, though he's only had 4 coverage snaps. So the eye test matches the PFF test in this case.

Matt from DC

1:29

Good morning!! I’ve been very impressed with Boubacar Traore’s rise this year. He seems to jump off the screen even to someone like me who may not understand all the nuances of D-Line play. I was expecting a much bigger jump out of Bryce Young, though. How has their play looked to you (and are there any more advanced stats to indicate they may be playing better/worse than I may think from the eye test?) thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:29

Hi Jeff. If he did, then he kept it a secret from one of the best defensive coordinators in college football, Jim Knowles, who left Ohio State to go to Penn State this offseason.

Jeff, Port St. Lucie

1:27

Do you think Ja'Juan Seider was more willing to move to Notre Dame last offseason because he saw what might be coming at Penn State and wanted to beat the posse out of town?

Eric Hansen

1:26

Hi Joe. I actually wrote about this on Tuesday: Change for a nickel? Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame ponder their pass-defense options vs. USC ... so if you want more depth on the topic, I'd check that out. No. 6 is Makai Lemon, and he is having as good a year as a WR as anyone in college football in 2025. But to your question, ND did go into the portal for an experienced nickel and got him -- DeVonta Smith. The problem has been healthy. He's missed three games, including the last two, and played more than 20 snaps in only one game. A great pass rush will help. Intermittent Leonard Moore on Lemon is a possibility. A healthy Smith would be great. The good news is Dallas Golden has played 199 snaps this season and is learning and is a great athlete. Not yet a great DB, but a great athlete. And that will help.

Joe H Williams Bay Wi

1:20

Hi Eric Thanks again for hosting such a great forum While I love how the defense has played the last 3 weeks I’m very concerned how we are going to do against SC wideouts especially #6.Seems like this is the first year of the last three that we haven’t gone to the portal and gotten a real good nickel who excels in pass coverage I’m sure So Cal will try and exploit our young nickel backs what do you think we can do to help them outside of a great pass rush

Eric Hansen

1:20

James, thank you, but you may be giving me too much credit, but thank you. I'll take it. ... Marcus Freeman's calling card is authenticity, so I think the outbursts are less pragmatic in nature than they are just genuine emotion and/or disgust. I pay a lot less attention to the quality of officiating than most people do, because I think it's important to transcend it rather than belabor it. But some calls and reviews got my attention on Saturday. James, I think that's a good thought on where the energy should be spent, but I don't think one comes at the expense of the other. I think you can be mad at the officials and still make good decisions on fourth downs. Unfortunately, only one of those things happened on Saturday.

James Placitas, New Mexico

What are your reflections on the sideline outbursts by HCMF at the officials ? Do you believe it changes refs manner of calling the game ? Couldn’t the energy be better spent on planning for Fourth down situations ?

1:15

Eric~
Thanks for the gentlemanly display of team work with Tyler, Blue and Gold, and your monastic vigilance following each five hour gameday ! Your sincere and earnest listening and requests for Tyler ‘s point of view remind me on occasion that the backdrop for FNS should be adjacent to the Reconciliation Room at Sacred Heart… but i digress!

Matt from Austin

1:14

Hello Eric. I hope this finds you well. I'm sure the queue is full of questions regarding Craig's injury and Otting's ability to step in, so let me pivot. Carr still seems to get a little loose with his throws and turnovers will be at a premium against SC. Can you give us three other things to focus on that you see as vital to a victory? Lastly, who will be Notre Dame's MVP this week? Thanks Eric!!!

Eric Hansen

1:13

2) Marcus Freeman explained the team's thinking on those two plays in his Monday press conference. 3) I agree with your thinking here and in some other games. Sometimes, you need to make it a two-possession game and put the pressure on the opposing team's offense. ... Now that you explained you were there in person, it makes more sense, because you are not getting the rationale in your ear in real time as you would watching on TV and maybe someone spilled a beer on you. In any event, thanks for the questions.

1:09

Rick. You opening statement stopped me in my tracks. A 36-7 victory over a team that took out a ranked Virginia team is THE MOST FRUSTRAING win you can remember? Wow. I'm sure there were elements that were befuddling, but talk about throwing the baby out with the bath water. Ok, to your questions. (I think I need to violate the no-drinking rule after that. I am stunned.) 1) Rick, I can't control who and what you read, but no one on our staff painted that picture. Now, did we think ND would play MORE two-back than it has in the past. Yes. But the way you win football games is finding weaknesses in the defense and exploiting them, not sticking to a template. So if/when that opportunity shows itself, you will see that personnel group. (more)

Rick from ohio

1:04

As a lifelong ND fan I can’t remember a more frustrating victory than Saturday’s win over NC State. I could approach the 17 question limit but will concentrate on these items: 1.) By preseason accounts we were led to believe that Love and Price would be on the field at the same time. I can only remember a handful of times that has happened. Do you think they are saving that combination for USC? 2.) Why do you think they ran virtually the same play on the two fourth down tries hoping our one receiver can beat his man without a plan B? 3.) On going on fourth down twice in a tie game late in the half seems to be chasing points rather than getting a lead in a game that at that time was a dogfight. If Burnette was questionable to attempt 25 and 32 yard field goals why did they run him out there to kick a 48 yarder as time expired? It’s possible my frustration was fueled to my being in the stadium Saturday. Thanks for the great work Eric.

Eric Hansen

1:04

Hi Len$$$. i appreciate the research and time you put into the question. I wish that, in the format of doing a live chat, where my research time is very limited, that I could match you. I can't. Perhaps this is a long-form story I could do at some point. But I'll try my best within my constraints here. Let's compare how good this line is going into game 7 vs. what it would need to be in the playoff. And the answer is, the progress is encouraging, but the cake needs to go back into the oven, especially when it comes to run blocking. And not likely to have Jagusah before the postseason and maybe not in the postseason does not help that prospect. But I think there's potential for the right side of the line, in particular, it be much better in December than it is now. Who the long-term answer is at center and how well they play is a huge factors as well.

Len from the Jersey Shore

12:55

Sorry Eric, I hit the send button. If Bill S stays for next season, it will be only the second time since 2014 that ND has not had an O lineman drafted for two consecutive years. I would slot Bill S between Hainsey and Patterson near the lower end of ND players on the O line that were drafted during this time if he decided to leave. How good is this line, especially in run blocking, compared to the last 12 years? Thanks Eric for hosting.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-2013 - none
2014 - Zach Martin (1), Chris Watt (3)
2015 – none ;
2016 - Ronnie Stanley (1), Nick Martin (2)
2017 – none
2018 – Quentin Nelson (1), Mike McGlinchey (1)
2019 – none
2020 – none - Only time two years in a row
2021 – Liam Eichenberg (2), Aaron Banks (2), Robert Hainsey (3)
2022 – none
2023 – Jarrett Patterson (6)
2024 – Joe Alt (1), Blake Fischer (2)
2025 – None

12:54

Hello Eric $$$$! Following is a list of ND O-linemen drafted with the round since O line U returned to ND in 2014.

Eric Hansen

12:54

Mark!!!!!!!!!!! Not only did you ask a great question, your punctuation game is next level. The good part of the answer to your question is that ND flexes its depth so often and at so many position groups, the backups perform at a very high level. But I would say another O-line injury would be tough to take. Sullivan Absher is next up and then Chris Terek, but the tackles are problematic because of inexperienced backups (Absher can play there, though). Losing Leonard Moore, we have seen, changes that dynamic in the back end. Tight end would be problematic, though Cooper Flanagan should be back soon. There are specific players and not necessarily position groups where you'd lose a lot. Boubacar Traore and KVA for instance.

Mark - Memphis, TN

12:49

Hi Eric!!!! Long-time reader, first time with a question. First, a comment: I loved the way ND snuck their second-team o-line on the field for the fake punt. They opened up a big hole for Buchner and made the play work. Now, my question: As the season wears on, attrition becomes a greater issue and depth a greater concern. At what positions do you see the gap between starter and backup to be the greatest?

Eric Hansen

12:49

Hi Don. You are not misperceiving the bounce in my step. It's real and it's spectacular, so to speak. .. to you actual question(s), I think those are legit concerns. If ND has fault lines in this matchups, that's where the cracks would most likely happen. But the Irish have a lot going for them. And USC has its weaknesses, including a 1-11 record the last 12 times it's ventured into the Eastern or Central time zones.

Don in Scottsdale

12:46

Eric, I'm late to the chat and a lot of other things as well!!!! For some reason I have a feeling this game will be a long, tough game for ND. I hope I'm wrong, but I think the O line will have a tough game as well as the defensive secondary. Are my fears simply ghosts from USC of old or are they somewhat grounded. By the way your output on the new site is great. I may be mistaken but it seems like you have a bounce in step!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

12:46

There you go. Thanks for chiming in on that point, Derek!

Derek - Oakville Canada

12:46

For Kevin from Calgary - While no Peacock in Canada all games are streamed live on Fighting Irish TV to international audiences for free.

Eric Hansen

12:45

Hi Charlie, you did a great job of packing a lot of different elements and tangents into that question. Let me answer this more generally. The offensive line play has improved since the start of the year and needs to keep coming. They've been much better at pass blocking than run blocking. What you may not be accounting for is how defenses play Notre Dame, and most are going to take their chances with the passing game and load up the box. That's going to result in some less-than-impressive running plays followed by some strong passing ones. CJ Carr's continual growth at the line of scrimmage pre-snap will help the process, through sliding protections, etc. I know there are frustrating moments, but big picture it's still the No. 14 team in scoring offense and No. 21 in total offense. .. with room for improvement.

Charlie in Palm Desert

12:32

Eric---can we talk? I think the O-line (our supposed strength) is seriously out of whack. The best RB tandem in the US gets stuffed at the line (or behind it) way too often. Confronted with 4th-and-inches and we resort to trickeration: a rollout pass play for minus 10...a play on which Knapp completely ignores 2 rushers lined up in his face who eventually run Carr our of bounds. These guys were supposed to jell as the season progressed. Do you know what's happening?

Eric Hansen

12:31

Hi Jeremy. All of the above. If ND thought the sneak was their best option, I think they would have tried that more often. Now with center Ashton Craig out, I'm not sure those odds improve. Now if 6-7, 322-pound Sullivan Absher becomes the long-term solution, maybe then it works out.

Jeremy from Goshen

12:29

Is the issue on 4th and short blocking? play calling? why not do a QB Sneak? Also I am waiting for the play of rolling the pocket to the right with a throwback pass to the tight end leaking out on the other side.

Eric Hansen

12:28

When you have really good coaches, assistant or head coaches, people will take a run at them. If they're average, you don't have to deal with that. But I would not expect there to be mutual interest for Marcus Freeman when it came to Florida.

Patrick from Los Angeles

12:27

Just read that Florida is going after Freeman. Do you think that is true, and do you think he may be interested? Thank you.

Eric Hansen

12:27

Hi Tim. I talked to Bob last Saturday as I was heading to the game and he has his eyes on ND. I hope to see him doing some commentary down the road. He is really, really good at it. Thanks for bringing him up today.

Tim from Atlanta

12:25

Hi Eric--many Irish fans have been missing the expert commentary from your buddy Bob Morton. He is the best. Makes the X's and O'x accessible and has an understanding of ND football culture like no other. Hilarious to boot! Hope he is OK and that he'll be back to discuss the season soon. GO IRISH, destroy SC

Eric Hansen

12:25

Special teams coordinator Marty Biagi was asked that question last night. His answer was that there was an officiating error, that they mis-spotted the ball, so they had to stop the action and correct that. Right thing to do, but not ideal timing.

Guest

12:23

Brian from NJ. Any idea why the refs wouldn’t allow the hurry-up after Buckner’s fake punt/first down? It looked like the ND offense was loaded to go vs. their punt return team.

Eric Hansen

12:23

Hi Ryan. Both of them looked very good against NC State last week. The NC State coach, Dave Doeran, was surprised how Eli could get behind his defense. If your score is correct, there will be a big party in South Bend on Saturday night and into Sunday.

Ryan Frankfort illinois

12:21

Good afternoon Eric what do you think about the Play of Eli Rairdon And Will Pauling Both looked good vs Nc state my score prediction this week is 42-21 Irish Or something like That GO IRISH ☘️☘️☘️🏈🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

12:21

Hi Tom, Defense has not been USC calling card during the Lincoln Riley Era at all. This year, there are elements of it that have played very well. The Trojans are 29th in run defense, 7th in sacks, 12th in tackles for loss and 16th in turnovers forced. That's a significant challenge, so that's a great question you asked about replacing Craig with Otting. ND's pass protection had been improving. And the big leak in that defense is pass defense. If you get time to throw, you can gash them. The Trojans are 98th in pass-efficiency defense. I am not sure Otting is the long-term solution at center, but he can earn that this week. If he struggles, perhaps they look at Sullivan Absher there after the bye week.

Tom K from Chicago

12:16

With Ashton Craig out for the year, does USC have the run D capability to exploit a new potential weakness in the middle of our line?

Eric Hansen

12:16

Happy Birthday, Tom! You have a good memory, mine is next week. To your questions ... 1) Yes, I agree about the strong start. USC has some leaks in its defense, but it's offense is so relentless, it's tough to play catchup. 2) No. Not sure many college DCs are, but Chris Ash and the defensive staff have gotten better and better at that with each passing week and at other aspects as well. The halftime tinkering has been really good. 3) I am curious to see what USC's running game looks like with their top 2 RBs out. No. 3, King Miller, ran all over Michigan. ND has more playmakers on defense. USC more on offense. 4) Too early too tell. But I know who needs to win on Saturday night to keep getting questions like this. I don't know that the intrigue would be as great re the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

12:08

Hi Eric, thanks for having the Chat on my birthday! I believe yours is next week. Happy Birthday!!! Quick ??'s: How important is it to get off to a good start against SC?? 2) Is Ash as quick to make in-game adjustments as Golden was?? 3) This game has a lot of real playmakers on both sides. Do you see either team with an edge? 4) Presuming ND wins this week who should ND fans be rooting for is some of the key other games? Ole Miss-UGA? Tenn-Ala? Go Irish!!!!!

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