JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 11, 2024

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 11, 2024

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Eric Hansen

3:37

OK, I went the extra 35 minutes and failed miserably to get anywhere close to answering all of them, but I tried to get to the ones that didn't repeat. Thanks for being classy, for not abusing the revoking of the "no drinking" rule, for some really GREAT discussion. You all made my week. And we'll do it all over again next week at noon ET on Wednesday.

3:35

Sean, I knew If I didn't get to you, I'd get an email. What I would add that you could interpret as positive is this is a team that has a top 25 roster and then some. But it needs to turn back into a top 25 TEAM.

Sean, Schaumburg, IL

3:34

How? How did this happen? I'm distraught. Two questions-will an 11-1 ND get into the CFP? I'm of the belief it could prevent it. Does this bring job security into question now? You can't lose to a MAC team as the HC of Notre Dame football. Thoroughly outplayed in every facet of the game. 3rd down defense was abysmal. 6-25 on 3rd downs on the season on offense. Do you have anything of a positive nature to add? I'm in shock.

Eric Hansen

3:34

I loved your creativity, so I had to get this in before the final buzzer. 1) Yes I have, but no in an ND games so far. 2) Not sure I understand what you're asking me on this one, sorry. I'm too old or too dense. 3) Not sure they're constricted, but it might look that way on TV.

johngipp Lititz, PA

3:32

Hey Eric, I know a lot of questions will be about QB play so I''ll add my three cents. 1) Have you seen evidence that gives optimism that RL can be an accurate passer given Sat he looked like Chuck Knoblauch at times. 2) If optimism is there, at what range would he be most comfortable? 3) It seems that the pass patterns being run are constricted. Is this due to accuracy, range, receivers not able to get open, or me being all wet? Please don't treat me harshly as if I just fell off an Amish wagon.

Eric Hansen

3:32

Hi Andy. There's been coordinators who have won national titles calling games from the sidelines and ones who have called them from the box. And Mike Denbrock and Marcus Freeman put a lot of thought into it. And Mike has done both during his career. And they decided that sidelines was best for THIS team. And next year the best option may be upstairs.

Guest

3:30

Andy - Wilmette IL: Thank you for chatting. As I saw it, the Defense sort of bounced back from 1st QTR blunders however NIL was able to chew up the clock all game (and it killed us). The +8 minute Time of Possession advantage for NIL was nerve-racking. The offense (with a little "o") could not seem to adjust to what was going on. 3Q's: Do you think that being in the press box (at ND Stadium) is an advantage for the offensive play caller? Were there any NIL play callers (offense or defense) in the press box? In my opinion, standing at ground level does not give you a great overview of what is going on. Do you think Coach Denbrook may consider sitting in the press box next home game or is he dead set on standing on the sideline? Go Irish!

Eric Hansen

3:29

Hi Tom. We got a version of this earlier, but this has a different spin. NIU was picked to finish third in the MAC, so probably a better team than the Toledo team that almost took down ND at home in game 2 of 2021 and way better than the Ball State team that scared the 2018 ND playoff team in game 2 of that season. NIU plays NC State on the road in two weeks. I'll give you a better answer then.

Tom Rosenberger

3:26

Hey Eric; I have another question. The NBC announcer stated that NIU's OL had 119 combined starts, WOW. Our OL had if Im' not mistaken 11. I assume their DL had a similar number by doing the eye test. Antario Brown, the running back is an absolute beast who we could not contain. Did ND simply get beat by a very, very good team, and if they continue to dominate, how will that affect ND's playoff standings at the end of the season (assuming no more ND losses)?

Eric Hansen

3:26

I do, but haven't calculated a score prediction yet. I want to get the Thursday update from Marcus Freeman before I do that. And keep in mind, I was way off last week, so ....

scubavt jamestown TN

3:25

As banged up as we are on both sides of the ball do you think we will beat Purdue?

Eric Hansen

3:24

Hi Sean. Oben has been slow to come around. He played only 11 snaps last game. And if Josh Burnham can make it back from an ankle injury, I would expect Josh to start on Saturday. More of Bryce Young goo. Clark has been really good, but only played 16 snaps on Saturday. He was ND's highest-rated player, per PFF's film grades, on either side of the ball for the Irish against NIU. Heard has been OK. Really good tackler, so-so in coverage in two games.

Sean, Portland OR

3:20

In terms of transfers, I think we can all see how the punter, kicker, QB, and WR (Kris Mitchell) are doing. How would you evaluate those on defense? I barely see Oben play. What about Heard and Clark?

Eric Hansen

3:20

Hi Adam and thank you. In Marcus' defense he's had three OCs in three years, and I don't think an identity has to stay the same. Just because Jim Tressel is a mentor doesn't mean he's taking tips on how to play offense X's and O's wise. It's more how to handle decisions, big-picture dynamics of handling adversity and success. ... 2) I do think there's some truth in there being a schematic tendency against the run that can be exposed ... and now has to be fixed.

Adam, (Dayton, OH)

Eric, Think I flubbed that one, so, again, thank you for all you do as a must-follow for Fighting Irish fans. That loss got me good. Concerned about ND's offense. Freeman gets the coordinator he wants, he gets the qb he wants, yet he is on camera interviewing before a game, saying "we don't want to be throwing the ball downfield and making plays, that's not our identity". Then, he says Purdue will load the box and "we have to throw the ball downfield". So, three years in, I ask, does Marcus Freeman even know what he wants his offense to be? I've brought this up before, but the Tressel conservative influence frightens me. Question 2. Al Golden has been great. But, if there is a consistent weakness through 3 years, it is a propensity to give up rushing yards right up the gut. I have heard a former ND player turned podcaster say it's Golden's scheme. Is there truth to that? Is Golden just willing to concede yards that way in order to have a great pass defense? NIU's success on second down runs was infuriating.

3:17

Eric. Goodness, Thank you for being amongst the best in the biz, and for doing these great chats.

Eric Hansen

3:16

Hi Don, thanks for the kind words for me. Let me get to the elements that haven't been addressed. With Tosh Baker out, there's not a lot of viable alternatives at tackle. Having said that, the two tackles were the No. 3 and 4 highest-rate players on offense in the game for ND, of the 19 who played. And swapping out linemen like new underwear is risky. Very different from say a wide receiver in that you have to kind of start over with cohesion and continuity. But when you're hovering near the bottom of the FBS in offensive statistics, I get why there are those types of questions. I wasn't watching on TV, but I thought the NIU QB got the first down. And the venting was well within reason.

Don from Cincinnati

3:11

Eric thanks for your great expertise. Such a disappointing loss. so many flaws were exposed in the A&M win and NIU executed accordingly. They attacked our O-L,pressed our receivers,and made our QB beat them through the air,executed a short passing game and attacked the edge in their running game. I feel it is time for some real soul searching on our QB and personnel decisions in the offensive line; they have not executed well in either game. Also question why we didn't request a review on the 4th and 2 first down on NIU field goal drive as the QB was carrying the ball in his right hand when he went out of bounds. That spot would have turned the ball over to ND. However it should never should never have gotten to this point. Too many problems to enumerate; totally disenchanted but I have not lost faith. What is your take. I value your excellent expertise.

Eric Hansen

3:10

These false starts are killing me LOL. I think I've answered this earlier, so I'll let you vent without a response.

Jim Oregonia, OH

3:10

Hi Eric...I think I inadvertently hit the send button before submitting my question(s). How serious is the labrum tear to Riley's shoulder? Unfortunately, I think MF and ND have shot themselves in the foot with the whole NIL QB deal and are being handcuffed into starting Riley. Angelli has shown himself to be a way better passer than Riley. Take Leonard's ability to run out of the picture and he becomes a total liability. MF needs to swallow his pride and give Angelli a chance I believe. This offense is horrendous and with no threat of a passing game, teams are going to stack the box and force us to beat them through the air, which we are not able to do with Leonard. Why won't MF consider giving a backup a shot in a game where it is obvious the starter is struggling so bad? I unfortunately think Purdue is going to beat us, and fairly soundly, Saturday...hope I am wrong but.... Thanks for all you do and sorry to vent.

Eric Hansen

3:09

Hi Ryan, congrats on the move. I hope it suits you. Cooper started and played 36 snaps and really struggled. That was especially true with his pass blocking. He can and will play better.

Ryan Frankfort Illinois

3:08

Good afternoon Eric what do you think about the play of Copper Flanagan he looked good vs Am this Is Ryan From Mars but i moved to Illinois I think we win 28-21 this weekend GO IRISH ☘️☘️☘️🏈🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

3:08

No argument here.

Jim Oregonia, OH

3:08

Eric!!!!! Oh boy, this is not going to be a fun week for you! The NIU game was not the hardest I have ever seen, that is reserved for the loss to Boston College in 1993 because that ND team was NC caliber and our current team is not! This loss was an embarrassment! I love me some MF but you CAN NOT have this kind of effort in year 3 of your program.

Eric Hansen

3:07

I did hear/see that.

Jeff from Phoenix

3:07

To paraphrase a certain NBC broadcaster, "Eric has started chats in the past but this is the first time he's started a chat when he was the starter, and he'll respond well"

Eric Hansen

3:07

Hi John. Given what I think Purdue is going to do defensively (and that they have one of the best safeties in college football), I'm going to hit them early with quick, high-percentage stuff. And if I'm going to use Love at all split out wide, this is the game I think I can find a mismatch with that. Defensively, ND needs to load up against the run and make Purdue one dimensional and then trust what was the nation's No. 1 pass defense in 2023 to rise to that occasion again. They HAVE to get Purdue in way more third-and-long situations than they did vs. NIU.

John from Chatham, NJ

3:04

The Statement and the question: The most glaring thing to me about the game is we all should be realistic that the ND offense is still a work in progress and the D needed to clamp down to win this game. I thought the defense made glaring errors on the edge with not defending jet sweeps, swing passes, QB runs and the like on the flank. Not to say there were not any other problem areas but this seemed pervasive. My question: ND is struggling with protection, has a QB making dubious decisions, and still seems to lack anyone in WR group as a vertical threat that the opposing team fears. Purdue knows all this as well. How do we counter it on Saturday? Thanks....hope this was not a manifesto!

Eric Hansen

3:04

Duly noted.

John from Chatham, NJ

3:04

Hi Eric- A summary, a statement, a question: Perhaps what is most disappointing about Saturdays game is that it did not look like an upset in any way, shape, or form. A very experienced team with senior led leadership came into ND and executed their plan. Perhaps it plays out differently if ND makes a stop on NIU first drive and gets ball back to make it 14-0 early? Giving a team like this any oxygen is the worst thing possible. We will never know.

Eric Hansen

3:03

OK, we've hit the 3 p.m. bewitching hour. I'm going to try to push forward for a while longer, since the questions have been EXCELLENT and my next media commitment isn't bearing down on me immediately, as it is most weeks. But this will be more of a lightning-round format, so we can get to more. So if you're asking about the meaning of life or you didn't include your name and hometown, I'm going to scroll by.

3:02

Chris, again a legit question and ND's new injury policy doesn't allow for answers to those questions during the week unless Marcus volunteers that info. We can ask all we went and did. But what I can tell you is the two games in which Leonard played with the bad ankle post-ND in 2023 were the two worst pass-efficiency games of his career. Now they came against Louisville and Florida State, two pretty good defenses in 2023. So there might be something to your concern and one I trust the coaching staff to accurately assess through practices this week.

Chris from Louisville,Ky

2:57

Eric, I suffered the same fate, having to watch the game from my stadium seat. I’m wondering if Leonard’s ankle issues aren’t fixed. Seems he lacks velocity to get the ball down field. He just seems to have regressed from a throwing standpoint from last year at Duke.

Eric Hansen

2:57

I found the better version of your question, Guy. Just wanted to use it for the transcript. My answer is still the same.

Guy-Lakeside Park,Ky

2:57

Steve Angeli has shown a lot of loyalty to ND by staying put and not jumping into the portal.In lieu of Riley’s struggles and health issues,shouldn’t that loyalty be reciprocated.?Steve A has looked good in his limited chances and particularly in the Sun Bowl.

Eric Hansen

2:56

Guy, it depends on the extent of how banged up and how that would limit him. I think that's a legit question.

Guy-Lakeside Park,Ky

2:56

Isn’t a healthy Steve Angeli a better option than a banged up Leonard?He has shown well in his limited opportunities.He has been loyal to ND by staying put,that loy

Eric Hansen

2:55

As far as your first part, assertion. I don't think Marcus is a people pleaser and listens to too many people. I think he's authentic and open, and I like that about him.

2:54

So why isn't this working at ND the past two years (after working in 2021)? I think the biggest thing holding Sam Hartman back way playing for an inexperienced OC and with a team and a QBs coach that was learning the offense along with him. Remember, he transferred in before Tommy Rees left. With Leonard, missing spring delayed the timetable for him getting comfortable with all the newness ... even though he worked very diligently this summer to get himself ready. I think had he had the full spring, we would have seen him further ahead. (more)

2:50

OK I almost got a cramp from laughing, and I needed that. For those who don't remember last week's chat, Chris asked Tyler and I to adopt him, and I believe he's a 50-some-year-old man. And apparently I said yes or he said yes for me. But let me dive into your second question, because I think it's one a lot of people have. As far as the generic transfer QB thing, I know a lot of people don't like that at all, despite the fact three out of the top five teams in this week's AP poll and five of the top 10 have transfer QBs. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner was a transfer QB and one who played in a Mike Denbrock offense. Three of the past five national champs were quarterbacked by a transfer. (more)

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