JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 11, 2024 | 9/11/2024

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 11, 2024

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Chris from Bloomingdale, IL

I broke up my questions so as not to be accused of a rant or a seventeen part question. Also, the only time that I am barefoot is sometimes in the shower!!!!!!! Maybe if you have time in between all the "fire Freeman" and "bench Leonard " comments you could also attempt to answer this. Why does it seem that the version of player/ coach that ends up on the field at Notre Dame is nowhere near the version that was successful at their previous schools? I am referring specifically to the last two Quarterback transfers, and the new OC. The latter of which we were told would be able to change directions during a game, and make the necessary adjustments. I know it's early, returns, but he didn't seem to have any answers in a game that you cannot lose. After two games Notre Dame is no closer to having an offensive identity than they were last year. Say "hi" to mom (Tyler). Almost forgot...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2:42

Hi! Dad! Hope all is well in your world. How? Why? Who? Where? When? Those are just some of the questions I have. Another one is, What is Marcus Freeman's coaching identity? He says he wants to be a team that runs the ball, and then at times seemingly abandons it. If you "question everything", then on what do you stand? Does he have conviction in the things he espouses, or are they just pretty words? There have now been far too many instances of his teams playing down to their competition that contradict the reset/reload, play to the standard, one-play one-life mantras. In addition, do you think that he has too many outside voices to which he listens? He seems to be a fairly impressionable guy, perhaps something of a pleaser, almost to the point of being deferential.

Eric Hansen

Hope that made sense. I am fully caffeinated, so no excuses.

2:41

Hi Jeff and I like the question, and now that you brought up enchiladas, I'm hungry. I don't think it's about opening up the offense more AT THIS JUNCTURE of the season as it is, being more efficient and productive with the passing game. And that includes dropped passes, and holding calls when the runner is already past the blocker and missing open receivers. Flipping to the run game, Love averaged 7.2 yards a carry and Price 6.0. Love was on the field for 31 snaps, Price 13 Williams/Ford 18. Too low for Price. But each week is different, Jeff. I am confident Purdue will load the box and make it harder for Love and Price to get those averages without showing an efficient passing game to pull them out of it. So I don't think it's a shift one way or another, just better efficiency in the pass game that will open up both sides of the offense.

Jeff from Phoenix

2:35

Hey Eric, thanks for keeping the balance through fan frustration. Here goes, and I know this is a BIG enchilada....having digested a lot of ND/NIU content in the last 72 hrs, my head is spinning. Seems like 50% of fans say 'why dont we throw more, open up the offense, use RL skills'... and the other 50% say 'why did Love/Price only have 15 carries given their talent and production/run the rock...? I can be swayed either way as to where the improvement lies, where do you think ND needs to shift? Much thanks!

Eric Hansen

2:34

Hi Stanley. I'm sure there are some Notre Dame fans that wish I moved to Glen Allen this week. ... As long as Riley Leonard struggles, people are going to suggest alternatives and it's going to be futile for me to try to slow that roll. I do think RL is the best option ... if fully functional. Why not Minchey? My pick would be Carr, but I really like Minchey's game. Why he is No. 3 at the moment and not 1 or 2 is while he can make the great play occasionally, he too often makes the opposite play that can lose a tight game for you. So, he needs more time in the oven.

Stan formely from Chester but now in Glen Allen

are looking for a replacement for RL, the name of Kenny Minchey isn't floated about. I thought he could move about with the best of them and his arm is highly capable. (sorry about the early "send".)

2:31

What with the angry mob screaming for Steve Angel, I wonder why, if we

Eric Hansen

2:31

Hi Terry. Saturday's loss made me hit the pause button on Marcus. But I still like so much of what I see. But what I need to see this week is real growth from him in terms of turning that experience into a rallying point and not repeating past coaching mistakes. Again, I still like his potential. And thank you for hanging with us.

Terry Huron SD

2:29

Hi Eric I am still angry, but mostly embarrassed with last weeks lack of focus!!!!! As a ND fanatic, I have zero ties to the university but have been 12-15 games in SB, Dallas, Phoenix, Dublin and LOVE ND. I am retired and still get jacked up to attend a ND game. How can this staff allow 18-22 year olds take a game for granted, play with no emotion, then say they lost because they fell into the hype after the A&M win. I don’t blame the players. Most are teenagers. This falls on the coaching staff and I have supported Marcus Freeman before he was named HC. My biggest issue is this just happened vs Marshall two years ago. I know he is a great recruiter. Can he really bring ND back to elite status? Than you for your continued coverage of Irish football.

Eric Hansen

2:29

Hi Larry, and thank you. I hope none of these are rhetorical questions, because I'm going to try to answer them. NIUY was successful in the running game, in part because ND was reacting and not being aggressive. They were moving laterally instead of attacking (again I have to oversimplify and not hit all the nuances in chat format). Why not be able to stop the Wildcat. My guess is they weren't ready for it, and they better be, because they'll see it again until they stop it. Don't have a good answer for you on Love, and neither, I would imagine, does he.

Guest

2:26

Larry from Topton, Pa – Hi Eric. No exclamation points this week; just lots of ????? I am sure that you are getting lots of big picture questions, so I will throw some small picture questions your way, regarding last week’s game: So many times, it looked like ND defenders had ball carriers surrounded on the edge, only to have the runner put his head down and gain 6, 8, 10 yards. How does that happen? When an offense lines up in the wildcat, they are telling the defense what the play will be. How does a defense now know that and stop it? After Jeremiyah Love’s superman-like touchdown run, he touched the ball only once more the remaining 23 minutes. Why did that happen? And lastly, how can ANYONE really believe ND is one of the top 20 teams in the country? Certainly not based on merit… Eric and Tyler – please keep up the outstanding work. We really need your balanced and fair coverage now

Eric Hansen

2:25

Bucher and Coan had such divergent skill sets and neither was complete that in that situation it made sense. Even in 2025 if Angeli were the starter and you wanted to use Minchey as a changup, that might make sense (I think Carr is the 2025 starter). ... I think Freeman did de-emphasize it in 2022 and 2023, but put Joey Ramaeker front and center this offseason and season, and perhaps I've done a poor job of bringing that to light. But he's there and the players have talked about him in interviews. ...As far as a consultant, I think Marcus has those kinds of resources already. I think it's a good idea and just one that maybe isn't to his benefit to talk about using. He also has some really good assistant coaches, though I know this week I'll get pushback on that.

Marie from Atlanta

2:22

Tended to deemphasize the sports psychology aspect of the program. Is it time to bring back a full-time sports psychologist similar to Amber Selking to help this team? Finally, I think everyone really wants Marcus Freeman to succeed, but it is starting to look a little bit like he is in over his head. If you were the A.D., would you consider bringing in either publicly or privately an experienced head coach, not named Tressel, in a consulting role. I am speaking of people who have coached within the last 15 years, someone like Stoops , Saban or others in that vein? As always, thanks for all your great insights and for hosting the chat. I know it can’t be easy this week.

Eric Hansen

2:20

Hi Marie. Some of this I've answered, but what would a live chat be without some great questions from Marie from Atlanta? So let me get to the parts I haven't answered. Let's assume Riley Leonard is healthy enough to keep evolving in this offense. It's easier to answer the questions that way, because the answers might be different if he is not. If he's not healthy enough to be effective, ND has to make a change. So to your other questions ... Riley Leonard, having missed spring, needs all the practice and game reps he can get to become the quarterback the Irish coaching staff needs him to be. Especially given the state of the O-Line (which should improve each week), playing another QB with a narrower skill set doesn't advance the offense and only introduces a QB who needs to work on timing, chemistry, etc. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

2:16

Hi Eric, I hope you are surviving the week. So many many questions to be asked but I’m going to try and limit mine to three. I know he had a very bad day on Saturday, but clearly Riley Leonard is probably not going to reach the ceiling we all hoped for in the preseason. I was shocked that Denrock could not at least scheme up something to get some momentum for the team. Taking all that into consideration, how short of a leash do you think Leonard will be on for the Purdue game. If the first couple of drives stall out, do you think they will play a different QB just to try and get some momentum? Do you think they should design some packages for the other quarterbacks, again to be used during games when the offense stalling out and a momentum seing is necessary like they did with Buchner and Coan? All the coaches were badly out coached this game, but the players also played poorly. Much of the poor play by the players was an attributable to mental mistakes. Since he has been at Notre Dame Freeman has

Eric Hansen

2:15

Hey Ken, it's funny, I did think about the Nick Saban "rat poison" schtick this week. I do think the loss resulted more from a mental state of mind than X's and O's, but ND had a chance to adjust the latter in the second half and didn't. I don't want to oversimplify here, but I need to keep this shorter than one of my long columns in the chat format. As far as the hot seat, let me say this. The coaches that are in trouble is when the anger stops and it turns to indifference. And people don't care anymore ... or believe. That's when the seat is hot and dangerous.

Ken from Steel City, PA

2:12

Hi Eric! Hard to avoid manifestos this week. But, in all seriousness, thanks for what you do and the insight your provide, especially after a tough loss. I read in the ESPN article that Freeman felt the team wasn’t mentally prepared for the game and fell into the “hype”. I find this hard to believe after Coach Tressel called him following A&M and after all the jokes about the rat poison made famous by Saban. My questions are: what do you make of this and how could a loss like this have happened? And, is the seat that HCMF sits on starting to get a little warmer? In a season with high expectations this is a tough one to swallow.

Eric Hansen

2:11

Hi Gene, you were first in the queue and there were other questions about this play, so I circled back to you. Not having thrown a deep pass like that all year is not enough to convince me not to do it. Maybe chewing some more clock and the fact that there were other receivers wide open with easier throws WAS a good reason not to make that read and chuck it deep. I think both your optimism and concerns, re Marcus' in-game management and other things, have a place in this discussion. And despite the whiplash, I'm more optimistic than not about the short-term and long-term prospects.

Gene - Wyckoff, NJ

2:08

Eric! Help! 2nd and 1 at midfield. 5 minutes plus to go. Haven't completed a long pass all year, and we have the lead. I suggest this is not the time to be aggressive. It's the time to win the game. Run the ball. Use clock. Force their timeouts. Worst case we punt and they start inside their twenty with no timeouts and very little clock left. ND likely secures the win. Reminded me of Ohio State last year when we tried to get cute on our last drive and tried a screen pass which went incomplete, saving Ohio St. from utilizing a timeout. I'm confident Marcus will figure out how to instill a championship mindset in these types of games. Just hoping the game management issues get worked out. Thoughts?

Eric Hansen

2:07

Love the levity and insight, Ed. And I think there's definitely something to your analogy. Now, that should make them a tough out, not a loss on the schedule. Here are some numbers that play into your theory. NIU had 18 starters returning on offense and defense out of 22 and four specialists. Their 32 seniors is the 6th most among FBS teams and the 21 seniors who have spent their entire career at the same school rank third nationally behind two other future ND opponents, Stanford and Navy (23 each). But again, good reason to be a tough out ... not enough or a reason to lose to that team.

Ed Sayville NY

2:02

Hello Eric. It’s amazing how blue one can get following a game like the debacle we saw last week. I know the Irish are fortunate to have some experienced players, but NIU had so many upperclassmen, that while watching I got the sense that what was developing felt like a March madness moment when a senior laden low seed basketball team was about to take down a more talented but somewhat inexperienced high seed. Not exactly apples to apples, but nevertheless a thought. Now finally a question. Does my theory have any merit or should I stay off the second level of a two decker bus because there’s no driver on the top? Thinking we could all use some levity and trying to keep the faith. Go ☘️ beat Boilers!

Rick - Seattle

1:58

This isn't directed at you, Eric, specifically, but more at all the media and fans that think coaches should be fired or put on the hot seat for what we saw last Saturday. That game was certainly abysmal to watch but we shouldn't have been surprised.
But, I'll ask this: if you were previewing an upcoming opponent and saw they had a new offensive coordinator who was bringing in a new offensive system, a one-year transfer QB who missed the last third of his previous year with an ankle injury requiring 2 surgeries and wasn't able to practice until June, a receivers room completely rebuilt from the previous year mostly with transfers, and a completely new offensive line with only 6 prior starts between them total and minimal game experience at all, what would you say their chances of success were? This offense looks disjointed and confused. We should be amazed they functioned as well as they did against A&M...but they certainly weren't great in that game, either. But, I still believe better days are coming.

Lorne

1:57

Lorne from Reno, NV. "Freshman sensation Izzy Engle simply cannot be stopped." So how does women's b-ball pick a starting 5 with 10 starters on the roster? Okay, despite some whining to the contrary, football season is not over. The people who went from "national championship this year!" to "fire everybody!!!!," should remember a couple things. First, it is a GAME. Second, the people who feel the worst about Saturday's game, without a doubt, are the players and coaches who have worked their butts off trying to improve themselves and the team. Read what the coaches and the talented and knowledgeable sports writers say about what we need to do to improve (I assure you that they know better than you do) and, if you are really a fan, do what I am going to do at the game on September 28 and on every game day for the rest of my life: cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame. If a team is representing the school, I'm cheering for them (so many excellent players on the women's soccer team are frosh and sophs!).

Eric Hansen

1:57

Ok here are a couple of rants/non-questions as I refill my coffee cup. And I'll stay a little later to try to get to all the questions, or as many as I can that don't repeat earlier ones.

1:56

OK, to question No. 1 ... Letdowns with close class happen. Letdowns with losses to 28-point underdogs should never happen in year 3. So, I'm going to sound like I have whiskey in my coffee, but I'll say it anyway. There's a lot about Marcus Freeman as a head coach that's ahead of the curve for a third-year guy. But he's got to get a better handle on reading his team during the week and then addressing that read BEFORE game day and during game day.

1:52

Hi Jack, thank you for being here ... and I have to tell you, you guys are on top of your game today. Big-time props to you.... I hit your question 2 earlier, so let me go to 1 and 3. Let's start with 3. ND, its players and coaches, can't even think about that. It would be detrimental, but you and I can do it all day long. So, let's do it. Yes, I think Notre Dame needs to run the table to make the playoff. Yes, I still think the can make the playoff. They also need USC to be ranked high when they play them at the end of the year. (more)

Jack, Strongsville,Ohio

1:46

Hi Eric. I attended last Saturday's game and listened to MF post game press conference. He stated the team had good practice sessions during the week. 3 questions for you. 1. How can one explain growth from the head coach after a loss at home in year 3 to a MAC school, after similar losses in season 1 to Marshall and Stanford also at home. 2. Is the lack of a downfield passing attack attributable to the qb lack of arm strength, a young and inexperienced offensive line, a lack of speed in the wide receivers or a combination of all. 3. Does this loss and the perception of a week schedule make it necessary that ND has to win all the remaining games to qualify the CFB playoff? Thanks as always for all your great work.

Eric Hansen

1:46

JBuck, thanks for your insights and perhaps other chatheads can jump in here. Tyler James rewatches the game in great detail, but it not listening to the broadcast voices when he does so. I don't rewatch the entire game, but I will go back and watch certain plays I need a second look at. Again, that makes me a bad resource to ask about the broadcasting crew. Just like I'm no good about which hotels to stay in locally. I don't have that frame of reference. I was amused my your solution, so I endorse that.

J Buck, San Diego

1:42

Hello again, I forgot to mention the TV broadcast with Garrett( Mr.Capt.obvious) holy cow, he is awful, having to watch the debacle of ND football, then having to listen to him, I'm looking for the Dali Lama to calm me down. I'm wondering if I'm alone in these thoughts? Alright, I Need to go turn on some ambient calming noise, and/or call up my friend Mr. Jameson.

Eric Hansen

1:42

Marcus Freeman still needs to decided to go or not on 4th-and-2, but not get too far into the weeds beyond those types of decisions.

1:41

Hi Richie and thanks for the kind words and for watching/listening. I think this is a really great question, and the reason why is I do think it's part of the solution. Marcus' area of expertise is on defense. And while he and Al Golden run different systems, I think he can be helpful for adjustments, blind spots, personnel decisions. With Denbrock and the offense, I think it's important for Marcus to grow in his knowledge on the offensive side of the ball, but not at the expense of the bottom line. I think the best approach at this point is to provide the guardrails and concepts of who you want to be on offense and let Denbrock take care of the details. So it's more in the planning, meeting phases than it is in the heat of the moment. (more)

Richie D. Melbourne Fl

1:35

Eric, love everything you bring us and really like the LIVE stuff with WSBT radio and TV guys.. Manifesto ,But I sat in uncomfortably cool conditions (for a Floridian) watching both our lines get beat by a 28 pt underdog NIU team Simply stated I felt that was the worst loss in ND history vis a vis expectations / pt. spread...find a worse one...But after making him Saint Marco last week , many are now calling for his head...really?? We all thought Mike Denbrock was the answer to prevent future dumb losses...And Al Golden's experienced group (making adjustments each possession) would be elite. They're in charge of tactics.. make all the play calls, right? So here's the Q. What Strategic input should Marcus give them to right their respective ships...Sorry for the excess cynicism

Eric Hansen

And then Riley Leonard getting comfortable in the offense, sore shoulder and all.

1:34

Jason, wow, you get an A for insight and attitude. I think you came up with some of the keys in your multiple choices for me ... So let me keep it simple and put them in order. ... The defense needs to set the tone in this game. If they play to their capability and their standard, it takes a lot of pressure off the offense. This is similar to the 2012 team in that regard, though this offense I think has a much higher ceiling down the road (yet still this season). Specials teams fixes. Notre Dame has two of the best specialists in the nation. Mitch Jeter in one game had as many field goal misses/blocks as he's had in his entire career coming in. And James Rendell hasn't been the field position flipper he showed in August. ... Offensively, I still believe in Mike Denbrock. He's got a long track record of success AND digging out of holes like this one. But he know he has to call a better game and one that enhanced Riley Leonard getting comfortable int he offense. (more)

Jason from Grand Rapids MI

1:21

Wow, highs and lows back to back. I am an optimist (at least until Saturday and maybe it's doom and gloom). Hats off to NIU for playing a pretty physical game and winning. The game was winnable and the 2nd guessing is easy, especially in the 2nd half. What do you think is most pivotal for a week 3 win and general overall growth for the team. Is it staying focused on the big play run game? Leonard gaining confidence in the new offense? Better play calling in general to support the OL, new QB, etc based on the score/time in game or something totally different. Thanks Eric!!

Eric Hansen

1:21

As far as the run defense's shortcoming on being a blueprint ... it can give other teams ideas and concepts if ND doesn't make adjustments, which surprisingly they didn't in-game on Saturday. 3) Yards after contact is what I'm guessing you're interested in from the run game and not yards after the catch? So if I guess wrong, I am sorry, but of the 190 yards NIU rushed for, per PFF, 160 were after contact. That's a staggering 3.56 per carry. 4) Not sure I can break it down into percentages for you but I think you hit on three out of four. The one I don't agree on is Riley Leonard can't throw deep (even though it looked like it). Perhaps the shoulder soreness affected that throw, even on the non-throwing shoulder.

1:15

Hi Tom. It is interesting, and I appreciate everyone who's shown up. ... The director of analytics, new this year, is Anthony Treash. I asked Marcus Freeman about him just ahead of the season when Anthony was hired, and this is what he had to say about his role:

“Obviously, the director of analytics would be a guy that helps you out, using the book during the game, but also a guy that can evaluate trends of prospects, trends of your current team, looking at numbers. And I think he's a guy that’s going to be very beneficial as an addition to our recruiting and our support staff. It was a position we felt that we didn't have, that we needed to have to really be able to maximize this football program..”

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

1:08

Hi Eric. Well, this week's Chat should be very interesting!! Trying to stay away from a Manifesto: Who is the analytical looking person that MF kept looking to throughout the game? What is his role and how much does MF rely on him? 2) Is this failure to stop the run a blueprint for other teams to beat ND? 3) Yards after contact seemed very high. We looked to be pushed around. What was YAC and what percent was that of NIU's total rushing? 4) Your thoughts on the percentage of the following reasons for our poor passing attack: A) No Spring for RL with WR's and OC. B) Young OL. C) RL's limited ability to throw downfield and/or his hesitation to make the right throw???? Still hopeful. Go Irish!!!!

Eric Hansen

1:07

No, I don't have any regrets about it. That wasn't the sole reason or even the main reason, but it was A REASON that factored in. As I mentioned in the story, the only poll that is predictive for me is the preseason one. Then it's a snapshot in time. And results on the field HAVE TO matter. It can't be all about projection and potential. And the great thing is, Notre Dame can earn its way back in, but what it does on the field. Having said all that, I have a lot of faith in who Marcus Freeman can become as a head football coach. Saturday didn't change that. But as a third year head coach at a program like Notre Dame, losses like Saturday's can't happen in your third year. And this Saturday, he has a chance to show what he learned and start evolving again toward that potential.

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