JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 27, 2023

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 27, 2023

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Eric Hansen

1:42

Hi Marie. Thanks for the insightful questions. Let's start with running plays/first-down plays. Especially early in the season and against a defense that is that talented, there's some dancing going on early in the game. What I mean is Gerad Parker is trying to get a feel from what OSU is going to do in certain situations that they HAVE NOT shown on film against overmatched Indiana, Youngstown State and Western Kentucky. Thus a first-down run that might not look particularly creative does have some purpose in setting up plays later in the game or even later in a given drive. Not saying the play-calling was perfect (more).

Marie from Atlanta

Recent past. Although there’s not much they can do in season about the tackling issue, what do you think they can do in the off-season about this issue? I would assume the athletes at Notre Dame are good enough to tackle efficiently, I would assume the coaches are attempting to teach them, at some point do you realize that maybe the way they are being taught is not working and look outside to bring in a consultant, or some kind of expert on tackling to help upgrade that part of the game? As always, thanks for hosting the chat even the week after a heartbreaking loss, and thanks for all your great insights.

1:35

Hi Eric, I hope you have recovered from what I am sure was a very exhausting weekend. I know Notre Dame wants to run the ball but do you feel they ran too much on first down in the Ohio State game. Many times they did not get a lot of yardage on the first down, how about an occasional pass on first down just to keep the defense off balance? I know we have a great amount of depth in the running back room, but do you feel we are rotating the running backs too much? When they keep coming in and out so frequently, it seems like it might be hard to settle in and get a rhythm for the game. This far into the season how would you grade special teams? It seems like the Biagi is fairly conservative, I in particular don’t care for how they don’t seem to field as many punts as they used to, last year, Brandon Joseph would field , most punts and get seven or 8 yards on a punt return, we aren’t getting those yards this year. Finally, tackling is a problem for this Notre Dame team and every year I can remember in the

Eric Hansen

1:35

Hi Shane Given what so many of these players have been through, collectively and individually, and bounced back before, I would be surprised to see a flat team at Duke. And your point is exactly why I wrote the column that I did after the loss. What matters more than the ugly what-ifs are Marcus Freeman's next steps ,,, I have seen teams use a loss like this as a rallying point and change the trajectory of their season for the better. I've also seen games like this snowball (think 2014) in the wrong direction and a few points in between. The point is, this team has the talent and the leadership to do something positive about it. And that's why this week is so critical ... and had ND held on and one, they would have been dealing with a different kind of OSU hangover.

Shane from White Deer, Texas

1:30

Hey Eric. Still kind of bummed out after the loss. This brings me to my question. As bad or sad as fans feel, I’m sure the players have to be emotionally drained. Do you think this team will come out flat, or with a chip on their shoulder? In the movie Tin Cup Kevin Costner says “That shot was a defining moment, and when a defining moment comes along, you define the moment… Or the moment defines you”. Do you think this team will define the moment on Saturday? Thanks

Eric Hansen

1:29

Eric, thanks. Appreciate the feedback, and I wanted to use your comments, not just because you've got a cool first name but because I think one important takeaway that got understandably lost in the ending is how Notre Dame is accruing and developing talent for games against teams that have been recruiting consistently as an elite level.

DomerReef70

1:27

Eric, Montgomery, Ala via Dowagiac-great job you and Tyler are doing with this gig (I have run out of exclamation points) No questions, just some observations from a guy who remembers watching ND and Paul Hornung get hosed by Oklahoma on WNDU in 1956. First, hope the coaching staff is doing some remedial math this week, second-after such a well played game on defense, inexplicable the inability to execute on OSU possession downs on the last drive (3rd and 19 -(shades of USC in 2005, 4th and 9, 1'30" to go, ball on USC 30) , and third-this is the first game I can recall in a very very long time where we had the athletes, speed, talent, athleticism etc so the cupboard is getting very well stocked. Have to come together and beat the Dookies. Go Irish

Eric Hansen

1:25

Hi James. If you're a subscriber, check out Tyler James' five defining plays. He does that for every game, and it's really insightful. We also cover that ground on our Football Never Sleeps YouTube show, which you can watch anytime, but it's live on Monday nights, and we take questions. The abbreviated answer is that it was well-conceived and well-blocked, and really Xavier Watts was the only ND player who put himself in a position to make a tackle, and he was not able to bring Henderson down.

James from Columbus

1:22

Hi Eric. Did you have a chance to see what happened on the 61 yard OSU run? Not a lot of talk about it. Did they outflank us like we did to NC St.? Or did someone get too aggressive and not set the edge? Thanks. Go Irish!

Eric Hansen

1:18

Hi Bob. My concern is that YOU bounce back. I always wait until Tuesday night to gauge that. I'd rather get the lay of the land from a handful of players and the coordinators than try to get that solely from sources, who may or may not reflect the more prevailing sentiments. My sense is that Notre Dame is not going to let Ohio State beat them twice -- last weekend and this weekend. Duke will have to do the job if they're going to putt the upset.

Bob (Oxnard, CA)

1:15

Eric, my heart got ripped out of my body last Saturday, but I remain conscious and wonder whether I’m having a near-death experience. Do you think the team and staff will emotionally bounce back OK for Duke? Thanks

Eric Hansen

1:15

As to your question about Al Golden's future, the quality and quantity of his opportunities will reflect how the rest of the season goes for him. I would not be surprised if he moved on after this season, but it's not a slam dunk either. If he did, I do NOT think Marcus Freeman would take over and call the defense. He is trying to grow into being a head coach, and has invested a lot in not having to simply delegate on offense. He wants to be involved and knowledgeable in all phases. He would go after the best DC he could find and let him do his job, with a head coach's input of course.

1:10

Thanks Irish Mike. Here's the exchange about the nickel defense:

Q: On the last two defensive plays of the game at the goal line, you guys came out and nickel. What was the reasoning behind that? And what happened there?

“So I chose nickel, because, without saying too much, I wanted a specific look. And obviously I guessed right on [second] down [the first of the two goal-line plays]. But I really thought that this call would be the call that would handle all the options that they could have. Move the pocket. Some kind of read-option or zone-read component, so that’s the choice I made there.”

Irish Mike, Altoona, PA

1:08

Hi Eric! As always, thanks for the chatM Was there any discussion with Coach Golden about why the Irish stayed in nickel on the goal line after OSU subbed in their fullback, Trayanum? Also, do you think this is the final season for Golden before he moves on and do you think Marcus would entertain the idea of calling the defense?

Eric Hansen

1:08

Hi Ryan. If you want a little more depth on that topic, I'd take a listen to our Inside ND Sports Podcast from this week with ACC Network analyst Eric Mac Lain. He's covered several of Leonard's games the past couple of years, including Duke-Clemson this year. There are some principles ND can apply from the NC State game earlier this season in defending Brennan Armstrong in that you're playing more of a "contain" strategy than pressure, though you'd like to be able to mix that in too. Leonard is more dangerous than Armstrong, because he is a more accurate passer, a faster runner and has a better traditional running game to go along with him.

Ryan Mars Pa

12:55

good afternoon Eric What is the key to stopping Leonard and Duke Bring Pressure with Mills And Baptiese Go Irish ☘️☘️🏈🏈

Eric Hansen

I touched on Onye and will let your NBC comment stand. I only rewatched some critical parts of the game, not all the things you had issues with.

12:54

There were several questions about Marist Liufau (I see you Jeff from Elkhart among others), so I thought I'd kind of bundle them up in one question. Marcus Freeman was asked about Marist, and he hinted at an injury (stinger). In that case, Jaylen Sneed and Jack Kiser should have played more, and DC Al Golden acknowledged as much on Tuesday night. Sneed played 11 snaps and Kiser 10. And I think he was implying those two should have played more regardless of whether Liufau was 100 percent. Marist played great, the best football of his career, in the first three games, then fell off against Central Michigan to some extent against CMU and even more against Ohio State. There are alternatives -- very good alternatives-- if he doesn't show it in practice this week. And they need production at the WLB spot with Duke QB Riley Leonard's running ability. (more)

Tom Kennesaw, GA

12:48

Eric, first a question then a mini-rant. I understand MF and AG can't throw Marist under the bus in public, but with your expertise can you please explain how he plays 60 snaps in a defense geared towards LB's making tackles and he has None?!?! Also, I would like to see Jason Onye on the field more. He seems to make plays. Finally, I was upset that Saturday's broadcast that NBS was treating it like one of their Big 10 Saturday Night broadcasts and NOT a Notre Dame home game. We only get so many prime time home games and I feel like we got shortchanged even though I usually enjoy Todd Blackledge. I'm not criticizing the broadcasters just the fact that intros, etc. that usually feature ND were not. Thanks and Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

12:48

Pro Football Focus grades are not the end-all, be-all. One of my friends who evaluates college football and who played in the NFL thinks they're garbage. Others swear by it. But let's throw it out there as one measure to consider. Out of all the defensive tackles n the Power 5 who played this past weekend, Rylie Mills graded out No. 1. And his pass rush grade, even though he has only one sack on the season, is No. 1 in the nation for all positions. Interior defensive line play can be nuanced, and doesn't always show up in the conventional stats. ... So bottom line, Onye should play more ... and Ford eventually will, but not likely this season.

12:43

Tyson Ford is in another category. I understand why you would be curious about why a player who was that highly rated and recruited isn't playing more as a sophomore. I think moving back and forth between defensive tackle and field end hasn't worked well in his development. Once he's on one track or the other, I think he has a chance to blossom. I think 2024 will be the year that happens, if it happens, and I do expect it too. Talented kid with a great attitude and great support system. I think Jordan Botelho has probably played better than most people are realizing and I know Rylie Mills is. (more)

12:40

Hi John. My first thought is that I love this question for a few reasons, including who you'd swap out to make your initial scenario happen. So let's start with Tyson Ford and Jason Onye, then talk about the other two. I asked Marcus Freeman on Monday about the player rotations on defense being shallower for Ohio State, which meant Onye didn't play a snap. I don't think he wanted to throw Al Golden under the bus, and gave kind of a generic answer. But Tuesday night, I had a chance to ask Al Golden himself, and he said it was a mistake. They wanted to play the starters more, but not so much that some key reserves were severely limited. So, I would expect to see Jason Onye this week, more of Jack Kiser and Jaylen Sneed at linebacker, for instance. (more)

John - Palmyra, PA

12:32

Can I get a little insight on Jason Onye and Tyson Ford in particular as it relates to a lack of pass rush from the front? These are not true freshman, they have spent years in the weight program, and especially in Ford’s case, he was a highly touted prep player. What gives? Should Mills and Botelho be playing if they’re not making plays in the games when they are needed most? With the lack of snaps, given to non-starters on defense vs O$U it seems like there wasn’t even a back up plan. Your thoughts?

Eric Hansen

12:32

Hi Rich. The space bar catches me too. ... I think there's room for growth, but I thought Gerad Parker came out of this game holding his own against an Ohio State team that is playing historically good defense to start the season. More tests await, including another top 10 defense this week.

Rich, Phoenixville PA

12:29

[Sorry now realize I cannot use return key] You indicated that one of the yardsticks you would use in assessing Gerad Parker's job performance would be whether his play call/strategy would influence the outcome of the marquee games on our schedule. After the first such game, what is your assessment? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

12:28

Hi Tom. From what I have been able to gather (and I've spent more time on the ND end of things), Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord did NOT know, based on a postgame interview with him. He did not know whether the OSU coaching staff knew, as it was not relayed to him, but he surmised they probably saw something upstairs and related it to the sideline.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

12:26

Eric, I am submitting this early so maybe you have the chance to get an answer. Did the OSU coaches see ND only had 10 men for the last play and call a run right at the weakness??? I can see the OSU coaches in the press box noticing we only had 10 men on the incomplete pass play and then when they realized that we did not substitute anyone called down to "Run the damn ball!!!" With all your OSU connections I think this would be interesting to know. Thanks. Go Irish beat Duke !!

Eric Hansen

12:26

I don't think ND is Clemsoning per se. I think they're evolving to where they can win those games. Marcus is now 1-4 vs. the top 10, but with each successive matchup, Notre Dame looks more and more like it at least belong on that stage with a good chance to win. BK was 4-12 with eight of the 10 losses ones in which the Irish outright fell of the big stage and got blown out. However, that was an improvement upon his predecessors. ND has a top 20 matchup this week, an undefeated Louisville team the next week and a top 10 matchup the week after that. So we'll get a definitive answer on Clemsoning in the next few weeks. If ND wins Saturday, it would not shock me to see them go 3-0 in that stretch. This week is critical to getting in the right mindset.

12:22

To your final question, let's define Clemsoning first. Here are a couple of definitions if you Google it: 1) An act of delivering an inexplicably disappointing performance. 2) The act of failing miserably on a grand athletic stage, or when the stakes are high. I would lean to definition two as more universal. For those who haven't followed it, before Clemson was a national power, the evolutionary stage that preceded it was rife with Clemsoning. (more)

12:19

Is he ready to be a rover on third down and the Irish scrap the nickel package and let him cover someone like Emeka Egbuka? Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah did that in the Irish defense. I think Sneed has improved his coverage skills, but not to the extent of doing what JOK did. Not at this point. He does have some JOK traits. Now if he's going to either rush the passer, play the run or have coverage on a running back or tight end, he could play one of the inside spots. Then you're making the choice of him over Marist Liufau and Jack Kiser in that situation. Not sure YET if that's the best option. I could see him very much being that guy next year. (more)

12:16

Len, I appreciate your compliments, game observations and questions. You're on top of your game today. ... I especially like taking on the questioning of "Clemsoning." Let's get to the others first ... I absolutely believe Marcus Freeman expects and fosters growth from his staff as well as himself. That's one of the reasons one of his favorite mantras is: Question everything. He believes that pushed the growth process faster and without having to experience losses to coax the process. ... Yes, Sam Hartman can change the play at the line of scrimmage or slide protections. Perhaps the play wasn't supposed to be so slow in developing, and maybe that's why he did not. ... On the third-and-19 from talking to DC Al Golden Tuesday night, I got the sense that Ramon Henderson was not supposed to drop that deep. ... Is Sneed ready to be a linebacker on third and long? It depends on his role and what package you want to play. (more)

Len from the Jersey Shore

12:05

Hello Eric and thanks for hosting. I saw MF's face after he realized it was going to be 4 night games in a row. Looks like you, Tyler and Charleston will be working graveyard shift on the weekends. The podcast was tremendous. You took the time and answered many questions from fans. That is greatly appreciated. Coach Freeman mentioned players execution. He also mentioned owning what the team did. Here I felt he meant coaches. Do you feel MF sees that the staff needs to grow as well as the players? On ND last drive the botched run play, can QB change play if he sees there will be an unblocked DE on a slow developing run play? On the OSU final drive 3rd and 19 #11 and #5 were both behind the play in the end zone? Was their drop too deep? It left JD with a lot of ground to cover underneath. Is Sneed ready to be LB in 3rd & long? Final question. Is ND Clemsoning?

Eric Hansen

OK, off we go.

12:05

Remember, the no bare feet rules is back in play. The unwritten no-whining rule will be relaxed but not rescinded this week.

Here are the rules.

12:04

Please remember to include your name and home town with your question(s) ... in writing, preferably, as opposed to telepathically.

12:03

As to this week's chat ....

► And, finally, thanks to all who have been listening to WSBT radio this season, as I have rejoined Darin Pritchett as a co-host on Weekday SportsBeat (960 AM, live streaming at wsbtradio.com) on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the 2023 Notre Dame Football season. I'm also co-hosting the pregame shows with Darin and Tyler Horka (which is not a clever stage name for Tyler James). The weekday shows run from 5-6 p.m. ET. This week’s pregame show starts at 9 a.m. ET. You can download episodes as podcasts.

12:02

► On this week’s Inside ND Sports Podcast, we caught up with ACC Network college football analyst Eric Mac Lain. Mac Lain, a former Clemson football captain, discussed how Notre Dame's players are likely processing the loss to Ohio State, why they need to bounce back to prepare for Duke, what Duke's weaknesses may be, the offensive firepower for the Blue Devils starting with quarterback Riley Leonard, how good Clemson is this season, the surprise of Louisville's start and more. The podcast can be listened to via SoundCloud or on your preferred podcast platform including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podbean and Pocket Casts.

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