JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 8, 2020

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 8, 2020

Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page

Eric Hansen

1:58

Dawson Goepferich is a walk-on grad transfer from Brown, who handled all three of those duties last season for the Ivy League team. He was 7-of-10 on field goals, punted for a 38.1-yard average and had 31 touchbacks on his 57 kickoffs in 2019.

Mark from KC

1:55

Who the heck is Dawson Goepferich and how did he become the Most Valuable Backup (backing up 3 positions)?

Eric Hansen

1:54

Brian, it will be a lot easier for me to do that math once I've seen both teams play. On paper, I'd say you're in the ballpark. Maybe 3 out of 10 in my book.

Brian Chesanek

When I try to evaluate two teams side by side I try to imagine them playing 10 times and guessing how many times each could win. In 2018 I thought Notre Dame could beat Clemson maybe 2 out of ten times. This year however I think if I had to put a number on it I would pick 4 out of 10. Am I crazy to pick 4? And how many times do you think Notre Dame could beat Clemson if they played 10 times?

1:53

Holly Springs NC,

Eric Hansen

1:53

Jim, thanks. I enjoy having you on the chats. ... What ND did well from a special teams standpoint was coverage (both kickoff and punt coverage were in the top 20 nationally) and field goals. Jonathan Doerer was 17-of-20, with range, which is outstanding. My expectation is ND will be good at those three things again. Punting (net and overall) should improve, With Chris Tyree on kickoffs and Lawrence Keys III on punt returns, I like the chances of those units improving.

Jim from Florida

1:50

Really enjoy these chats. Thanks for all your efforts. It seems to me that in the Brian Kelly era special teams are always erratic. In close games special teams make a huge difference. Our kick off return team has been close to dismal the past few years as has the punt return team. It doesn’t always have to be a big play, just reversing field position with consistent punting for example can make a huge difference. Can you give me your summary of how you see special teams shaping up this year? Can we rely on our kicker for mid and long range field goals in a consistent manner?

Eric Hansen

1:48

The ND release says the sideline reporter is Jac Collinsworth, but the NBC release says it's Tappen, with Jac hosting pregame, halftime and postgame shows.

Mike McFadden, So Wmspt PA

1:47

Sideline analyst is not Kathryn Tappen but Jac Collingsworth OR are they going to switch by game? Just asking.

Eric Hansen

1:44

Terry, thanks.

Terry From Alexandria, Virginia

1:43

Hi Eric 👋. Thank you for your contribution to the game. It's not ND game week without you, lol.

Eric Hansen

1:43

Dan, ND did a lot of tackling. Brian Kelly mentioned that on a previous Zoom. They also had some full scrimmages. With limited injuries, I like this team a lot. They've got some questions to answer for me, but I've been high on the potential of this team since last season. My mind hasn't changed.

Dan, Grand Rapids, Mi

1:42

Hi Eric, Thanks for keeping us informed and up to date. Navy had no contact practices this spring/summer and looked awful last night. How much contact did ND have? Any feeling how good ND can be with limited injuries?

Eric Hansen

1:42

I think they were an underutilized weapon in the Chip Long Era, and my expectation is Tommy Rees will rely on screens more. You're right, there's good personnel there, with Kyren Williams, Chris Tyrie at the top of the RB depth chart.

Alex from Jackson, MO

1:40

Do you get the sense Kelly doesn’t like screen passes? This seems to be the year to start implementing them with the skill sets of Williams and Tyree. I don’t recall seeing SP used often in years past?

Eric Hansen

1:39

I think you need a quarterback in every class, so yes it's a priority. I also think you're going to see a long run of underrated and overrated prospects over the next couple of recruiting cycles, because of so few evaluation opportunities. Some aren't even playing high school football this fall. Gavin Wimsatt is the No. 1 dual threat QB in that cycle. Steve Angeli is the No. 12 pro-style QB, but look at his offers. They include LSU, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and Miami.

Jeff from Phoenix

1:33

Eric, I saw the offers to the two quarterbacks for 2022. Its early, but neither appears to be top 5 in Rivals. Is it a priority to get a QB for 2022? Much thanks.

Eric Hansen

1:33

I'm confident the passing game will be pretty good against average and good defenses. I'm not sure how they'll stand up to great defenses. But they have time to grow. It is a very large group of seniors starting, but there are a lot of young players who are important parts of the core group. I think having a mature team helps in a lot of ways, including having the discipline to have minimal COVID damage this summer.

Terry From Alexandria, Virginia

1:26

This is a 3 part question. How confident are you in this year passing game? When was the last time we started so many seniors? Do you think having this much veteran experience will make a big difference in the game?

Eric Hansen

1:26

Here's some COVID-19 numbers today from the ND dashboard. Just one new case in 248 tested. The active cases on campus are down to 56 from 69 yesterday. Outstanding news.

1:22

Keith thanks. You may very well be onto something. Good deduction. Fortunately, ND goes into game week with its full roster.

Guest

1:21

Keith from South Carolina - Sorry about that. Have a feeling that Lenzy, Keys and maybe a few others missed some practices and that's why they're not listed as starters. Jobs are earned on the practice field, especially this year. Thanks and I miss your insight on Sportsbeat. Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

1:21

Well, they've upgraded their QB position big time with Chase Brice transferring in from Clemson. They've got a really good tight end (Noah Gray), a formidable pass rush, an experienced secondary and one of the best kickoff returners in the nation (Damond Philyaw-Johnson). They'll be better than they were last year.

John from Jackson, MS

1:17

Hi Eric, hope its cooling off there unlike here. Not knowing much about Duke football beyond seeing that they're retooled their offense recently and listening to last year's game on the radio, my question is what is it we need to worry about with them? I'd assume with David Cutcliffe coaching its quarterback play testing the secondary

Eric Hansen

1:17

I think it's 28 people total in a press box that usually seats 150. One person per outlet, so we'll take turns. Masks, sitting 12 feet apart, get kicked out right after interviews (which is a good thing). Only three people from the beat total can go to road games. No staff photographers. No grumbling from me. I'm happy to have football.

Terry from Cincinnati

1:15

First off, I agree with you Eric in preferring the 2:30 kickoff. Second, what are the media policies for ND home games this year? Is the entire SBT staff able to attend and cover the game?

Eric Hansen

1:15

James, thanks. I think it's a good idea, but it would have a very short shelf life. It's something to ponder, but with just one of us in the press box each game, it would be a little harder to pull off. I think it is one of his deepest, but there are still positions where it would hurt to lose the starter -- Book, Kyle Hamilton, but that list is shorter than most years. So yeah, very good depth and they've set up practices to enhance that depth.

James from Columbus

1:11

Hi Eric, I hope you and yours are well. It's finally game week! Do you think this is Coach Kelly's "deepest" team he has had at ND? Have you, Tyler, and Carter considered doing some type of pregame broadcast/podcast on gamedays? We all miss your insights on Weekday Sportsbeat. Thanks and Go Irish! Beat Devils!

Eric Hansen

1:10

Jorden Genmark Heath never previously redshirted. So this will be his redshirt year. He'd then have 2021 eligibility based on the free year everyone gets this year. Because he will have his degree, he won't have to sit out next year and he can enroll at his new school and participate in spring practice. If he transferred to a Big 10, Pac-12, MWC or MAC school, he could even play games in the spring and still have 2021 eligibility. So he has more attractive options than maybe appears to meet the eye.

1:07

GB, I'll preface this by saying the NCAA has not yet spelled out just how the free year will work for everyone in terms of underclassmen, future roster limits, etc. So there could be adjustments ahead. First let's start with JGH getting beatean out. When I spoke to Clark Lea in July he anticipated a highly competitive situation among six plays. JGH had the inside track, but just because he was playing well doesn't mean someone else can't play great and beat them out. And that's what happened. The players who beat him out are behind him in class, so it's not like he can wait until they graduate. He wants to play and get his ND degree. There's nothing mysterious about that ... now to his future ...

GB from Wasilla, Alaska

12:58

Eric, The season is almost upon us and I was surprised at the depth chart. It started with Genmar Heath getting good reviews on his play and not making the starting 2. Then, he mysteriously quit the team. It's a head scratcher to me because he would not lose a year by playing and he could work on his skills at least if he felt that he would not see the field and wants to play full time with a team like a MAC school, maybe. However, the clincher is that the NCAA is basically giving everyone a free year of eligibility so it would seem like he would not need to quit anyway. Was something else going on or does he just want a year off? Since, he quit the team, does he have to pay is own way this year? It would seem fair if he did.

Eric Hansen

12:56

Skip, thanks. Keep in mind that the difference between 1 and 2 at some of these positions is almost negligible. And as I mentioned some may flip. Some may end up time shares. Some may have been influenced by COVID absences. In Davis' case, he's always had the speed. BK cited his improved hands for why he's made the depth chart climb. As for Simon, he's always had everything in the tool box but the instincts of an inside linebacker. The game is flowing to him now, and he's always been an elite athlete with a high motor.

SubwaySkip

SubwaySkip, Reno. I preface these questions knowing you're dealing with info blackout like the rest of us junkies, but ...Q1: How in the effing, bleeding HELL did Avery Davis beat out Lawrence Keys, III for starting slot? How in the effing, bleeding HELL did Brock Wright beat out Tommy Tremble for starting TE in 11 formation? My guy McKinley over Lenzy at field doesn't surprise or disappoint me at all but Davis/Wright absolutely shocks me. Q3: You said in an earlier Q and A that Shayne Simon is "surging". Please elaborate. Drooling junkie minds are inquiring....

12:53

Eric: Longtime reader/admirer--first time inquirer.

Eric Hansen

12:52

They actually had some 2:30 games last year and in 2018 as well. The original 2020 schedule only had one 3:30 game. I wrote about this a couple of years ago, but can't locate the article. The colons in 2:30 and 3:30 confuses our search engine. Keep in mind, NBC and the other networks had to put these schedules together on the fly. If it matters, I prefer 2:30 to 3:30.

Tim - Pleasant Prairie WI

12:46

Hi Eric, No big deal, but wondering why the starts of home games have been pushed up an hour this year?

Eric Hansen

12:45

No one really does for me if we're talking about guys who would otherwise have expiring eligibility. I'd think most of them would be eager to move on with life. Maybe Jonathan Doerer, because he's a late bloomer and never redshirted, Maybe Nick McCloud, the grad transfer CB, from NC State.

Tom from Grand Rapids, MI

12:42

Eric, if you had to pick a couple players that this ‘free year’ of eligibility will benefit who comes to mind and, will they take the opportunity assuming coaching staff agrees? Go Irish ☘️

Eric Hansen

12:40

The wide receiver rotation doesn't bother me at all. And it's going to get better and deeper when Kevin Austin comes back. I really look at all the receiver positions (including tight end) as time shares anyway at this point of the season. Give it a chance. And thanks for the kind words.

Corey D , Alpena

12:38

Hi Eric. Love and respect your work. What in the world is Brian Kelly thinking with respect to the starting lineup at receiver? So rather than starting Keys and Lenzy and beating Duke with our speed we are instead going to throw up 50/50 balls via fade passes? I like Avery Davis but starting the latter over Lawrence Keys? C’mon. We have seen these inexplicable examples before where Kelly seems allergic to playing the best players. What are your thoughts on this?

Connecting…

Message History

On Off

Your current subscriptions

None

E-mail Address	Chat Owner	Status	Remove

Enter your email address to be notified when Eric Hansen hosts a chat