Mike Denbrock deservely also getting a lot of criticism, especially since he's considered a Kelly disciple
I assume that the 2nd and 1 long pass was called by Denbrock. There was absolutely no reason for that play. If we'd run for the first down and continued to grind it out we could have at least run a couple of more minutes off the clock or forced NIU to use up their TOs. Instead we gave them plenty of times with all their TOS at midfield. Leonard is Tyler Buchner but maybe a little taller. He cannot process the field in order to make the right throw downfield. No wonder we have such a difficut time recruiting top WRs. Our passing offense is pathetic. The D gave up one TD with an offense that was impotent most of the night. They played well enough to win. Why make the playoffs with a gramar school passing attack?
Well the good news is that the women's soccer did beat NIU and the men's soccer team beat the ACC team I dislike the most, Louisville on the road.
It looks like those who want Notre Dame to join a conference may get their wish. Apparently, ND is considering appling for membership in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Several schools, including Marshall, Toledo, and Northern Illinois are excited that ND fans can help fill even their largest stadiums, which boast capacities approaching 30,000. I'm looking forward to a budding intrastate rivalry between ND and Ball State.
With the fanbase pretty much tossing Riley Leonard under the bus this week, and calling for CJ Carr. Riley injured his non throwing shoulder in the loss last weekend. No word yet on whether he will play against the Boilermakers.
I always have questioned what I consider the knee-jerk cries to change QBs, but in this case I'm on board. However, I can't imagine that the coaches will pull the plug this early unless there's a legitimate injury. Plus, there were too many other areas where we came up short vs. NIU, including poor coaching preparation and execution. I woudn't mind seeing #18 get some PT.
Sampson on the injury. I did reach out to a good ND source and all they were willing to confirm is that Riley Leonard is full-go for practices this week and is full expected to play against Purdue on Saturday. I've seen other reports that contradict this. That does not mean the MRI and the injury don't exist. We have coordinator/player availability tonight and Marcus Freeman on a Thursday Zoom. We'll keep digging.
I thought this was worth posting. I like Coach Hammock. He was a star RB at Fort Wayne's Bishop Luers. Newsstand: NIU coach Thomas Hammock offers to help Notre Dame, Marcus Freeman
Not much speculation about the game here...??? I pick ND in the contest but I think Purdue is under rated and am not sure about ND. I am sure that ND had good practices this week after last week's loss and will be taking this game very seriously. Purdue could be complacent after their performance against ISU...not a good benchmark for sure but I think hitting 24/25 for a QB ranking of 240.5 would be good if you were at practice 7 on 7 against the 2nd team defense and not allowing QB contact.
I agree on both counts, I see Purdue as ND's trap game part 2. Lose and the ND contingent will completely melt down.
Stu I just don't know what to expect from this team. Our online coaches have so many suggestions as to what went wrong from firing Denbrock, firing Freeman, kicking Riley Leonard to the curb, of course many comments on how the OL should play, of course the run the damn ball stuff. Also at 1-1 we need to just give up on this year and play some not ready for prime time QB to get him ready for next year. It's a mess.
Vannie's Preview is up, if you're looking for we're pissed off and going to kill those guys don't bother to read, he's predicting we barely get out of West Lafayette with a narrow win. Irish Seek Redemption on the Road
Thanks, Terry. Outstanding analysis. I love this segment: I also like the term "online coaches" from your prior post. You would think I'd heard it before, but this is the first time.
Throwing on 2nd and one isn't a mortal sin. However when you're in the closing minutes of the game and clinging to a one point lead you can either A. run for a first down, keep possission and keep the clock running or B try to prove what Woody Hayes said was true ("when you pass the ball 3 things can happen and 2 are bad") pass the ball and have it go incomplete as so many of leonard's passes do (and stop the clock), or throw an interception and give the ball back to the opponent. Choice A is smart winning football. Choice B is plain stupid losing football. Paseghian era alums know what winning football is.
Gip, I agree. There are times when throwing on 2nd and 1 is a great call, but in the closing minutes with a small lead, time is the key factor. A quick score is not the goal, a first down is the goal.