Terry, please forgive me for starting the topic ahead of you. I thought it might be a good idea to move on from UNC during the bye week and talk about whatever comes up. I have something from Eric Hansen of the SBT on Twitter:
OK Sid, since you have the Godfathers ear I won't complain. I don't want to end up swimming with the fishes! On Jurkovec, everything I've read about him is really good. He's mobile maybe not like Wimbush, but is also a very accurate passer and has excellent arm strength. I will assume that Wimbush will return next year, and assuming he continues to develop as a passer and with Book looking pretty good as well we won't need to rush Jurkovec into the lineup, he can sit and get acclimated to the offense and work in the weight room. But I fully expect him to be the starter as a RS Freshman in 2019.
Big Hockey Match in South Bend this weekend ..no football. The Denver Pioneers come to town as the defending NCAA Hockey Champions. They have quite a program, something like 8 Frozen Four Championships, numerous trips to the Frozen Four and current members of the NCHC. Irish start their B1G schedule the 1st weekend in Nov. One interesting thing about the schedule is that it's home and home. Ohio State comes to South Bend for 2 games that first weekend, and the Irish go to Columbus for 2 games later in the season. That's the way it works for each team we play, except for Michigan, we play them 2x but both of the series are split between one game in Ann Arbor and 1 game in South Bend. Not sure I get why that is being done.
If I were more confident in our passing game I would feel better about that line. But unless Wimbush and his receivers have found their mojo, I'm just not that confident. USC is not Georgia on defense, they have some depth issues and like most teams by this time of the season have some injury issues. But as always USC has a lot of great athletes on defense, that they do have in common with Georgia. So if we don't threaten them in the passing game the OL and RB's are going to be facing a stacked defense that says ...we dare you to try and throw. On offense, Sam Darnold is not a 1st time true freshman starter like the Ga. QB was, Sam's been there and done that. He's not having the same year he had last year, mostly because he lost some really talented receivers. He's still a threat, he's got a great arm, he's mobile and has that uncanny knack of finding people for big plays while he's running for his life. Also in Ronald Jones they have a back who if he pops free is gone. I think we can win, but we'll have to throw the ball competently and play great defense.
I watched most of the game late Sat. I was a real hard hitting game. Anyone know if SC has any significant injuries? Speaking of injuries, I assume after a bye that we're pretty healthy going into Sat.'s game.
Mike I knew you ran in that relay to E.Lansing in 1966, I've seen the picture...you're #37 right? But I saw your article, I didn't know you knew the guy who posts on NDNation as Walsh69. He has a lot of family history tied to Notre Dame to say the least! Here's a link to anybody who hasn't read Mikes account http://notredameclassof1969blog.blogspot.com/2017/10/1966-nd-vs-msu-game-sidebar-sophomore.html
Walsh69 lived across the hall from me my junior year. He's done a nice job putting together that blog as we get ready for our 50th in 2 years. I hope some of the guys that are in that picture see it and enjoy the memories. Oh yeah, and I was a lean machine back in those days. I ran over 5 miles that night.
I don't think I've ever asked you this Mike, but walking out of the stadium after the 10-10 tie what were you feeling?
From what I remember there was tremendous disappointment before the game started when we learned that Nick Eddy had gotten hurt and couldn't play. He was a game breaker. When Hanratty went down in the first half and we had fallen behind 10-0 I was really dejected. Coming back in the second half lifted all the ND fans in the stadium. I was in the end zone where we missed what could have been the game winning FG. In the end I was glad that we'd gotten off the mat and tied them. Even more than that I was physically exhausted having been up for over 30 hours.
Here's an interesting article together with a video showing QB Rex Pflueger (ND Basketball) throwing a TD pass to TE Sam Darnold. They played on the same team in 7th grade. https://www.indystar.com/story/spor...s-and-former-rivals-together-again/768291001/