Whatever other problems the Irish have, running back is not one of them. Cierre Wood looks great, but Riddick looks just as great and George Atkinson III is the guy that ND fans have been waiting for. Remember: - George Atkinson is a big back. - He's the fastest kid in the school. - He was the California State sprint champion. - He was a running back in HS...as was Riddick... 1st Half <object><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jpNRdVrW8go?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jpNRdVrW8go?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></object> 2nd Half <object><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SoWCQ758WXQ?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SoWCQ758WXQ?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></object>
Just a comment on the game announcers. It goes without saying that Mayock's analysis is top drawer. I'm not a Tom Hammond hater. In fact, I think he's a very good play-by-play guy. However, I really liked Paul Burmeister (sp?) as a play-by-play announcer. I wonder if he was auditioning for the fall or if Hammond just had another gig on Saturday. We'll see. Regarding the game, it was fun to see ND football on a sunny day in April, but I didn't see anything worth getting worked up over. I'm glad that I saw three QBs who are capable of playing big time college football in 5 months. Rather than focus on their shortcomings (INTs, clock management, etc.), I prefer to think that any one of the three will be a good choice as a starter. It's a nice dilemma for the coach, regardless of what he says to the media. GA3 is an exciting runner, but I don't want to see him on the field until he learns to protect the football. Until then he's a turnover waiting to happen IMO. The O-line looked good, but there were a few key D players out for the game, so I'm hopeful but not wildly optimistic at this early stage. I thought the D-backs who played did a decent job in coverage. How that translates to the fall is anyone's guess. All in all, I enjoyed watching the game live on TV.