The Education of Brian Kelly

Well the 2010 season is in the books and the ink is now dry. A lot happened. Some arm pumping YES! But way too much wailing and grinding of teeth over lost opportunities. It could obviously have been better, but could have also been a lot worse. The injuries both season ending and nagging game-to-game took their toll on the team. Coaching and playing mistakes cost Notre Dame two games. However, the last four games made us all very proud. What was learned? What did Kelly take away from the season? What did we learn as well?

There is reason for excitement in 2011 with the battle over the quarterback position. Maybe even two QB’s sharing playing time befuddling the opponent’s defensive game plans? Many football pundits turn their noses up to that proposition but with a huge stable of quarterbacks with different styles, strengths and weaknesses it makes sharing huddle time very attractive. A special package of plays for two quarterbacks including some Leprechaun type shenanigans is very appealing.

The Irish are obviously on a roll with those four straight wins. With some young quality players returning this year (2011), some good looking, exciting recruits and everyone else being a little smarter. Including Coach Kelly.

ND 23 Purdue 12 – As soon as the game ended, you could smell it. Purdue kind of stunk. The season bore out the odor of  a 4-8 record with lackluster wins over Western Illinois, Ball State, Minnesota, and Northwestern and an embarrassing loss to Toledo. It should have been a wakeup call that things were not right in ND Nation. We should have blown them out of the stadium yet we struggled with a two touchdown win. Whatever adjustments were made for Michigan did not appear to work.

Michigan 28 ND 24 – Michigan was/is a one dimensional offense centered around QB Denard Robinson. Take away the short pass in the flats and put a spy on him to stop the scramble and QB draw. If that was the Kelly game play, it did not work. No quarterback should amass 258 yards rushing. Nor should he be able to connect at will on short passes to the sidelines. The next man in philosophy that was much talked about was smoke and mirrors as neither Rees nor Montana were prepared to take over the offense for a groggy Dayne Crist.

MSU 34 ND 31 (OT) – If coach Mark Dantonio had known his call for a fake field goal would end up costing him a heart attack you wonder if he would have called it. The Irish should have known better. It was beyond the range of the Spartan field goal kicker. Two ND defenders fell down and the OT loss hurt worse than the one against Michigan. Would a full-time Special Teams coach have made any difference? Probably not.

Stanford 37 ND 14 – This one really hurt. Stanford outplayed the Irish this year. Jim Harbaugh is a very good coach who gets his teams ready in late August. They play old Big Ten smash mouth in your face mask football. They were licking their chops knowing the Irish were on the ropes after two loses. It was a simple mismatch. What could have ND done to change the outcome? The coaching, game play and talent level were in a different league.

ND 31 Boston College 13 – A nice on the road win against the 'Other Catholics'. Notre Dame was written off as tanked coming into the game. The coaching staff was instrumental in turning around a disheartened team and deserve a lot of credit for the win. The coaching and play was exacting what the doctor ordered. The game was not even close.

ND 23 Pittsburgh 17 – Although ending up 7-5 like the Irish, Pittsburgh like Purdue is another team Kelly should have put away easily. Notre Dame struggled all year trying to put together four quarters of solid football. Where was the high powered spread offense Kelly preached?

ND 44 Western Michigan 20 – Thank you for scheduling a cupcake Mr. AD. Nothing wrong in playing a Michigan compass school at home to help boost the morale and give playing time to the bench, the Big Ten does it all the time. Thank goodness it wasn’t another lackluster Purdue or Pitt game.

Navy 35 ND 17 – To say that Notre Dame had a worthless defensive game plan is being polite. How can you let the first option (fullback handoff) of a triple option gain 210 yards? Navy never had to execute the quarterback carry (except on short yardage touchdowns) or pitch to the trailing back. Navy was stoppable, ask Maryland or Duke. Coach Kelly mentioned that 20 minutes of every fall practice was dedicated to Navy’s and Army’s triple option. That in itself is kind of scary admission and watching the blowout.

Tulsa 28 ND 27 – If a lack of a game plan was evident in the loss to Navy, the decision to allow a freshman quarterback to throw for a touchdown instead of kicking a field goal was worse. The loss of Dayne Crist to injury really hurt (no pun intended). Yes a touchdown would have forced Tulsa into a situation where they could not have kicked a field goal to win, but of course that was not necessary because of the pick. It was surprising that Kelly had that much confidence in Rees coming off the bench instead of a steady David Ruffer.

ND 28 Utah 3 – In probably one of the most amazing turnarounds in recent memory, Kelly and defensive coordinator Bob Diaco earned their paychecks in holding together a very discouraged football team. Give credit to the seniors as well. Kelly pushed them to rally the underclassmen. The defense rose to the occasion. The boost of defeating a ranked team, not allowing a touchdown and Tommy Rees earning his first victory were the start of something big.

ND 27 Army 3 – Another scheduling and also a great recruiting coup for Notre Dame. Army in Yankee Stadium at night, what a neat concept! What did Kelly learn? Don’t kick an inferior opponent when they are down. Live with the distractions of a nationally televised game and the media frenzy before and after.

ND 20 Southern Cal 16 – This is THE GAME. This is the season. This is security in your job. Beat USC. Yes Ronald Johnson wide open dropped a sure touchdown pass, but after Michigan State and Tulsa, Coach Kelly earned a break and learned in the process. He had a defense. He didn’t need to score quickly and often.

ND 33 Miami 17 (Sun Bowl) – Coach Kelly picked up immediately about this dormant rivalry. You just don’t have these at Grand Valley State or Cincinnati. His control of the 15 practices, fitting in final exams, preparation, game plan, setting the mental aptitude and gauging the team peaking physical were simply outstanding. Miami never had a chance.

2010 was the turnaround year for Notre Dame. You wait, watch and see. Lessons were learned and the education was exciting although rough and bumpy.

Lighting a Candle at the Grotto

Sometimes you have to go with your gut.  Screw the expense.  This is important for Notre Dame Football.

Fire up the Gulfstream IV, submit the flight plan for South Bend.  We here at Subway Alumni Station are on a MISSION.  No one can stop us.

Kiss the spouse goodbye for a day. The entire SAS staff is going to the Grotto.

The students are on winter break, we can't call on them.  It is up to us, the loyal subway alumni!

So Rich Rodriguez got fired.  So be it.

The issue is Jim Harbaugh.  Obviously a very good coach.

We do not want him at Stanford where he cleaned our clock in 2010.

We do not want him at Michigan for obvious reasons.

We are lighting candles like crazy even as this is being typed at the Grotto.

Why?  That the 49er's or the Broncos will offer him $$$$$$$$$.

Thank you for reading.

Go Irish. 

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Three Polls to Help Wait for Recruiting News from Notre Dame (Adjusted)

Editor comments below...........

Sylvia our assistant lay-out editor found some room on the right side of the Blog so we here at Subway Alumni Station decided to conduct a couple of unscientific polls. The burning questions of the New Year are:

Will Kyle Rudolph and Michael Floyd declare for the NFL draft?

How long will Charlie Weis last at Florida?

It appears that Charles Weis Jr. is interested in the coaching profession. What better way than to learn at Florida and alongside your father? It is a plus-plus for Mr. and Mrs. Weis, the family is not separated and Charles Jr. gets special treatment and unbelievable experience.

As we do in West Virginia, vote early, vote often.

********************************************

So Kyle Rudolph has opted for the NFL draft eh?

No sense in keeping his poll up.

Kyle. Good luck. Wish you well. The IRISH will miss you. God speed. Hope you return some day to earn your degree.

You are making a terrible mistake.

Of course the NFL wants you and has evaluated you very highly.

First tight end (TE) to be drafted?

Son, they do that to all the college juniors. They need new, fresh meat.

Will you be physically ready for the NFL combine?

If not, will some team pick you on your highlight film alone?

Will NFL teams take a chance on damaged goods?

The draft 2011 TE class is kind of lean.

Are your statistics all that impressive?

You got the size and the hands.

How many NFL teams are in the market to draft a rookie TE?

Your speed is great for a TE. Gee, you ran super for that 95 yard touchdown against Michigan.

The NFL is going to be interesting this year. Lockout? Strike? Rookie salary cap? Expanded roster? 18 game schedule?

Yup. The money smells sweet. Hope you get it all son.

Seizing and Safeguarding Mo

What is Mo?

The Curley, Larry, and Moe of the Three Stooges? No not that Moe.

Gary Moeller as in former Coach Mo of our northern nemesis Michigan? Gracious no not that Mo.

Mort Zuckerman billionaire publisher? No not that Mo either (darn).

Big Mo in meaning the Battleship Missouri?  Heavens no, taking on the Navy football team is plenty enough.

Mo = Momentum – A positive strength and force within a football program or a surging direction during an individual game leading to a successful conclusion for one team.

Come on IRISH football fans you knew that.

Mo is fickle. It is elusive. Mo is hard to keep once you get it. You can’t buy Mo. Not even with Big Ten Championship rings or Fiesta Bowl MVP awards. You got to earn Mo.

Mo can be Short Term or Long Term.

Some teams have no Mo. The University of Pittsburg has no Mo. They fired two head coaches within 30 days. (Probably an NCAA record) In fact, they not only have no Mo, they have bad Juju. (Which is scheduled to be defined in a future post) What Pitt has is an AD and a President who look like idiots, worried recruits, season ticket holders and alumni reevaluating their interest in the team and an entire Football Program looking for Mo.

Our northern nemesis has no Mo. They lost their Mo when they beat Illinois in triple overtime 67-65. Yes, they beat Purdue the next week 27-16, but they had already lost their Mo. Mississippi State was disappointed; they wanted to play a team with some Mo. Nope. Michigan brought no Mo. Only when they fire Rich Rod and hire Jim Harbaugh will Michigan begin to find some much needed Long Term Mo.

You do not want to lose Mo. Especially during a football game. Notre Dame has lost Mo far too many times. Remember: 1974, USC 55, Notre Dame 24?

Notre Dame had plenty of Mo, leading 24 – 0, then with 10 seconds remaining before halftime, Anthony Davis scored on a 7-yard pass from Pat Haden. Notre Dame went into the locker room thinking they had Mo, instead Mo walked over to the USC locker room. At the start of the second half, Davis took the opening kickoff of and raced 102 yards for a score, opening the floodgates as USC rallied for 35 points in the third quarter. For good measure USC scored two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter just to show Notre Dame who really ended up with Mo.

Short Term Mo is very important in maintaining positive strength of direction during a football game, either you got it or you don’t. Miami in the Sun Bowl had no Mo. Coming in after losing two games Miami brought no Mo. They didn’t really have a head coach either. Plus they were cold and dispirited, you can’t safeguard Mo shivering, listening to a coach who won’t be your head coach after the game.

Long Term Mo. Notre Dame has Long Term Mo. Four wins in a row over some pretty good comparative teams. Very nice. Eight wins on the season. Not sure where Mo was hangin out during the Michigan, MSU and Tulsa games. You can sometimes lose Mo if you have injuries, maybe that was it.

Last year Notre Dame had no Mo in November, no coach in December. The IRISH earned and banked Mo very slowly in 2010, through some fits and starts.

Currently there are plenty of teams wishing they had Notre Dame’s Mo going into 2011. Many play in the Big Ten.

Coach Brian Kelly knows Mo. Mo is confidence. Mo helps to develop your program to the Championship Level. He wants to feed and nurture Long Term Mo right up to playing South Florida, and then he will trade in some Long Term Mo for Short Term Mo.

Meet Notre Dame’s Long Term Mo:

++  Victories over Utah, Army, U$C, Miami.

++  A coaching staff, football players, trainers, cheerleaders, helmet painters, all brimming with abundent confidence and Mo.

Some More Mo We Need:


++  Successful finishing up recruiting and filling the holes in the roster.

++  A smart decision by Michael Floyd to stick around and suck up some of that Long Term Mo for his immiediate future and NFL career.

++  Serious decisions on which fifth year seniors to invite back.

++  Coach Paul Longo ratcheting up the conditioning and weigh training to ensure Long Term Mo does not decide to take a hiatus.

++  Spring practice that further instills Coach Kelly’s philosophy, program, and championship goals.

++  A clear idea who will be taking the first snap versus South Florida.

Coach Kelly has to continue to earn and bank Mo. You can never, ever have too much Mo.

Remember it takes time to build up and to safeguard Long Term Mo. It is easy to lose Short Term Mo.

This maybe what Mo looks like, but we are not sure.......

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2010 Sun Bowl Awards (Very Unofficial)

++ Off The Bench Award – Nick Tausch (So) 34 yard field goal.

++ Doing Your Job Award – Tommy Rees (Fr) 29-15-0, No sacks. 2 touchdowns.

++ Everywhere Award – Harrison Smith (Sr) 6 solo tackles, 1 AST, 3 interceptions for 16 yards.

++ Unheralded Award – Ben Turk (So) 4 punts. 1 for 45 yards. 3 inside the 20 yard line, none returned.

++ Jumping to the NFL Award – Michael Floyd (Jr) 6 receptions for 109 yards, 2 touchdowns.

++ Non-Starter Award – Robert Blanton (Jr) three solo tackles, six AST, 1 interception.

++ Most Needed Improvement in 2011 Award* – John Goodman (Jr) 2 punt returns for 2 yards.

++ Give Us More in 2011 Please Award – Austin Collinsworth (Fr) 1 kickoff return for 34 yards.

++ Unable To Comprehend and Play in Cool Weather Award – Entire Miami Football Team.

* - Award will actually be presented to Head Coach Brian Kelly and Coach Mike Elston Special Teams Coach.

It should be noted that Harrison Smith has a year of eligibility left (future 5th year senior) and if Michael returns, their is a core of excellent players to build upon in 2011.  We are already leaning forward in the foxholes.

Then entire staff at Subway Alumni Station is proud to be the very first in 2011 and part of Notre Dame Land and Nation to say........

GO IRISH BEAT SOUTH FLORIDA  !!!

That’s a Well-Oiled Team

“That’s a well-oiled team,” said senior Miami cornerback Ryan Hill. “They’re disciplined. They don’t make mistakes. They don’t have too many penalties. And when they have that and we have what we have, the game’s going to go the way it did.”

Gracious comments from Mr. Hill in a losing cause. Let’s throw some numbers out to back up that well-oiled team.

Time of possession: Notre Dame 37:09 ---- Miami 22:51

That says volumes about ball control, controlling the tempo of the game and keeping the Miami offense shivering on the sidelines.

Penalties: Notre Dame 3-20 ---- Miami 10-106

This has to gladden the very soul of every Notre Dame fan. We had a spurt of penalties during the middle of the schedule and Brian Kelly apparently has yelled his way into the minds and hearts of the team. No off-sides. One illegal procedure. No pass interference. No holdings. No delay of game. The lack of these type penalties point to a well disciplined, well coached team.

Game Plan: Notre Dame had 48 rushes and 29 pass attempts while Miami was just about the opposite with 24 and 40. Kelly went to the run to dictate the type of game play he needed to keep the pressure off Tommy Rees and ensure no interceptions. Coach Kelly indicated back in South Bend at his last press interview that basically the team was ready. He sure called that one right.

Cold weather: The Canes looked cold. They acted even colder. Such a sad deer in the headlight look about them as they stood around wondering what time the flight was back to warm weather and Miami.  For cryin out loud, Manti Te'o looked and acted warmer.

Coach Kelly brought back the Leprechaun in the form of Theo Riddick. It was just the change of pace Tommy needed. While the wildcat plays had mixed results, they too contributed to the well-oiled team.

If you look at the abundant amount of game photos offered for the ND vs. Miami Sun Bowl, check out the leg muscles and biceps of the Notre Dame players compared to the Canes. Strength, conditioning, lead to confidence and playing with intensity. Miami appeared to have just showed up to grab the free swag and head home to Florida.

How much wild Irish celebration did you observe in the end zone after a touchdown? Any kneeling and pointing to the sky? Jam piling? Jumping into each other’s arms? After a tackle see any ND defensive player show-off for the cameras? That’s a ho-hum, business as usual well focused team. Slam, bam, thank you type team. Ok, we won, where is dinner and how late is the curfew?

How many solo tackles did Notre Dame have? 28. How many assists? 42. An awful lot of swarming and gang tackling. Miami got mugged.

Yes, it was a well-oiled team. One ready for winter conditioning and the expectations of spring practice.

Thank you Brian Kelly and staff. Thank you well-oiled Notre Dame Team.

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Suggestion to Coach Brian Kelly

Ditch the sombrero and stick with the sun visor.

GO IRISH BEAT THE CANES

Answers To: So You Think You Know College Football Eh? Beat the Wizard

Here the questions and answers. How’d ya do?

#1 In what year was the provision requiring the football to actually be touched to the end zone ground was removed? 1889 [We know that’s hard to believe, but remember the American game of football evolved out of Rugby and those basic rules]

#2 What bowl has ND played in the most? Cotton Bowl [Yes, this was way too easy. Susie our secretary came up with this one. She now is no longer allowed to submit any questions for anything.]

#3 The End Zone was added to the Gridiron because? Creation of the forward pass

#4 What is the width of the gridiron? 53 1/3 yards [We were surprised how many got this right]

#5 The football helmet became mandatory in what year? 1939

#6 The goal post was moved from the goal line to the back of the end zone because? For player safety [Ah, the dreaded “all of the above” caught some]

#7 What year did the drop kick become obsolete? 1934 [It hung around for a while, but they changed the football and made it more pointed to promote the forward pass and it became tough to drop and get a true bounce]

#8 Notre Dame football coach Jesse Harper attended what university? University of Chicago [Not many wanted to take a crack at this question]

#9 What are Mansfield State Normal and Wyoming Seminary famous for? First night game [This one was the hardest]

#10 What year was the plastic helmet introduced? 1939 [Trick question. Yes, the same year helmets were ruled mandatory in college. It took a number of years for the plastic helmet to finally replace the leather model though]

tOSU Football Memorabilia For Sale - Cheap

It’s never too late to Christmas Shop. Especially with a little help from the guys at tOSU.

Psssssssssss! Wanna buy some neat stuff?  Cheap?  No questions asked?  Cash only please.  Gotta pay for some tats.

Here’s what’s offered for a very, very limited time:

Sportsmanship Award 2009 Fiesa Bowl - One Previous Owner

$900 - $1,000

 

2008 Big Ten Championship Ring (Football) - At least three available

$1,000 - $1,200

 

 

Trinket - Gold Pants - Like new

$350

 

 

 

Game Gear Slightly Used - Consists of jersey, pants, and shoes

 

$1,000

 

Serious inquiries only !!

 

Max's Tattoo Parlor and Sports Emporium Columbus Ohio

Merry Chrislmas and Happy New Year From Subway Alumni Station

Well the birth of Jesus is getting close. We strongly suspect this will be the last post until after Christmas when the Football Wizard reveals the answers to his Ten Questions. If you haven’t voted, you got until the 26th.  Right side of Blog.


We want to wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas, Prosperous, Healthy and Happy New Year. May God Bless each and every one of you.

To those listed below that provided comments, criticism, corrections, and encouragement to the Subway Alumni Station Blog thank you very much.  Especially Grim Jack and Tulsa Irish.  Who'd have thought, 163 posts of every make and model?

Bill H

ND67 AquaJock

Voice in the Wilderness

jim masterson

Eddy

Tulsa Irish

GB

Joe Subway

Dana Payne

ndfootball4ever

Erik 04

JM

Nate

Thundershaker

GrimJack

nd tacoma

Onehipdad

Love Thee Notre Dame

Fencing Irish

Franknbeans

Shady McFurkwaddle

Dan Powell

Jack J

Dusty D

bill w

tom

petoskey

GO IRISH BEAT THE CANES!!

 - Subway Alumni

The Wrong Kind of Guys

While riding the Red Line George our SAS archivist and I got into a discussion on the definition of a Kelly recruit.  Little did we realize that it would lead to this post.

RIGHT KIND OF GUYS

We first heard about Notre Dame's Coach Brian Kelly and his Right Kind of Guy (RKG) about a year ago when he and his new coaching staff hit what was left of the recruiting trail and some mighty slim pickings. Kelly ended up with a combination of Charlie Weis recruits and his (Kelly’s) RKG’s. Basically he defined the RKG as one that fits a specific height and weight for a particular position. Throw in desire, raw athleticism, potential, some gray matter between the ears and poof, a RKG.

At this past Sunday’s press conference, Kelly further defined his RKG, only the converse.

So says our coach:

"We have some guys that play because there are 81,000 in that stadium."

"But most of our guys---would play if not one fan showed up for the game. Those are the guys that I want."

"We had too many guys here that were interested in the walk from the basilica, wearing the Notre Dame helmet, and running out before 81,000. That can't be your prime reason for being at the University of Notre Dame. Now we've changed a lot of that."

OK, we can buy into that, gee who wouldn’t?  So have those dudes passed from the scene?  Has he pounded the RKG into any of the non-believers left? Any lingering Doubting Thomas still on the roster?

Just who were these guys doin the walk and wearin the golden helmet for themselves and $$$$? How are they doing today?

We assume these are guys who stepped up to the next level and are currently on roster in the NFL. Although that is one mighty big assumption. Through NFL week 14, here is what we have to offer.

Sergio Brown - Has played in eight games and recorded 11 tackles on defense and special teams.


Jimmy Clausen - Clausen has seen action in 10 games this season with seven starts. He has completed 115 of 224 pass attempts (51.3 percent) for 1,163 yards with a touchdown, seven interceptions and a passer rating of 55.0. He had his best game this past Sunday going 13-19 141 yards and 1 TD.  (Those stats not included above)


Kyle McCarthy - He has recorded two defensive and two special teams tackles. Currently on IR.

Eric Olsen – He has appeared in one game.

Golden Tate - He has played in nine games this season, and has 17 catches for 214 yards. He also has returned 16 punts for 202 yards per return with a long of 63 yards and a kickoff for 10 yards.


Sam Young – He has not seen any action since returning from an MCL injury.

Is Coach Kelly taking a shot at Jimmy and Golden for leaving Notre Dame early? Is it a subtle message to Floyd and Rudolph?

We think it is.  Good for Coach Kelly.

GO IRISH BEAT THE 'U'

What the Folks at Subway Alumni Station Want For Christmas

We here at SAS are very greedy and materialistic around Christmas Time.  Especially when it comes to Notre Dame Football.

We hauled out the old galvanized wash tub filled it full of everyone’s favorite beer and loaded it down with ice.



Next we all brought treats that ranged from Swedish Meatballs to Shrimp Platters to every kind of Christmas cookie, Sweet and Fat Boy Food known to man.  The objective was to get a little high, fat, and come up with our First Annual Notre Dame Christmas Wish List (but not in that particular order)

First Annual Notre Dame Christmas Wish List (in order)

++  Beat Miami in the Sun Bowl with a tenacious Defense and four solid quarters of Spread Offense.

++  Get the news that Michael Floyd and Kyle Rudolph are returning for their senior year.

++  David Ruffer is awarded a scholarship for a fifth year.

++  Recruits fall into place to make up for defections, graduation, and thin spots on the roster.

++  Come out of Spring Practice healthy.

++  Come out of Spring Practice with a clear #1, #2, and #3 quarterback.

++  From Spring Practice get a bunch of really pleasant surprises and breakout performances from some of the underclassmen.

++  Over the summer bulk and tone up the best in Notre Dame history.

++  Dayne Crist invite "His" receivers and backs to California for some intense personal practice.

++  For all other players, productive personal practices, drills, 7-on-7 and weight training over the summer at Notre Dame while attending summer school and achieving "A's" in class.

++  2011 solid victories over Michigan, Michigan State, Navy, U$C.

++  A BCS Bowl bid.

Editors Note:  You didn't believe we could be that greedy and materialistic huh?  It was the beer.

Question #10 So You Think You Know College Football Eh? Beat the Wizard

We changed our minds and decided to end the quiz a little early. The 10th question has been posted with the other nine on the right side of the Blog.  We will leave them up for a couple of days to give everyone a chance to test their knowledge.  Good Luck

A Riveting Play of the 2010 Notre Dame Football Season?

So what was the most riveting play? The game breaker? That definitional play of the Notre Dame 2010 season? Can it be even summed up in one play? One moment? One turning point in the season? What sticks in your craw? What could have been? What made you vomit? Why did you wail and nash your teeth? Wring your hands over an empty beer can. The play that made you cheer lustily and loud for old Notre Dame? Is it one play that can even sum up your feelings?


Well we assigned our video and tape assistant editor Suzanne to come up with the answer. In no particular order except in how they occurred here is what she dug up.

++ The 95 yard touchdown catch by Kyle Rudolph against Michigan that put Notre Dame temporarily in the lead very late in the fourth quarter.

++ The fake Michigan State Field goal in overtime that secured a victory for the Spartans?

++ The season ending hit absorbed by Dayne Crist against Tulsa?

++ The thrown interception by Tommy Rees in the end zone against Tulsa?

++ The bone crushing run into the end zone by Robert Hughes culminating a smash mouth drive against U$C securing a victory?

++ The interception by Harrison Smith in the waning seconds against U$C to stop a frantic effort?

It is easy to point to the USC game however look and think deeper. Did Suzanne miss something? Was/is there a turning point, a defining moment or is it a collage of plays, events, and games played to where Notre Dame is today, facing the University of Miami in the Sun Bowl? What could have been?

Why Kyle Rudolph and Michael Floyd Will Be Back For ND Football In 2011

Kyle Rudolph                                                    Michael Floyd

++  Both have unfinished business and things to prove concerning their college careers and Notre Dame.

++  The NFL is going to be very “iffy” in 2011. The threat of a lock-out or strike and the normal overall greed of the owners and players could make jumping early problematic and possibly pretty stupid.

++  Both have the tag of being injury prone during their first three seasons.

++  Both have played hurt and less than 100% which has effected there stats.

++  Neither lived up to 2010 preseason hype, All American billing and fan expectations.

++  Notre Dame Football is going to be exciting in 2011 with a good solid schedule and an obvious quarterback controversy.

++  The Team has a year of the Spread Offense and Brian Kelly under their belts. A victory in the Sun Bowl over Miami would be icing on the cake for closing out the 2010 season and laying the solid ground work for Spring Practice.

++  Rudolph had very serious surgery and will not be 100% ready for the NFL Combine.

++  Floyd’s mother wants him to complete his education.

++  Coach Kelly is actively recruiting them. It is suspected that the entire Notre Dame campus and ND Nation are as well.

++  Here are the lackluster, injury riddled receiving stats for 2010:

                              GP   No. Yards    Avg     TD   Long   Avg/G

FLOYD, Michael   11    73     916     12.5     10    80       83.3


RUDOLPH, Kyle   6     28     328      11.7     3      95        54.7

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Notre Dame Football Recruiting and Scholarship Status - 2010

With just about everybody getting hammered early this winter, we could not resist the picture.

If you have not come across this article on Notre Dame recruiting and scholarship status, you should take the time and give it a look.

It is accurate, well written and informative.

We know that is what the girl in the picture is doing.

Editor Note:  Eight questions have been posted.  Give them your best shot.

So You Think You Know College Football Eh? Beat the Wizard Question # 6

We snuck in question #5 and just have added #6.  Good luck.

How The Planets Are Going To have To Align For Notre Dame To Beat Miami

Mercury - Tommy Rees has got to stop throwing picks. Quit staring down his receivers and throw the ball as soon as a receiver comes open.

Venus – David Ruffer needs to be inserted at critical points in the game. i.e. near half-time or near end of the game as appropriate, as has not been done in the recent past..

Third rock from the Sun – The Wildcat a.k.a. Leprechaun needs to be available to take pressure off Rees if Mercury falls out of orbit. This maybe a tough one still both Rudolph and Allen were two of the three original Leprechaun initiators. John Goodman being the third. Can Cierre Wood throw the ball?

Mars – Keep Rees healthy. Come on O-line you can do it. Come on Tommy run for your life and throw it out of bounds. No one wants to see Nate Montana in the game, even Joe.

Jupiter – Wood and Hughes need to convince a reluctant Kelly that they can run in tandem/complimentary and gain yards and take pressure off Mercury from falling out of orbit. You got to prove yourselves early cuz Brian doesn’t have a lot of patience with the run.

Saturn – The defense has got to step up to the plate once again. Come on D. They have developed an attitude and a little swagger.  Keep it up.  Come on Manti, you breathe through your mouth anyway. Welcome back Ian. Smitty we need you to get us another pick. Darren this is your last Irish game Play like a Champion.

Uranus – Man oh man could we use a punt return for good yardage or a kick return to the house. What a solid way to put elusive points on the board and keep Mercury at bay.

Neptune - Keep doin what you been doing all year. Few mistakes. Few penalties. Confidence that you can pull it out and win. 

Pluto** – Floyd has to be more than a decoy. Sure he will be double-teamed. The rest of the receiving corps have to respond and step up to the plate. No tips. No deflections. No drops.

** I was taught by the good sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary that Pluto is a planet. I’m not going to change that perception just because a bunch of scientists say otherwise.

More Factoids About Bowl Swag Please!

Ok, as requested by several of you loyal SAS readers via e-mail. This is a tag-along post to the one below.

If the Irish had ended up in the Champs Sports Bowl, their Swag would have been:

$420 shopping spree at a local Best Buy and a watch from Timely Watch Company.

Here are the most numerous and common benefactor sponsors in the 35 Bowls:

Fossil -12

Ogio - 8

Oakey - 7

Timely – 5

Best Buy – 2

Common Gifts:

Fossil various Swag - 12

Backpacks – 8

Oakey various Swag - 7

Commemorate Footballs – 8

Duffle Bags 5

Watches – 5

Best Swag Bowls:

R&L Carriers Bowl: Apple iPod Touch and Commemorate ring

Beef O’ Brady St. Bowl: Microsoft xbox and Oakey stuff

Texas Bowl: Apple iPod Touch, T-shirt, backpack, belt buckle

Worst Swag Bowls:

Probably the Champs Sports Bowl (as noted above) and the Tostito’s BCS Championship Bowl:

Fossil stuff, cap, backpack

The Cotton, Meineke Car, New Era Pins Stripe, and Maaco Bowls did not report there Swag.

Sun Bowl and the Notre Dame SWAG

A little known pert for the Notre Dame lads comes in the form of a NCAA $500 limit on swag from the sponsors of the Sun Bowl. All Bowls do it and it’s a nice touch for the players.

Normally a Gift Suite is set up as a private event in which “game participants” and often Bowl VIPs are given an order form and allowed to select a gift or gifts up to the NCAA 500 bucks.

The Fightin Irish, coaches and other unknown team representatives will receive:

Watch from Timely Watch Co.

Majestic fleece pullover

Ball cap from Top of the World

Backpack from Ogio Politan

Hair dryer from Helen of Troy

Souvenir coin

So You Think You Know College Football Eh? Beat the Wizard Question # 4

Question # 4 is a good one.  But wait until you see #5!

Notre Dame and Miami – How They Rank

                                            


                                               Notre Dame        Miami

rushing offense                               96th                 26th

passing offense                               29th                 49th

total offense                                   63rd                 31st

scoring offense                               73rd                 58th

rushing defense                               55th                  81st

passing defense                              42nd                 2nd

total defense                                   47th                 16th

scoring defense                               29th                 21st

punting net                                      68th                19th

punt returns                                     96th                103rd

kickoff returns                                  83rd               104th

turnover margin                                74th                80th

fumbles recovered                            86th               23rd

passes intercepted                           34th               21st

ferwest penalties                              9th                 114th

punt return yardage defense              32nd              63rd

kick return yardage defense              16th               63rd

sacks                                               47th               6th

tackles for losses                              66th               1st

sacks allowed                                   3rd              26th

SOURCE:  The Official Website of NCAA Championship - Football : http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/ncaa-m-footbl-stats-index.html

Sun Bowl Facts

First of all thank you very much Pac-10 for fielding lousy teams and not having enough bowl-eligible so that Notre Dame could sneak in the back door of the Sun Bowl. This is so much better than going to

Orlando.

Second a security reminder for all Notre Dame fans: If traveling to Ciudad Juarez, be watchful for individuals wearing ski masks and hoodies carrying assault rifles. There is a 50-50 chance they are Miami fans.

FACTS The Sun Bowl, along with the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl are the second-oldest bowl games in the country, behind the Rose Bowl.

Stadium Sun Bowl Stadium

Location El Paso, Texas

Previous stadiums Jones Stadium (1935–1937)

Kidd Field (1938–1962)

Operated January 1, 1935 – present

Conference tie-ins Pac-10, ACC

Previous conference tie-ins Big Ten (1995–2005)

Payout US $4,100,000 combined (As of 2010 update)

First Game – 1936 between El Paso High School All-Stars vs. Ranger (Texas) Two High School Teams

2009 Matchup:

Oklahoma vs. Stanford (OU 31-27)

Former Names:

Sun Bowl (1935–1985)

John Hancock Sun Bowl (1986–1988)

John Hancock Bowl (1989–1993)

Sun Bowl (1994–1995)

Norwest Sun Bowl (1996–1998)

Wells Fargo Sun Bowl (1999–2003)

Vitalis Sun Bowl (2004–2005)

Brut Sun Bowl (2006–2009)

Former and Present Sponsors:

John Hancock (1986–1993)

Norwest (1996–1998)

Wells Fargo (1999–2003)

Vitalis (2004–2005)

Brut (2006–2009)

Hyundai (2010–present)

2009 Color Commentator for CBS - Steve Beuerlein

1986 Color Commentator for CBS - Ara Parseghian (He also played in the Sun Bowl for Miami (O) 1948)

So You Think You Know College Football Eh? Beat the Wizard Question # 3

Question # 3 is on the right side of the Blog. If you havne't anwsered the first two question, there is still plently of time.  All questions will remain up until after the Irish victory in the Sun Bowl.

If you don’t know what we are babbling about, check it out here.

BTW, the 18 current Notre Dame Football recruits can be found along the right side of the Blog below the quiz questions.

So You Think You Know College Football Eh? Beat the Wizard Question # 2

Question # 2 is on the right side of the Blog.  If you havne't anwsered the first question, there is still plently of time.

If you don’t know what we are babbling about, check it out here.

So You Think You Know College Football Eh? Beat the Wizard

The College Football Wizard

After the euphoria and relief come Sunday night on the Bowl invite for Notre Dame, things are going to slow way down. Coach Brian Kelly is going to put the habius blackoutus on news concerning the Fightin Irish.  Well he should.

The folks here at SAS have developed a ten question quiz on college football. The questions will be doled out over the course of the wait to see Notre Dame once again in action on the gridiron. Frank Leahy honesty and fair play rules apply. No fair Googling for answers. Come on, its multiple guess.  Take home.  Correct your own test.

Questions will be on the right side of the SAS Blog.

Beat the Wizard.

Keep track of your answers!!

After the bowl game, all ten answers will be posted. Good Luck.

Notre Dame Punt Returns - An Exercise in Futility

A number of members of the SAS staff disagreed with the notion that we should have included punt returns as a Notre Dame Bitter Disappointment. (See previous post) It was decided to task Becky, one of our staff researchers with digging up some facts and statistics. Her assignment was to ferret out the state and status of the Irish punt return.  It should be noted that Becky wears short skirts to work and has great legs. Although that had absolutely nothing to do with the assignment.

**********************************

Oregon who just happens to be positioned as number one in the polls also has the best punt return record.

Oregon punt return ranked 1st --11 games, 35 returns, 671 yards, 5 touchdowns, 19.17 average.

Notre Dame punt return ranked 96th –12 games, 15 returns, 89 yards, 1 touchdown, 5.93 average.

Notre Dame received 75 punts. 1 was blocked and returned for a touchdown (Blanton), 4 went for a touchback, 31 fair caught, 24 went out of bounds, shanked, let go to bounce around, etc, 15 were returned.

Out of the 15 returned went for grand total of 89 yards:

Allen 2-47

Blanton 2-27

Goodman 11-15

Longest 38 yards (Allen)

Obviously Allen’s run and Blanton’s block skew the numbers even worse.

So how does the first year of the Kelly era compare with the immediate past?  Weis?  Willingham?:

2010 – 15— 89

2009 – 18 --- 232

2008 – 24 --- 227

2007 – 26 --- 237

2006 – 23 ---169

2005 – 28 --- 396

2004 -- 33 ---358

2003 -- 31 --- 381

2002 -- 53 --- 518

2001 -- 28 --- 282

2000 -- 32 ---484

Becky wanted to wake up the echoes with a number of Tim Brown punt return videos. She was voted down. She countered with maybe a couple of Tom Zbikowski’s? No we decided.

She threatened to quit.  Her legs won out, here is Tim Brown running through Michigan State.

We here at SAS are often criticized for our harsh reviews of Notre Dame Football. That could not be farther from the truth! We are loyal subway alumni sons who just feel 7-5 is not good enough. With that explicit credo, we invited Coach Brian Kelly to respond to this post. He begged off listing recruiting, a blurred bowl picture and some much needed time with the family.  Instead the following is offered up to try and understand and explain Notre Dame's apparent lack of a punt return game.

First the lecture:

Like most coaches, they try to put the best athletes on the field, but were willing to settle for the people with the best instincts versus trick plays.

From the standpoint of a field position and ball-security, you have to start with the punt returner -- a player with great confidence, fearlessness, and the ability to adjust and catch the ball. Speed and elusiveness would be the icing on the cake.

A normal goal pretty much standard is to return each punt a minimum of 10 yards. To always give the offense good field position. Handle each punt properly.

In a return specialist you want: Quick, tricky punt returnees who have sure hands and use their blockers. They must catch the ball. (Seldom let one hit the ground.) Fair catches should be almost non-existent when a return is called.

On the punt return team you want: Fast open field blockers using good judgment in blocking. No blocks in the back, no chipping. Must stay onside and avoid roughing the kicker on punt return.

Punt Return Philosophy:

Pressure all kicks.

Too many things have to be right to get a return. Perfect kick. Great timing in wall. Blocking above the waist.
Avoiding clips.

Rare to get them all but you will get all if there is flaw in the punting operation.

Some basic rules:

Punt Return

1. You must catch all punts. Allowing a punt to roll on the ground loses valuable yardage. (average –16 yards)

2. Know the return, block, or prevent scheme called.

3. Be aware of the wind direction, sideline and distance that the opponent can punt the ball.

4. Always look to the bench for instructions.

5. Make your fair catch signal a decisive one. Wave one arm overhead twice.

6. You do not have to catch a punt even though you have signaled for a fair catch. However, you cannot block after signaling for a fair catch.

7. If backed up deep in our own territory, set up on the 10-yard line. Handle all punts on or in front of the 10-yard line.  If the ball is punted inside the 10, let it go, drawing the coverage away. If the ball is going into the end zone, be a good actor and draw coverage to you and away from the ball.

8. Score a touchdown or make a first down (10-yard return).

9. “Peter…Peter” call - the term “Peter” means we do not want to touch the ball downfield. In certain prevent situations, on partially blocked punts and on shanked punts, you will often not want to risk fielding the ball. Make the “Peter” call and use a “wipe away” hand signal to alert our return team to get away from it. Let it roll!

10. Know the rule of first touch. The official’s whistle downs the ball.

11. Returners must communicate. Listen for “hot…hot” call by the corners. (This means to signal for a fair catch.)

After the lecture the reality.

At the beginning of the season our punt return depth chart looked something like: Allen, Riddick, Wood, Goodman.

Allen started to have early injury issues and eventually it was thought he should concentrate on the running back position. Cierre Wood never really had a chance when Armando and Theo went down and we ended up with John.  Wood needed to concentrate as running back as well.

We ended up being ultra conservative for a number of reasons other than personnel. Don’t get us wrong John did exactly what was wanted, sure hands, good instinct, nothing crazy back there. We were punted short and away from a considerable number of times. Honestly, our opponents were not very good at punting.

Also, the nature of punting appears to be changing. Punting shorter, defending with three against the block, playing it safe, avoiding the fake. If you ask any coach he will tell you that referees call too many blocks in the back. Teams are employing great speed and emphasizing the gunners more and more. Everything has to set up just right for a return, good long line drive kick, gunners getting blocked, linemen making and holding blocks and a fast shifty returner.

The problem with TV is that you never get the big picture.  Who is blocking?  Who fell down.  Was their any kind of a wal or wedge set up?  Where is the breakdown?

It obviously looked as if Notre Dame was playing for the fair catch.  If that is the case, why not rush ten.  The heck with blocking the gunners, send ten to block the punt.

What ever happened with the idea of having a short man?  One who takes on the first gunner to get through and spring that all important first block for the returner.

Also, it would appear that punt returns offers the best opportunity for freshman and walk-ons to get on the field.  Special Teams has always been a path to starting.  Get some of those hungry guys out there to set up blocking and sacrificing there bodies for the return.

It just seems that coaches are always looking for the edge.  Always looking for the weakness.  Games are close and every opportunity to score is critical.

What would Frank Beamer do?

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Subway Alumni Station Polls

We might as well take down our two contests concerning where the Fightin Irish will end up in the Polls and with what record. 20-20 hindsight would indicate these were pretty dumb ideas considering the end results of the Notre Dame Football Team.


Congratulations to the Six (6) for predicting a 7-5 record.

It is assumed they did not pick to lose to Tulsa or Navy.  If you did, then let's plan a trip to Vegas, we want to bet with you at the Craps Table.

The expectations were much too high for the Coach’s Poll. No one picked “Farther South” where obviously we ended up.

We are going to take down the Leprechaun Poll as well. Apparently it has garnered little interest. The girls on the staff thought it was sexist and the guys figured what the heck, let’s be Unsociably Correct.

GO IRISH – Beat Somebody in Some Bowl.