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The Observer u IRISH
INSIDER
Friday, September 16, 2011
Football Recruiting
Commentary
Irish are so close, but so Two versatile recruits to visit far from breakthrough portant to this class.” Two heavily recruited but uncommitted offensive playTwo multi-position players al- ers will also visit campus this ready committed to Notre Dame weekend, including Ohio runwill headline this week’s crop of ning back William Mahone. “Mahone’s the exact type of visiting recruits, Irish recruiting expert Mike Frank said. back [the Irish] need right now,” Texas cornerback Nicky Baratti Frank said. “He’s a betweenwill take his official visit this the-tackles running, [and] he’s got really, weekend, and really nice while he has q u ick nes s. been recruited “Anytime you can get a to the Irish on big-time environment like He’ll be a guy who can the basis of that, and you can pull pound it in his secondary off an improbable win, the middle play, Baratti that’s always going to and do a lot continues to help you in recruiting.” of the heavy turn heads on lifting in the offensive Mike Frank the running side of the ball. game.” “He’s really Irish recruiting expert Mahone being recruitcould beed as a safety at Notre Dame, but if he contin- come the latest addition to ues to play well at quarterback Notre Dame’s 2012 class as they’re going to have to take a soon as this weekend. “He likes Notre Dame quite look at him because he’s a heck of an athlete,” said Frank, who a bit,” Frank said. “I would say runs the ESPN-affiliated Irish that it’s possible he commits Sports Daily. “This is a great this weekend, but I wouldn’t say athlete, a guy who has lots of probable.” South Carolina receiver Chris quickness and speed and also Brown will take in this weekreally good size.” Maryland cornerback Ronald end’s matchup, and Frank says Darby, who has also committed that the interest regional teams to Notre Dame, will also take have shown in Brown speaks to his official visit this weekend. his ability. “One way we judge players While he has played well as a running back, Darby will prob- besides watching film is whethably stay a defensive back when er the local teams have offered,” Frank said. “If you look at Chris he joins the Irish. “He’s a guy who could pos- Brown’s offer list, really everysibly play some running back, body around that area … is hot [but] Notre Dame really liked after him.” Three other commits from him on the secondary side,” Frank said. “He’s a big corner, Notre Dame’s 2012 class will and he’s got blazing, blazing visit campus again this weekspeed. He’s not just a track end, including long snapper guy, he’s a really good football Scott Daly, athlete David Perplayer as well. He’s really im- kins and defensive tackle Shel-
By ALLAN JOSEPH
So close, yet so far. Irish coach Brian Kelly made it very clear after last week’s gut-wrenching loss to Michigan that Notre Dame is not yet a good football team. But how close are the Irish to being a good football team? So close, yet so far. It’s been the story of Notre Dame’s season this far. Against South Florida, the Irish fell behind by a big margin, but then made a comeback. They closed the gap to three points, but they never really had a chance to take the Allan Joseph lead at the end. Sports Editor Against Michigan, it was the other way around with an eerily familiar ending. Notre Dame jumped out to an early lead to silence the record crowd, but Denard Robinson turned in another performance for the ages and led the Wolverines to a late victory that every Irish fan knew was possible. So close, yet so far. The offensive line has been one of the best frontline units in years. They’ve given the largely immobile Tommy Rees plenty of time to find open receivers. More importantly and impressively, the big guys up front have opened up huge running lanes for the tailbacks. Cierre Wood and Jonas Gray have seen daylight more often than any Irish back in recent memory. Wood has been a revelation, turning in two 100yard performances that could have been more if the playcalling had gone his way. It’s not just the running game. Michael Floyd continues to cement his status as (at least statistically) the best wide receiver in Notre Dame history. Theo Riddick bounced back from a tough opening game, T.J. Jones has continued to improve and Tyler Eifert has continued a proud tradition of high-quality tight ends. There’s a reason Notre Dame has the 10th most yards in the country, and against a tougherthan-average schedule to boot. They’re so close. On the other hand, turnovers have killed too many drives. Rees has thrown far too many interceptions. Some have been dumb throws, and some have just been plain bad. Rees, Wood
and Gray have also combined for some costly fumbles. The Irish give the ball away far more often than they should, and it’s killing any chances they have at victory. What’s worse, nothing in the last two games suggests this will change. They’re so far. The story is the same on the other side of the ball. The defensive line has benefited from strong senior leadership in Kapron Lewis-Moore and Ethan Johnson, and Louis Nix has led a crop of burgeoning young players. The linebackers have generally played well, and Robert Blanton has been a very, very capable cornerback. They’re so close. The problem has been the mistakes. Last week, the secondary made Robinson look like a far better thrower than he is, and that’s in large part attributable to some inexplicable lapses in coverage. The defense stood firm for much of the game, but it chose the worst time to make its worst mistakes. After helping contain Robinson for much of the game, Darius Fleming picked a terrible time to be juked out of his shoes on a screen pass. No one has any explanation for why Jeremy Gallon was so wide open on the right side for a 64-yard pass with half a minute to go. Two seniors committed drive-extending late-hit penalties in the fourth quarter against South Florida when the offense could have used every second it got. They’re so far. This weekend will tell us much more about where the Irish really are. Is this a squad that really is on the verge of a breakthrough? The players believe so. Or is this is a squad that isn’t as good as everyone thought it would be? Maybe the Irish are still a year or two away from expecting easy victories over good-but-not-great teams like South Florida and Michigan. Ultimately, the Irish can’t be both so close and so far forever. Over the course of a football season, the truth about a football team is exposed. The big question about this football team will be answered. So close, yet so far. Which one is it? The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer. Contact Allan Joseph at ajoseph2@nd.edu
Sports Editor
don Day. Frank said Notre Dame’s recruiting efforts should not be greatly hampered by its 3531 loss at Michigan last week. “A lot of those kids at Michigan were already committed to Michigan,” Frank said. “At the same time, a lot of those guys will be at Notre Dame this weekend.” On the other hand, the environment of last week’s matchup did help Michigan in its competition with Notre Dame for some of the same players. “Anytime you can get a bigtime environment like that, and you can pull off an improbable win, that’s always going to help you in recruiting,” Frank said. “The Michigan staff wouldn’t want that to happen any other way. That’s as good as you can draw up when you have recruits in town.” Most importantly for the Irish, Frank said many of the recruits may see an opportunity to join a Notre Dame squad that lost each of its first two games by close margins. “These recruits are smart enough to realize that [the Irish] are just a few mistakes away from being a fantastic football team, and maybe [the recruits] can be the difference between being really good and really great.” For more on Notre Dame recruiting, check out Mike Frank’s irishsportsdaily.com. Email Mike at mikefrank18@sbcglobal.net and tell him The Observer sent you. Contact Allan Joseph at ajoseph2@nd.edu
Friday, September 16, 2011
The Observer u IRISH
INSIDER
ndsmcobserver.com | page 3
Mama’s boy Senior receiver Michael Floyd’s relationship with his mother motivates him to be the nation’s best “You just got to look past that ceivers higher while evaluating and that was a wrong decision, potential draftees. but moving forward I’m doing “Just knowing that they see Whether working on his de- a good job with the team, han- other guys with more stats or gree or snaring passes, Michael dling things right, being a vocal whatever means I have to prove Floyd relies on one source of in- leader and carrying myself in a to everybody that I am the best receiver in the country and I’m spiration in everything he does positive way,” Floyd said. Since Floyd’s reinstatement, going to show it,” he said. — his close relationship with the coaching staff says it has Despite Floyd’s watermark his mother. “[My mother] means a lot,” seen a more mature leader in performance over his first three seasons, the preseason Floyd said. “She’s my motivator, the senior receiver. “Michael has been what we All-American has elevated his what keeps me going. She keeps expected and game to another level in 2011. the fuel gomore,” Irish “I think I’m moving around a ing in my coach Brian lot more on offense and exploitbody to get Kelly said. “He’s ing the defense’s weaknesses good grades been great with our advantages,” he said. and play well “I always told my mom in the locker “That’s put me in a position to on the footI wanted to graduate room, he’s been get good catches and keep the ball field. I college, so that was great around chains moving.” just want to my first goal.” our teammates, Through two games, Floyd do well for he’s a joy to has caught 25 passes for 313 her and for Michael Floyd coach, he’s up- yards and two touchdowns. If myself.” senior receiver beat and posi- he played at this pace for the Theresa tive about ev- whole season, he would finish R o m e r o erything, and the regular season with 150 raised Floyd he’s a great catches, 1,878 yards and 12 in St. Paul, competitor. I’m touchdowns. Minn. and, “He’s more mature, just like though now separated by dis- just lucky that I get an opportumost of the guys on offense,” tance, the two remain close nity to coach him.” Floyd’s strong work ethic has Molnar said. “A year in our during busy autumns. Romero will be in attendance for the been a constant throughout his system has certainly helped, USC and Boston College home time at Notre Dame and has set knowing what our expectations are. I think games Oct. 22 and Nov. 19, re- an example for his skill spectively, and was on hand to the rest of the offenset has imsee her son catch 12 passes for offense, proved dra154 yards and two touchdowns sive coordinator matically in the season opener against Charley Molnar said. from when South Florida. “I say it over we first When Floyd announced he got here — would return for his senior sea- and over again, “He’s really the things that son, he said his mother played a his best form hardest worker we of leadership is you may large role in the decision. have on the offense.” not recog“I always told my mom I want- this: He comes nize but as ed to graduate college, so that to work every coaches we was my first goal,” Floyd said. single day and Charley Molnar see day-to“It was the reason why I came does his best, he offensive coordinator day, things back to graduate from here. I gives his all,” he that he think I made it this far in col- said. “He’s redidn’t do as lege and I didn’t want to leave ally the hardest worker we have consistently here without getting a degree.” a year ago, Floyd’s plan suffered a set- on the offense. he’s doing back when he was arrested Day-in and dayright now. March 20 after being pulled out, he really is “He knows how to set up a over by Notre Dame Security the benchmark for effort offendefensive back where maybe Police and charged with driv- sively.” a year ago he would just use ing a vehicle while intoxicated. his strength and try and run Once again, Floyd relied on his Proving he’s the best Floyd returned to school with through him, where now he’ll mother’s support while his status with the University and foot- a chip on his shoulder after pro- do things to try and turn a corfessional scouts rated other re- nerback’s or a safety’s hips and ball team was uncertain.
By ANDREW OWENS Associate Sports Editor
SARAH O’CONNOR/The Observer
Senior receiver Michael Floyd runs downfield during Notre Dame’s 35-31 loss to Michigan on Sept. 10. Floyd became Notre Dame’s all-time receiving yards leader during the game.
PAT COVENEY/The Observer
Senior receiver Michael Floyd evades Michigan defenders during Notre Dame’s 35-31 loss to the Wolverines on Sept. 10. get himself in the best position to get open.”
Chemistry with Rees
sion and finding the right guy, but Mike’s getting open and he’s working his progression to Mike, and Mike’s coming up with the ball right now,” he said.
Part of Floyd’s success at the end of 2010 and through the first two games of 2011 can be Record-breaker attributed to the relationship With his 12 catches against with sophomore quarterback South Florida, Floyd passed Tommy Rees. Jeff Samardzija to become the “I think it’s what the defense all-time Notre Dame receptions gives us,” Floyd said. “I think he leader with 183 (he now has knows that with 196). His that wide receivtwo toucher corps whatevdowns iner coverage they creased his give somebody’s career total open. I think he “At the end of the day you to 30, padknows that and want to win and whatever ding a rethat we can bail cord he set [records] you break, if him out of any last season. you’re not winning, it situation that he Despite doesn’t mean too much.” has.” the accomIn the last six plishments, Michael Floyd games, dating Floyd said back to 2010, he only senior receiver Rees and Floyd pays attenhave developed tion to wins a strong rapport and losses. and the signal “[I didn’t caller has been know] until able to take advantage of his top the news told me,” he said. “It playmaker’s talent. means a lot and whatever I can “As far as my job goes, when do to help the team to do win is you have a player on the field the main goal and that’s what like Michael, you try to get him I’m trying to do. At the end of the ball as much as you can,” the day you want to win and Rees said. “Our offense does a whatever you break, if you’re good job of putting him in dif- not winning, it doesn’t mean too ferent situations on the field to much.” keep a defense guessing and difAs a senior, Floyd knows his ferent ways to put the ball in his days at Notre Dame are numhands. For me, it’s pretty easy bered, and he already envisions — if I can get it to him, things what type of mark he wants to work out pretty well. I think a leave on the program. lot of the work we’ve done in the “I just want [people] to know past year-and-a-half in practice I was a fun guy and a leader on has prepared us to be success- and off the field and in the comful.” munity,” he said. Molnar said the work the two A legacy like that is sure to have put in together has paid off make any mother proud. early in 2011. “Tommy’s pretty good about Contact Andrew Owens at going through his progres- aowens2@nd.edu
The Observer u IRISH
page 4 | ndsmcobserver.com
IRISH PASSING
Tommy Rees performed well for much of Saturday’s 35-31 loss to Michigan and took advantage of having a receiver of Michael Floyd’s caliber, as the two connected 13 times for 159 yards in the game. The Irish will need a strong performance against a stout Michigan State secondary that allowed only 26 passing yards last week. Theo Riddick bounced back from a disastrous opener against South Florida to catch six passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. Notre Dame needs the junior receiver and other playmakers like Tyler Eifert to step up and prevent the Spartans from stacking against the run. Rees should benefit from an offensive line that has been solid in pass protection in the first two games of the season. If they continue to protect Rees, the sophomore should be able to find Floyd in enough situations to put the team in a strong position to win Saturday. The Spartans surrendered only 215.8 passing yards per game in 2010 and finished 16th in the nation with 17 interceptions.
IRISH RUSHING
Cierre Wood and Jonas Gray combined for an excellent Irish rushing attack at Michigan Stadium last Saturday. After not having a 100-yard rusher in 2010, Notre Dame has benefited from Wood achieving it in each of the first two games this season. His 25 carries for 134 yards and a touchdown paced the Irish offense, but he had a costly fumble that contributed to the Wolverine comeback. Gray looked to be over his fumbling problem during his 66-yard performance last week. Each running back has lost a fumble in the early season, and the Irish cannot afford to cough it up again this week. Michigan State allowed only 22 rushing yards in last week’s win over Florida Atlantic, and much of its gameplan will be devoted to slowing down the Wood and Gray combination. The Spartans finished 20th in rushing defense in 2010, allowing only 121.9 yards per game. They held Armando Allen to 71 yards last year and forced the Irish to become one-dimensional as Dayne Crist threw 55 passes in the overtime loss.
INSIDER
Friday, September 16, 2011
Head-to
IRISH OFFENSIVE COACHING
After a five-turnover performance in the season opener, Notre Dame coaches emphasized fundamentals in practice last week just to see the Irish commit five more turnovers in the 35-31 loss at Michigan. With the exception of when they fell behind 16-0 to South Florida, the Irish have been committed to a balanced offensive attack in the first two games. Their ability to score Saturday will be determined by the success of the running game, which would allow Rees more opportunities with playaction.
Notre Dame Offense
EDGE: EVEN
RB QB
20
Cierre Wood
Jr.
25
Jonas Gray
Sr.
11
Tommy Rees
So.
10
Dayne Crist
Sr.
EDGE: EVEN
EDGE: NOTRE DAME
IRISH SCHEDULE
Sept. 3 South Florida (L, 23–20) Sept. 10 @ Michigan (L, 35-31) Sept. 17 Michigan St. Sept. 24 @ Pittsburgh Oct. 1 @ Purdue Oct. 8 Air Force Oct. 22 USC Oct. 29 Navy Nov. 5 @ Wake Forest Nov. 12 Maryland Nov. 19 Boston College Nov. 26 @ Stanford
The Irish special teams have been a rollercoaster through the first two games. John Goodman replaced Theo Riddick as the punt returner after Riddick lost a fumble on a return and nearly muffed another in the 23-20 loss to South Florida. Notre Dame ranks 116th out of 120 FBS teams in punting with a 33.9 average thus far, which is due to the inconsistent play of Ben Turk. Irish coach Brian Kelly said the team is sticking with the junior, but needs him to start performing on Saturdays.
LT LG C RG RT TE WR
7
16
TJ Jones
So.
DaVaris Daniels
Fr.
6
Theo Riddick
Jr.
9
Robby Toma
Jr.
70
Zack Martin
Jr.
72
Nick Martin
Fr.
66
Chris Watt
Jr.
76
Andrew Nuss
Sr.
52
Braxston Cave
Sr.
57
Mike Golic Jr.
Sr.
78
Trevor Robinson
Sr.
65
Conor Hanratty
Fr.
75
Taylor Dever
Sr.
74
Christian Lombard
So.
80
Tyler Eifert
Jr.
82
Alex Welch
So.
3
81
Michael Floyd
Sr.
John Goodman
Sr.
Notre Dame Defense CB
EDGE: MICHIGAN STATE
97
David Ruffer
Sr.
35
Ben Turk
Jr.
60
Jordan Cowart
Jr.
81
John Goodman
Sr.
6
Theo Riddick
Jr.
2
Bennett Jackson
So.
Kyle Brindza
Fr.
27
IRISH SPECIAL TEAMS
12
Robert Blanton
Sr.
23
Lo Wood
So.
Notre Dame Specialists PK P LS PR KR KO
WR WR
S
22
Harrison Smith
Sr.
15
Dan McCarthy
Sr.
ILB ILB S
48
Dan Fox
Jr.
44
Carlo Calabrese
Jr.
5
54
Manti Te’o
Jr.
Anthony McDonald
Sr.
26
Jamoris Slaughter
Sr.
17
Zeke Motta
Jr.
CB
OLB DE NG DE OLB
45
Darius Fleming
Sr.
46
Steve Filer
Sr.
90
Ethan Johnson
Sr.
19
Aaron Lynch
Fr.
Louis Nix III
So.
98
9
Sean Cwynar
Sr.
89
Kapron Lewis-Moore Sr.
Stephon Tuitt
7
Fr.
55
Prince Shembo
So.
13
Danny Spond
So.
4
Gary Gray
Sr.
2
Bennett Jackson
So.
Predictions Allan Joseph Sports Editor
Douglas Farmer Editor-in-Chief
Eric Prister Sports Writer
After two straight weeks of mistake-ridden football, it’s simply impossible for me to believe the Irish are going to change their habits until they prove it on the field. It’s really that simple. Michigan State is far better than South Florida or Michigan. The Spartans are big, fast and physical. It’s not that Notre Dame isn’t capable of playing with them. The Irish have more talent, and the first quarter of last week’s game shows they’re capable of living up to it. The problem is that this team continues to make mistakes when it can least afford them, and until the Irish show they can clean it up, it’s difficult to see them beating a good team. It’ll be a close game. It’ll be a defensive struggle. But it’ll also be a sadly familiar result.
All around me are familiar faces, worn out places, worn out faces. Faces sick of losing. Faces sick of losing when the Irish should be winning. But, it is indeed a mad world. Thus, while I’d love to say those faces have something to look forward to, once again, the odds are slim. Actually, the odds are technically in Notre Dame’s favor. As of Wednesday night, the Vegas oddsmakers were giving the Irish a 4.5 point cushion over the No. 15 Spartans. That’s right, a ranked, undefeated Michigan State squad is expected to lose to winless Notre Dame. Why? Because the Irish can’t possibly keep turning the ball over five times a game, right? Right, but once or twice will be too much against the Spartans.
The Irish have now twice proven that it is possible to be the far superior team on the field and still lose the game. Plagued by costly errors offensively, defensively and on the sideline, Notre Dame has turned what should have been a home game to stay undefeated into another must-win game. Nine turnovers, including six inside the red zone, sloppy special teams play and poor pass coverage have cost Notre Dame both games thus far. But the Irish couldn’t possibly turn the ball over in the red zone three times again, could they? Notre Dame turns things around and beats the Spartans handily Saturday. But remember, if the game stays close, anything could happen.
FINAL SCORE: Michigan State 21, Notre Dame 17
FINAL SCORE: Michigan State 27, Notre Dame 23
FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 27, Michigan State 17
The Observer u IRISH
Friday, September 16, 2011
o-Head
MSU OFFENSIVE COACHING
Michigan State prides itself on tiring the opposing defense with its running game. Spartans coach Mark Dantonio and offensive coordinator Don Treadwell will try to control the time of possession with a strong rushing attack, led by Edwin Baker and Larry Caper. The Spartans won behind a balanced attack in last year’s matchup, gaining 203 yards on the ground and 274 through the air.
Michigan State Defense CB
31
Darqueze Dennard
So.
14
Tony Lippett
So.
OLB DE DT DT DE
Jr.
Taiwan Jones
Jr.
Marcus Rush
So.
Denzel Drone
So.
99
Jerel Worthy
Jr.
57 96
Johnathan Strayhorn Sr. Anthony Rashad White Jr. Kevin Pickelman Sr.
William Gholston
So.
Tyler Hoover
Jr.
2
91
OLB CB
Chris Norman
34
52
98
5
32
EDGE: EVEN
10
44
FS MLB
INSIDER
39
Trenton Robinson
12
Dana Dixon
40
Max Bullough
So.
49
TyQuan Hammock
So.
SS
9
27
28
Denicos Allen
So.
50
Steve Gardiner
Jr.
Isiah Lewis Kurtis Drummond
ndsmcobserver.com | page 5
MSU RUSHING
Louis Nix, Manti Te’o and the rest of the Irish defense will have their hands full with a very capable Michigan State rushing attack. The Spartans thirdstring running back, Le’Veon Bell, rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown in Michigan State’s 34-31 overtime victory last season. The team’s top two rushers on the depth chart, Edwin Baker and Larry Caper have combined for nearly 200 yards in the first two games, despite receiving limited playing time in Michigan State blowout victories over Youngstown State and Florida Atlantic, respectively. The Irish rush defense held Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson in check for most of the game last week, but big plays hurt the unit as the junior finished with 108 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Sr. Michigan State presents a So. more conventional rushing attack with more talented running backs and a less mobile quarterback than Robinson in Kirk Cousins. Te’o has paced the Irish deSo. fense with 14 tackles, two for So. loss, in two games this season and will be needed all over the field Saturday if the Irish are going to prevail.
Jr.
Mitchell White
Jr.
Cousins, a senior, brings experience to the Michigan State offense after a 11-2 season in 2010 that culminated in a berth in the Capital One Bowl. He threw 20 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions and led the Spartans to a share of the Big Ten championship. Cousins has several returning playmakers to throw to, including senior wide receivers Keshawn Martin and B.J. Cunningham, tight end Brian Lithicum and Baker and Caper out of the backfield. Notre Dame’s secondary enters the Michigan State game after a disastrous fourth quarter in Ann Arbor last Saturday. After holding Denard Robinson in check for three quarters, the defense allowed three passing touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the last of which sealed the Michigan victory. Much of the criticism from last week’s performance has fallen on Gary Gray, and the senior will be tested often Saturday against a talented Michigan State receiving corps. The Irish will depend on a productive pass rush to get to Cousins and force turnovers.
EDGE: MICHIGAN STATE
EDGE: EVEN
Johnny Adams
MSU PASSING
MSU SCHEDULE
MSU SPECIAL TEAMS
Dan Conroy is 2-4 on field goal attempts in the early going for Michigan State. His two misses have come on attempts of 28 and 27 yards, though one of the converted attempts came from 50 yards. Like Notre Dame, Michigan State has struggled on punts this season. Sophomore Mike Sadler has averaged 37.8 yards per punt in two games, which ranks 94th in the country.
Michigan State Offense WR
3
B.J. Cunningham
Sr.
7
Keith Nichol
Sr.
TE RT RG C LG LT
88
Brian Lithicum
Sr.
85
Garrett Celek
Sr.
70
Skyler Burkland
So.
75
Jared McGaha
Sr.
62
Chris McDonald
Jr.
68
Ethan Ruhland
Jr.
WR
82
Keshawn Martin
Sr.
13
Bennie Fowler
So.
64
Blake Treadwell
Jr.
63
Travis Jackson
Fr.
67
Joel Foreman
Sr.
71
John Deyo
Jr.
59
Dan France
So.
51
Fou Fonoti
Jr.
EDGE: NOTRE DAME
Sept. 3 Youngstown State (W, 28-6) Sept. 10 Florida Atlantic (W, 44-0) Sept. 17 @ Notre Dame Sept. 24 Central Michigan Oct. 1 @ Ohio State Oct. 15 Michigan Oct. 22 Wisconsin Oct. 29 @ Nebraska Nov. 5 Minnesota Nov. 12 @ Iowa Nov. 19 Indiana Nov.26 @ Northwestern
Michigan State Specialists
QB RB
FB
42
Todd Anderson
Sr.
38
Niko Palazeti
So.
8
10
4
22
Kirk Cousins
Sr.
Andrew Maxwell
So.
Edwin Baker
Jr.
Larry Caper
Jr.
PK P LS
4
Dan Conroy
Jr.
3
Mike Sadler
So.
58
Matt Giampapa
Fr.
PR KR
82
Keshawn Martin
Sr.
20
Nick Hill
So.
KO
17
Kevin Muma
So.
Andrew Owens Associate Sports Editor
Chris Masoud Assistant Managing Editor
When these two squads duke it out, the game is almost always a thriller, and this year should be no different. Despite the close contests, the Spartans are 10-4 in their last 14 against the Irish, including a sixgame winning streak at Notre Dame Stadium that was snapped in 2009. Talent is not Notre Dame’s problem, but costly turnovers are. While they will take a step in the right direction by protecting the football Saturday, it will not be enough to top a Big 10 title contender in Michigan State. The running tandem of Edwin Baker and Larry Caper will keep time of possession in Michigan State’s favor and will lift the Spartans to another close win over Notre Dame as the Irish fall to 0-3 on the season.
Someone has to pick Notre Dame, right? The Irish played their best quarter of football in four years in the opening 15 minutes of Saturday’s loss to Michigan — and still lost. While we won’t actually know how good the Wolverines are until they play through their Big Ten schedule, the Irish 2011 schedule is unforgiving. 2010 co-Big Ten champion Michigan State rolls in with more confidence than the team’s play merits following wins over Youngstown State and Florida Atlantic. Spartans quarterback Kirk Cousins is an underrated passer who can break off a run if the Irish linebackers fail to keep him contained, but has only tallied two touchdowns thus far. I’ll be watching the battle of the trenches. If Rees hits the deck less than three times Saturday, Notre Dame avoids the “best winless team in America” feature on College Football Live.
FINAL SCORE: Michigan State 37, Notre Dame 31
FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 28, Michigan State 24
The Observer u IRISH
page 6 | ndsmcobserver.com
Limiting mistakes key to defeating Spartans
AP
Michigan State defeated Notre Dame in overtime last year on this fake field goal, known by the playcall “Little Giants.” By DOUGLAS FARMER Editor-in-Chief
A year removed from the fateful “Little Giants” disaster, Notre Dame needs to avoid more careless mistakes to top No. 15 Michigan State. The Irish (0-2) have caught the Spartans’ coaches’ attention with their 10 turnovers already this season, and the Michigan State defense, led by linebacker Max Bullough, will indeed be looking to force more of the same. “I would like to say we’re going to continue to get [turnovers] and they’re going to keep making mistakes, but sooner or later you fix the mistakes,” Spartans defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi said to reporters Wednesday. “You just hope they don’t have a clean game, but we have to force [turnovers]. We have to make it happen.” Along with forcing turnovers, Narduzzi’s unit will focus on Irish junior running back Cierre Wood. Wood has averaged 119 yards per game and 5.2 yards per carry this season, compared to Notre Dame’s total of 92 yards on the ground against Michigan State (2-0) last year. “We need to do the same thing,” Narduzzi said. “We have to make them one-dimensional. We cannot let the run game get started. If they get the run game started, then they can spread you out and throw it like they do, [and] we’re going to have problems. So we have to stop the run.” On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame’s defense will have its work cut out going up against a much more physical team than either Michigan or South Florida. The defending Big Ten champions have tallied 347 net rushing yards already this season, and quarterback Kirk Cousins is 34 of 42 for 405 passing yards. “They’re big, large-bodied guys, all across the board,” Irish defensive coordinator Bob Diaco said. “Their wide receiv-
ers are big, and physical, and block. Their tight ends are big, and physical, and block. “Their quarterback, I think he’s a three-year captain. He’s a big-bodied guy that can run that pro-style offense. It’s a physical, smash-mouth, rugged team.” In last year’s overtime loss, Notre Dame allowed the Spartans to rush for 203 yards and for Cousins to complete 24 of his 34 passing attempts. Along with being more physical than either of Notre Dame’s first two opponents, Michigan State features a quarterback, Cousins, who does not thrive outside the pocket as South Florida’s B.J. Daniels and Michigan’s Denard Robinson do. “[Cousins] doesn’t seem to scramble to run,” Diaco said. “He seems to scramble to pass, which is a little different. But he’s a proficient runner, so they still need to be disciplined in their rush lanes.” Not that the Irish defensive front isn’t licking its chops at the prospect of a drop-back passer for once. Diaco said Irish junior linebacker Manti Te’o and his colleagues are eager for the change in approach. “I would think they’re looking forward to a team that’s going to come in here as the defending champions and pride themselves on rugged, smash-mouth football,” Diaco said. “I think if you were a competitor that would energize you and have you wanting to rise to the occasion.” Yet, the Spartans are not entirely about smash-mouth football, as was made evident in last year’s fake field goal to win 3431 in overtime. Notre Dame has not forgotten the “Little Giants” as it prepares for this weekend. “Everybody has their responsibility to do,” Diaco said of possible trick plays. “They need to be disciplined and put their eyes on their work, not take them off their work, and finish the play.” Contact Douglas Farmer at dfarmer1@nd.edu
INSIDER
Friday, September 16, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
The Observer u IRISH
INSIDER
ndsmcobserver.com | page 7
Physical mentality leads to offensive line success By CHRIS MASOUD Assistant Managing Editor
Despite the meticulous attention to detail and thoughtful analysis that goes into each play offensive coordinator Charley Molnar draws up for junior running back Cierre Wood, a large part of the success of each run comes down to one simple challenge — which side of linemen can push the other further. Much of the credit for Wood’s success this season, which includes an average of 5.2 yards per carry, goes to an offensive line that has emerged as one of the few constants for the Irish. And the unit knows it. “[Wood] likes to talk a bit, but we bring him down to earth,” senior guard Trevor Robinson said. Notre Dame’s 0-2 record is indicative of an offense still fighting the turnover plague, not one that has amassed 1,021 yards of total offense in just eight quarters of football. The emergence of Wood and other Irish playmakers have contributed to the sheen of Notre Dame’s statline, but the offensive line’s often-overlooked contributions in the trenches may be the biggest improvement in Irish coach Brian Kelly’s offense in year two. “I think the offensive line has made such a great difference,” Molnar said. “We have more time in the pocket to throw the football, [which] helps the quarterback make better decisions. Obviously when the run game
gets going and teams start committing more guys to stop the run, it opens up things in the pass game. How did we get to this point? [By] sticking to the guys that are our best players.” Those players include secondyear starters Braxston Cave and Zack Martin, two stalwarts offensive line coach Ed Warinner believes are still unfinished products. Martin credits the line’s early success to excellent communication and a unique chemistry that stems from the unit’s experience together. “We’re a real tight group, one of the tighter groups on the team,” Martin said. “If someone’s getting bull-rushed, the other guy next to him knows when and how to help him out. The guy who’s getting rushed on is confident the guy next to him is going to help him. Every game we’re growing as an offensive line.” Warinner said the process of changing the team’s mindset was a critical task upon arriving at Notre Dame in late 2009. The offensive line has adopted a renewed focus on physical play, and success has followed. “We want that to be a trademark of our football team,” Warinner said. “We think we have been physical up front the last two weeks. We think we’re getting what we want. “The players are playing more physical. We talk about ‘who’s going to be more physical, who’s going to be more competitive and who’s going to execute,’ is going to win this game.”
PAT COVENEY/The Observer
Members of the offensive line celebrate with junior receiver Theo Riddick after Riddick caught a late touchdown pass during Notre Dame’s 35-31 loss to Michigan Sept. 10. While much of Notre Dame’s success on the ground has been attributed to the offensive line, the blockers also pride themselves on their ability to keep sophomore quarterback Tommy Rees on his feet. The line has yielded just two sacks this season, successfully protecting Rees on all 39 of his passes against Michigan on Saturday. “We’ve got to keep the quarterback up,” Martin said. “He’s not the mobile guy back there. He does a great job of getting rid of the ball when he sees pressure, sliding in the pocket. We just got to continue this week to protect him. He’s got our back as much as we’ve got his.” Molnar credits Rees’ ability
to find open receivers to the offensive line’s ability to give him the window he needs to scan the field. “He just needs a little bit of time,” Molnar said. “He needs the average amount of time that a pass requires, and he’ll get rid of the ball and he’ll usually make a good decision. Right now our guys are doing a great job keeping the pocket clean for the quarterback, allowing him to look down the field and go through his progression.” As Notre Dame looks for its first win of the season Saturday against Michigan State, the offensive line faces its toughest test yet against a Spartans defensive line that features two of
the nation’s best in juniors Jerel Worthy and Anthony White. Robinson remains confident the line can hold the line of scrimmage and continue its recent success against the Spartans. “They can rush the passer. They pride themselves in stopping the run, but they can certainly get after the quarterback, and that’s something we need to focus on, and we do,” he said. “We’ve been generally satisfied with the way we’ve played the pass protection so far, but there’s definitely room for improvement.” Contact Chris Masoud at cmasoud@nd.edu