JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 28, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Sept. 28, 2022

Eric Hansen

3:58

OK, I've gone an hour into overtime. I've got another committment to get to. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be back next Wednesday at noon EDT to do it all over again.

3:57

Fred, thank you. I do think this is what Marcus Freeman would like for ND's core identity to be, HOWEVER, there are teams that are built differntly defensively that will challenge ND's preferences and have differnet weaknesses, and ND has to be ready to pivot and take advantage of those weaknesses. Clemson, for example, has the nation's No. 8 rush defense and No. 92 pass-efficiemcy defense. Wake Forest took advantage of the weakness and almost pulled off the upset last weekend.

Fred from Richmond, Va.

3:54

Eric, It was absolutely a joy to watch our offense play at such a high level with run/pass being so equally distributed. It is showing that we do have exceptional backs and young receivers who can flat out play. I know Carolina has a weak defense, but you still have to execute. This reminds me of the days of Ara, where we pounded the rock, and opened up a passing game with good but not great quarterbacks, except maybe Joe Theismann. Do you see this formula being implemented the rest of the way, because our oline made running the ball their priority and Pyne was able to take advantage with excellent play action. If future opponents try to stack the line of scrimmage to stop our three-headed monster running game, does Pyne have what it takes to make them pay. Love your insights, GO IRISH!!!

Eric Hansen

3:53

Tom. JD was in error. at least on the first one. It was absolutely uncalled for and had nothing to do with the play. The second one is up for debate. The coaches are teaching the proper techniques. They don't want to throw a good kid and a captain under the bus. Capiche?

Tom from Sister Lakes, MI

3:51

Hi Eric: I'm completely bumfuzzled by the fact that JD Bertrand got ejected for the same type of targeting penalty two weeks in a row. One time is an outlier, but twice seems to indicate he was coached that way. It appears they are taught to go for the upper body rather than the mid-section. It's not enough for Freeman to simply say "JD needs to learn from this". I think fans would like to know just exactly what tackling techniques are being taught. If Freeman or Golden haven't addressed this question yet, would you please try to get an answer?

Eric Hansen

3:51

Hi KJ and thanks. I do think he learns from every game experience. His ego doesn't get in the way. Each week seems a little smoother.

KJ from near the Channel Islands

3:50

Hi Eric! Congrats on your new (sorta) gig. Your loyal fans will follow you wherever you go. Your thoughts on CMF's development so far?. I would imagine that just like for players, being a HC allows the game to "slow down" as one gains experience. Seems to me he is starting to show more confidence and control on the sideline.What say you?

Eric Hansen

3:50

Todd, I'm assuming you don't get Peacock there? Email me and I'll try to get an answer for you by the week of the game (ehansen@insidendsports.com)

Guest

3:49

Hi Eric, is it possbile yet to get the UNLV game in Canada? fighting irish TV app? TODD niagara falls, Canada

Eric Hansen

3:48

Your comment is duly noted.

Bill from St Joe, MI

3:48

Eric, a comment, not a question… count me as someone who believes our corners have more than enough talent to be successful. I don’t expect the corner who took the bait to let the wide receiver blow by him and go after the shorter route to make that mistake again…and it is always nice to see our corners turn to look at the ball.

Eric Hansen

3:48

Henderson missed the UNC game completely. Foot was in a protective boot. DJ Brown pulled a hamstring during the UNC game and was out. Marcus Freeman was optimistic after the game, but he's not necessarily a good indicator (yet) of injury severity. He tends to be optimistic in the moment or just doesn't yet know. Brown played 21 snaps Saturday.

Tom Kennesaw, GA

3:45

Eric, you've mentioned injuries to the safeties a couple of times today. Who is injured? How bad? and will they play vs. BYU?

Eric Hansen

3:44

Thanks, Tim. I'm not sure I can give you as accurate of a comparison as I'd like to, because of Davie's/Willingham's/Weis'/Kelly's/ Freeman's practices, the ones I've gotten by far the most full access to were Kelly's. So there may be things happening after the first 45 minutes of Marcus' that are revolutionary, that I'm just not seeing. Marcus' practices early in camp were very intense and then they backed off. There were times during the Weis Era, the practices were too non-phyiscal and thus the timing was off on game days, There's a delicate balance. This probably would work better in story form. I have a feeling you'll want a refund on this answer.

tim St Louis

Oh ya, GO CARDS !!

3:40

Hey Eric - You do such an outstanding job and have great access to ND football for many years. Can you compare HC Freeman practice and preseason camps to other ND head coaches ? Have read and seen interviews from Freeman and players talking about physical practices. Then there's the Sunday practices. Many assume this takes a toll on gameday freshness and tackling (go figure that comparison). Are practices more intense leading to injury and fatigue ?

Eric Hansen

3:40

We haven't talked to the coaches since Marcus Freeman's press conference after the game. We won't get them again until Monday. But of course they want to get that fixed.

Curt Warsaw In

3:39

Eric, always enjoy the chats. Have the coaches talked about the big pass plays that were given up against Carolina?

Eric Hansen

3:39

Mike, that's more of Kyle's territory, and from my conversations with him, ND is playing it much closer to the vest, because the QBs they're interested in are committed elsewhere. I know they've cast a pretty wide net in terms of evaluations. I'll talk to Kyle and see if we can't get a story up on some of the more realistic options soon.

Mike, Phoenix, MD

3:37

Hi Eric, seems we have not heard much on teh QB recruiting front as of late. Any idea where things stand with their top targets, or new names we haven't heard.

Eric Hansen

3:37

Thanks Len. I think the health of the safety unit played into some of those big plays, as I referenced earlier. But certainly getting Cam Hart back to form helps. So would a consistent pass rush. And again, it's time to invest in Morrison and Mickey and be patient with their growing pains. The upside will be worth it. ... As far as contested catches, doesn't it make sense for a team to want to minimize those. Why force the ball into coverage and depend on a 50-50 when there are sure throws to be made? Yes, occasionally a 50-50 ball is warranted, but getting the ball to the open receiver seems like how you'd want to make a living. ... As I mentioned earlier, the three best 50-50 WRs haven't played a combined 20 snaps yet. ... Kiser was one of ND's highest-graded defenders last season and is doing a very good job this year. I'd have him on the field ahead of Bertrand.

Len from the Jersey Shore

3:31

Hello Eric, I really enjoyed Tyler, Kyle's and your insights on the team. It been so good that I had to dig deeper for different but possibly insightful questions. First last week NC had 5 Td's. On each TD drive there was a explosive play. They were for 80, 64, 43, 28 & 23 yards. What can be done by ND to eliminate or minimize those? Second, PFF also lists besides grades and plays stats, info such as contested targets(CTT) and contested catches(CTC). Other than Mayer (9CTT/6CTC) no one has more than 1 contested catch this season and only two players, Lenzy (6CTT/1CTC) and Thomas (4CTT/1CTC) have more than one target. So is the game plan/QB designed to have minimal 50/50 balls except for MM? And who else is capable of bringing down a 50/50 ball. Styles is 1 CTT with 1 CTC. Lastly, PFF lists Jack Kiser with 10 stops, the most on the team. A stop means that play you caused the drive to end. And that is playing only ~half ND's def. snaps. He is second in tackles. Isn't that a good season so far?

Eric Hansen

3:30

Thank you, Patrick. BYU's overall weaknesses through four games is an inconsistent running game, poor red zone offense, supbar in rushing defense and not a very strong puss-rushing team.

Patrick from Los Angeles

3:29

Thank you for the work you do. What weaknesses did BYU’s close game against Baylor and lopsided loss to Oregon uncover that could be exploited by the Irish on both sides of the ball?

Eric Hansen

3:28

Dave, I can't find the exact year, but that rule has been in the books for a while. I do know in 2021, the NCAA made it a point of emphasis to crack down on the taunting and celebration penalties, so that's why you may not have seen it before.

Dave from Valpo

3:26

I did not know spinning the ball in the endzone is a penalty. When did that start?

Eric Hansen

3:22

Since Tyler isn't hear to defend himself or make fun of me, I'll answer only for me. Certainly it's mathematically possible. I do not think it is likely ND runs the table, but I do think we'll see the best version of this team in November, barring a key injury.

Ken - Pensacola

3:20

Guys - You think ND can have a 10- 2 season following the way they played against NC. Thanks & Go Irish!!!!!!

Eric Hansen

3:20

Hi Joe. I don't think your fears are unfounded, but they may be out of proportion. Every school has NIL opportunities. Some are illegally willing to offer guarantees that cross the line of what NIL is supposed to be. Until Congress gets involved, we may have to live with the fact that there may not be self-correction coming in this area for at least a couple of years. It is such an unknown, we really won't have a handle on it until after this current recruiting cycle ends. Even then it may be different in the 2024 cycle.

Guest

3:16

Joe H Williams Bay Wi Hi Eric Thanks again for another chat during a bye week I’ve been a ND fan since the days of Paul Horning and I’ve always been proud of the way the University has balanced managing the football program and maintaining academic integrity.I’m am concerned however how NIL is going to affect the University going forward.Already we have seen two of our top recruits decommit to programs (Oregon and Alabama)that are heavily pursuing the NIL model I don’t want the University to sell it’s soul in pursuit of top players but I’m hoping you can convince me that my fears are a little overblown and all will be well in the end

Eric Hansen

3:16

Chris Brooks is the leading rusher. Jaren Hall is a really good passer who's got some mobility. Keanu Hill is their best big-play threat in the passing game. LB Ben Bywater is their leading tackler.

Frank from Royse City Texas

3:11

What players from BYU should ND key on?

Eric Hansen

3:09

As far as Zeke Correll, he was making steady progress, with his best game coming against Cal, then kind of took a step backward vs. North Carolina. If you were going to move Patterson back to center, the bye week would be the week to do it. But given how good the left side looks now and how well the overall line play is improving, I'd keep building with the lineup you already have.

Thanks, Tom. 1) You are correct. That's new this year, the ability to overturn a disqualficiation for the next game through an appeals process. I don' t think ND has any plans to appeal JD's targeting call. The link to the AP Top 25 is here. From there, there's a dropdown menu where you can check out each ballot. Of if you have great vision, you can just look at this graphic:

3:06

Tom from Grand Rapids via Dowagiac

2:56

Eric, thanks as always for doing these! My turn at the multiple part questions. 1- with the appeal process on targeting, have you heard if ND plans to forward Bertrand’s second offense to NCAA? 2. Do you have a link to the AP voters ballots? I want to know who the F&%£ still voted for u.n.c. In the top #25 .. as they are damn lucky ND didn’t drop 50+ on them and run them out of their own stadium. 3. I’ll preface this by saying I DID NOT read your article on the starting center. I have noticed he is still struggling with getting any push after initial contact, and with double teams they aren’t even trying to work the block to get one lineman up to the next level, to stop the linebackers free run to the ball carrier. Also in watching Mayer’s TD, he completely whiffed on his block and Pyne just got his throw off. Plus he didn’t even turn around to see his qb flat on his back, nor did he help him up!! I wonder if like many others is it time for J.P. To move back to center? Go IRISH ☘️

Eric Hansen

2:55

Not sure I'd swap out any starters. But assuming everyone is healthy, I'd like to see more of Merriweather/Wilkins, Raridon and Staes, Kollie and Kiser, Chris Smith, Morrison and Mickey.

Jerry from Dallas

2:49

Jerry from Dallas: Eric, what personnel changes, if any, would you suggest to the lineups before the BYU game? Also, are there any changes that you would suggest going forward to the offensive or defensive game plans? Many thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:49

Health and lots of practice and continuing to invest in Benjamin Morrison and Jaden Mickey. ... best wishes with the weather.

James

2:48

Waiting out the hurricane in Florida. What can be done to improve the cb and safety performance

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