Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat as we roll toward ND's home opener Saturday with Northern Illinois.
Some quick programming notes:
► If you missed the last episode of our aspiring-to-be-viral Notre Dame Football YouTube show, Football Never Sleeps, it keeps its shelf life long after the live presentation. We are back in our normal Monday at 7 ET time slot. Remember, if you miss the live show, you can catch up anytime on YouTube. Last week on our YouTube channel, we brought you two postgame shows, the first immediately after the game as we debuted Into the eNDzone with former Notre Dame offensive lineman Bob Morton. After every road or Shamrock Series game this season, Morton and I will have our instant reactions from the game and then take a lightning round of questions live from viewers. Our Postgame Takeaways show, with Tyler James and me, will drop later, after we’ve done interviews and pushed out our written content.
► The Inside ND Sports Podcast will drop on Thursday afternoon. On the most recent Inside ND Sports Podcast, Michael Floyd joined Tyler James and me. Floyd remains Notre Dame’s career leader in receptions (271), receiving yards (3,686) and touchdown receptions (37) from his four-year Irish career (2008-11). He joined the podcast to discuss playing in the opener as a freshman, why he had success in his first year with the Irish, how to develop chemistry with a quarterback quickly, the loudest college stadium he played in, the differences between the offenses of Charlie Weis and Brian Kelly, how his life has been impacted by his mistakes and the lessons learned from them and more. The podcast can be listened to via SoundCloud or on your preferred podcast platform including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podbean and Pocket Casts.
► Finally, we’re all bearing down on Notre Dame’s home opener Saturday vs. Northern Illinois. And Darin Pritchett and I are together each week on Wednesday and Thursday on Weekday SportsBeat (96.1 FM, 960 AM, live streaming at wsbtradio.com). The weekday shows run from 5-6 p.m. ET. I’m also part of the Gameday SportsBeat crew, and that pregame show runs Saturday from noon-2:30 p.m. ET. You can download all episodes, including the pregame shows, as podcasts.
As far as this week's chat …
PLEASE include your NAME and HOMETOWN along with your questions, and please refrain from communicating that part telepathically.
Here are the rules.
Eric Hansen: In light of the ND victory, the no bare feet and no drinking rules will be relaxed this week.
Off we go ...
John from Chagrin Falls, Ohio: Hope you had a nice Labor Day weekend! Great win for the program on Saturdays! It was a gritty performance in all 3 phases, offense, defense and special teams. Specifically for the offense, do you expect to see coach Denbrock open things up to let the WR stretch defenses?
Eric Hansen: Hi John. I like how you couched that question, and I addressed it in my story earlier this morning if you want a little more depth. So, yes, I do think we're going to see a move toward that going forward ... more gradual than abrupt, but the goal is to flex that part of the offense as opponent and circumstances allow. And Saturday night in Kyle Field was not one of those circumstances ... not on Aug. 31. The game plan reflected the both the difficulty in communicating with 107,000+ screaming in the background and the need to protect the young offensive line before its chemistry and cohesion have full baked. Here is more from OC Mike Denbrock:
“Really, the most important thing in the end is making sure you don't put them [the offensive line] in a compromising position that maybe their development hasn't made them ready for yet,” Denbrock said. “And it will come at some point.
“So, how do you judge that? How do you do that? Try to stay out of third and long. We didn’t do a very good job of that, right? So, OK, you're in third and long. Now what the hell are you going to do? Well, that's where the screen game kind of came in, in some scenarios.
“And it's frustrating for some maybe to have to see us flinging a screen pass on third-and-13. But in front of 107,000 fans with a lot of new faces up front, what gives our football team the best chance to win? And we were doing such a good job and playing so well defensively, the flow of the game and all those things go into the way I call the game and the way I think about playing the game.”
Eric Hansen: So expect to see ND in a home environment this week and with the O-line progressing and QB/receiver timing etc. all improving more deep shots and vertical throws. Not a steady diet, but moving in a direction in which ND can operate fully in that mode if it needs to later in the regular season or in the postseason.
Marie from Atlanta: Hi Eric, I hope you are having a great week after Saturday night. Great game but obviously a lot of things that need to improve. How much do you think it is possible for the O line to improve over the season? Could they get to the point where they are a top 20 O line? Also, over the course of the next three games, what three things on both offense and defense would you like to see that would tell you that Notre Dame is moving in the right direction and continuing to improve? Finally, whose play surprised you the most on both offense and defense Saturday night?Thanks for hosting the chat and for all the great insights.
Eric Hansen: Hi Marie. It's a good thing you don't live closer. I'd bring you as my sidekick to the press conferences. .... Thank you. ... On our new Into The eNDzone postgame show with former Irish O-lineman Bob Morton, I asked him a similar question and he really likes the potential of what this O-line can be THIS year. I'm not sure top 20 is realistic, but I think this line at some point this season will become one in which you're not game-planning to protect them, but game-planning around their strengths. In other words, they will become an asset, not something you need to camouflage. Run blocking is where there's most room for improvement.
So, over the next three games, three good indicators of progress for me on offense against Northern Illinois, Purdue and Miami (Ohio) would be, O-Line progress in terms of run blocking, better QB-WR chemistry (reading the plays/defenses the same), Mitchell Evans and the TEs becoming fully involved. Three on the defense, wow that's splitting hairs. ... They're pretty good, Marie. ... Stouter against the run, better production from the field end spot (Oben, Burnham and B, Young) and vyper Boubacar Traore surging to complement Jordan Botelho, the latter of whom had a really strong game.
The offensive line surprised me most on offense. On defense it was how well EVERY combination of linebackers fit so well together and there were a lot of them out there. It wasn't just when Jack Kiser was on the field, although he was really good. But Bowen and KVA together. Jaiden Ausberry with anybody. Jaylen Sneed in different roles and packages. I expected them to be good, but they exceeded my expectations.
Related Content
► Film Analysis: Diving deep on Notre Dame's offensive line against Texas A&M
► Notebook: Freshman OT Anthonie Knapp recounts his Notre Dame debut
► Transcripts: Notre Dame DC Al Golden | Notre Dame OC Mike Denbrock
► Notre Dame football depth chart projection for home opener vs. N. Illinois
► Notre Dame rises to No. 5 in new AP poll, starts strength-of-schedule watch
► Snap Counts: Here's who played for Notre Dame football against Texas A&M
Tom from Grand Rapids. Mich.: Eric, many thanks for all the work you do. With Faison being injured, and Greathouse designated as the primary punt return option, are we going to see this team revert back to the perpetual fair catch? The punts that weren’t fielded Sat night and the yardage lost with fortunate a&m bounces can quickly flip the field. With that, what can ND do to ensure the lost yards don’t continue. Does Jayden Harrison have the ability to return punts? As not many kickoffs are returnable any longer…… can he take his return skill set to a different discipline? Finally during Joe Alt’s frosh year, he initially was used as a blocking TE before he got into a starting role. Is there a possibility of using the #3 guard or tackle in that role to assist short yardage run plays? GO IRISH ☘️ 🏈☘️
Eric Hansen: Hi Tom. Thanks for being part of the chat. Really good observation on the punt returns. That was a problem and it was kind of surprising. Greathouse and others took a lot of reps at PR in the practices we saw. Now those cut off for us on Aug. 17, so maybe his reps were reduced as it got closer to game time. I think he'll do a better job of managing that this week. The backup is another grad transfer, this one who came to ND as a walk-on Colgate's Max Hurleman. Freshman RB Aneyas Williams is also in that mix. I don't see them moving Harrison there. If he was in the mass audition part of the punt returner job, I can't recall it.
I have seen Notre Dame practice the jumbo look with an extra tackle. But I'm more inclined to believe Mike Denbrock will keep that on the back burner and maybe only use it once or twice in a season if that. I think he sees more value of having an actual tight end on the field (or multiple ones) than say Tosh Baker as a third tackle. The fact that Riley Leonard is such a good runner and powerful kind of offsets that need as well.
Sean from Schaumburg, Ill.: Happy Days!!! What a win!! I wasn't crazy about the FG at the end, but it clinched a 5-leg parlay for me!! $765 from a $15 bet. After watching Brian Kelly fail yet again in a big game, I'm glad he's moved on. The FG, in my view, was a calculated risk by MF to instill that fearlessness/belief in his team. Clinch the game!! With NIU up next do you expect MF to play his starters for 3Qs? I think it is a wise decision to get more game reps for the starters on offense. Allow the D to get their game legs underneath them. Yes, I'm expecting a blowout, but both sides need those game reps. What say you? I see a 12-0 season now. FSU losing takes the luster off that game. Would like USC to continue to climb the polls and, maybe, G Tech/Louisville can be top 20 teams. Go Irish!!
Eric Hansen: Hi Sean. Congrats on your windfall. I'll let you comments stand on their own and get to your question. I haven't calculated my score prediction yet, but ND opened as a 28-point favorite and I think that's reasonable. As far as the starters, with the number of new faces on offense and the work that needs to be done, you have to balance providing in-game opportunities to get better against injury risk. I think three quarters with the starters (and there's heavy rotation anyway) makes sense if the score is as predicted. And if it's closer, keep them in longer.
Larry from Topton, Pa.: Hi Eric !!!!! I think exclamation points are in order! While I should probably be looking ahead and not behind (and I certainly hope the coaches and players are looking ahead), I am still celebrating week #1, and I have a question. Not only did ND hold the 5-start A&M quarterback to 100 yards passing for the game, 33 of them came on his first 2 completions. So, he only had 67 yards the final 57 minutes. Was that because: ND coaches made adjustments? ND players knocked off some early-game jitters and/or rust? Something else? Thanks Eric! You and Tyler are the best on the ND beat.
Eric Hansen: Thank you Larry!!!!!! Your compliment at the end warrants exclamation points on its own. ... Actually Conner Weigman had eight career starts coming in, as he started some games in 2022 as well. And yes, you are exactly right. In our weekly interview with Al Golden on Tuesday night, the Irish defensive coordinator admitted new A&M offensive coordinator Collin Klein was doing a lot offensively that varied greatly from his tendencies at Kansas State. Once ND got a bead on that, the defense was able to attack it.
Len from the Jersey Shore: Hello Eric!!! Kudos to you in correctly predicting that Coach Denbrock would successfully implement a game plan that would allow the inexperienced O line to be protected from being the story in the game. And a shoutout to Riley L. for following that game plan. My question is on the defense. The secondary played lights out. However I was particularly impressed by the linebacker play. I see the possibility they pass the D line and approach the level of play of the secondary before year end. Is it possible that the D line by year end will become the "weakest" part of the defense? What a problem to have. Your thoughts.
Eric Hansen: Hi Len, and thank you. I really like where the linebacker group is headed both this season and beyond. The four LBs not in the rotation — Kahoun, Rezac, Zinter and injured Kahanu Kia — are really talented. And then next year ND brings in Ko'o Kia and Anthony Sacca and possibly Madden Fairamo and five-star Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng. I love the five-man rotation and how the different roles and combinations fit. So your question is could the D-line end up being the weakest part of the defense. That's kind of asking me what's the least favorite part of a ribeye steak. So, my answer is possibly, but I think that group will grow and improve and might have two All-Americans on it ... and Gabe Rubio will be back in a month ... so. ...
Mark Czar from Grand Rapids: Eric thanks for your fantastic insight and coverage. Happy this isn’t the case but was wondering- If Parker did not get the Troy HC job would he still be ND OC? If Parker was still the ND OC would Denbrock still be LSU OC? Love seeing BK lose it in the postgame presser. How did the ND O line grade out on PFF? Eric you are the best.
Eric Hansen: Hi Mark, and thanks for bringing another Grand Rapids presence to the chat. I'm going to have to drive up and have a beer with you guys sometime (after the season). ... GREAT question and one I don't have a confident answer to. The answer should be no, but I don't know if that's what ND would have done. Denbrock was getting a lot of other feelers and outright offers, including from Texas A&M. Notre Dame is so special, I'm not sure he would have left LSU for anywhere else at this juncture, but he listened to the offers elsewhere. The line did way better with pass blocking that run blocking, individually and collectively, via PFF. Billy Schrauth and Aamil Wagner had the best overall grades, but it was pretty even across the board with the overall grades.
The Beave from Grand Rapids: Eric: You’re too humble to gloat so I’ll say it for you. You nailed the pregame A&M prediction and analysis. Defense keeps the offense in the game. Offense struggles but finds a rhythm to push out a 4th Q win. I recall you picked ND 21-14 AND called an interception for Adon Shuler. Will you please give us the numbers for this week’s Indiana lottery? … You may have pointed your hand in answer to an earlier question but I’ll ask anyway. It’s November. 4th Quarter. Game is on the line. ND ball. 4th and a very long yard plus. Coach Free is surely not punting, Who is running the ball and who are you running behind based upon what you saw Saturday?
Eric Hansen: OK, I changed my mind. I'm coming to Grand Rapids NOW LOL. Thank you. The lottery numbers are 1-2-3-4-5 with the Power Ball of 6. ... to your November scenario. Not sure which team it is and who their standouts are, generically, I'm going with Riley Leonard and I'll have him sneak it over Billy Schrauth/Ashton Craig.
Sean from Portland, Ore.: I don't mean to dump on BK, but it's so refreshing to see HC MF go out and play to win the game. At 20-20 in LSU/USC, USC had the ball with 2 minutes left and LSU is playing prevent defense vs. a USC offense with most or all of its timeouts? This was absolutely horrible play-calling. Where-as, against A&M, it's 4th and 2 and Gray jumps the slant for the win on a Cover 0 call. Furthermore, BK only ever allowed his special teams to "not lose" the game... fair catches, conservative play-calling, etc. I love putting Jeter out there for the clincher. Do you agree that HCMF's aggression/trust allows for a higher ceiling, therefore a higher likelihood of winning a national championship before LSU?
Eric Hansen: Sean, wow what a twist at the end that I didn't see coming. Let me kind of tiptoe into my answer if you will. I think Marcus Freeman's approach fits who he is NOW as a head coach in year 3, who he has on his coaching staff and how this team is constructed. Having a defense this good makes it easier to be aggressive than say the VanGorder years. Just asked Mike Denbrock, who was the offensive play-caller at ND during most of that 30-game run. It also fits the talent of this team and how they are wired mentally. So, I answer that separately from the latter part of the question. Will ND or LSU win a national title sooner? Based on Marcus' growth, who's on his staff, how recruiting is going and how the administration is supporting football, I will go with ND, but not by a landslide. LSU has a lot going for it as well.
Bill from St Joe, Mich.: Eric the Great!!! I’ve watched the 4th Qtr of the A&M game nearly a half dozen times and noticed that Sam Pendleton had a big smile on his face and appeared to be chirping at a A&M player just before J-Love’s touchdown run. It seemed as if he knew “we are scoring on this drive and you can’t stop us”. I couldn’t tell if Pendleton was totally assignment correct on every snap on that drive but he always made a very good block on an A&M player. My question is in your interactions with him, is he a “chirper”? My take on that is that Loren Landow’s impact was felt late in the 4th Qtr.
Eric Hansen: Hi Bill and thanks for the nickname! Sam Pendleton even blew a kiss at the Texas A&M defense before one play. Here is my take on him. I don't think he's aggressively a chirper ... like he's not going to start that up. BUT, I think he's a very proud, competitive, old school butt-kicker kind of kid, who doesn't like bullies and is going to stand up to it. So, I think it's more that dynamic ... and Marcus getting him all fired up in the tunnel.
Ryan from Mars, Pa: Good afternoon Eric what do you think about the play of Jermiyah Love he looked Good against Texas A&M i think the Irish win 42-7 this week GO IRISH ☘️☘️🏈🏈
Eric Hansen: Hi Ryan. I may need to copy your score prediction if I can't come up with a better one. I think you're spot on with what Northern Illinois' score is. Pro Football Focus graded Jeremiyah Love as ND's top offensive performer at any position and I would give him high marks too. I'd say room for improvement for him will come in his contributions to the passing game.
Jim Tal from Valley Center, Calif.: Hi Eric. Wishing you the very best. Against the Aggies, Riley Leonard ran the ball 12 times and was effective in doing so. But moving forward, is that number of carries really sustainable? It seems rather problematic if he is consistently forced to run the ball that often. What's your take on Leonard's workload as a ball carrier?
Eric Hansen: Hi Jim, and best wishes to you too. I wrote about this in the run-up to the season looking at Leonard's history but also Mike Denbrock's as a play-caller. Just keep in mind, you can't completely control that rushing number. Sacks and scrambles count. But I don't think ND will intentionally exceed that number (12) in many games, but they and Riley are good with it if they need to. In his one fully healthy season where he was the full-time starter at Duke (2022), he averaged 9.5 carries a game. His career high came last season, ironically, AGAINST Notre Dame (18). But Denbrock lets opponents and game flow help determine that number. And it may vary from season to season with the same QB.
Desmond Ridder's carries were way down his senior season at Cincinnati under Denbrock. Jayden Daniels averaged 15.5 carries a game in 2022 and a still hefty 11.3 in 2023, but reduced. And not all runs and hits are created equal. Leonard is a big guy -- 6-2, 216 and he's up for it. I would think by the end of the year that number will be around the 9.5 per game mark he had at Duke in 2022.
Joe Cap from Massapequa, N.Y.: Hi Eric ! Hope u enjoyed the weekend and what a great weekend it was!! Great win . Much needed win . Which Freshmen players do you see an increased role and potential start by the time playoffs , yes, playoffs roll around. Also does this OL start next year? I don’t know how Jags and Lambert are on the bench. Great work as always.
Eric Hansen: Hi Joe and thank you. As far as freshmen with increased roles ... not brought on by a new injury. So Micah Gilbert at WR will play more eventually it would seem. The two freshman RBs, especially Aneyas Williams, would seem to be in line for some carries. On defense, I think you'll see more of Bryce Young and Leonard Moore rotating in. KVA is already playing a lot and Anthonie Knapp is starting. There are some really good freshmen on this team that would be trending if this team weren't so deep in so many places. ... To your second part, yikes, they're all five back, plus Lambert and Jagusah and Will Black and some other really good tackles coming in. ASSUMING Jagusah is fully healthy, he plays. Maybe then Knapp goes to left guard and Pendleton becomes a reserve. Lambert is going to push someone at some point. Just not sure how that'll play out yet. I am a big fan of Wagner, so I don't see him receding. A first-world problem indeed.
Don Mahoney from Avon, Conn.: What impact, if any, do you think the defense’s performance (and the win) in College Station will have on the ongoing recruitments of Faraimo and Owusu-Boateng?
Eric Hansen: Hi Don. I think they were impressed conceptually with how ND was going to rotate its linebackers and allow young talent to flourish along with experienced talent. And seeing it in reality can only help ND's case. But there is not such thing as a slam dunk in recruiting.
Bob from Oxnard, Calif.: Based on what you have seen since he arrived, do you think tight end Cooper Flanagan will block effectively? On Saturday, he seemed to block well at times but also whiffed a few times. Thanks.
Eric Hansen: Hi Bob. I know Mike Denbrock is really high on Cooper. He impressed Denbrock by learning the playbook as fast or faster than any of his teammates, then went out and had a strong spring and fall camp. And that's why 43 snaps on Saturday, most among tight ends. You are right, he was hit and miss on Saturday night. In a larger sample size last season as a freshman, he was better than average but not elite. He's still young. His run blocking is where he has more work to do with consistency, but he has the tools and the work ethic to improve.
Scott from Greenville, S.C.: Eric, another excellent FNS session with Tyler! Outstanding analysis by you both! Speaking of analysis, a major shout out to the entire coaching staff. All elements did great! No one cramped, excellent adjustments in the 2nd half on both sides of the ball, Jeter was phenomenal, and Marcus showing his confidence in the team to twice go for it on 4th down — which they made both times. I live 800 miles from College Station and saw Riley made the 1st down. Great effort by all. Two quick questions: does ND have the best coaching staff in college football? I would say yes. And, how do you see the offense become more dynamic over the next few weeks? All the best to you and thanks for your great insight, humor, and coverage of ND football.
Eric Hansen: Scott, thanks for the plug on Football Never Sleeps, now complete with theme music! Let me start with your second question first. Yes, I see the offense becoming more dynamic AND more assignment-correct. QB/WR chemistry, Mitchell Evans' higher usage and offensive line evolution will drive that. ... Is this the best coaching staff? Off the top of my head it's hard to answer, only because that's not something that runs through my mind and I do research confirming or denying. What I will say is I've been in the South Bend market since 1988, and from top to bottom, this is the best I can remember a staff of assistants being. Who Marcus Freeman becomes this season will help me better answer your question later this season. But I really liked who he was in Game 1. A big step up.
Ced Walker from Saginaw, Mich. aka sagnasty Saginaw pride: With chance tucker out for the season we are now at 85 right and do see pat and rocco getting any playing time in the offensive line p.s. our lb and Marcus Freeman were hype sat night here come the irish trust the process the golden standard rally we are nd god country go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us
Eric Hansen: Hi Ced, yes the scholarship number has been satisfied, through NIL money, so no one is suddenly paying for tuition, books, etc., that wasn't expecting it. There is no difference in how player No. 85 and player No. 86 live, so to speak. In the past, there WAS a gap. Aside from special teams, I don't see Rocco Spindler or Pat Coogan rotating in with the 1s in the heat of the game unless injury dictates. But I could see the 2s coming in en masse later in the game and I think you'll see them on special teams.
David from New York: Hi Eric! Thanks for the chats. Wondering if you have any insights on all the transfer WRs that left ND. Was not surprised to see Flores do well but was shocked not to see Tyree and others in the box scores. Would love any info or POV you have from this group!
Eric Hansen: Hi David. I highlighted them in a story I wrote for Monday morning. Tobias Merriweather was hurt for Cal, Braylon James is not a featured receiver yet for TCU and Chris Tyree was targeted three times and reportedly dropped all three passes.
Joe from Baltimore: Hi Eric. I've been watching Here Come the Irish and hearing our team speak at press conferences. I'm biased, but are ND student athletes (from all sports) truly different than most other college athletes? They just seem like amazing young people. Thanks again!
Eric Hansen: Joe. Thank you. That was my easiest question of the day,
Kagan From Angola: Hello Eric, what a great win to start the season! I just wanted to comment on the evolution of Marcus Freeman in this game. He embodied a very confident coach that believed in his players to execute a game plan to a T. When he went for it on our own 32 and then again and got it even though the replay said he didn't on the 50 I think that was the defining moment in the game, you could see the way the kids responded from that moment on with supreme confidence even though there really wasn't a lot to be confident about at that point in the game. My question is when was the last time you saw a coach embody that confidence going into a hostile environment and seeing the players not only feed off of it but embody it as well? Lou Holtz was before my time so I can't say I have ever seen it especially not in the days of Brian Kelly. My second question is going into the Northern Illinois game what do you need to see growth wise from the offense in this game? Thank you and Go Irish Beat Huskies!
Eric Hansen: Hi Kagan, and thanks. I don't want to completely dismiss the Brian Kelly Era on that count. The Oklahoma game in 2012 comes to mind, where the Irish were kicking butt and taking names at the end of that game, but that was more of an outlier. Consistently, you would have to back to Lou Holtz. ... For your second question, I think Mike Denbrock said he had a whole top 100 list. Reducing penalties, a passing game more in sync and more vertical, an incremental step of improvement for the O-line all would be good signs
Tom F from Kennesaw, Ga.: Eric, the NIU game has some similarities to the Marshall game two years ago. It is the second game of the season and ND is a heavy favorite. Do you think that Jayden Harrison has talked to his teammates about the mindset of a team like NIU coming into ND stadium hoping to pull off the upset? Also, who are some of the key Irish players from that 2022 team who will make sure that history does not repeat itself Saturday?? Thanks and as always, Go Irish!!!
Eric Hansen: Hi Tom. There are some similarities and some differences as well. ND was coming off a big loss ahead of Marshall and is coming off a big win this time. Rylie Mills talked about this heading into the Texas A&M game about the team's mindset for the long hall and how director of football performance Loren Landow had talked to the team about the need to flush the A&M game, win or lose, shortly after its conclusion. The way Marcus Freeman has focused on putting improvement at the top of the priority list helps carry that message along. I would say look to the captains of this team to re-enforce that this week.
Pat from West Wyoming, Pa.: Eric: What was your first thoughts when ND called both 4th down call's? You probably have to clean it up so you can put it in print, Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!
Eric Hansen: Hi Pat. I do not have to clean it up. I said ROCK ON, and then wrote a column about it: Notre Dame redefines itself for the long run in road win at Texas A&M
J Buck from San Diego: Thanks for all you do, enough of that, I know A&M’s defense's line is really good, but I'm really hoping this conservative play calling ends now. We have some burners, I want to see some toast. Thoughts? Lets Go.. now I'm hungry.
Eric Hansen: J Buck, I already answered that question, but was so amused by your phrasing, I posted your question anyway for pure entertainment purposes.
Michael from Atlanta, Ga.: Hi Eric, I believe this is my 1st question although I read this every week. Would you give us grades or analysis of the play of each of the O line? Thanks, and go ahead and drink if you want. We won't tell!
Eric Hansen: Hi Michael. Thanks for asking the question. Please do so again in future chats. And don't let my answer scare you away. ... And I am drinking ... coffee but thanks for the permission to spike it. Tyler James did a deep dive on the O-line with his film analysis, and you can find that here. It's got all kinds of video examples, etc. And Bob Morton did a great breakdown off the cuff on our Into The eNDzone YouTube show right after the game. That'll give you a more nuanced look. My look is more general. I thought, GIVEN THE CONTEXT, they did very well -- six previous starts, elite defensive line going against them, 10,000 (screaming) maniacs or so it seemed. Not grading on that curve, it wouldn't be as favorable, but it's about winning games and evolving as a team ... and for me it was a good first step.
Lorne from Reno, Nev.: As always, thanks for the opportunity to pick your brain. 1. We might not be in such a good mood today if not for Mitch Jeter. 2. FSU will be this year's Clemson - trying to salvage the season with a win over us, but at least this one's at home. 3. If you are a ND fan, you gotta love D. Hinish (and K for that matter). 4. Was Leonard's slide really a big deal? Doesn't the clock restart on OOB now? 5. Schadenfreude: "Kelly has now lost all three of his season openers..." 6. Okay, a question: do you think the tackle on Faison was dirty or just awkward and unfortunate?
Eric Hansen: Lorne, quite honestly, I don't remember the tackle and don't have time to go back to my DVR and check it. But I thought you observations were colorful, so I was willing to make myself look like a big dummy by not answering your question just to include them.
Frank from Royse City, Texas: Eric, do you think ND’s running game will explode against NIU?
Eric Hansen: 5.8 yards a carry is pretty explosive, which is what ND did against Texas A&M. Carried over an entire season, that would have ranked fourth nationally last season. I think where the improvement can and will be is with consistency. A lot of stuffs and some home runs last week to offset them. This week more four yards, eight yards, good chunks and home runs. Northern Illinois allowed 94 rushing yards on 29 carries in its 54-15 win over Western Illinois in its Saturday season opener. The Huskies were 60th, so near the middle of the pack, in rush defense in 2023.
Patrick from Los Angeles: In what areas of the game do you think we will see the most improvement in week two, and why? Thank you.
Eric Hansen: Hi Patrick. Most of those will be improvements on offense. I mentioned some of those previously. I think coverage on special teams and punt returns will/should improve. I think you'll see punter James Rendell air some punts out. Getting home on the pass rush could improve as well, though ND's pressure created chaos on offense without the big sack numbers.
Len from the Jersey Shore: Eric, if you have the time, any info on why Junior T did not play? And we now know Mitchell E was limited, is Kevin B also still limited?
Eric Hansen: Hi Len. I think Jordan Botelho was playing so well and Boubacar Traore has passed Junior Tuihalamaka on the depth chart, that it didn't leave many opportunities for Junior to play. He did play on special teams. I don't believe Kevin Bauman is limited physically. He was doing everything in the practices we saw. But he is the fourth option. I could see him possibly getting some red zone work this week or in the future.
Robert from Dunedin, Fla.: Eric- Thank you for the chats and expert insights. My question revolves around player development. I think DL recruiting has probably lacked a bit in terms of star rating. I do think Coach Washington has done a good job developing the players he has. I realize he didn't recruit all the current line, but what say you about their development and what Coach Washington needs to focus on in recruiting the 2025 line and beyond? I realize this is a difficult position to recruit. Do we foc
Eric Hansen: Robert, your question cut off, so I'll try to answer what I can see of it. ... and thank you. I said going into last season that Al Washington had something to prove on the recruiting trail and on the field. He answered it resoundingly on the field. And as long as he keeps doing that, I believe recruiting will pick up. I do think honing in on the Chicago market is smart. Yes, Justin Scott went elsewhere, but Chris Burgess and others are coming in the 2025 class, and there's some really premier 2026 D-linemen from Chicago with whom ND is heavily involved. So I like where this is going.
Matt from Austin: Hi Eric. Very nice win. I was a little surprised that we didn't have much of a vertical passing game. Do you see us working on that Saturday? If so, to whom? Secondly, if, and I mean if, ND gets a lead this week of a substantial margin, do you anticipate that Coach will give the other QBs some reps, or try to let Leonard have all the snaps to build his efficiency and comfort in the offense? Thank you very much Eric.
Eric Hansen: Hi Matt, you and a whole bunch of others had the deep passing game question, and understandably. And hopefully I answered it satisfactorily. So let me get to your second question about the backup QBs. Given that Riley Leonard missed spring, is new to the offense and has a lot of newness with his wide receivers, leaving him in the game a little longer (not a lot longer) makes sense. Of the other three, Steve Angeli at this point gives you the best chance to win if something happens to Leonard, so that needs to be the priority. This is about the 2024 season. If you're asking me who will be the starter in 2025, I think it will be CJ Carr, but I don't think getting him game reps at this point in the season is urgent.
John from Sacramento: Thanks Eric. Like to hear your “O” Line take! Mine! Those two “Youngun’s” held their own. Right side of line did great also. A&M supposedly has NFL quality lineman. Two for sure. Couple of times they were crashing. Made line look bad. QB mis read. Should’ve pulled the ball. I thought they were attacking. I saw “WANT”. Could it turn into just plain nasty? Hats off too the coaches for going with but guys. I liked what I saw with OLine very much. Determination. Plus the stamina of ND’s team was huge. Great to have depth to help. Team is so fast! Athletically, things are changing. Plus they’re smart students and want to be at ND. Your thoughts about those points.Thanks Eric.
Eric Hansen: Hi John. I think you could host your own chat and do it with more of an economy of words than me. I'll let most of your comments stand on their own merit, but let me add, I also think going with the younger guys was the right move and I said that before the game. Defaulting to experience, when those young guys proved themselves in practice, would have been the wrong move. Some of the seeming mistakes by the linemen actually were coached. In other words, they were following their assignment. But there was a lot of guesswork, especially earlier in the game, based on perceived tendencies that didn't end up aligning.
J Buckley, San Diego: Thanks again for taking all our questions,, you can see everyone is so excited. I'm stoked, but now I have to find some food. Talk next week
Eric Hansen: OK, that seems like a good place to end things for this week. Thanks for all the great questions and for putting up with my sometimes out-of-sequence answers. We'll be back to do this all over again next Wednesday at noon EDT.
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