WolvesOnTheProwl

Just heard BK say Paul Moala (penn hs) tore his Achilles last night. This after tearing his other Achilles last season or the end of 19 I can’t remember. Feel terrible for him.

My takeaways from this game…., 1. This new offensive line is going to be a work in progress. Blake fisher sprained knee so he’ll miss some time. His replacement last night Carmody did not look very good 2. how many plays did the defense get into the backfield yet FSU still gained positive yards 3. it’s only 1 game but former DC Clark Lea may have been the best at making in game adjustments. Not sure if it was injury related but CL wouldn’t have been running a 3 man front if it was getting gashed by the opposing run game. Marcus Freeman has some work to do (may have been short handed up front) as this wasn’t a the start on defense we were hoping for 4. Jack coan played well. Disagree with whoever said he should be benched. A running game and better o line play will help. My only issue was a few sacks he took 5. Kyle Hamilton is good at football unless he cheats and watches the qb eyes 6. How can you not root for FSU QB McKenzie mIlton Go Irish. A win is a win but that was way too close for comfort. Watching games and ND opponents Thurs-Sat i thought the Irish had a really good shot to run the table and go 12-0. Don’t see that happening now. But who knows it’s a long season and I’m glad college football is back

Dante Moore, heavily recruited by Notre Dame amongst others. Would love to hear a scouting report on how he plays against a good Carmel team if anyone would like to provide one!!

Warsaw and Michigan City should be a good one. Anxious to see how this one goes this year

I don’t have a link and didn’t want to hijack the Purdue Pete thread but I read somewhere that the leprechaun or fighting Irish nickname was named the 4th most offensive mascot. @Bobref have you read any of this or heard any rumblings?

yes but I believe he has 3 years left to play if he chooses, not 100% sure tho

Blake Fisher looks to be the starter at LT while Jack Kiser and Paul Moala will be getting time at LB/Rover and I'm sure will be on special teams. Former Indiana HS players on the roster should be big time contributors. BK has said that Jack Coan has looked good running the offense, there are some weapons to work with if they can stay healthy (Brenzy, Austin, Tyree). Drew Pyne is getting the 2nd team reps and Tyler Buchnar getting some 2nd teams reps too. I'd like to see what TB can do on the field at this level, but if we're counting on him to be the starter for the majority of this season the Irish could be in trouble. I think next year he'll battle Pyne for the starters role and hopefully take it and run with it for 2-3 years. Looking forward to FSU.

Shamrock uniforms being announced tomorrow. Also, team captains for 21 season being announced tomorrow as well

This is brother Bobby, who wrestled 1 or 2 years at Merrillville before the family moved to Minnesota. Gable is a monster, very awesome performance!

Her 3rd ever marathon race, not too bad!

Maybe Phillip Rivers will come back for 1 more year….. not a colts fan but I thought they drafted the qb from Washington Jacob Eason 2 years ago or so. Wonder if he’ll get a chance

ND and Wisconsin scheduled to open the 2026 season at Lambeau Field

As a ND fan no problem with this... I’d rather have a chance to get in the playoffs without a bye then not making the playoffs at all. Take care of business on the field and you’re the #5 seed, play and beat the #12 seed, and then worry about the Alabama’s OSUs Clemsons etc... the new format, I think, will allow ND a loss or 2 against quality opponents each season compared to 12-0 or 11-1 to make the playoffs. 10-2 or (gasp) 9-3 could still get them in with the new system.

I enjoy the May optimism by this author, but how can anyone who pays attention to the team say they can't find a loss on the schedule? ND is replacing a 3 year starting QB, who I admit wasn't elite but was way better than average, 4 of 5 offensive lineman, and 2 WR's and 1 TE. I could see them potentially losing to Florida State on Labor Day night, no matter how bad FSU was last year. Plus, 6 or 7 teams they play have a bye before playing ND. I hope this guy is right, just think it's a little early to know what the floor of this 2021 team actually is going to be.

Agree 100% In 2012 when Alabama manhandled (and that's putting in nicely) ND it was clear that overall team depth and both front lines needed to improve. It's taken almost 10 years but IMO ND has done a tremendous job of recruiting both OL and DL and are pretty close to Bama and Clemson and Ohio State, but what is really keeping us (and a lot of others as well) behind those top teams is elite level DB's and WR's. I am anxious to see how Tyler Buchnar does in fall camp, I've heard about him changing his throwing mechanics last summer so hopefully it works for him.

Rocco and Blake are both true freshman, and both could start from day 1. Not sure if that says as much about them as it does the guys who are leaving from last year. I think there could be some growing pains within the offensive line but the future appears to be in good hands. How many Heisman Trophy's do you think the late Beano Cook (assuming he's not with us anymore) would anticipate Tyler Buchnar getting? haha

I don't follow Oklahoma or the BIG 12 that closely, I don't see them or any team in that conference getting into the playoffs until they start playing some defense. It seems like OU lays an egg every year and loses a game they should win, and it's usually like 55-46 or48-42.....

I hope you're right and Tyler Buchnar is the chosen one, I just am a little cautious on a kid who only played 2 years of high school football against average talent in San Diego. Offense has brought in some talented freshman this class including Buchnar, Spindler and Fisher who are both freshman, and Lorenzo Styles and Deion Colzie at WR.

My biggest concern heading into 2021 is the offensive line. Replacing 4 of 5 starters is going to be challenging. The lone returning starter, Jarrett Patterson, played center last year and may be playing tackle this season. My guess is it will take a few games to iron out the OL positions and they may even rotate some guys in and out of the lineup. I think the transfer QB from Wisconsin Jack Coan should be okay, but my 2nd biggest concern is the WR unit. Someone will have to step up, Avery Davis is a proven guy but after him and freshman phenom now soph TE Michael Mayer I'm not sure who is catching passes this year in South Bend. Lot of question marks on the offensive side of the ball IMO, can't wait for the fall practice and the opener!!

I don't think Mishawaka is a cakewalk

I don't think this is accurate (sorry not trying to call you out Bobref), but I've also read where this is the longest running football rivalry in other threads so I had to take a look... according to John Harrell's site Lowell and CP did not play in 1994-1996. They have opened the season every year since 1997

I know it's not a simple comparison but anyone remember Jack Kiser from Pioneer?? Kid was awesome playing 1A football, everyone said he was not going to be able to make it at Notre Dame because of his high school competition. Granted JK was hurt last year, but he got some LB playing time 2 years ago and the staff loves him because he understands the game and he's always around the ball. If he can stay healthy I think he's got a chance at starting at Rover this year for the Irish.

Hope he ends up at Notre Dame, and if he wants to play baseball too like some other golden domers (Jeff Samardija sp?, Golden Tate, Tori Hunter, etc) it can't help that ND is currently a top 10 baseball team (had to triple check, one site said #6, another said #8).

My guess is no, unless he's bringing some players from HF with him....

I know it's only spring football, but it sounds like BF is getting some first team reps at LT for Notre Dame. Not bad for a kid who should be in his final semester of high school. From all the reports I've heard, BF, along with fellow early enrollee Rocco Spindler, have impressed both defensive players and coaches with their performance early on. I didn't think he would play tackle, thought he'd be a guard. Guess he could still play inside, but I'm anxious to see what the future hold for Blake Fisher.