The game started out slow and things were not clicking when the game started. They came out flat and really seemed to be dragging. Then Weis made some adjustments and started to hit the middle with the run and pass. Notre Dame jumped out to a 20 - 3 lead at half.
Quinn got intercepted for the first time since the Michigan State game. It was a streak of approximatly 220 passes without a pick. The record is held by Trent Dilfer at 270 passing attempts. Tommy Z made a TD saving tackle. Did you see him pull down that running back with one arm. Now that is strength! Landri looked like a beast out there today. Landri was firing on the snap count and in the quarterbacks face all day! Darius Walker looked shifty and not running hard. Bob Morton changed things with several hugh blocks all day opening hugh holes for walker to waltz through. Darius seemed like he was running with purpose and was going for the extra couple yards instead of running out of bounds! Congratulations to Darius for breaking the 1,000 rushing mark today! He joins an elite group of running backs from Notre Dame. Darius may not be the best runner in the bunch but he does so many other things for the team. He has great hands and will be a nice slot receiver/slash back in the NFL.
I thought the green jerseys were a little excessive but we have not won in them since 1985 so it was good to get a win under them and start a new streak of winning with them. Weis wanted to thank all the seniors for the great year they have had thus far and take this class out with a bang
West had another fumble on the kickoff return. I am starting to not have faith in him back at kickoff returner!
In the second quarter with Army 3rd down and 11, Richardson got away with a Pass Interference. I love how Samardzija puts a little something extra on it when he crosses the goal line. I hope Burkhart can come on next year and be a great kicker for us because Gioia is really lossing me this year. I am sorry but how do you even miss extra points from 19 yards out. I hope when we play USC, it doesn't come down to a field goal.
First Alridge carry looked like he was going to break it. The Army linebacker got a hand on him and tripped him up. If the linebacker would have missed him, he would have plowed over the safty and taken it to the house! The swing pass to Alridge a couple plays later looked like a backwards pass but it was not! James, you have to catch the ball in CFB.
Quinn looked poised in his last drive before the half. If the game is on the line I would not want any other quarterback behind center. Quinn proves this everytime before half when we need a TD or at the end of the Game! Grimes had a couple of nice catches on the drive and I thought he could have turned up field because the CB slipped. Mcknight had a nice catch in the back of the end zone to close out the first half!
Samardzija is now is out in front of Mcknight by several catches to hold the record for most ND receptions! I cannot believe Darius fumbled, but Grimes kept his eyes on the play and recovered the fumble for a TD! Richardson had a nice INT! Ball was up and to the right and he made a nice leaping grab to snag it! Grimes and Mcknight had some nice blocks on the outside all day! Mcknight had a nice grab and then a perfect up field turn to score the TD. Maurice Crum is settling in nice at Mike Linebacker. I bet you Weis tells him to add a couple pounds this offseason and not lose his speed and he will be a hell of a Mike LB in the future. NOT THAT HE IS NOT ALREADY!
Terrible decisions to go for it on 4th down twice. One was a Brady sneak and another was a handoff to Alridge who got crushed by their middle linebacker. Landri had a nice second, third effort to block field goal.
I dont know if anyone else saw this but in the start of the 4th quarter it was a bomb to Mcknight. The ball was thrown to far and it bounced off of Mcknights head before he lands on a photographers camera. Mcknight picks up the camera and acts like he is taking photos from the ground! I rewinded my TIVO to view it again! I chuckled at Mcknight. HILARIOUS!
My offensive MVP was Darius Walker! He had another great day! Good Job! My Defensive MVP was Landri. 6 Tackles, 2 sacks, and blocked field goal. Landri put it all out on the field!
To all the seniors! Thanks for the wonderful job you did here all 4 years.
Brady Quinn
Rhema McKnight
Jeff Samardzija
Victor Abiamiri
Chris Frome
Derek Landri
Ryan Harris
Dan Santucci
Bob Morton
Marcus Freeman
Travis Leitko
Chinedum Ndukwe
Mike Richardson
Brian Mattes
To all who may leave but have a 5th year of eligibilty
Joe Brockington
Carl Gioia
Geoffrey Price
Travis Thomas
Tom Zbikowski
John Carlson
Trevor Laws
John Sullivan
Ambrose Wooden |