Here Come The Irish: Carl's ND Football 2003-04 Journal

<img src="http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/nd/galleries/footbl-ap-091402/fansonly_INND111_623089414092002-lg.jpg" alt="" />

Well, it's that time of the year again... and I couldn't be more stoked. As some of you know, when it comes to sports football is my passion. And when I think football I think first and foremost of my beloved Fighting Irish of The University of Notre Dame du Lac. I am no fair weather fan. I'm ND gold and blue through and through. Have been since I can remember and will be until the day a die. So, like last year's this humble thread is where I will share my thoughts with fellow Chewers on the current Notre Dame football season.

Please, NO trash-talking garbage in this thread. Same rules as last year: If you have comments of merit, feel free to join in. If not and you just want to trash-talk, gloat, whine, or hate (which is all actually well and good and part of the unique "pageantry" of college football) then do so by
clicking <a href="http://chud.com/board/ubbhtml/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=21;t=001008" target="_blank"> HERE</a> and visit the official CHUD <a href="http://chud.com/board/ubbhtml/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=21;t=001008" target="_blank"> College Football 2003-2004 Thread</a>. Again, you may contribute to this thread if you wish, but please at least show me some courtesy and respect by not desecrating it.

With that, the thread begins. Another season of ND football is mere days away, and I'm ready.

Oh, and so is Donovan:

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/donovan/donovan_nd.jpg" alt="" />

The 2003 Notre Dame Football Schedule (as usual, one of the toughest):

09/06/2003 WASHINGTON STATE, 1:30 PM EST - NBC
09/13/2003 at Michigan, 3:30 PM ET - ABC
09/20/2003 MICHIGAN STATE, 1:30 PM ET - NBC
09/27/2003 at Purdue, ABC (time TBA)
10/11/2003 at Pittsburgh (time & TV TBA)
10/18/2003 USC, 1:30 PM EST - NBC
10/25/2003 at Boston College (time & TV TBA)
11/01/2003 FLORIDA STATE, 2:30 PM EST - NBC
11/08/2003 NAVY, 2:30 PM EST - NBC
11/15/2003 BYU, 2:30 PM EST - NBC
11/29/2003 at Stanford, 8:00 PM EST - ABC
12/06/2003 at Syracuse, 1:00 PM EST - ABC

<img src="http://ak-sports.espn.go.com/f/1917/8668/6H/espn.go.com/i/ncaa/clubhouses/logos/265.gif" alt="" /> VS. <img src="http://ak-sports.espn.go.com/f/1917/8668/6H/espn.go.com/i/ncaa/clubhouses/logos/87.gif" alt="" />

GAME 1: WASHINGTON STATE
Saturday September 6, 2003
Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IN.
1:30 PM EST (NBC-TV)

PREVIEW:

It's been a long layoff since Notre Dame last took the field in a game that counted, and the wait is almost over. In 4 days the Fighting Irish will take the field against the Washington State Cougars, who are coming off a 25-0 victory over Idaho. Notre Dame will be at the disadvantage of not having a game under, but the Irish may also have some element of surprise with how improved the offense is (if Spring and Fall practices are any indication).

Washington State pounded the Idaho defense for 339 yards on the ground with Matt Kegel, who replaced Washington State legend Jason Gesser, only throwing for 108 yards with an interception on 12 of 21 passes. Kegel will have to increase those numbers in a hurry if Washington State is going to have a chance. Notre Dame's front seven is far too talented and experienced for the Cougars to have anywhere near the same success running the ball that they did against Idaho. Cedric Hilliard and Darrell Campbell are both poised for All American type years and aren't going to be allowing much up the middle at all, though they are both banged up and might not be available for the opener. Still, when they're all healthy, ND's front seven is good enough to where I would take them over any other in the nation on any given day.

Notre Dame's front seven should also be able to get some pressure on Kegel with Justin Tuck coming off the end. If the Irish can get to Kegel early and rattle him, he will have a tough go of it in the House that Rockne built. Kegel will find that the Notre Dame defense is not only much better than the Idaho defense he saw this past weekend, but also better than most defenses he will see all year.

Despite the loss of Shane Walton and Gerome Sapp, the Irish secondary should be excellent again this year led by All American Vontez Duff. The key for the Irish secondary will be how well Jason Beckstrom plays as the other starter. Beckstrom has a lot of skill and speed, but injuries have plagued his career so his experience level is not that great.

On offense, the Irish must pass the ball to take control of the game. Ryan Grant is healthy and appears to be a little more explosive this year and with the return of Julius Jones, the Irish running game will have more than enough fire power. Grant and Jones won't go very far however, if they are facing 8 and 9 men in the box. If Carlyle Holiday can come out early and make come completions under pressure and show that he has progressed this off season, it will open up the running game. Washington State intercepted three passes this past weekend against Idaho so Holiday will have to be on his game.

Other than the question mark that is the offensive line, the key to success for the Irish offense will be hanging onto the football.

On special teams, Washington State gave up a few long returns to Idaho. That could spell trouble for the Cougars who will be facing one of the best return men in the country in Vontez Duff. If Washington State is not sharp on its kick coverage, Duff could easily take one back on them. Duff had a kick off and punt return for a touchdown last season (as well as an interception) and had another punt return called back from roughing the center against Stanford. Julius Jones could see time as a returner as well and also posses the ability to take one to the house. Notre Dame should feature one of the best return team's in the country this year.

This game will come down to how well the Notre Dame offense executes. If the offense that we saw against USC and NC State walks onto the field on Saturday, Notre Dame will be in for a long day. However, if the Irish offense has progressed with another year in Bill Deidrick's system and keep the Washington State defense honest, the Irish could be in control of this game early. I have no doubts the Irish defense will be up to the task. Washington State has a strong running game and shredded Idaho last week, but they won't be facing Idaho again this week. They will be facing one of the nation's top defenses who should be up to the challenge.

As usual, no final score prediction from me. Simple: GO IRISH!!!

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(The following information comes from the official Notre Dame Athletics website (http://www.und.com) ):

NOTRE DAME-WASHINGTON STATE SERIES NOTES

• <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Notre Dame and Washington State will be playing one another for the first time ever Saturday afternoon at Notre Dame Stadium. WSU will be the 134th different opponent in 115 seasons of Irish football.
• <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">For the second consecutive season, the Irish are opening up against a first-time opponent. Last year, Notre Dame blanked defending ACC champion Maryland, 22-0 at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J., to win Kickoff Classic XX.
• <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">The Cougars are the only Pac-10 Conference team the Irish have never faced. Notre Dame is 68-35-6 (.651) all-time against Pac-10 schools, including a 38-12-1 (.755) mark at Notre Dame Stadium.
• <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">The Irish also have won their last six home games against Pac-10 teams, dating back to 1998.
• <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Washington State is one of three teams on this year's Irish schedule that played in Bowl Championship Series games last year the Cougars fell to Oklahoma, 34-14 in the Rose Bowl. USC and Florida State are the other two '02 BCS qualifiers Notre Dame will face this season.
• <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">The Irish are 4-0 all-time against teams from the state of Washington, with all four victories coming against WSU's archrival, the University of Washington. Notre Dame and UW last met in 1996 (a 54-20 Irish win at Notre Dame Stadium) and the teams are slated to resume their series next year in Seattle.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">IF NOTRE DAME WINS ...

• <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Notre Dame would register its 15th season-opening victory in the last 17 seasons.
• <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">The Irish would lift their all-time record against the Pac-10 to 69-35-6 (.655) and move to 5-0 all-time against the Pac-10 in season openers.
• <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Notre Dame would win its home opener for the seventh time in the last eight years and the 13th time in the past 17 seasons.
• <font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">The Irish would pick up their seventh consecutive home victory over a Pac-10 opponent, a streak that dates back to 1998 (began with a 35-17 win over Stanford).

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">

<img src="http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/nd/galleries/footbl-090603rev/fansonly_INND111_666091406092003-lg.jpg" alt="" />

Yeah, there are a lot of Pollyannas and naysayers out there. But, honestly, I don't know what they're all thinking. I watched every bit of this game and while there are definitely a couple areas of concern I thought this was a GREAT WIN.

First off, we weren't exactly playing Middle Tennessee State. We were playing Washington State, the defending PAC-10 champs and a team with a solid defense that is coming off back-to-back 10+ win seasons. Also, this was out first game of the season... which is almost always a bear for an offense, especially when you're not playing a cupcake.

I saw lots of stuff to be worried about in the first half, but then lots of stuff to be excited about in the second. And Coach Willingham definitely peeled the paint off the walls in the lockerroom at halftime. Did you hear his interview when they came back onto the field? He could barely talk, he was so hoarse. That was great. And whatever he said, it certainly worked.

It wasn't an easy win by any means. But I'll certainly take it.

We get Courtney Watsonback next week for our showdown in The Big House. And while I'm sure we will be HUGE underdogs (which is fine by me) I predict another battle.

Gamewatch Pics! The whole family was into it for Game 1:

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/donovan/firstgamewatch_03.jpg" alt="" />
Me (#7), the wife (back left), Taylor (9), Riley (3), Donovan (8 months), and my brother (#3) and his wife (back right).

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/donovan/firstgamewatch_02.jpg" alt="" />
Future Irish football recruit, Donovan Cunningham. (Please, no Eagles QB jokes. Total coincidence. Besides, we're actually Irish so we deserve the names more anyway).

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/donovan/firstgamewatch_01.jpg" alt="" />
Me and the D-man after the game-winning field goal.

No way to sugarcoat this one, we SUCK on offense. Suck suck SUCK!!

Carlyle Holiday will not get it done. I've never seen a more inept 3rd year starter. It's time to adjust the offensive scheme to fit his abilities or cut the cord and install true Freshman Brady Quinn as the starting QB.

Hats off to Michigan, though. They're indeed the real deal and they're loaded this year. Only a mental lapse or choke will keep them from being in the National Championship game.

What an aberration in Ann Arbor last Saturday, though. The 4th worst loss in Notre Dame history... and the worst since 1957. Absolutely NO excuse for that, especially with this defense. Willingham's honeymoon is indeed over.

A Postmordem:

Michigan blew away the smoke and shattered the mirrors of Notre Dame Football under Tyrone Willingham on Saturday with a dominating 38-0 victory. There was no turning point in this contest as the Wolverines smothered the Irish offense, dismantled its vaunted defense and outclassed its special teams. Notre Dame fans may have been surprised at the athletic superiority of Michigan, but the most disconcerting aspect of the contest was the fact that Lloyd Carr and his staff badly outcoached their guests.

Michigan ran the ball seemingly at will and elevated tailback Chris Perry’s Heisman chances in the process. Perry recorded 177 yards of total offense and scored four touchdowns to lead a balanced Wolverine attack. Quarterback John Navarre was quietly efficient with 14 completions in 21 attempts for 199 yards.

While Notre Dame players and coaches were treated to a football clinic, Irish fans caught a glimpse of an efficient, balanced offense that has not been present in South Bend in a decade. Michigan mixed its plays well and exploited Notre Dame’s weaknesses in the secondary. The Wolverines seemed to convert each time they needed a first down by isolating Irish nickel and dime backs in coverage.

It is now quite apparent that Bill Diedrick’s offensive system is incompatible with the skill set of Carlyle Holiday, but there is no ready replacement on the roster. After twenty months and fifteen games as the trigger man, Holiday is still painfully tentative. Diedrick’s playcalling strategy appears defensive than attack-oriented and has become utterly predictable. In short, Notre Dame remains unable to stretch opposing defenses, particularly one as talented as Michigan’s.

Irish fans hoped for a second half miracle after another ugly start, but the Wolverine coaches remained two steps ahead of their counterparts. Despair set in when Notre Dame went three and out in their first series and Perry scored with embarrassing ease two plays later to boost the lead to 24-0. The Irish could not sustain a drive on its next possession, and Michigan responded with a methodical 19 play, 80-yard touchdown drive that consumed 10:25. It seemed longer.

Willingham waved the white flag and sent in freshman quarterback Brady Quinn for a taste of game experience. Quinn completed his first pass, a 19-yard strike to tight end Anthony Fasano in what was arguably the best-looking Irish offensive play of the day. As can be expected against a team of this caliber, however, Quinn struggled the rest of the way and finished with three completions in ten attempts and one interception.

It remains to be seen how Willingham and his staff will react to this shock wave. Will they make changes in the offense to maximize Holiday’s talents or will they throw him under the bus by turning over the reigns to Quinn? The latter could be construed as building for the future, but it also smacks of pushing the panic button.

One certainty is most Notre Dame fans will not readily accept or embrace the concept of patience. This defeat has definitely brought an end to the honeymoon period enjoyed by Willingham since he was hired on December 31, 2001. The team’s performance today was as bad as those turned in by Bob Davie’s 2001 team against Nebraska and Texas A&M, or the infamous Fiesta Bowl against Oregon State.

While Irish faithful are not ready to write off Willingham as a failure, they will now begin to judge his football accumen in a more critical light. Notre Dame has lost four of its last six games and played poorly in five of them. Three of these defeats have been by 22, 31 and 38 point margins. These are not the statistics of coaching legends.

Note to the haters: No need to gloat. I will ALWAYS love my Irish, through thick or thin (and, trust me... it's been mostly thin since 1993). I'm no fair-weather fan or front-runner unlike fans of some local teams I might mention.

Anyway, my last post of was of the critical nature (and rightfully so)... so now it's time to clean the slate and look ahead.

In fact, I'll be going up to South Bend this Saturday for the Michigan State game!! My brother landed a set of tickets at the last minute and travel arrangements have already been made. Will we rebound from last week's total embarassment? I'll get to find out in person.

GO IRISH!

Preparing to head up to South Bend for tomorrow's game between the Irish and Michigan State.

I'll have a full report when I return. In the meantime, here are some pics from my trip up to ND for this year's Blue & Gold Spring Game (back in April):

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/nd_spring2003_dome.jpg" alt="" />
Under the "Golden Dome" (ND Admin Building) l-r: John (my brother), Riley, Taylor, Me.

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/nd_spring2003_withgirls.jpg" alt="" />
Me with the girls

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/nd_spring2003_grotto.jpg" alt="" />
At the Grotto of Our Lady or Lourdes

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/nd_spring2003_rileyderek.jpg" alt="" />
Riley with starting Linebacker Derek Curry at the Team Breakfast

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/nd_spring2003_rileyenthalled.jpg" alt="" />
In the stadium for the Blue/Gold Game (check Riley's reaction to the team taking the field.

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/nd_spring2003_lepmike.jpg" alt="" />
John and Riley with "Leprchaun Mike", the mascot.

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/nd_spring2003_onthefield.jpg" alt="" />
Me on the hallowed ground of ND Stadium.

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/nd_spring2003_tdjesus.jpg" alt="" />
Obligatory "Touchdown Jesus" photo.

Okay, so the game sucked all ass and I have now almost lost all faith in Ty Willingham and the ND coaching staff. But, damn did I have an amazing time. ALWAYS great to get to ND... especially to see a game.

And I had PRIME SEATS, too! 50 yard line on the home side... about 12 rows up. All around me were wealthy and notable alums, including Chris Zorich who sat literally 2 seats away from me! Awesome stuff!!

Here are a couple of pics... more to come later:

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/nd_msu_2003_latner.jpg" alt="" />
Irish football legend (and Heisman winner) John Lattner receives a trophy commerating the 50th Anniversary of his Heisman season. As you can tell, my seats were pretty good.

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/nd_msu_2003_irishband.jpg" alt="" />
"The band spells out I-R-I-S-H, and plays the greatest of all university fight songs: The Notre Dame Victory March!

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/nd_msu_2003_zorich.jpg" alt="" />
The guy in the hat (behind the girl) is none other than former Irish great, Chicago Bear and All-American Chris Zorich. He was even wearing his 1988 Nationa Championship ring.

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/nd_msu_2003_action.jpg" alt="" />
The bright future of Irish football, true freshman QB Brady Quinn, in action.

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/nd_msu_2003_carl.jpg" alt="" />
Me having a terrific time in spite of the vomit-inducing game going on behind me. God I love this place!

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/nd_msu_2003_tdownjesus.jpg" alt="" />
Obligatory "Touchdown Jesus" shot.

<img src="http://www.cinemawatch.net/pics/nd_msu_2003_tailgating.jpg" alt="" />
Tailgating outside the stadium after the game. Beer never tasted so good.