NOTRE DAME’S MICHAEL FLOYD TO BE FEATURED IN ALL-STAR FOOTBALL CHALLENGE

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ALL-STAR FOOTBALL CHALLENGE TO FEATURE NOTRE DAME’S MICHAEL FLOYD

14th Annual Event To Air Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2

[Jan. 24, 2012] CHICAGO – The University of Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd will participate in the 14th annual All-Star Football Challenge, an exciting, live skills competition featuring college football’s brightest stars.  The program is scheduled to air Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and will have encore airings at 4:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 12 and Feb. 26 on ESPN.

The All-Star Football Challenge, which is annually hosted in the Super Bowl city, is one of seven live television properties owned and operated by Intersport, an award-winning media and marketing agency. Individual events in the 2012 All-Star Football Challenge include: FRS Healthy Performance QB Scramble, U.S. Marines Obstacle Course, Wide Receiver Hands Competition and the Lineman Challenge.  Participants will then be divided into Offensive (Mercedes-Benz Routes Competition) and Defensive Team Competitions.  To conclude the program, the players will be divided into two teams for a final Full Team Competition.

Floyd dominated his senior season with the Irish, recording 1,147 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. The big receiver was a highlight reel waiting to happen all year and is projected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft, according to ESPN.com.

Floyd will be joined by South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram (No. 17-ranked prospect, according to Scouts Inc.’s Top 32) and Texas linebacker Keenan Robinson as well as nine other college football stars.  A full list of participants will be available soon.

Alumni of the All-Star Football Challenge include three Heisman Trophy winners (Ron Dayne, Troy Smith and Jason White) and 41 first-round NFL draft picks, such as: Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Santana Moss, Vince Young, Vernon Davis, Donovan McNabb and Edgerrin James.

The All-Star Football Challenge will be held at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 2.  This year’s event will take place at SportZone, located at 6601 Coffman Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268.  Doors open to the public at 6 p.m. ET. A limited number of complimentary screening passes are available; seating is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is not guaranteed, thus guests are encouraged to arrive early. For more information, log on to: ALLSTARFOOTBALLCHALLENGE.COM.

STANFORD 28 ND 14

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Not ready, sloppy, low intensity by the ND offensive line contributed to a flame out in the first half and down 21 to zip no way to beat Stanford.

This team, especially the offense in facing quality opponents falls flat and almost looks like they are not only confused but that they expect to lose.

The OL was atrocious against a Stanford defense not known for brutalizing opponents. Sure Cave was out but it was the entire line that got punked.

A depleted defense made a valiant effort and those young guys gives us hope for the future.

Turning again to the OL we lose at least 2 starters but I do not recall any 2nd teamer getting any significant playing time–that is not how you produce effective depth.

Rees lack of any mobility almost got him killed. Going to Hendrix provided a spark and he should start in Bowl game.

Unfortunately it was also a final dis to Crist.

Wait til you see the Fla State pass rush–that could get real ugly.

For some reason this offensive team does not look prepared ag. good teams nor does there appear much effort or intensity.

Kelly and the offensive coaches have to do a much better job in all phases of the game prep.

Keep recruiting both OL and DL men but they have to play at least a little so they are ready when some one goes down.

Rarely do you have a talent like Mike Floyd and not play someone who can actually pass.

This team better in Sept than Nov.– called regression.

Lastly–get Gunner Kiel

Monkey Off our Backs ND 56 Navy 14

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Notre Dame clearly shrugged off an embarrassing loss to USC and a ridiculous Twitter controversy to just absolutely manhandle a Navy team who at the time of the game was 3rd in rushing in the nation. Fired up from the get go Tommy Rees led the Irish to fast scores and the defense completely shut down Navy led by Manti Teo. Rees finally connected a long ball throw to Floyd who scampered away into the endzone. Good play by everyone all around especially the freshman on defense (Lych, Tuitt, etc.). It was great revenge against a tough Navy team that has had our number for the last two years. Here’s to never losing to another service academy team ever again.

My only gripe with this game was where were these guys last week against USC?
Hopefully we have turned the corner and now we can win out. This team can beat anyone in the country if they get it together. I think they can beat Stanford if they come in hyped with wins over Wake, BC, and Maryland.

ND 59 AIR FORCE 33

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This game basically over by halftime with ND 49 AF 16 due primarily to turnovers by AF and an unstoppable ND offensive performance.

ND totaled 560 yards total offense with Rees passing for 4 TD’S 260 yards and the rest by an explosive running game.

The following players scored:
Floyd, Eifert, Gray, Wood, Riddick, Atkinson and Roby Toma–his first as a ND player.

Andrew Hendrix leading rusher at 111 yards which included a 78 yard run–should have been a TD but Hendrix got his feet tangled and fell down at the 1 yard line.

Dominating offensive performance and MVP offense goes to Rees.

Defense was another matter altogether–they were gashed for 565 yards and clearly don’t have a clue how to stop a fast paced multiple style option offense. AF just couldn’t put points on the board when it mattered. Does not bode well for future opponent Navy which cut blocks a lot more than AF.

Jamoris Slaughter the defensive MVP.

Surprised that freshman DL Chase Hounshell, number 50 played although he looked pretty damn good–but burns a year of eligibility.

Overall a win against a good team. 4-2 going into bye week.

Check out highlight video from und.com below:

nd vs air force highlight video
Click For Video

N.D. vs Air Force

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ND vs Air Force

Air Force, I believe will run blitz ND and double Michael Floyd hoping to not only disrupt the running game but at the same time get to Rees.

I think that is the only way AF can hope to counter the size advantage. The problem–don’t think even doubled they can cover Floyd.

Cut blocks = injuries, so ND defense must pummel the OL of Air Force–jam the line and explode into the Air Force OL right at the snap. Notre Dame has to get the DL push before they are cut. Play really really physical. Nix and others should literally be nose to nose with the Air Force line.

The Notre Dame OL has to punish the defensive line–if they do then they win handily.

I look for lots of action and lots of scoring with ND winning big.

Prediction:

Notre Dame 48 Air Force 28

N.D. 38 PURDUE 10

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Finally a relaxing game for ND fans as Purdue was stomped big time to the tune of 551 yds by the ND offense.

Great running game by Wood (191 yds) including a 55 yard burst for a TD. Jonas Gray finally got more touches which produced 94 rushing yds.

Tommy Rees–no turnovers hit for 3 TD passes and 250 yds passing. Floyd, TJ Jones and Eifert all scored.

Defense held Purdue to 276 total yds.

Special Teams need a lot of work–2 missed field goals and a blocked one could really cost going ahead,.

Somehow the snapper and holder have to get it together. Punt return–non existent.

Tuitt missed the bus for missing a class and that had a ripple effect–Lynch had to play more due to injury to Ethan Johnson(ankle) and what I didn’t know– ND wanted to red shirt Kona Schwenke this year. So a bad decision by Tuitt cost a teammate a year of eligibility.

Crist did mop up duty which surprised me. Kelly apparently asked him if he wanted to go in and he said yes. Real ND man–real high character.

Other than the above–very satisfying win.

I did have the opportunity of watching Air Force vs Navy which made me anxious–both excellent option teams–play fast and intense for 4 quarters yet they don’t seem to tire out at all. ND will have to put up big big numbers to make them one dimensional—red flag games.

USC also seems much improved–damn it!

Pitt Aftermath

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I have already expounded on my take of the Pitt game–lucky win, but so were the losses lucky for our opponents.

Read Kelly’s comments on this game (I’m in control) and Rees is MY QB–okay so what if he is planted in the sod of ND stadium–what is plan B–really no answer except maybe more Frosh will play.

So what do we take from that. My gut instinct–Crist out, Hendrix out and Golson is next in , even if preferable to redshirt him.

I further read this that the Charlie Weis recruits out, namely Crist and Hendrix. Crist and Hendrix are both Pro-set QB’s–so they are out

If I were either, I’d tell Kelly to stuff it–Crist, maybe has 1 yr. eligibility left–Anyone need a strong arm Qb that plays Pro set–same for Hendrix–Charlie Weis wanted this kid real bad and if anything CW knows Qbs–so off to Fla goes Hendrix. Crist one year left goes anywhere he can start.

So that brings us back to the present. We just saw a defense with Pitt that worried about vertical long strike hold ND to 15 pts–every team ND faces will play short knowing Rees can’t throw the long ball.

So mix in the OL woeful pass block ability ND has a real problem–an absolutely piss poor Pitt Db’s took Floyd out of game.

Looking ahead USC and Stanford(with much Better athletes) blanket Floyd and blitz the shit out of Rees resulting in regular picks and fumbles.

The only thing Kelly has going for him is the Defensive side of the ball although Diaco has movie star looks, can recruit, doesn’t have the cojones yet to be outstanding defensive coordinator–hey you have the players–let them loose the entire game.

ND’s future rests on the defensive side of the ball.. Kelly has to get the offensive moving–see how fast we run the offensive–I don’t see it happening against USC or STANFORD.

ND 15 PITT 12

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Your lying eyes are not deceiving you. This game was bloody awful.

It was obvious right from the outset and throughout the game that ND was completely out coached, out played and outhit.

It seemed that the Pitt defensive coordinator was wired into Brian Kelly’s headset. It was also obvious that Bob Diaco was hopelessly confused as were the players.

Rees tossed a pick and fumbled as usual. He had absolutely zero pass protection. I have wondered why previous opponents didn’t just blitz all the time.

I have nothing good to say about the Offensive Line–each would get an F if I was evaluating them.

Defensive Line played well especially Aaron Lynch–that guy could make one of the All American squads by years end. Stephon Tuitt was very good also.

What genius had Louis Nix playing off the line–he also seemed to wear down as game went along. Was not impressed by the play of the OLB’S.

I don’t know what the deal is with Teo–he is not the dominant ILB that was projected by all.

Pitt took Michael Floyd completely out of the game

Offense:

Jonas Gray had a real nice 78yd touchdown run. MVP Offense

Tyler Eifert came through in the clutch.

Tommy Rees while befuddled managed to lead ND for the win.

DEFENSE:

Not impressed except for mentions above.

Carlo Calabrese MVP Defense for game saving pass knock away.

Pitt had like 4th and 38yds to go and Carlo ended up one on one and saved the game. The question I have–where was everyone else in this prevent defense–if that pass completed could have gone all the way.

Field Goal attempt–what the hell was a center doing placing the ball??? I admit I did not pay close attention to the holder until now but it makes no sense to me–at the very least, you want a holder who can move and possibly pass on a bobbled snap.

Pitt should have won this game–better team today.

4 games into the season and now standing at 2W 2L but this team is not improving–sort of treading water–both players and coaches.

Expected much much more but give the Pitt coaches and players credit–they wanted this game much much more and played like it.

What’s ahead–who the hell knows!!!!!!!!!

ND 31 MSU 13

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Finally the first win–although errors persistently continue.
This was a very good win but major concerns still exist and we kept MSU in the game for too long.

Go back and replay the game and you will see a marked difference between the halves. Still not playing 4 quarters of solid football–but I’ll take the win, it’s a start

Harrison Smith and Robert Blanton were outstanding.

Teo was Teo and Michael Floyd is the best WR in college football.

Here come the freshman: George Atkinson took a kickoff to the house.
Tuitt, Niklas and Williams showed flashes but tentative which is understandable.
Aaron Lynch is a phenom–he simply could not be blocked. Star rising faster than Teo’s.

The OL finally played some real smash-mouth for the most part–can’t put my finger on it but 1 of the 5 is not playing up to snuff.

Re-play the game and ask yourself “where would we be without Michael Floyd?”

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2012 recruit # Number 15 commit WR Chris Brown 6’2″ 200 lbs.from South
Carolina.

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1st commit for 2013 OT Steve Elmers 6’6″ 300 lbs from Michigan–yes!!!!!