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!!!!!

What Now

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Let’s treat 1st 2 games as exhibition games with next 10 our regular season.

Really have to get all the DB’s heads screwed on right. Gray, in particular–but after re-playing the game–no real pressure on the QB in passing situations and that makes it very difficult to maintain coverage. 2 games and I can’t recall 1 sack or good pressure on either QB.

The strength of this team was supposed to be the front 7 which in turn would help the DB’s with pics–isn’t happening.

So what do you do–well last 30 seconds, knowing they have to pass why not get the best line athlete on field with one job only–get the QB. Aaron Lynch should have been the guy.

He is every bit as good as Teo was as a freshman–get him on the field starting right now.

Get Tuitt much more involved. Niklas and Williams need more playing time also.

All of these guys would be starting elsewhere.

Run defense was very good but changes have to be made in obvious passing downs.

Somehow we need to get Teo freed up. Too often he is shielded out of the play.

Speaking of LB’s Calabrese was really hammering anyone he came in contact with while Fox showed good speed and range.

Nix again was a force but Johnson and Moore really have to step it up.

Next up more conventional teams–we simply have to play guys that can rush the passer. OLB’s real disappointment at this stage.

We can run the table if we just play the right guys on D.

If anything, you can bet that the D as a whole will be fully re-evaluated this week.

Let’s hope so.

ND VS. USF

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What bothers me most about this game is the prediction of a USF win by Lou Holtz. I know–what did you expect him to say. It’s the way he said it that bothers me. He didn’t say he hoped USF would win or that he would cheer them on–he said USF would win this game.

He’s been to practices at both schools and has keener insight than reporters covering ND–maybe he saw something that prompted him to say what he said.

We will soon find out. I think this will be closer than I would feel comfortable with–I want a blowout, I want to see all these freshman on the field at the same time –Williams, Tuitt, Nix, Lynch and Niklas.

If ND can’t take the 1st possession and score a TD we are in trouble. If we can’t run the ball we could easily lose.

Once again the OL holds the key to the game. I hope I’m wrong but I really don’t want this game decided in the 4th quarter–we can’t let them hang around like last year–nearly every game.

So here is my hopeful prediction:

ND 31 USF 24

9 Practices Complete

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With 1st full week over and done, as mentioned before, this up coming week will in all probability determine the depth chart.

Most positions filled and Kelly signaled that Shembo gets the nod over Spond.

That leaves the Calabrese Fox contest with Carlo in the lead.

OG’s –looks like it will be a 3 man rotation Watt, Nuss and Robinson.

Concerning Spond–don’t know how fast he is(looks thin to me) looks more like a Safety and maybe best in the long run for him.

I say this for apparently frosh Troy Niklas 6”7" 250 lbs third at this OLB position really opened eyes this week–even got nickname "Hercules".

Don’t like losing Nicols and hope we can land couple more OL recruits

At end of this week will probably learn who won QB derby.

Finally why can’t we get rid of Tom Hammond on NBC broadcasts–I nominate Jack Nolan of UND.com . Keep Mayock–he’s been very good.