sloppy game, sloppy game. ... Seriously every time these two play, the game is like jinx. It always come down to the last drive of the game. Props to Irish, Go blue.
John Navarre looked awful on that last drive... so many open WRs, so many missed opportunities... they could have easily gotten into FG range... he basically choked b/c he had good protection on that drive... of course with Michigan's FG kicking woes, it wasn't a guarantee that they'd score and win the game. Willingham was a great pickup for the Irish.
An ugly game with a beautiful result. Tyrone Willingham really shows the value of coaching at the college level. The game was sloppy at times, but all season long, I've really seen a different mentality from the Notre Dame players. For the first time in years, they have that swagger... they really know they can win, instead of thinking or hoping for it. The defense, especially the corners, is just fantastic... and the line has gotten some good penetration. One of the more telling signs of the game was the first possession of the fourth quarter, after Michigan took the lead. Instead of panicing, the Irish took it straight down the field and scored. Holiday throws a nice deep ball if he has time to throw. The key for this team, IMO, is Ryan Grant. He's really made a lot of progress from the Maryland game, when he looked pretty bad. He seems to be seeing the holes a lot better, and he has a good burst when he gets to the outside. With the somewhat mediocre talent Notre Dame has at the receiver position, they need Grant to keep the defense honest, since no receiver outside of Battle can really be a playmaker. Also, if you look at Notre Dame's schedule, and Michigan St.'s debacle today, you'll see that there isn't one game that doesn't look winnable for the next month. I wouldn't want to jinx anything, but it is possible that they could go into Florida St. with a 7-0 record... wouldn't that be something? Go Irish.
I don't want to start a new thread for this, but Maurice Clarett is amazing!!!! Even though its only been two games, he has to creep into the Heisman Trophy watch! 31 carries, 230 yds, 2 TDs for a freshman! are you kidding me? Perhaps the second coming of Eddie George? OSU is impressive, much better than I anticipated before the season. by the way, less than an hour before the Horns run roughshod over UNC!
Saturday, September 14 Irish prove a power again, topple Wolverines SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) -- Notre Dame has an offense all right, and a hero in cornerback Shane Walton. Ryan Grant ran for two touchdowns and Walton batted away a 2-point conversion pass with 2:53 left as the Fighting Irish (No. 21 ESPN/USA Today, No. 20 AP) preserved a 25-23 victory over Michigan (No. 6 ESPN/USA Today, No. 7 AP) on Saturday in one of the most error-filled games in this storied rivalry. After knocking down John Navarre's 2-point pass, Walton sealed the win with an interception near midfield with 21 seconds left. Despite a game full of so many blunders, blocks and botched scoring chances, the game -- as it usually does in this series -- came down to the end. And Notre Dame (3-0) came through for new coach Tyrone Willingham. Navarre's 8-yard touchdown pass to Bennie Joppru pulled the Wolverines (2-1) within two points. With the crowd of 80,795 standing and cheering, Navarre rolled right and threw toward Braylon Edwards. But Walton leaped high in the air and swatted the ball away with his right hand. Notre Dame got the ball back but was forced to punt, giving the Wolverines one last chance that was snuffed out by Walton. In beating their first top-10 team since 1998, the Irish are off to their first 3-0 start since 1996. Grant carried 28 times for 132 yards, while Carlyle Holiday completed 8 of 17 passes for 154 yards and an interception, which was returned 19 yards for a TD by cornerback Marlin Jackson in the first quarter. Notre Dame failed to score an offensive touchdown in its first two games. Navarre completed 19 of 42 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown. While each team lost three fumbles, had a pass intercepted and combined for 18 penalties, it was the Wolverines who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Irish led 16-7 at halftime, thanks to Grant's 1-yard TD run, a safety via penalty and Holiday's 3-yard score after a pass interference call in the end zone. The Wolverines fought back to take a 17-16 lead after Philip Brabbs kicked a 19-yard field goal and Chris Perry ran 2 yards for the go-ahead score late in the third quarter. The TD was set up when Brabbs ended up recovering his own kickoff after Arnaz Battle fumbled it away at the Irish 32. Trailing for the first time this season, the Irish came right back on the arm of Holiday, who completed passes of 28 and 47 yards to Omar Jenkins. The 47-yarder took the ball to the Michigan 2, and two plays later Grant scored to put Notre Dame ahead 22-17. Holiday was sacked on a 2-point conversion try. Michigan, called for holding in the end zone that gave the Irish a safety, then made its final blunder: Perry fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Glenn Earl recovered at the Michigan 43. Four plays later, Setta kicked a 46-yard field goal with 10:41, and that proved to be the winning margin. The Irish offense was awake from the outset. Holiday connected with Maurice Stovall for 41 yards to the Michigan 39 on the second play of the game. Nine plays later, Grant scored from a yard out 4:52 into the game. The rest of the half turned into a schoolyard scramble. Each team lost two fumbles and had a field goal blocked. Michigan avoided going down by 14-0 when Grant fumbled on the goal line on a second-and-goal from the 6 play. The safety, though, was a turning point. With Michigan facing third-and-9 at its 7, Navarre dropped back into his end zone to pass. But left tackle Courtney Morgan was called for holding defensive end Justin Tuck while Tuck was tipping Navarre's pass. The ball fell to the ground, and since the penalty occurred in the end zone, Notre Dame was awarded a safety. The next time the Wolverines got the ball, they gave it right back, as wide receiver Tyrece Butler fumbled after a 4-yard catch. Vontez Duff recovered for the Irish on the 27. After Holiday was sacked for a 5-yard loss, the Irish had a second-and-15 at the 18. Holiday threw into the end zone for Jenkins, but Jackson dragged down the receiver for a 15-yard interference penalty. Holiday scored on the next play. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=222570087
Hey Cat, I was just wondering why you didn't comment on the hideously blown call for the Notre Dame touchdown? Oh that's right, you were rooting for Notre Dame.
Notre Dame's season is going to crash in flames come October 26th in Tallahassee. Good to see them win now - just means they'll be a better SOS marker for FSU. (oh, by the way, anyone watching FSU absolutely pound Maryland? )
or OU put up almost the line in the first half? Nate Hybl may not be great, but 11/16 for 253 yards, 2 TD's is still a step in the right direction, even if it IS UTEP....
Hideously blown call? He's in the middle of about 20 people and he has the ball on the 1, and dives across... I don't think you can fault the official at the side for calling it a touchdown. It's definitely a reason there should be instant replay in college football, but since there isn't, there have to be judgment calls. It's not even close to the same thing as shooting 27 free throws in a quarter.
Not as much of a good step as Chris Simms playing well on the road in a tough environment and tough weather... his numbers would be much, much better if not for several drops near the end of the half.
the offensive line looks much improved from the second half of the UNT game... let's just hope there's no 2nd half letdown like 2 weeks ago as for that last minute drive by UNC, what the hell? did our D just go to bed? on the qb scramble to score the TD, the qb even pulled back in order to slide, but had a change of heart and continued running and still wasn't caught! the intensity level CANNOT drop in the 2nd half! by the way, i loved hearing the UNC coach say that Redding was better than Peppers!
And the same people who said OU wouldn't cover the spread Cat: Simms has shown he is a good quarterback, Hybl hasn't. Therefore it is more improvement on Hybl's part
We are........Penn State!!!!!!! Looks like they've turned the corner.They could be the dark horse in the Big 10.
Great win for them......although Nebraska never should have been #7 in the first place......Jammal Lord is worse than I, and most others probably thought......
