NEVADA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
35-0.. what a start. I did not at all expect a shutout opener for Notre Dame. Not. At. All. Notre Dame has surprised me... as in a surprise like last years Syracuse game, which all of us know, was a monstrosity of a game. Notre Dame suprised me in so many different ways. I decided to put everything I noticed in list format to make it easier for readers. You're Welcome.
Key Stats:
Jimmy Clausen-15/18 315 yards 4 touchdowns. This was Jimmy's second-ranked best start, next to last years Hawaii game. Jimmy is on a roll. He seems to have finally found the swagger and confidence he had coming out of that stretch limo on the day he announced his commitment to Notre Dame. And, I love it. He looks like the best quarterback Notre Dame has ever had. But then again, this is Nevada, college football's 119th ranked passing defense last season. But still, 315 yards on 18 passes?
Michael Floyd- 189 yards, 3 touchdowns, 4 catches, 47.3 yard per catch average.. yes 47.3... Much of Jimmy's statiscal success should be granted to, the beast, Michael Floyd. He turned a short pass into a 70 yard touchdown, and an underthrown pass into an 88 yard touchdown. Conclusion, Michael Floyd is a manchild.
Notre Dame Rushing: 178 yards rushing, 4.3 yard rushing average. Notre Dame's rushing attack came as a pleasant suprise to many during the game. On third, even fourth and short, fans last season would groan because of the stagnant ground game. But to much avail, Notre Dame's line seems to be blocking a lot better, and average 4.3 yards per carry against a 6th ranked Nevada rushing defense (1 behind USCum). Last year Notre Dame had a 3.27 yard per carry average. Charlie Weis stressed the importance of having a great rushing game to compete in the BCS and proved it Saturday with an impressive 4.3 yard per carry average.
Worth to mention:
-The O-line looked very dominant against Nevada Saturday. Clausen was only hit twice and did not get sacked once versus against a Nevada defense which ranked 11th in the nation in sacks last year. Also, the O-line seemed to provide more gaping holes for Armando to scamper through and blocked well on screens (a favorite of Weis).
-Michael Floyd is a beast. And the best part, he's only a sophmore. He was throwing around Nevada corners all day long and Nevada just looked overmatched against him. I cannot wait to seem him progress throughout the season. Heisman Watch?
-Armando Allen hit the holes well Saturday and rushed for an impressive 4.8 yards per carry, but he still seems to lack that home-run, well, run of course. It looks like he's gonna take it to the house, but then there always seems to be that one tackle he could've broken. Nevada's rushing defense is good, but Notre Dame fans are still waiting for that long touchdown from Allen.
-Nevada rushed the ball tremendously against us. It seemed as though there were huge holes for the Wolfpack runners and if it wasn't for a few fumbles, interceptions, and a missed field goal, Nevada could have made the game more interesting.
-Nevada's wide receivers seemed to always be wide open. If it wasn't for there many drops, they might have made the game a lot closer.
-Overall on defense, we seemed to get pressure on Kaepernick, and maybe if it wasn't for his quick feet, we might have had a few more sacks, but there seemed to be a lot of running room and a lot of room to catch the ball. I think it was the Pistol that really got Notre Dame like it did to many teams last year. Notre Dame, in my opinion, got lucky with some fumbles and other mistakes, but really didn't deserve the shutout.
-Notre Dame looks like a team. Jimmy Clausen was running up and down the sideline pumping up and congratulating players like Quinn did in 06'. It looked great. He seemed happier and more relaxed than the Jimmy Clausen in previous years and as a leader, he has much improved and has taken the necessary steps to become Notre Dame's Golden Boy.
-Brian Smith looks like the heart of the Defense, which I absolutely love (see picture above) Two sacks on a tricky Kaepernick, enough said.
-Toryan Smith looks like a beast. I dont know if its Teo who's pushed Smith or if he just really is that good, but on that fourth and inches he looked scary good. I am so excited.
-Theo Riddick did not look like a freshmen. He looks like he has great potential and he seems like he has great home-run ability returning kicks. And as a running back, he looked tremendous. And plus, that jump was sick. He is definately a suprise of the 09 recruiting class, and to be honest I thought Cierre would see more time.
-Manti Teo looks like a beast. On his first tackle he showed off some tremendous speed tracking down Colin. And in the fourth quarter, some of those hits were just unbelievable. The crowd went nuts everytime he hit someone. He looks absolutely huge as a freshmen and I cannot wait to see him on the field more often.
-Although ND looked great and National Championship worthy, there are still so many questions that will be answered next week. Can Notre Dame kill a non-Wac team?? Seriously what is wrong with the WAC? Notre Dame has their number.. Can Jimmy Clausen keep the streak going. I hope so, he looks amazing. Can we play better defense against a good Michigan offense? Can we pass as well against a better pass defense? I am so excited for next week and this upcoming year. I cannot wait. GO ND!
