by Leprechaun Express & Steve Welsh
Shine a spotlight on DeShone Kizer, and the results are often C-L-U-T-C-H.
“Look, if you’ve got a really good quarterback you’ve got a chance, and he’s a really good quarterback,” Kelly said. “He knows what he’s doing. He knows how to do it and he’s working to get better at it every single day. He gives you a shot at winning every game you play.”
“… in the past two seasons the tight end has really been a non-factor in the Irish offense, and 2016 is no different. Through the first two games Irish tight ends have caught just one pass for eight yards, which was to Durham Smythe against Texas. Against Nevada, none of the Irish tight ends were even targeted.”
… The Irish rank 38th in the country in rushing offense through two weeks, averaging 222.5 yards per game. But on 18 rushing attempts inside the red zone, the Irish have just 31 yards, an average of 1.72 yards per carry, which ranks 109th in the country.
… that McGlinchey and Nelson haven’t met expecations speaks to their potential. Nelson came in wanting to make every block this season. …. * * *
Nelson, who was a first-year starter in 2015 alongside now-NFL linemen Ronnie Stanley and Nick Martin, said there’s no timeline for when a line jells …. ‘It’s when the offensive line really decides to make it happen and everyone’s all in on every single snap,’ Nelson said. ‘Whether it’s walkthrough or whether it’s the practice or whether it’s the game, that’s when it happens.’
Notre Dame vs. Michigan State – 7:43 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016; Notre Dame Stadium (80,795); Notre Dame, Ind.
Notre Dame vs. Michigan State – 7:43 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016; Notre Dame Stadium (80,795); Notre Dame, Ind.
#IRISH VIDEO NEWSLINK: Live Stream: Brian Kelly Tuesday Press Conference – Notre Dame vs. Michigan State Preview
Breaking in new starters and dealing with the on-field growing pains of relying on less-experienced players is reality these days for Michigan State. … the Spartans spent their bye week trying to clean up some of the mistakes – 10 penalties being chief among them – and getting ready to jump onto the big stage with Saturday’s trip to Notre Dame …. But the 12th-ranked Spartans are hardly the only team working out the early season kinks. For No. 18 Notre Dame, there just as many issues, tops among them a defense that allowed 50 points and more than 500 total yards in a season-opening loss at Texas. … last weekend’s 39-10 victory over Nevada … snapped a three-game skid dating to last season[;] the Fighting Irish are feeling a bit better about their defense with Michigan State coming to Notre Dame Stadium for the first time since 2013.
With their 39-10 victory over Nevada, Notre Dame rose to 1-1 on the year and climbed to #18 in the latest College Football Coaches Poll, released Sunday, Sept. 11. They climbed three spots from their previous ranking of #21. The Coaches Poll top-25 is below, with Notre Dame opponents highlighted. The team that upset Notre Dame in double-overtime the previous week, Texas, also won, and is a few spots ahead of Notre Dame, at #16. Next week’s opponent, Michigan State, is in the top-10 at #8. The Spartans are 1-0 after a somewhat tepid win over Furman and a bye week. Two games into the season, Notre Dame is one of only four teams ranked in the top-25 that already have a loss.
1 – Alabama 2-0
2 – Florida State 2-0
3 – Clemson 2-0
4 – Ohio State 2-0
5 – Michigan 2-0
6 – Stanford 1-0
7 – Houston 2-0
8 – Michigan State 1-0
9 – Washington 2-0
10 – Louisville 2-0
11 – Iowa 2-0
12 – Wisconsin 2-0
13 – Georgia 2-0
14 – Oklahoma 1-1
15 – Tennessee 2-0
16 – Texas 2-0
17 – Ole Miss 1-1
18 – Notre Dame 1-1
19 – Baylor 2-0
20 – Texas A&M 2-0
21 – Oregon 2-0
22 – LSU 1-1
23 – Florida 2-0
24 – Arkansas 2-0
25 – Miami 2-0
Also receiving votes: … (38) Navy …
With their 39-10 victory over Nevada, Notre Dame rose to 1-1 on the year and stayed at #18 in the latest AP College Football Poll, released Sunday, Sept. 11. The AP top-25 is below, with Notre Dame opponents highlighted. The team that upset Notre Dame in double-overtime the previous week, Texas, also won, and is just outside the top-10. Next week’s opponent, Michigan State, curiously enough, is right behind Texas at #12. The Spartans are 1-0 after a somewhat tepid win over Furman and a bye week. Two games into the season, Notre Dame is one of only four teams ranked in the top-25 that already have a loss.
1 – Alabama 2-0
2 – Florida State 2-0
3 – Ohio State 2-0
4 – Michigan 2-0
5 – Clemson 2-0
6 – Houston 2-0
7 – Stanford 1-0
8 – Washington 2-0
9 – Wisconsin 2-0
10 – Louisville 2-0
11 – Texas 2-0
12 – Michigan State 1-0
13 – Iowa 2-0
14 – Oklahoma 1-1
15 – Tennessee 2-0
16 – Georgia 2-0
17 – Texas A&M 2-0
18 – Notre Dame 1-1
19 – Ole Miss 1-1
20 – LSU 1-1
21 – Baylor 2-0
22 – Oregon 2-0
23 – Florida 2-0
24 – Arkansas 2-0
25 – Miami 2-0
Also receiving votes: (no Notre Dame opponents included)