FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

Photo Illustration by Grant Tobin and Steph Wulz 2 The observer | FRiday, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 | ndsmcobserver.com Insider

COMMENTARY recruiting No place to hide in Teams stake reputations Stadium on high-profile matchup

nearly as well as Robinson By MIKE MONACO Michiah Quick and Florida de- games kind of validate people’s Jack Hefferon — and can actually throw the Sports Editor fensive Anthony Moten, opinions on where Notre Dame is Sports Writer ball, too. as well as those who have not ex- as a program.” Michigan’s defense has On Sunday, Irish coach Brian pressed any interest. Frank said Notre Dame sim- The dress rehearsal went several new faces and will Kelly downplayed the impor- “February is still a long ways ply has not extended offers to a off smoothly enough. Some attack the Irish in ways they tance of the Michigan-Notre away and, at this time last year, great deal of 2015 prospects yet. bumps here, some early haven’t seen before, forcing Dame rivalry. On Tuesday, [freshman safety] Max Redfield One player with an Irish offer, kinks to work out there. Rees and new play-caller Kelly similarly dialed down the and [former Irish commit] Eddie however, is Minnesota defensive But Saturday night, the Chuck Martin to adjust on discussion of a recruiting ri- Vanderdoes weren’t on the radar,” end Jashon Cornell. ESPN rates curtain will truly rise on the the fly. And even if Notre valry between the two Midwest Frank said. “Opportunities open Cornell, who hails from the same 2013 Irish. And if past trips Dame can handle the 11 programs. up with other teams. There may school (Cretin-Derham Hall to Ann Arbor are any indi- Wolverines on the field, there “When you’re recruiting na- be other prospects that aren’t on High School) that produced for- cation, some theatrics will will still be over 100,000 tionally and you’re out, Michigan the radar right now. I think those mer Irish receiver Michael Floyd probably ensue. of them to deal with in the is going to be there in the recruit- are the kinds of things that mat- and current freshman receiver The Big House will be stands. ing process for us, but we’ll see ter for 2014.” James Onwualu, as the No. 1 packed, and the bright lights Most of the focus this week the West Coast, we’ll see the As for the class of 2015, Sunday overall player in the nation. will be on once again. Two has been on how to classify South,” Kelly said at his weekly was a big day in recruiting even Though Cornell is expected years ago, they were turned the Notre Dame-Michigan press conference. “I mean, I though there were no commit- to visit Michigan this weekend, on in for rivalry, or whether it is even don’t know that Michigan shows ments or decommitments to or Frank said the Irish still have a the first time, and most of a rivalry at all. (It is a rivalry, up more than any one school from Notre Dame. strong shot at landing the 6-foot- the Midwest turned out for and it’s one of Notre Dame’s because we’re all over the coun- With the calendar flipping to 3, 245-pounder. Frank mentioned the show. top two. Moving on.) try. It’s a blend of virtually all the September, communication is how Floyd and Irish freshman of- Those lights will expose But it doesn’t matter if schools throughout the country.” now allowed with prospects in fensive lineman Steve Elmer took Brian Kelly’s squad, one way Saturday is Notre Dame’s last Irish recruiting expert Mike the class of 2015. Coaches may visits to Notre Dame opponents or another. They got the trip to the Big House, what Frank spoke before Kelly’s news send personalized letters to re- when they were being recruited compulsory result against the history of the two schools conference Tuesday and echoed cruits and are allowed to reply to by both schools, watched Notre Temple, but the process is, or who is chickening out the same sentiment. Frank said and send e-mails to high school Dame lose and ended up com- could use some work. The of what. Saturday’s game he doesn’t believe the rivalry is juniors. mitting to the Irish anyway. offense showed its ability to matters — not because of the as important to head-to-head As it stands now, Notre Dame “Jashon Cornell is a tremen- hit home runs, but its stable series’ past or future — be- recruiting battles between Notre has received just one commit- dous prospect and Notre Dame of running backs struggled cause it’s all about this year. Dame and Michigan. ment from the class of 2015. has a really, really good shot with at times to grind out yards. Can the Irish offense take “It’s been interesting when Offensive lineman Jerry Tillery, him but I think when you’re the The defense is as deep as care of the football? Can the you talk about this game. I think a 6-foot-7, 312-pound tackle from No. 1 prospect, or certainly one of it has ever been but showed defense contain an explosive really before it was a lot more Shreveport, La., pledged to the the top defenders in the country, some rust at every level last dual threat? And can this important in the grand scheme Irish on June 22nd. ESPN rates you’re going to have a whole lot of week. And the kicking game year’s Irish squad show that of things when you talk about Tillery as the 18th-best tackle and teams coming after you,” Frank is still a Jesus- last season’s success was no recruiting and going head-to- the 205th-best overall player in said. “But you know he’ll be down sized question mark, which fluke? head with players,” said Frank, the nation. for a Notre Dame game as well is exactly the opposite of We’ll get those answers who runs the ESPN-affiliated Frank said Saturday’s contest and we’ll just have to see how it what you want in a hostile, Saturday, in Notre Dame’s Irish Sports Daily. “I don’t think with Michigan will go a long way plays out, but I think Notre Dame primetime environment. first big opportunity of the Notre Dame and Michigan go toward sculpting the opinions is in real good shape with him.” The opponent will be year to show what it can be. head-to-head for a lot of players of other prospects in the junior ready and pose a challenge ‘GameDay’ and the ESPN nearly as much as they used to. class. For more on Notre Dame that will give the Irish ev- cameras will be out in Ann Why that is? I think Notre Dame “Right now those prospects recruiting, check out Mike Frank’s erything they can handle. Arbor. A small country will has broadened their base a little are forming their opinions on irishsportsdaily.com. Email Mike Vegas has the Wolverines be packed in the stands. A bit and tried to get players from where they think Notre Dame is at [email protected] as three-and-a-half point top-20 opponent will be wait- all over the country.” headed as far as the direction of and tell him The Observer sent favorites, which by the stan- ing on the field. And those While the rivalry may not be the program,” he said. “Was last you. dard bettor’s rule of thumb lights, exposing and illumi- ramped-up within the region, year a one-season fluke or is this for home field advantage nating, will be shined down Frank said he believes the per- a legitimate top-10 program at Contact Mike Monaco at (part of any good Irish on the Irish once again. formance of each team in prime- this point? I think these types of [email protected] Catholic education), means It’s showtime. time can be helpful in the same these teams are about as national recruiting picture to Paid Advertisement even as they come. Contact Jack Hefferon at which Kelly alluded. Career antagonist Denard [email protected] “Where I do think [the rivalry Robinson was vanquished The views in this column game] matters is you’ve got two in his final act last year, but are those of the author and big, traditional schools going now Michigan returns with not necessarily those of The head-to-head and both are ex- , who can run Observer. tremely respected programs,” Frank said. “And I think it mat- ters a lot to people who are inter- ested in maybe leaving home and looking at a school like Michigan or Notre Dame. If they see that Notre Dame can beat another big-time regional school, it kind of validates the choice to attend Want to cover Notre there. “So I think even more than Dame football? Want bragging rights, it has to do with how each school is perceived and to sit in the press box? the direction each program is headed.” Write for Sports. Frank said he expects Saturday’s game to have a major Email Mike Monaco at impact on recruits in the class of [email protected] 2014 as well as the class of 2015. The class of 2014 already has 16 commitments, but Frank said the game could impact seniors from across the nation, including those already interested in Notre Dame like California athlete Insider ndsmcobserver.com | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 | The Observer 3

By MIKE MONACO leadership started long be- them. After all, it’s still three exponentially. So he’s made Leading loudly Sports Editor fore these past two years. days away from Saturday’s others around him better.” As perfect an example as “I’d say when I got here af- rivalry game with Michigan. In addition to making Martin may be, and as quiet It’s a few minutes after 6 ter a couple years of playing Martin walks into the Gug others better, Martin him- as it might be for Martin and p.m. on Wednesday. Practice I was definitely more of an quietly, occasionally making self has constantly im- the offensive line during the is wrapping up. example guy, just try to go small talk with teammates proved. In each of the past week, everything changes as The sound system blasts out there and do everything and laughing softly. Martin three seasons, the 6-foot-4, the decibel levels increase on B.o.B’s “Magic” and Joan Jett at 100 miles an hour and try said his leadership is differ- 308-pounder has won Notre Saturdays. Martin himself & the Blackhearts’ “I Love to get the younger guys to see ent during the week, away Dame’s Offensive Lineman said he invokes a completely Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Players begin what it takes to be a starter, from the bright lights and of the Year award. Following different leadership style. to filter out from the LaBar to be a good player,” Martin loudness of a game day. the 2012 campaign, Martin Leading by example is no Practice Complex. said. “Over time, you know, “During the week, you’re was named a second-team longer enough. After about five minutes, I’m still that same guy but I trying to go the entire day All-American by the Walter “On Saturday, you’ve most of the players have try to add the vocal part, es- full-go,” he said. “And during Camp Foundation. got a lot of things to worry filtered out and the music pecially being a captain.” the week I’d say it’s a lot more “He’s in a very small per- about, so it’s more of a vo- stops. The only sounds are Fellow graduate student [leading by] example because centage of players that play cal leadership,” Martin said. those of a few scattered stu- offensive lineman Chris Watt you’re trying to show the this game that has the ability “Obviously, you’re trying to dents, chatting away, as they has literally been Martin’s younger guys how to prepare to do what he does on a daily do your job and people are walk around the east side of right-hand man for the past for a game and how hard you basis,” Hiestand said at me- looking at that, but definite- campus. two years. In 2011 and 2012, really have to go to be ready dia day. “And there are a lot ly more of the vocal side on Fifteen minutes pass. Watt started all 26 games for a game.” of people that can lead from Saturdays.” There’s still a group of Irish at left guard, while Martin During the dog days of time to time when it feels Martin said while the players, including the of- manned left tackle. Over summer, all of the work is convenient or when it feels coaches handle the team- fensive line, out practicing those two seasons, Watt said behind the scenes. Coaches good or you’re having a good wide, pre-game speeches, he on the field in relative si- he has seen a similar growth are not allowed to have con- day, but Zack brings it every shares his own words with lence. The autograph hounds in Martin. tact with their players for day and that’s what sets him his fellow offensive linemen. have left. There’s no longer a “He’s always been a leader. the eight designated weeks apart and makes him such a “It’s different each week,” need for the ushers directing He’s been more of a quiet of voluntary summer con- unique and special player. Martin said. “But we always traffic. leader, leader by example in ditioning activities. That’s “He’s the picture of what break down on ‘Together.’ Around 6:25, the offensive the previous years when he’s when Martin stepped up to an All-American is. He’s an Basically, the gist of it is be- linemen make their way off first starting out because it’s do his leading by example, in All- player ing together and playing to- the field. kind of hard to be that vo- between and around summer and offensive lineman that gether today.” Graduate student offen- cal guy when you’re start- classes. has all the abilities and skills After that speech on sive tackle leads ing out as a freshman or a “We didn’t have class in that you look for to say, ‘that’s Saturday, Martin and the rest them. sophomore,” Watt said. “He’s the afternoons so we would the example of what we want of the offensive line will head really developed these last come in and work out [ear- to accomplish.’” out of the tunnel to take the Leading on the fly two years becoming a bigger ly],” Martin said. “Freshman field at Michigan Stadium Martin can’t pinpoint ex- leader for the team vocally year it’s crazy. You’ve got to — the Big House — before actly when he first captained and also continuing to do come in to study hall, class- a capacity crowd of 107,501 a team or led a group in that on the field as well.” es. So they wouldn’t work out screaming fans. school. But he knows it hap- Junior center Nick Martin until later, about 4:00. So me, For those next three-plus pened in middle school. And joins his older brother on the Chris Watt and the older guys hours, it will be anything it continued in high school. offensive line. Nick, who is in kind of just took it upon us to but quiet. Martin, now in his fifth his first season as a starter, stay after we worked out and season with the Irish and said he saw Zack’s leadership work those freshmen out. Contact Mike with 40 consecutive starts from Day One. “We had five freshmen of- Monaco at under his belt, is the 18th “My freshman year, I re- fensive linemen. It’s a very jmonaco@ two-time captain in the his- member the first padded talented group. That’s one nd.edu tory of Notre Dame football. practice of camp, [Zack] of the main things [offensive Martin said he hasn’t had broke down the whole team,” line] coach [Harry] Hiestand the time to fully sit back and Nick said. “He was only a red- taught us when he got here think about the importance shirt sophomore at the time. was we do things together of being one of just 18 players I was really surprised. He and we don’t leave anyone with that distinction, but he was an underclassman and else behind.” feels honored. he was breaking down the As far away from the spot- “It was right before the whole team. That’s when I re- light as Martin and his fellow [season-opening] game so ally knew how good he was linemen were, the story made we just kind of got every- going to be.” its way back to Irish head thing going, but after last coach Brian Kelly. year you get a chance to kind Leading in the quiet “The stories that I’ve heard of sit back and find out how It’s still remarkably qui- this summer, absolutely much of an honor it actually et outside the Guglielmino incredible,” Kelly said of is when you meet some for- Athletic Complex, where the Martin at media day Aug. 22. mer guys who have been in rest of the squad has reached “… That just does not hap- that position,” Martin said. the locker room. Some play- pen. But because of him, “To have the opportunity to ers have left entirely. Others he’s been able to up the play do it a second time is even have already begun talking of all of our younger players more of an honor, to have the to the media. Graduate student offensive opportunity to lead this team Zack and the rest of the of- lineman Zack Martin will line and hopefully to a successful fensive line make their way up against the Wolverines for the season.” toward the brick building, final time in his career Saturday. But Martin said his the spotlight completely off Observer File Photo 4 The observer | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 | ndsmcobserver.com Insider HEAD TO on ABC No. 14 NOTRE DAME LAUREN FRITZ | The Observer JOHN NING | The Observer IRISH PASSING No matter how prepared Michigan is for Senior Tommy Rees was im- the Irish run game, Notre Dame’s ability to pressive in Notre Dame’s season opener, put in fresh legs in the fourth quarter (and (Sr.) TJ Jones 7 throwing for 346 yards, three thanks to their new pistol formation, have (Fr.) Corey Robinson 88 WR 10 and — most importantly — zero intercep- them run downhill more than ever) should (Jr.) DaVaris Daniels (Sr.) Daniel Smith 87 WR tions. The Irish showed an ability to stretch be a huge advantage late in the game. the field for long gainers, with Rees lobbing EDGE: NOTRE DAME (Gr.) Zack Martin 70 throws down the sidelines to let his receivers (Fr.) Hunter Bivin 57 LT make plays on the ball. Senior TJ Jones has IRISH OFFENSIVE COACHING (Jr.) George Atkinson 4 (Gr.) Chris Watt 66 been praised by Irish coach Brian Kelly as Last week, for the first time in his career, (Jr.) Amir Carlisle 3 RB (So.) Mark Harrell 75 LG one of the best receivers in the college game, Brian Kelly did not call his offense’s plays. (Sr.) Tommy Rees 10 (Jr.) Nick Martin 72 (Sr.) Andrew Hendrix 12 (Jr.) Matt Hegarty 77 and he has showed early signs of being a po- That task was delegated to offensive coordi- QB C tential go-to guy for Notre Dame on offense. nator Chuck Martin and the transistion was (Sr.) Christian Lombard 74 (Jr.) Conor Hanratty 65 RG The Wolverines secondary is much seamless, as the Irish gained over 350 yards (So.) 78 younger after losing four-year starter Jordan in the first half alone. Notre Dame’s foray (Fr.) Steve Elmer 79 RT Kovacs at safety, and senior safety and cap- into the pistol offense looked to be an early (Jr.) Troy Niklas 85 tain Courtney Avery is questionable for success, as well. (Jr.) Ben Koyack 18 TE Saturday as he tries to return from knee However, Wolverines defensive coordina- surgery. Redshirt sophomore safety Blake tor Greg Mattison is a former coordinator of Countess is also returning from a knee sur- the famed defense, and (So.) Chris Brown 2 gery that cost him all of last season, and will engineered a unit that allowed the Irish just (Fr.) James Onwualu 17 WR face his first real test on Saturday. Michigan’s 13 points after six Michigan turnovers last corners average 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, year. which could open opportunities for Rees to EDGE: EVEN (So.) KeiVarae Russell 6 let Irish receivers Daniel Smith and Corey (Sr.) Lo Wood 23 CB Robinson — both of whom are 6-foot-4 — IRISH SPECIAL TEAMS win jump-ball battles outside. The Irish entered the season with an EDGE: NOTRE DAME open kicking competition between Nick (Fr.) Jaylon Smith 9 (Sr.) Austin Collinsworth 28 (Jr.) Ben Councell 30 OLB Tausch and Kyle Brindza, only to have both (So.) Elijah Shumate 22 S IRISH RUSHING placekickers miss their attempts last week. (So.) Sheldon Day 91 48 90 Notre Dame has already trotted out five Kelly has yet to declare a winner, leaving (Gr.) Dan Fox (Fr.) Isaac Rochell DE (Jr.) Jarrett Grace 59 ILB viable running backs this season, and a bal- doubt around the position that could decide (Gr.) Carlo Calabrese 44 (Sr.) Louis Nix 1 anced workload resulted in nearly 200 yards Saturday’s game. Brindza has taken over (Sr.) Kendall Moore 8 ILB (Sr.) Kona Schwenke 96 NG rushing last week against Temple. George punting duties as well this season, and has 41 Atkinson is a threat to break free on every shown off his strong leg but not much con- (Jr.) Matthias Farley (Jr.) Stephon Tuitt 7 (Jr.) Eilar Hardy 16 S (So.) Jarron Jones 94 DE play, and Amir Carlisle and Cam McDaniel trol as of yet. George Atkinson is dangerous showed they can take some of the workload on every kickoff return, and TJ Jones has (Sr.) Prince Shembo 55 as well. The most important man in the run brought a previously unheard of spark to (Jr.) Ishaq Williams 11 OLB game may be left tackle Zack Martin, who punt returns. along with left guard and fellow senior Chris EDGE: MICHIGAN Watt can be expected to clear a path on near- (Sr.) Bennett Jackson 2 ly every play. IRISH SCHEDULE (1-0) (Fr.) Cole Luke 36 CB Michigan held Notre Dame to 94 yards on Aug. 31 Temple W 28-6 31 carries last season, and allowed the Irish Sept. 7 @ Michigan just one over 10 yards. Linebacker Jake Sept. 14 @ Purdue Ryan was huge in that effort, and led the Sept. 21 Michigan State team in tackles last season, but will miss the Sept. 26 Oklahoma (Gr.) Nick Tausch 40 (Jr.) Kyle Brindza 27 first half of the 2013 season with an CA L tear. Oct. 5 vs. Arizona State (Jr.) Kyle Brindza 27 PK KO The Wolverines will attempt to make up for Oct. 19 USC (Jr.) Kyle Brindza 27 (Jr.) George Atkinson 4 that loss with an improved front line that in- Oct. 26 @ Air Force (Gr.) Alex Wulfeck 98 P (Jr.) Cam McDaniel 33 KR cludes senior defensive tackle Jibreel Black Nov. 2 Navy (Sr.) TJ Jones 7 (So.) Scott Daly 61 — whom Kelly tried to recruit at Cincinnati Nov. 9 @ Pittsburgh (Jr.) Amir Carlisle 3 PR LS — and junior Frank Clark, a former safety Nov. 23 BYU who bulked up and moved down to play de- Nov. 30 @ Stanford fensive end.

Andrew Gastelum Matthew DeFranks Mike Monaco Editor-in-Chief Assistant Managing Editor Sports Editor

This is a rivalry game, there shouldn’t be any doubt Is this game going to be an offensive explo- This isn’t 2012. And this isn’t 2011. Last year was a de- about it. To some of the coaches, maybe not (or may- sion? Is it going to be a defensive struggle? I fensive struggle, and 2011 was a ... well, I think most Notre be it’s just pure mind games), but to anyone who has have no idea, and neither do you. Dame students remember that. come through Notre Dame or Michigan in the last 20 Devin Gardner is a relative unknown as it re- The 2013 rendition of the “rivalry” will be somewhere in years there has hardly been a game that is as antici- lates to Notre Dame fans and the Irish faithful between. Neither team will score like 2011 and Michigan pated as this one. are hopeful he is not a clone. won’t throw another five this year. There is no more Denard to terrorize Te’o. There is no The good news is that Gardner is not at all like But the game will again be close. At this point, the of- more Te’o to terrorize Denard. Robinson. The bad news is that he is a better fenses are still a toss-up. The Irish offense — though it No more stars. Now it just comes down to fundamen- passer than Robinson could have ever dreamed struggled to convert yards into points against Temple — tals, strategy and who hates the other more. It’s going of. still racked up 543 yards against the Owls, while Michigan to be a tough defensive struggles and a battle between The Irish defense was not at their best last put 59 points and 463 yards on the board against Central the defensive minds of defensive coordinators Bob week despite allowing just a single touchdown Michigan. Diaco and Greg Mattison. to a dismal Temple offense. They need to be On defense, Notre Dame brings back eight starters to It’s the last time at the Big House for a while, so I’m better against the Wolverines and I think they Michigan’s five, and Bob Diaco will dial up the right calls expecting a big finish. will be. to do enough to thwart Devin Gardner. FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 24, Michigan 23 FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 27, Michigan 17 FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 21, Michigan 20 Insider ndsmcobserver.com | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 | The Observer 5

TO HEA8:00D p.m. No. 17 MICHIGAN michigan Stadium KARLA MORENO | The Observer KARLA MORENO | The Observer WOLVERINES PASSING of limiting the damage. Denard is gone. But Devin is in. EDGE: MICHIGAN 18 Blake Countess ( Jr.) Irish fans may be rejoicing that WR CB 8 Channing Stribling (Fr.) Denard Robinson, their scrambling, WOLVERINES OFFENSIVE COACHING WR shoelaceless nemesis for so many years, Wolverines offensive coordinator Al 15 James Ross III (So.) has finally moved on to torment some- Borges has averaged nearly 400 yards per WLB 52 Royce Jenkins-Stone (So.) one else. Redshirt junior Devin Gardner game in his two years at Michigan, and 30 57 Thomas Gordon (R-Sr.) LT Frank Clark ( Jr.) 14 Josh Furman (Sr.) isn’t the same runner Robinson was — is in the process of retooling his offense 53 Mario Ojemudia (So.) SS DE few in the history of the game ever have around a more traditional quarterback. LG 76 Quinton Washington (R-Sr.) been. But the former can His counterpart on Saturday will be 56 Ondre Pipkins (So.) NT 48 Desmond Morgan ( Jr.) move just fine, and has an arm to go Irish defensive coordinator Bob Diaco, C 35 Joe Bolden (So.) 55 Jibreel Black (Sr.) MLB with it, as well. Notre Dame was able who bottled the Wolverines and held RG DT 96 Ryan Glasgow (So.) to solve the Robinson dilemma last fall, them to just six points last season. 92 Keith Heitzman ( Jr.) 22 Jarrod Wilson (So.) but Michigan is moving to the pro-style Diaco’s defense was exposed by Temple, RT DE 99 Matt Godin (So.) FS 34 Jeremy Clark (So.) offense under Gardner, which will pose and now he’ll have a week to figure out 4 Cam Gordon (R-Sr.) a whole new slate of problems to the the issues and deliver the message. After TE SLB 97 Brennen Beyer (Jr.) Irish secondary. watching Notre Dame’s historic defense That Notre Dame secondary comes dominate last year under his schemes, in with another year under its collec- it’d be hard to imagine the Irish being 6 Raymon Taylor ( Jr.) tive belt, and has transitioned from beaten in the same fashion in consecu- 24 Delonte Hollowell (Jr.) WR CB a liability to a weapon. The Irish did a tive weeks. good job of keeping receivers in front of EDGE: NOTRE DAME them in their opener, and should be well 86 Jehu Chesson (R-Fr.) equipped to deal with veteran Wolverine WOLVERINES SPECIAL TEAMS WR 17 Jeremy Jackson (Sr.) receivers and Drew Dileo. At 5-foot-7, Wolverines sophomore re- 9 Drew Dileo (Sr.) WR 23 Dennis Norfleet (So.) Dynamic sophomore tight end Devin turn man Dennis Norfleet can get lost Funchess could present some issues as in a crowd extremely easily — and show well, and will test Notre Dame’s rangy up again 50 yards downfield. Fifth-year 75 Michael Schofield(R-Sr.) outside linebackers. senior Brendan Gibbons made his last 78 Erik Magnuson (R-Fr.) RT EDGE: EVEN 13 kicks last season, and is still perfect DE 67 Kyle Kalis (R-Fr.) 28 (R-Sr.) 27 early on in the 2014 campaign. RG 56 Joey Burzynski (R-Jr.) RB Derrick Green (Fr.) WOLVERINES RUSHING Notre Dame’s kick coverage teams 60 Jack Miller(R-So.) 12 Devin Gardner (R-Jr.) NG C 56 Joey Burzynski(R-Jr.) QB 7 (Fr.) Once again, this would seem to be have been very strong of late, and will 61 Graham Glasgow (R-So.) an area where Michigan will miss hope to keep Michigan from getting a DE LG 58 Chris Bryant (R-So.) Robinson. But Gardner’s arm should big momentum play on returns. But at 77 (R-Sr.) keep the Irish from stacking the box the end of the game, Michigan can turn 71 Ben Braden (R-Fr.) LT like they did against Denard, which to an all-senior battery of snapper, hold- 87 (So.) will allow Gardner to pick his spots and er, and kicker — which might just be the TE 84 A.J. Williams (So.) break it big. That seems especially like- difference in front of another world re- ly after watching Notre Dame defend cord crowd. 21 Jeremy Gallon (R-Sr.) against Temple’s pro-style offense last EDGE: MICHIGAN WR 85 Joe Reynolds (R-Sr.) week. Owls quarterback Connor Reilly is nowhere near as athletic as Gardner WOLVERINES SCHEDULE (1-0) but still ran for 77 yards on 12 carries. Aug. 31 Central Michigan W 59-9 Add in sturdy fifth-year Sept. 7 Notre Dame Fitzgerald Toussaint and future first- Sept. 14 Akron round pick Taylor Lewan at left guard, Sept. 21 @ Connecticut 45 Matt Wile ( Jr.) 34 Brendan Gibbons (R-Sr.) KO PK 45 Matt Wile (Jr.) and the Irish will have their hands full Oct. 5 Minnesota in gameplanning for Saturday. Oct. 12 @ Penn State 23 Dennis Norfleet (So.) 45 Matt Wile ( Jr.) KR 9 Drew Dileo (Sr.) P 91 Kenny Allen (R-Fr.) If there’s anyone that can get the job Oct. 19 Indiana 54 Jareth Glanda (R-Sr.) 23 Dennis Norfleet (So.) done, it’s the dynamite front seven of Nov. 2 @ Michigan State LS PR 9 Drew Dileo (Sr.) Notre Dame, featuring names like Nix, Nov. 9 Nebraska Tuitt, and Shembo. But just like when Nov. 16 @ Northwestern they faced off with Shoelaces, stopping Nov. 23 @ Iowa Notre Dame vs. Temple Michigan’s run game may just be a case Nov. 30 Ohio State

Joseph Monardo Jack Hefferon Associate Sports Editor Sports Writer Hear about Zack Martin’s Both teams impressed against vastly inferior com- Darn right Notre Dame-Michigan is a rivalry, petition in week one, but now it is time to see how and the hatred between the schools owes as much romantic side in the new good the respective teams actually are. Based on to the years they haven’t played each other as to the what the Irish showed last week, the defense could years they have. This is likely the last time these “Lightning Round” video struggle mightily against senior quarterback Devin schools will play in the Big House this decade, and Gardner should he manage to escape the pressure in that urgency will show in a tight game Saturday. series at the pocket and improvise with his feet. The Irish defense will need to step up to contain However, this is still (at least in part) the Irish de- Devin Gardner, and Tommy Rees will need to con- fense that kept opponents out of the end zone as if tinue to take care of the football to keep the Irish youtube.com/ the glory of Mary depended on it last year and last in it. week held Temple to only six points even in a vastly It won’t be pretty. Michigan Stadium will be NDSMCObserver imperfect performance. Touchdowns will be hard to throbbing. There’ll be turnovers, mistakes and come by for both teams, but Rees and TJ Jones will heart attacks. This one could go either way, but come up with some big plays while the recently be- the night ends with the visitors taking the rivalry’s leaguered Irish kicking game steps up. bragging rights back to South Bend. FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 20, Michigan 16 FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 29, Michigan 26 (OT) 6 The observer | Friday, SEPTEMBER 6, 2013 | ndsmcobserver.com Insider Cherished rivalry says goodbye to Big House

KIRBY McKENNA | The Observer Irish senior quarterback Tommy Rees looks for a receiver during Notre Dame’s 13-6 win over Michigan last season at . Rees and the Irish will make their final visit to Michigan Stadium on Saturday night for the forseeable future. The Notre Dame-Michigan series is set to go on a hiatus after next year’s matchup at Notre Dame.

By ANDREW GASTELUM of attention and backlash he Arbor may sting a bit more than Dame-Michigan matchup is another.” Editor-in-Chief received. the others, as the Wolverines now tied with Miami-Florida The average margin of vic- “It’s a great and historic ri- took a 35-31 lead with two sec- State as the third-most visited tory in the entire history of the It all started with a sealed let- valry that we’ll be playing this onds remaining to seemingly matchup by ‘College GameDay.’ series is 4.1 points, which only ter handed off from one NCAA Saturday, so let’s get that out of renew the matchup’s rivalry Notre Dame-Michigan is just heightens the anticipation for powerhouse to the next prior to the way right away so we don’t status. one appearance behind the an historic matchup that will just another installment of the have to answer any more ques- “It’s a huge national rivalry Florida-Florida State and soon meet its indefinite hiatus. famed Notre Dame-Michigan tions about this rivalry,” he to be around that team and Florida-Tennessee matchups in “It’s our rival. I mean, it’s series on Sept. 22, 2012. In just said. play that team,” Michigan All- the show’s history. Michigan,” Irish defensive end the last two seasons, the two Rivalry or not, the matchup American tackle Taylor Lewan “I think it’s great for college Stephon Tuitt said. “Everybody programs have fielded a peren- features the two programs with said. “The idea of a rivalry and football,” Hoke said. “It must wants to go home with that win, nial ESPN Classic re-run, two the highest all-time winning being there on Saturday, it’s a have some sort of national ap- go home with that chip on their Heisman candidates and two percentages in the NCAA. And phenomenal feeling. ... It’s un- peal. … I know that whenever back saying they beat some- BCS bowl appearances to renew Saturday will be the 41st match- fortunate [that it’s ending], but Michigan and Notre Dame body. So [we] definitely want to fervor for the glory days of old. up of the series, with Michigan I’m going to get over it.” was on TV, I was going to be go out hard.” But with that letter, it turned leading 23-16-1. On Saturday, ESPN’s ‘College watching it. I know people in out, Notre Dame Director But it could also be the GameDay’ will feature the se- Corvallis, Ore., were going to be Contact Andrew Gastelum at of Athletics Jack Swarbrick last meeting at Michigan ries for the sixth time. The Notre watching it, for one reason or [email protected] thought the Irish should see Stadium for quite some time, other people starting in 2015. as Michigan Director of Paid Advertisement Now the uproar has shifted Intercollegiate Athletics Dave from ending a rivalry to argu- Brandon told The News ing if it is even a rivalry at all. on Wednesday there are no cur- “It is for us,” Michigan coach rent discussions with Notre said at his Monday Dame. press conference. “Everybody “Our schedule is booked go- looks at things differently.” ing out into the early [2020s] Those comments came a day and my understanding is theirs after the issue was put into is, as well,” Brandon said. “So question, when Irish coach my view is the only way we’re Brian Kelly dubbed the series a going to play Notre Dame after “big regional game.” next year would be if we run “I really haven’t seen it as one into them in a bowl game or of those historic, traditional if our schedules allowed us to Notre Dame rivalries,” Kelly have some kind of a neutral site said Sunday. “I’ve seen it as one-off game somewhere along just one of those great football the way.” games that Notre Dame has The Irish have lost six of the played.” last seven games at The Big Kelly seemed to backtrack on House, with their last win com- Tuesday, although he appeared ing in upset fashion in 2005. miffed at how the amount Of course, the last loss in Ann

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By JOSEPH MONARDO in 2011 before adding four for the final five contests of Associate Sports Editor more in 2012 while accumu- the season. Gardner scored at lating only 228 total yards in least two touchdowns in each As the starting quarterback Michigan’s 13-6 loss in Notre of his starts while earning Big at Michigan, Denard Robinson Dame Stadium. Robinson Ten Offensive Player of the terrorized the Irish defense, possessed skills Gardner can’t Week honors twice. The con- capturing two wins in three duplicate, Kelly said, although verted receiver earned three attempts. Shoelace has gradu- he acknowledged Gardner is consecutive wins before los- ated, but No. 14 Notre Dame more of a threat with his arm ing to Ohio State in Columbus will have to try to keep an- than his predecessor was. and to South Carolina in the other Wolverines quarterback “Well, certainly from a run- Outback Bowl. At the time, the tied up Saturday in the Big ning standpoint, I don’t know Buckeyes and Gamecocks held House. that we’ve ever played a guy rankings of fourth and 11th, Senior quarterback Devin like Robinson, I mean, his just respectively. Gardner has completed the electric speed that he could “Gardner, he’s a pretty good shift from receiver to signal immediately go 80 yards,” he passer and very mobile,” Irish caller, and he brought a dy- said. junior defensive lineman namic set of skills with him. “Having said that, you Stephon Tuitt said. “He can get “He reminds me [former know, throwing the football, out of the pocket and throw NFL quarterback] Randall Gardner throws the football the ball very far, so we have to Cunningham back there,” with much more accuracy. He make sure we keep everything Irish coach Brian Kelly said. pushes the ball down the field right and make sure every- “He can throw it, he’s tall, he’s very easily. And he certainly thing goes good with him.” athletic, runs the ball very scrambles very well, keeps In his first action of 2013, Observer File Photo well.” his eyes downfield and is not Gardner got the No. 17 Michigan receiver Devin Gardner watches the ball during Notre Dame’s Robinson, who garnered afraid to run.” Wolverines underway last 13-6 home victory last season. Gardner will start at quarterback Saturday. buzz as a Heisman contender Although he was not the week with a 59-9 romping over throughout his career, put up starting quarterback, Gardner Central Michigan, rushing for sometimes it’s ... a blessing on the senior. gaudy stats in his first two ca- did play a minor role in last 52 yards on seven attempts and a curse,” Hoke said. “And “I’m really excited,” he said. reer starts against the Irish year’s meeting with Notre and throwing for 162 yards on he can make a lot of plays and “It’s a big game on the big- — both Michigan victories. Dame, as he compiled 40 10-for-15 passing. It was not, as long as he keeps learning gest stage in In 2010 and 2011, Robinson yards on three catches as a however, an elite season debut ... punting the ball on fourth ... It’s what every quarterback totaled 366 yards rushing receiver. The Detroit native for the quarterback, Michigan down is not a bad decision.” dreams of — being on the big and 582 yards through the started eight games out wide coach Brady Hoke said, as The matchup with the Irish stage and being able to per- air while accounting for eight for the Wolverines in 2012, to- Gardner also threw two inter- provides a very public stage on form like this.” touchdowns. taling 266 yards on 16 catches ceptions in the opener. which Gardner can prove he However, Robinson also before supplanting Robinson “I think sometimes guys belongs as a big-time quarter- Contact Joseph Monardo at threw three interceptions as the starting quarterback who have that kind of ability, back, an opportunity not lost [email protected]

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