. page 2 | ndsmcobserver.com The Observer u IRISH INSIDER Friday, September 30, 2011

Commentary Football Recruiting Untraditional moves Notre Dame builds 2012 class By ALLAN JOSEPH hole in Notre Dame’s 2012 class place where he needs to build build winning culture Sports Editor is at offensive tackle, where it, and that’s offensive line and the Irish recently received a defensive line,” Frank said. It’s not difficult to pin- has instituted his unortho- Despite his insistence on re- big commitment – from a 2013 “The big thing is, you’ve got to point the reasons for Notre dox system in every facet of cruiting quality linemen, Irish player, Steve Elmer. control the line of scrimmage. Dame’s .500 record. Late the football experience. coach Brian Kelly has focused “The last thing that they need If you have great offensive line- turnovers in the red zone, And it’s working. his 2012 recruiting class on more than anything, is an of- men and great defensive line- poor decision-making at the After putting together a bringing a number of skill play- fensive tackle,” Frank said. “I’ll men, you’re going to be a really position and core of freshmen and the ers to campus, Irish recruiting tell you, having a guy like Steve great team. a tired defense that spends No. 7-ranked recruiting expert Mike Frank said. Elmer, the 2013 commit, he’s “It doesn’t matter what skill too much time on the field class in the nation in his “The biggest priority for this going to be probably the top players you’ve got if you don’t have all contributed to the first full season as head class was what they call skill offensive tackle in the whole have good players up front.” two blemishes on the Irish coach, Kelly is at it again. players,” said Midwest While Notre Dame may record. Notre Dame already has Frank, who runs next year not be ranked on the field, As such, Notre Dame has four five-star recruits the ESPN-affili- — having Frank said the Irish recruit- a slew of on-field issues to committed, the most of ate Irish Sports him com- ing class is already one of deal with any program in the nation. Daily. “They mit early, the best in the country with before it Critics who claim Notre wanted to sign a d o e s n ’ t a number of slots to fill. returns Dame simply can’t recruit good number of “The biggest priority make it “They have the chance to defi- to the like before have been foiled those players.” for this class was what quite as nitely go into the top-five or gridiron by the impacts freshmen Notre Dame they call skill players.” big a need higher depending on who they against Aaron Lynch, Stephon Tuitt currently holds to get an get,” Frank said. “There are Purdue. and George Atkinson have commitments o f f e n s i v e about 6-7 slots left, and I would None- already made on Saturdays. from nine skill Mike Frank tackle. If think everybody filling those theless, True, winters in South players, most Irish recruiting expert there’s the slots would be a four-star or Brian Bend make Tuscaloosa notably athlete opportuni- higher. If that’s what they end Kelly and Chris Masoud and Gainesville look like Ronald Darby, ty to take up with, they’re going to climb his coach- paradise. But unlike his receiver Justin one, they’ll into the top-five, I would guess. ing staff Assistant predecessor, Kelly hasn’t Ferguson and take one, Right now, because the num- have their sold recruits on three or cornerback Tee because bers are a little low compared work cut Managing four years of servitude Shepard. With the guys to some others, I’d say they’re out for Editor before a career in the NFL. months left until signing day, that are considering Notre probably a top-10 class. “ them off He’s taken recruiting to the however, Frank expects that Dame right now are too good to the field next level by selling players number to grow. pass up.” For more on Notre Dame as well. on a collegiate experience “I wouldn’t be surprised if Elmer’s commitment is a re- recruiting, check out Mike Traditional problems lead unlike any other. that number climbs to 11 or minder that despite the focus Frank’s irishsportsdaily.com. to traditional solutions. The decision to start the 12, maybe even 13 depending on skill players in the 2012 Email Mike at mikefrank18@ Better decision-making late less physically-gifted Tom- on how this shakes out,” Frank class, Kelly is firmly committed sbcglobal.net and tell him The in games and better time- my Rees over Dayne Crist is said. to developing high-quality line Observer sent you. management are battles unconventional. Focusing Notre Dame focused on run- play. within the game Kelly can recruiting efforts on the ning back in the 2012 class, a “Brian Kelly is building this Contact Allan Joseph at coach improvement in his defensive side of the ball position where the Irish have team at the most important [email protected] players. rather than on pure skill had little depth this year. As for bringing Notre players is untraditional (all “[The Irish] have to get two Dame back to the elite level four 2012 five-star commits really good running backs,” in , tradition are defenders). Frank said. “I’d be surprised may be less of a guide. But it’s working, and if Will Mahone doesn’t commit In essence, Kelly was more changes are coming. sometime soon.” tasked with much more In his radio show last If Mahone, from Ohio, com- than simply bringing a Thursday, Kelly hinted mits to the Irish, Notre Dame championship to Notre that the addition of bigger, can focus on recruiting more Dame when Director of high-definition scoreboards explosive backs that can run in Athletics Jack Swarbrick at Notre Dame Stadium tandem with Mahone’s style. handed him the keys to col- could happen sooner than “They’ve got three different lege football’s most-storied later. players coming in … in Keith castle. Kelly inherited a “If you’re going to stay in Marshall, Byron Marshall (no program mired in medioc- this arena, I’m sure things relation) and KeiVarae Rus- rity and set in its ways. will eventually change,” sell,” Frank said. “All three of He had the unenviable Kelly said. “It’s just going those guys are more speed and mission of bringing Notre to take some time.” quickness, explosive-type play- Dame into the 21st century If you’re going to stay a ers where Mahone is certainly of college football — easier Notre Dame fan, football as fast and certainly explosive, said than done when you’re you know it will eventually but he just has a little more size talking about a program change. Tradition gives way and power. If he commits soon, that lives and breathes to progress (and winning). that solves one issue, and then tradition. It’s just going to take they can really focus on land- But nothing about Kelly’s some time. ing one of those three players.” approach to Notre Dame Receiver was also an area thus far has been tradition- Contact Chris Masoud at of concern for the Irish, who al. From his rejection of the [email protected] will be tasked with replacing pro-style offense in favor of The views expressed in senior Michael Floyd after this the spread, to changing the this column are those of the season. Yet after seeing the gameday players’ walk into author and not necessarily Irish land Ferguson and Chris Notre Dame Stadium, Kelly those of The Observer. Brown, Frank said Notre Dame is looking for a bit of a different receiver to add to its stable. “They’re definitely looking for one more wide receiver that’s kind of a more explosive, slot, Theo Riddick-type player, somebody who can put a lot of pressure on defenses,” Frank said. “That’s really kind of the missing piece they have to get at wide receiver.” Notre Dame has also heavily recruited secondary players in the class of 2012, and while the Irish have a number of com- mits with defensive backfield experience, Frank said the Irish would be willing to sign one more. “I’m sure they would like to have one more corner if pos- sible,” Frank said. “They’ve really kind of set themselves up with some players that can really help them. A lot of these guys that are thinking about Notre Dame are really on the fence. “ Perhaps the most important Friday, September 30, 2011 The Observer u IRISH INSIDER ndsmcobserver.com | page 3 Country boy Junior spreads his love of country music and football around the Irish

By ANDREW OWENS Growing up a Boilermaker Eifert’s feet when Rudolph was Associate Sports Editor buff, Eifert often traveled to hampered by a hamstring in- games and said he has fond jury and eventually underwent When junior tight end Tyler memories of watching current season-ending surgery. Eifert returned to campus fol- New Orleans Saints quarterback “I think he kind of got a bap- lowing Notre Dame’s physically in a Purdue uni- tism by fire a year ago with what exhausting 15-12 win over Pitts- form. Those experiences were happened to Kyle,” tight ends burgh on Saturday evening, the not always positive, though. coach Mike Denbrock said. “He simple country boy did what he “Notre Dame usually won and had to grow up fast. I don’t know knows best — he went to a Toby that was annoying,” Eifert said. how ready he was for it, but he Keith concert. As a freshman in 2009, Eifert continues to improve and come “[Country] is all I listen to,” did not participate in the 24-21 to practice everyday and work Eifert said Irish victory. his tail off. before rat- Saturday will “What you see in practice tling off a list mark his first you’re kind of confident in, but of his favorite time playing in until you put them in a game country art- the stadium he situation and see what they do, ists. “I used “I feel like Tyler has done knew so well as you don’t really know what you to like rap, everything in his power a child. have.” but that’s to set up the offense.” “It will be Eifert responded by mak- just because cool,” he said. ing a name for himself when I liked the “It’s a place I’m he caught 27 passes for 352 beat. I didn’t former Notre Dame tight end familiar with. yards and two in know what I’ve been there Rudolph’s absence. The junior they’re say- a lot. I just need played an integral role in the ing and now to approach it season-ending four-game win- that I know as any other ning streak, sophomore quar- what they’re game … I’ve terback Tommy Rees said. saying it’s kind of ridiculous. been there a million times but “I think we feel real comfort- [Country fits] my personality I never played there, so I look for- able with each other,” Rees said. guess and the lyrics mean a lot. ward to it.” “We both started playing at the I enjoy it.” Eifert was widely recruited same time last year. As far as Although Eifert is a strong across the Midwest in high the connection and chemistry, I proponent of country music, he school, but ultimately he chose think it’s real strong on the field has not succeeded in spreading Notre Dame over Purdue and and I think our off-the-field rela- the love to all of his teammates. left behind the memories he had tionship helps that.” “No, I will never [listen to collected over 17 years. country music],” junior running “Being recruited and decid- Big brother, little brother back Cierre Wood said. “I tried, ing where you’re going to go to Eifert’s rapid development is I honestly tried to listen to coun- school, it’s a tough decision and due in large part to Rudolph’s try music. Because I asked [my being so familiar with the place influence as the two have devel- friends who listen to it,] ‘Why do and growing up around it, yeah, oped a close bond and continue you guys like country music?’ it made it a tough decision,” he to stay in touch even now that “They were basically telling said. Rudolph is playing in the NFL. SUZANNA PRATT/The Observer me it’s about having a good day, When Eifert looks up at the “He texted me after the [Pitts- Junior tight end Tyler Eifert caught eight passes for 75 yards in sitting outside with your friends, lit-up stands Saturday night, he burgh] game and we stay in con- last week’s 15-12 victory over Pittsburgh. stuff like that. I was like, ‘I can might see some familiar faces, tact,” Eifert said. “He’s taught dig that.’ But I tried listening to but he said everything is about me a lot of what I know about said Rudolph, now with the Min- a good job of feeling throughout it, and it’s like a ruckus to my preparing to leave town with a football and he really helped me nesota Vikings. “I feel like Tyler the zones, making himself open. ears. I just can’t. I just can’t. I victory. adjust to playing at the college has done everything in his pow- He’s a big, athletic target. He can tried it. I got some selections ... “When it comes down to it, level. He’s been a huge part of er to set up the offense.” go up and get a lot of the balls.” but it all sounds the same to me, it’s just a football field like any- my success.” Denbrock said Rudolph’s ad- Rudolph was most impressed really.” where else and that’s how you Rudolph said he tried to flood vice combined with game ex- by Eifert’s growth since his Saturday marks a homecom- have to approach it,” he said. Eifert with information. perience has been valuable for freshman year. ing of sorts for Eifert — the “I just tried to give him as Eifert. “He’s definitely matured a lot country music aficionado and ‘Baptism by fire’ many tips and tricks as possi- “I think [learning from Ru- since his first year there, espe- native of Fort Wayne, Ind., who Last season, Eifert benefited ble, whether in his preparation dolph] certainly couldn’t do any- cially watching the game at Pitt played high school football at from playing behind a preseason throughout the week or little thing but help,” Denbrock said. he just kind of took over at the Bishop Dwenger, a mere 119 All-American tight end in Kyle things I found helpful in route “I think the thing that probably end of the game,” Rudolph said. miles from Purdue’s Ross-Ade Rudolph, but that security blan- running or being able to be a pushed him forward in his prep- “A lot of big catches, especially Stadium. ket was pulled away from under capable blocker as a tight end,” aration is getting the experience on the last drive, when he got a he got last year unfortunately big third down and a when Kyle was injured. But and the two-point conversion.” having Kyle here to help kind of mentor him and help him Student-teacher through that transition to be- With senior Mike Ragone out coming the No. 1 guy was very for the season with an injury, beneficial to him.” Eifert is by far the most expe- Eifert is the next piece in a rienced tight end on the squad, long tradition of elite tight ends with junior Jake Golic, sopho- at Notre Dame, which includes more Alex Welch and freshman current NFL talents Anthony Fa- Ben Koyack behind him on the sano, John Carlson and Rudolph depth chart. He has now seen in a string of dynamic Irish play- a 180-degree shift in his ap- makers. proach, filling Rudolph’s shoes “[Notre Dame] just brings in in terms of being a mentor for the right kind of guys,” Rudolph younger teammates. said. “Guys that work hard, es- “They’re great tight ends too pecially like Tyler. While I was and if there’s something they there, he was always trying to need help on or advice I can give learn and soak up as much in- them, I’m there to do it,” he said. formation as he could, even Although Eifert is now the though he wasn’t the starter and leader of the position on the he went out and surprised a lot team, he said he is still learning of people, but the people at prac- and developing each week, par- tice knew he could [succeed].” ticularly as a blocker. With the Irish trailing Pitts- “I’d say small things to do burgh 12-7 in the fourth quar- with blocking [are aspects to de- ter last Saturday and senior re- velop],” he said. “There are still ceiver Michael Floyd shut down some things I need to work on. by the defense, Eifert stepped up Everybody knows that — just the in the most telling moment of his small techniques about where to development with eight catches put my head and little things of for 75 yards. On the game-win- the blocking aspect.” ning drive, Rees connected with So what would be a successful his 6-foot-6, 249-pound target homecoming for Eifert? A pro- four times for 34 yards, a touch- ductive game and a Notre Dame down and a two-point conver- victory, all capped off by listen- sion, earning him John Mackey ing to some tunes by Toby Keith. JULIE HERDER/The Observer Tight End of the Week honors. Junior tight end Tyler Eifert tries to break away from a South defender during Notre Dame’s “He provides a mismatch for Contact Andrew Owens at 23-20 loss to South Florida. Eifert had six catches for 93 yards in that game. us out there,” Rees said. “He does [email protected] page 4 | ndsmcobserver.com The Observer u IRISH INSIDER Friday, September 30, 2011

IRISH PASSING IRISH RUSHING IRISH OFFENSIVE Tommy Rees struggled with Notre Dame ranks 58th in the COACHING a complex Pittsburgh defensive nation in rushing through four Notre Dame committed two scheme and, until finishing the games and has struggled at turnovers Saturday, its low- game on a 9-for-9 mark, was times to get a consistent flow to est mark of the season, but not 15-of-32. the unit. enough for the coaching staff to Purdue is likely to employ Jonas Gray scampered down feel relieved just yet. some of the same tactics as the sidelines for Notre Dame’s Attention must still be paid Head-to-Head Pittsburgh in order to minimize longest rush in 11 years when to the fundamentals. Between Michael Floyd’s production and he recorded a 79-yard second- the 15 Irish turnovers in four slow the Irish offense. The se- quarter touchdown Saturday. games and penalty issues (the nior was held to four receptions Cierre Wood rushed for 94 Irish committed eight infrac- and 27 yards against the Pan- yards on 23 carries and Brian tions that cost them 85 yards thers. If the Boilermakers are Kelly said he was pleased with against Pittsburgh), the offense successful in that regard, Notre Wood’s improvement between cannot be at its best until it cuts Dame will need another player the tackles. the mistakes. Notre Dame Offense to step up, as tight end Tyler Eif- Purdue’s opponents have av- Kelly and offensive coordina- ert did last week. eraged 109 yards per game tor Charley Molnar will likely 7 TJ Jones So. The Purdue pass defense on the ground through three try to establish the running WR 16 DaVaris Daniels Fr. ranks 26th in the nation games and have forced their op- game early, which will open up through three games, includ- ponents to be one-dimensional. the struggling passing attack. 6 Theo Riddick Jr. ing holding Southeast Missouri Linebacker Joe Holland leads WR 9 Robby Toma Jr. State to 66 yards through the the unit with 27 tackles, and the EDGE: EVEN air in the 59-0 Boilermaker vic- defensive line paces the defense tory Sept. 17. with four tackles for loss. 70 Zack Martin Jr. Much of Notre Dame’s prob- The Irish are still looking for 20 Cierre Wood Jr. LT 72 Nick Martin Fr. lems on defense can be attribut- their first complete game when RB 25 Jonas Gray Sr. ed to the opposition’s pass rush. it comes to running the football. 66 Chris Watt Jr. When Rees is forced to throw Wood and Gray have the ability LG 76 Andrew Nuss Sr. on the run, he is much less ac- to control the pace of the game 11 Tommy Rees So. 52 Braxston Cave Sr. curate. The Boilermakers have behind the talented Irish offen- QB 10 Dayne Crist Sr. recorded four sacks in the first sive line, and a balanced attack C 57 Mike Golic Jr. Sr. three contests of 2011. would go a long way toward a 78 Trevor Robinson Sr. Notre Dame win on the road. RG 65 Conor Hanratty Fr. EDGE: EVEN EDGE: NOTRE DAME 75 Taylor Dever Sr. RT 74 Christian Lombard So. 80 Tyler Eifert Jr. TE 18 Ben Koyack Fr.

IRISH SCHEDULE Sept. 3 South Florida 3 Michael Floyd Sr. (L, 23–20) WR 81 John Goodman Sr. Sept. 10 @ Michigan (L, 35-31) Sept. 17 Michigan St. IRISH SPECIAL TEAMS (W, 31-13) Notre Dame continues to struggle on special teams with a shaky Sept. 24 @ Pittsburgh punt return situation. David Ruffer missed a 39-yard field goal for (W, 15-12) the Irish, though three of four Ben Turk punts were downed inside Oct. 1 @ Purdue the 20-yard line. Oct. 8 Air Force George Atkinson and Kyle Brindza are the bright spots in an Notre Dame Defense Oct. 22 USC otherwise struggling unit. Atkinson returned a kickoff 36 yards Oct. 29 Navy against Pittsburgh a week after returning a kickoff for a touch- Nov. 5 @ Wake Forest down against Michigan State. Nov. 12 Maryland Nov. 19 Boston College EDGE: PURDUE 12 Robert Blanton Sr. Nov. 26 @ Stanford CB 23 Lo Wood So. Notre Dame Specialists 45 Darius Fleming Sr. 22 Harrison Smith Sr. OLB 46 Steve Filer Sr. 97 David Ruffer Sr. S 15 Dan McCarthy Sr. PK 90 Ethan Johnson Sr. 35 Ben Turk Jr. 48 Dan Fox Jr. DE 19 Aaron Lynch Fr. ILB 44 Carlo Calabrese Jr. P 9 Louis Nix So. NG 98 Sean Cwynar Sr. 60 Jordan Cowart Jr. 5 Manti Te’o Jr. LS ILB 54 Anthony McDonald Sr. 89 Kapron Lewis-Moore Sr. 81 John Goodman Sr. DE 7 Stephon Tuitt Fr. PR 6 Theo Riddick Jr. 55 Prince Shembo So. 26 Jamoris Slaughter Sr. 56 Troy Niklas Fr. 34 George Atkinson Fr. S 17 Zeke Motta Jr. OLB KR 28 Austin Collinsworth So. 4 Gary Gray Sr. KO 27 Kyle Brindza Fr. CB 2 Bennett Jackson So.

Predictions

Allan Joseph Douglas Farmer Eric Prister Sports Editor Editor-in-Chief Sports Writer Purdue is not very talented. That’s September has ended. Will Notre Notre Dame will play its fifth just a fact. Notre Dame is far and Dame wake up? straight game against a team it out- away more athletic, better-coached If the Irish play as poorly as they matches this weekend. Purdue has and more physical than the Boiler- did against Pittsburgh, Purdue will struggled mightily so far this season. makers are — and yet, this game win this game. The frustrating fac- The Irish should have no trouble on will be too close for comfort. tor is the vast talent gap between either side of the ball, but that hasn’t The Boilermakers have a habit these two teams favors Notre Dame stopped them from losing two con- of overperforming when they face more now than it did seven years tests and keeping things interesting the Irish. As Irish coach Brian Kelly ago, possibly even more than 20 in another. said Wednesday, “it’s their Super years ago. The Irish offense had trouble mov- Bowl.” The Boilermakers have a habit of making night The short version of this pent-up diatribe comes ing the ball against Pittsburgh, especially through the air. games difficult for the Irish. down to sophomore quarterback Tommy Rees. All sum- Notre Dame’s strength so far has been its defense, and What’s worse, Notre Dame has a habit of inconsistent mer, he thought his main concern at Ross-Ade Stadium it should have no trouble shutting down Purdue’s dismal play. It’s easy to see the Irish coming out and blowing would be staying warm on the sidelines. Obviously, not offensive attack. Purdue off the field, but it’s even easier to see Notre the case. His main concern now needs to be not turning Notre Dame played poorly last week, but it was the only Dame struggle to put away an inferior team. The Irish the ball over. game it has had trouble moving the ball. Things will get will win, but it will not be easy, nor will it be pretty. Don’t Summer has come and passed. The Irish need to last. back on track this week, and the contest in West Lafayette say I didn’t warn you. Hopefully October holds the answers. won’t even be close.

FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 21, Purdue 14 FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 20, Purdue 7 FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 34, Purdue 20 Friday, September 30, 2011 The Observer u IRISH INSIDER ndsmcobserver.com | page 5

PURDUE OFFENSIVE PURDUE RUSHING PURDUE PASSING COACHING The Boilermakers have ac- Caleb TerBush leads the Boiler- counted for nine rushing touch- and were a com- makers in his third season as 3. downs in three games this sea- bined 21-of-25 passing for 234 coach and is still looking for his son, and the running game has yards and a touchdown in a first victory over Notre Dame. anchored the offense. 59-0 blowout of Southeast Mis- Hope and his assistants will Running backs Ralph Bolden souri State on Sept. 17, a week Head-to-Head try to pressure Rees throughout and Akeem Shavers have com- before the team’s bye. the game and keep a dormant bined for 409 yards in those Purdue coach Danny Hope Irish offense from consistently contests, along with five touch- announced this week that the putting points on the board. downs. Boilermakers will once again Hope knows the best chance While Marve is immobile as employ a two-quarterback sys- the Boilermakers have to win is a quarterback, TerBush has the tem when Notre Dame travels to if they run the ball effectively ability to pick up key first downs Ross-Ade Stadium. and pressure Rees. with his legs. His longest carry TerBush is listed as No. 1 on Purdue Defense of the season is a 29-yarder. the depth chart, but Marve will EDGE: NOTRE DAME The Irish rushing defense is get considerable playing time. the backbone of the unit, hold- Justin Siller is the most dy- ing Michigan State to just 29 namic playmaker on the Boil- 21 Ricardo Allen So. yards and explosive running ermaker offense, as the senior CB 15 Charlton Williams Sr. back Ray Graham to 89 yards has snatched 14 passes in three 32 Albert Evans Sr. in Notre Dame’s last two games, games for a total of 138 yards. FS 34 Max Charlot Jr. respectively. Crosby Wright is a dangerous Manti Te’o has 41 tackles this playmaking threat at tight end, season to lead the Irish, 16 more as the junior has hauled in six than the next closest defender, receptions for 80 yards and a 2 Gerald Gooden Sr. Harrison Smith. Three of Te’o’s touchdown this season. DE 49 Aaron Brockman Sr. 30 Joe Holland Sr. stops have come for a loss. Notre Dame’s pass rush was OLB 18 Nnamdi Ezenwa Jr. Purdue will need a strong strong and slowed down the start from its running game if it Pittsburgh aerial attack in the 93 Kawaan Short Jr. is going to move the ball against 15-12 Irish win, and sustaining NG 55 Brandon Taylor So. 3 Dwayne Beckford Jr. a talented Irish defense. If the pressure Saturday will be key to MLB 47 Chris Carlino Sr. Boilermakers can force Notre a Notre Dame victory. 90 Bruce Gaston So. Dame to put eight men in the Robert Blanton led the Irish DT 61 Ryan Isaac So. box, TerBush and Marve will secondary in September and 45 Will Lucas So. benefit from play-action passes needs his counterpart, Gary OLB 39 Joe Gilliam So. 99 Ryan Russell So. and opportunities to get the ball Gray, to build on an improved DE 58 Robert Maci Jr. to their receivers in space. effort on the road last weekend. EDGE: NOTRE DAME EDGE: EVEN 35 Logan Link Sr. SS 44 Landon Feichter So. PURDUE SCHEDULE Sept. 3 Middle Tennessee St. 28 Josh Johnson Jr. ( W, 27-24) CB 10 Mike Eargle Sr. Sept. 10 @ Rice (L, 24-22) PURDUE SPECIAL TEAMS Sept. 17 Southeast Missouri St. Carson Wiggs is 5-of-7 on field goal attempts during the 2011 (W, 59-0) campaign, with misses of 31 and 38 yards and a long of 50 yards. Oct. 1 Notre Dame Cody Webster has locked down the punting position after bat- Oct. 8 Minnesota tling with Wiggs for the starting slot. Webster is averaging 49.8 Oct. 15 @ Penn State Purdue Offense yards per punt, with seven of 10 boots longer than 50 yards and five Oct. 22 Illinois that have been downed inside the 20-yard line. Oct. 29 at Michigan 2 Justin Siller Sr. The Irish have not allowed their opponents to pick up strong field Nov. 5 @ Wisconsin WR 3 Waynelle Gravesande Sr. position through the return game, and they will face mediocre re- Nov. 12 Ohio State turners this week. Nov. 19 Iowa Nov. 26 @ Indiana EDGE: NOTRE DAME 82 Crosby Wright Jr. TE 84 Justin Sinz So. Purdue Specialists 51 Justin Kitchens So. RT 78 Trevor Foy So. 37 Carson Wiggs Sr. 62 Nick Mondek Sr. PK RG 63 James Shepherd Sr. P 42 Cody Webster So. 76 Rick Schmeig Jr. 19 Caleb TerBush Jr. 50 Jesse Schmitt So. C 59 Cody Davis So. QB 9 Robert Marve Sr. LS 67 Peters Drey Jr. 23 Ralph Bolden Jr. LG 56 Eric McDaniel So. 3 Waynelle Gravesande Sr. RB 24 Akeem Shavers Jr. 68 Dennis Kelly Sr. PR LT 54 Jack De Boef So. KR 4 O.J. Ross So. 13 Antavian Edison Jr. WR 83 Kurt Lichtenberg Sr. 37 Carson Wiggs Sr. 4 O.J. Ross So. KO WR 6 Gary Bush So.

Andrew Owens Chris Masoud Associate Sports Editor Assistant Managing Editor Is this the week Notre Dame fi- I’ll be honest, I usually just mark nally corrects its mistakes and this one up as a W before the sea- plays to its potential? son begins. Something about Pur- No. due and football just don’t mix like Right now, sophomore quarter- they do for basketball, and I don’t back Tommy Rees is way too skittish see Drew Brees walking out of the in the pocket and is not showing the Boilermakers locker room. That accuracy and game-management said, Purdue… skills that allowed him to finish And I’m just going to stop there. 4-0 as a starter last season and led Notre Dame should own this game Irish coach Brian Kelly to pull the plug on senior quar- from start to finish. Tommy Rees is the de facto starter terback Dayne Crist so early against South Florida. because he has a knack for winning games. He’s had The defense will allow a couple big plays, but overall a total of seven starts to stop playing like a true fresh- will suffocate the Purdue offense primarily because of man, and he’ll finally look a true passer when he uses its ability to make Ralph Bolden a non-factor. the deep ball Saturday. Brian Kelly’s offense can only While Rees and the offense will struggle, it will not be vanilla for so long. The Irish begin a seven-game be enough to let an abysmal Boilermaker squad defeat stretch of winnable games, and it starts with a state- the Irish under the lights. ment win over Purdue.

FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 27, Purdue 13 FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 34, Purdue 13 page 6 | ndsmcobserver.com The Observer u IRISH INSIDER Friday, September 30, 2011 Running game adds new dimension to Notre Dame offense

By ALLAN JOSEPH to an increased understand- play this game — not cocki- Sports Editor ing of the tactical nature of the ness, but confidence,” Hinton running game. said. “I don’t know that Cierre’s In 2010, Notre Dame’s of- “I got in the classroom with ever lacked confidence.” fense was often one-dimen- Coach Hinton learning the Xs Wood’s backfield stablemate, sional, relying almost exclu- and Os because that’s a vi- Jonas Gray, had a rocky start sively on the passing game for tal part when it comes to the to the season when he fumbled much of the season. This year, game,” Wood said. “There’s a just outside the end zone in however, junior running back lot of football players who have Notre Dame’s season-opening Cierre Wood and senior run- speed and talent who can run loss to South Florida — and ning back Jonas Gray have and whatnot, but if you always his fumble was returned for provided a tandem ground give yourself that extra help, it a touchdown that would set attack that has completely just makes you a better player, the Irish back early. While erased any memories of a so that’s what I did.” frustrated at the time, Hinton poor rushing offense last year. While Hinton agrees with knew he had to give Gray an “A year ago, we were begging Wood, he also believes his fea- opportunity to redeem himself. for 96 yards,” Irish running ture back has a ways to go. “The one thing you tell ev- backs coach Tim Hinton said. “He’s a better student of the ery player right off the bat is “Both backs are doing a great game,” Hinton said. “We’re not that not one play’s ever going job of seeing things and getting perfect there. We’ve certainly to win the game, not one play’s some acceleration. Right now got a long way to go to get to ever going to lose the game,” we’re running with more force the standards that I want him. Hinton said. “We need him to and power than a year ago. “We want him to become an go, so we had to put confidence SARAH O’CONNOR/The Observer “I like the one-two punch every-down back: an every- back in him. Sometimes you’ve Junior running back Cierre Wood has averaged 20.75 carries and and I want to continue to use down protection back, and an got to live with those mistakes. 98.2 yards per game through Notre Dame’s first four games. it that way.” every-down receiving back … … It has happened to everyone, After biding his time be- He’s learning how to do that what you’ve got to do is over- not seen the field, though not game,” Hinton said. hind Armando Allen and every-down back stuff.” come it. The next play is the for lack of ability. However, Hinton said he be- Robert Hughes on the depth As the featured back, Wood most important play.” “The thing at Notre Dame is lieves his focus on the funda- chart, Wood has finally come has changed the way he pre- With a 79-yard touchdown that you play a lot of good peo- mentals will allow his backs to into his own as the prima- pares during the week to care run in last week’s 15-12 vic- ple early. The games have all overcome any increased atten- ry back in the Irish offense. for his body and last a full sea- tory over Pittsburgh, Gray been tight,” Hinton said. “As a tion. “It’s different for him. He’s son — but that has not come overcame his mistake with coach, you know the mistakes “You’ve got to go out ev- never had to do it at the col- easily to him. a crucial score. The touch- freshmen normally make ear- ery day and work on the little lege level,” Hinton said. “Sun- “Last year I really wasn’t a down scamper allowed Gray ly, and you just don’t want to things that take you through days he’s sore and tired. You cold-plunge person but it really to display a speed belied by accept those in games as tight game 12 and hopefully into take in the consideration of does work,” Wood said. “I still his power-back mentality. as ours. They both would do an game 13 and the things that the academic load, you take in hate it to this day. When I get “He was juiced up to make outstanding job if asked to go you want to accomplish,” he the mental preparation to get in I put a towel over my head it happen,” Hinton said. “He in a game.” said. “We’re every day trying ready for a game, the physical and I just bite the towel until made it happen. He’s kind of As the Irish enter the meat to work on the fundamental drain on your body, and then to I can’t feel anything anymore. struggled on making one miss, of their schedule, Hinton ex- things that will make us better. go out and practice, all of those I’m going to hate it as long as and he did a great job this time pects opponents will begin … If we do those things, the things – there’s a lot that goes they have a cold-plunge.” on making one miss.” to focus on Wood and Gray. runs will take care of them- into college football. The bot- Wood’s most important attri- While Wood and Gray have “The more they have success, selves.” tom line is that he’s learning to bute, however, may have been seen a significant amount of the more they have a bulls- do it better every day.” with him all along. action, freshmen George At- eye on their chest, and the Contact Allan Joseph at Wood attributes his success “It takes great confidence to kinson and Cam McDaniel have more they’ve got to raise their [email protected]

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ALL ENGINEERING STUDENTS WELCOME! Friday, September 30, 2011 The Observer u IRISH INSIDER ndsmcobserver.com | page 7 Boilermakers use bye to prepare for ‘Super Bowl’ By DOUGLAS FARMER day. “They practiced for Notre Editor-in-Chief Dame, and then got to watch Notre Dame. I like how it all Two weeks separated from worked out, a good plan.” a 59-0 drubbing of Southeast Looking at the Irish, Hope Missouri State, Purdue has had said he knows his defense fac- plenty of time to let its momen- es a stiff challenge. tum prepare for Notre Dame. “They have great players,” The Boilermakers (2-1) used he said. “That’s the real chal- the first week of their two- lenge for our defense, we have week window for some old- to spread out and match up … fashioned rest and relaxation. They are exceptionally talent- “The bye week went very ed on offense.” well for us,” Boilermakers To open the season, Purdue coach Danny Hope said Tues- squeaked by Middle Tennessee day. “I think we got done what 27-24, and then lost to Rice a we wanted to get done. We week later 24-22. Both teams wanted to get some rest first. run a spread offense similar to After the Southeast Missouri Notre Dame’s, and Hope’s de- game, [the team] had Sunday fense had trouble coping with afternoon off, all of Monday, the inherent speed component. all of Tuesday, all of Wednes- “We’ve had some time to day. That gave them a chance look at what we were doing to heal up a little bit, freshen and what we’ve done, and ar- up a little bit.” eas of our defense that we feel When the players returned like we need to strengthen,” he to the practice field, Hope had said. “I feel like we are a lot a Notre Dame-specific game more settled with our defen- plan waiting for them. sive package now, the fronts, “It gave us a chance to put the coverages, the pressures together a game plan and take we’ll call. it on the practice field and test “We’ve improved from the it some, over and over again,” Rice game to the Southeast PAT COVENEY/The Observer he said. “It should help us out Missouri State game, and I Purdue quarterback Robert Marve dives into the end zone during Notre Dame’s 23-12 victory over come Saturday.” think we showed a lot of im- Purdue in 2010. Marve is splitting time with Caleb TerBush at quarterback this year. Purdue worked through all provement in practice from aspects of that game plan last the Southeast Missouri game the number one quarterback. terback position is very good coach Brian Kelly knows Notre Thursday, Friday and Satur- heading into the Notre Dame Even though he relies on a du- for our football team,” Hope Dame cannot afford to play as day. Immediately after Satur- game.” al-quarterback system, Hope said. “We don’t have to make a poorly as it did in its 15-12 vic- day’s practice, the Boilermak- While the defense struggles feels more comfortable with switch. We have two quarter- tory over Pittsburgh. ers watched the team they to handle a spread offense, his signal caller(s) than he has backs who are ready to go and “This is their Super Bowl,” were preparing for. Hope enjoys relative constan- recently. to help our team.” Irish coach Brian Kelly said. “We practiced early [Sat- cy on the offensive side of the “Last year and the begin- With the Boilermaker de- “This is the biggest game on urday] and got out of practice ball. Quarterbacks Caleb Ter- ning of this season we had five fense preparing for the Tom- their schedule by far.” in time to watch a lot of the Bush and Robert Marve split or six starting quarterbacks my Rees-led spread offense, Notre Dame [against Pitts- the time under the center, in about 14 games, so to have and Terbush/Marve ready to Contact Douglas Farmer at burgh] game,” Hope said Sun- with Hope insisting TerBush is some continuity at the quar- lead an offensive attack, Irish [email protected]