Stanford, what to expect.

By looking at their records this season Stanford at 9-2 and Notre Dame at 8-3 this weekend’s game looks like it should be a pretty good match up.  And it should be, depending on which Irish squad shows up.  If the balanced, disciplined and tough team plays in Palo Alto Her Loyal Sons have a pretty good chance of ending the regular season on a high note.  If the team that showed up against Pitt the boys in Blue and Gold will be limping back to South Bend at 8-4.

Stanford will have allot going for them on Saturday against Notre Dame; confidence with a #8 National Ranking, home field advantage, a revenge factor from last years close (controversial) loss and a very good team made up of very good players.  The Cardinal also will be playing lose with their ticket already punched for the PAC 12 Championship Game against Arizona State so they can focus on playing the Irish and their BCS possibilities. 

For all Stanford has going for themselves they are far from perfect.  Any team in there position could look back and think what could have been without a couple of losses.  A couple weeks ago the Cardinal lost to a hot USC team 20-17.  Although that loss was tough it’s respectable.  The loss that leaves people scratching their heads is the one to Utah 27-21 on October 12.  At the time Utah was 4-2 with those two loses coming to good Oregon State and UCLA teams, since then Utah has been exposed as a terrible team losing five straight since.

Stanford Players to watch

Quarterback Kevin Hogan 6’4”, 220lbs, Junior

	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
Season	146	241	2052	60.6	8.52	72	18	7	9	150.9
Home	82	128	1117	64.1	8.73	72	11	3	3	161.0

 

Running Back Tyler Gaffney 6’1”, 221lbs, Senior

RUSHING					RECEIVING
	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
Season	251	1296	5.2	58	16	12	84	7.0	23	1
Home	155	699	4.5	58	9	8	54	6.8	15	0

 

Wide Receiver Ty Montgomery 6’2”, 215lbs, Junior

RECEIVING					RUSHING
	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
Season	50	822	16.4	72	9	12	137	11.4	31	1
Home	23	429	18.7	72	8	6	79	13.2	31	1

Linebacker Shayne Skov 6’3”, 244lbs, Senior

84 Tackles, 48 Solo Tackles, 3.5 Sacks, 3 Interceptions

Linebacker Trent Murphy 6’6”, 261lbs, Senior

49 Tackles, 28 Solo Tackles, 19 Tackles for a loss, 13 Sacks (#1 in the country), 1 interception

Offensive Lineman  David Yankey 6’6”, 311lbs, Senior

Consensus All American, Outland Trophy Semifinalist, Lombardi Trophy Semifinalist, check him out.

Keys to an Irish Victory

No turnovers.  Last year Kelly’s crew turned the ball over three times against the Cardinal.  If they do that this year they will lose, if they have two turnovers they should probably loss, if they turn the ball over once Notre Dame could lose, get the message.

Score touchdowns when they are in the red zone.  Do not settle for field goals. 

Defensively stuff Stanford’s run game, and play bend don’t break.

Control field position.  Do this with ball control and a solid running game and eliminate three and outs on offense.

Play tough and match Stanford’s physical play.

Make tackles!  A major problem for the Irish in all three losses this season.

Stanford Game Notes. We sift through them so you don’t have to.

History

Saturday’s game is the 28th meeting between Notre Dame and Stanford; the series began in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 1925.

The Irish lead the series 18-9 (.667), although the series is knotted at 6-6 at Stanford Stadium.

Prior to last fall's 20-13 overtime win for the Irish, the Cardinal had won three straight meetings, its longest winning streak in the series.

The winner of the Notre Dame-Stanford series receives the Legends Trophy, a combination of Irish crystal and California redwood. The trophy was presented for the first time in 1989 by the Notre Dame Club of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Notable Head-to-Head Statistical Matchups

Notre Dame Fighting Irish		Stanford Cardinal
National Rank 78th, Rushing Offense (157.1 yards per game)	vs.		Rushing Defense, National Rank 3rd (89.5 yards allowed per game)
National Rank 116th, Kickoff Return Defense (25.17 yards allowed per kickoff)	vs.		Kickoff Returns, National Rank 1st (27.21 yards gained per kickoff)
National Rank 103rd, Sacks (1.36 sacks game)	vs.		Sacks Allowed , National Rank 10th (0.91 sacks allowed per game)
National Rank 107th, Red Zone Offense (75%)	vs.		Red Zone Defense, National Rank 21st (75.8%)
National Rank 40th, Passing Offense (254.1 yards per game)	vs.		Passing Defense, National Rank 101st (259 yards allowed per game)

Top Notre Dame Performances vs. Stanford

Rushing Yards Julius Jones, 23-218, 1 TD; 11.29.03

Passing Yards Brady Quinn, 25-38-432, 3 TD; 11.26.05

Receptions Golden Tate, 10-201, 3 TD; 11.28.09

Receiving Yards Golden Tate, 10-201, 3 TD; 11.28.09

Touchdowns Jimmy Clausen, 5 (passing); 11.28.09

Interceptions Pat Terrell, 2-42; 10.7.89

Team Points Scored 57 (W 57-7); 2003 in Stanford

Team Points Allowed 45 (L38-45); 2009 in Stanford

NOTRE DAME - STANFORD CONNECTIONS

Stanford defensive line coach Randy Hart spent the 2009 season at Notre Dame in a similar capacity.

Stanford Assistant Director of Media Relations Alan George served Notre Dame in a similar capacity from 2007-2012.

Notre Dame’s Tony Springmann, DE and Stanford’s Remound Wright, RB both attended Bishop Dwenger H.S. in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Notre Dame’s Isaac Rochell, DL and Stanford’s Ra'Chard Pippins, CB both attended Tucker H.S. Stone in Mountain, Ga.

Notre Dame’s Chris Watt, OG and Stanford’s Johnny Caspers, OG both attended Glenbard West H.S in Glen Ellyn, IL.

Notre Dame’s Cole Luke, CB and Stanford’s Devon Carrington, FS/CB both attended Hamilton H.S.  in Chandler, Ariz.

Notre Dame’s Joe Schmidt, LB and Stanford’s David Bright, OL both attended Mater Dei H.S.

Notre Dame’s Eamon McOsker, S and Stanford’s Conrad Ukropina, P/K and Anthony Wilkerson, RB all attended Loyola (Calif.) H.S.

REGULAR SEASON FINALES

Notre Dame has all-time record of 65-45-12 (.582) in regular-season finales (excludes 1887, 1889 seasons when the Irish played just one game).

Notre Dame’s longest winning streak in regular-season finales is six (1912-1918). The Irish actually posted an unbeaten streak of 10 games. Notre Dame went unbeaten in regular-season finales from 1912-21 because of the 1918 tie against Nebraska (0-0).

The longest losing streak is four games (1961-1965).

The largest margin of victory in a regular-season finale was 69-0 against Marquette on Nov. 28, 1912.

A VICTORY OVER Stanford...

Gives Notre Dame a fourth victory over a top 25 opponent this season (most in college football).

Improves Notre Dame's all-time record to 19-9 (.679), all-time road record to 7-6 (.538), against Stanford.

Improves Notre Dame's all-time record to 2-5 (.286) against ranked Stanford.

HOW DO THEY STACK UP?

Average weight of the offensive and defensive lines:

Notre Dame OL 312.8 lbs. vs. Stanford DL 293.3 lbs.  19.5lb average difference Advantage Irish

Notre Dame DL 301.7 lbs. vs. Stanford OL 305.5 lbs.  3.8lb average difference Advantage Cardinal

Average height of the receivers and the secondaries:

Notre Dame WR/TE 6'0 3/4" vs. Stanford DB 6'1/2" .25 average difference Advantage Irish

Notre Dame DB 5'11 3/8" vs. Stanford WR 6'3"  3 5/8 average difference Advantage Cardinal

ON THIS DATE

Notre Dame has played 14 previous games in its history on Nov. 30. The Irish are 6-6-2 (.500) all-time on this date.

Irish Milestones Within Reach

George Atkinson III needs 58 rushing yards to reach 1,000 for his career.

TJ Jones needs 1 TD receptions to move into 6th all-time in school history.

TJ Jones Receptions needs 2 receptions to move into 10^th, 4 for 9^th, 9 for 8^th and 11 for 7^th in single-season school history.

TJ Jones needs 14 receiving yards to reach 1,000 for the season.

TJ Jones needs 32 receiving yards to move into 9^th, 40 for 8^th, 95 for 7^th in single-season school history.

TJ Jones needs a 100-yd game to move into 7th all-time in school history and 3rd in single-season school history.

Tommy Rees needs 3 pass attempts to move into 3rd all-time in school history. (33 attempts would give him 1000 for his career).

Tommy Rees needs 2 pass completions to move into 9^th, 4 for 8^th, 7 for 7^th and 11 for 6^th in single-season history.

Tommy Rees Pass Yards 2,739 261 pass yards to reach 3,000 for the season (third QB).

Troy Niklas needs 1 TD reception to move into 1st in single-season tight end history.

Stephon Tuitt needs1.0 sacks to move into tie for 4^th, 2 for a tie for 3^rd and 3 for a tie for 2^nd all-time in school history.

Zack Martin needs 1 start to move into 1^st place on Notre Dame’s All-Time career starts list at 51.

Notable “The Last Time” Notre Dame against Stanford

Had 600 or more yards total offense: at Stanford, 2005 (663)

Recorded seven sacks: at Stanford, 2005 (7)

Returned two or more interceptions for TDs: vs. Stanford, 2002 (2) (Shane Walton - 18 yards, Courtney Watson - 34 yards).

Had 10 or more penalties: at Stanford, 2011 (10)

A player rushed for 200-249 yards: Julius Jones at Stanford, 2003 (218)

A player recorded 4.0 or more sacks: Victor Abiamiri at Stanford, 2005 (4.0)

A player had 200 or more yards receiving: Golden Tate at Stanford, 2009 (201)

A player completed a pass of 70-79 yards: Jimmy Clausen at Stanford, 2009 (78)

All Time Notre Dame Records against Stanford

Sacks – Game: Victor Abiamiri 4.0 at Stanford, Nov. 26, 2005

Seniors Part 2

Last week before Notre Dame’s last home game we looked at the Fifth Year Seniors and what their legacies may be.  Today we will look as the Seniors who have played for four years and will be out of eligibility at the end of the season and what their legacies might be.

Danny Spond.  Spond did not [play his senior season because of medical issues that ended his career.  Danny came to South Bend after playing quarterback and cornerback in high school neither position he would play in college.  Spond played special team early and developed into a solid linebacker, his junior and senior years he developed into a better teammate and leader.  Look for Spond to get into coaching down the road.

Daniel Smith.  Smith will be remembered at a player who never lived up to his 6’4” 213lb wide receiver potential.  Injury ended his senior season and career at Notre Dame.  Maybe his greatest legacy will be dating ND Women’s basketball star Skylar Diggins and if they ever have kids that will be one athletically and physically gifted kid thanks to DNA.

 

Prince Shembo.  As good as he was I still believed Shembo was underrated, underappreciated, underutilized during his time with the Irish.   I also believe he could have been even better and hold some responsibility for my initial statement.  At just under 6’2” another couple of inches could have put him into another stratosphere.  His motor should land him somewhere at the next level.   And who will ever forget the bicycle seat story?

Kona Schwenke.  Kona would have been a multi-year starter on most other college teams, playing behind Louis Nix made that difficult at Notre Dame.  Looking back I think he would have redshirted based on his limited playing time early on to give him another year.

Tommy Rees.  Hero, goat, savior, any and all of these have and will continue to be used to describe the career of Tommy Rees at Notre Dame.  He will be in the top tier of many records for the Irish, however he will also be remembered as Tommy Turnover, as fair or as unfair as anyone may fell that is.  He will be known for his football IQ as much as his lack of physical abilities.  Many see Tommy as a coach in the near future although some feel he could sneak onto an NFL scout team.

T.J. Jones.  Although he will be atop many of the Irish receiving records he may not be seen as an all-time great.  Jones has grown into pretty solid and consistent receiver with very good hands and great rout running ability.  He never had great size or outright speed however I would be shocked not to see him playing on Sundays next year.

Bennett Jackson.  He should be remembered as a solid player and very good team leader.  Jackson never had eye-popping stats or even plays for that matter.  As a matter of fact some would say he had a bit of a letdown senior season.  With all that being said he should show up on a NFL roster next year.

 

Putting BYU behind us

The Irish did what they should have done two weeks ago, play up to their abilities and beat a team they were capable of beating.  The BYU game seemed to be everything that the Pitt game should have been.  Since we did not hang ourselves over the Pitt loss let’s not get too full of ourselves from the BYU win.  However let’s take this opportunity to reflect on what we saw and learned.

 Turf!  The field conditions on Saturday were embarrassing at best, especially with several weeks to prepare.  I know traditionalist want to keep natural grass in place however that is not particle anymore.  The grass used to be an asset (via Florida State 1993), now it seems to be a liability.  Brain Kelly is getting athletic players and the grass does not agree with speeders and quick cuts.  This also will hurt with recruiting.  Just like the Shamrock series uniforms it is not done for 40-70year old male fans it is done for 15-19 year old recruits and players.

Jarorn Jones gave hope to the future of the defensive line.  Coming to South Bend at nearly six and a half feet and 300lbs the size gave cause to drool but he did leave allot of questions after a redshirt freshman year.  With three years of eligibility left the sky could be the limit for this kid.

Keivarae Russell reappeared as a physical defensive back coming up to make some great tackles.

Kyle Brindza gained respect from lineman and linebacker alike going sleeveless on Saturday in very cold temperatures as a kicker.

The Irish faithful seemed forgive Tommy Rees for his past transgressions and chanted Tommy, Tommy form the student section after the game.

With one game to go in Notre Dame’s running game may have been figured out between McDaniel, Folston and Atkinson.  

Harry Hiestand has done a great will the two-deep on the offensive line: see Matt Hegarty and Steve Elmer.

For the fourth consecutive season the Irish will finish with at least eight wins, go to a bowl game and have won the Senior Day game.  (that has not happened in 20 seasons)

T.J. Jones could hand the wide receiver torch to DaVaris Daniels

Bad News; Nick Martin is gone for the season, Good News; Matt Hegarty seemed to fill in very well.

Even with Rees’s decent play against BYU he was under throwing receivers, one resulted in an interception in the end zone (ANOTHER RED ZONE INTERCEPTION).

When the Irish Defense play bend don’t break the results are good.  They surrendered only one touchdown on Saturday.

Jaylon Smith gained credit for honoring Danny Spond by wearing his number on Saturday.

Brain Kelly is confident in Kyle Brindza letting him kick and make a 51 yard field goal in the fourth quarter.