Game Day Chat: #4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Louisville Cardinals
Notre Dame and Louisville kick off at 2:30 PM, and the Fighting Irish will look to improve to 4-0.
This game day chat is where you can talk about the game, get the latest analysis and get the latest updates from the game.
5:34 PM - Notre Dame earns an ugly 12-7 win over Louisville.
4:55 PM - After picking up a 3rd-and-6 with a run, Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham was injured and was helped off the field.
4:42 PM - The Irish offense responds with a touchdown drive of its own after Louisville's recovered onsides kick is negated by a penalty. The offense went to the ground and pounded out 44 hard-earned yards, and then Book added 13 more yards on a 3rd-and-8 scramble that went for a touchdown. It helped overcome a late throw by Book that allowed Louisville to break up a throw to McKinley. McKinley dropped a two-point conversion attempt as the Irish go up 12-7.
4:29 PM - Louisville opens up the second half with an 87-yard drive. Despite the interior of the defensive line dominating at the point of attack, Louisville converted a 4th-and-3, and three plays later a wheel route by RB Javian Hawkins set up a 1st-and-goal on a blown coverage by Shayne Simon. It was a rough series for Simon, who also poorly played the 4th-and-3 and whiffed on a quarterback scramble.
FIRST HALF THOUGHTS
Notre Dame has tried to out-think themselves on offense today, and it's not going well. Once they got off the initial script the offense stalled, and the only reason they have six points instead of three is two dumb Louisville penalties that negated sacks.
Quarterback Ian Book went 7-14 for 79 yards in the first half, and he's struggled with his reads and accuracy. He under-threw Mayer on a wheel route, was off-target on other throws and isn't seeing the check down. He's also being impacted by the stunts and pressures by Louisville.
Notre Dame's unwillingness to tie RPOs with the run game is also hurting them, as they are needing to counter the loaded boxes with specific play calls after they've been stuffed or stopped. All the snaps with Ben Skowronek and Javon McKinley on the field together ties into that, as its getting your "blockers" on the field together, but that combo doesn't threaten the defense at all.
Defensively, Notre Dame has played quite well, holding Louisville to just six first downs and 120 yards. Almost half of that came on the final drive. Notre Dame is controlling the line of scrimmage, which has largely shut down the Louisville run game. A poor run fit by Shayne Simon on the final drive opened up a 28-yard run, but prior to that Louisville had done very little on the ground.
The fake field goal call, on 4th-and-9, was a terrible call.
3:59 PM - Half ends with Louisville missing a field goal. Irish lead just 6-0, but Louisville will start the second half with the football. The Notre Dame defense held Louisville to just 6 first downs and 120 yards in the half, but the Irish offense has been brutal through the first 30 minutes.
3:51 PM - Notre Dame drives the length of the field but comes away with no points. Kevin Austin's touchdown catch was rightfully negated, and Notre Dame faked a field goal attempt on 4th-and-9, which ended the drive.
3:49 PM - The last three-and-out by the defense was strong. Another Louisville penalty negated a first-down gain of seven, and on second-down end Adetokunbo Ogundeji and Kurt Hinish blew up the line for a loss, making it a 3rd-and-21 situation. Louisville could not convert.
3:27 PM - Irish offense goes three and out. TE Tommy Tremble got beat inside on first down, which resulted in a loss. On third down the right side of the line failed to pick up a DL twist, which ended with a Book sack and a punt.
3:22 PM - Notre Dame gave up a 28-yard gain to Tutu Atwell, who beat TaRiq Bracy, but the Irish defense stiffened up. Safety Shaun Crawford perfectly read a reverse and blew it up for a 3-yard loss. On third-down, rover Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah perfectly read a screen and blew it up, forcing the punt. The Irish rush defense was stout on this drive, giving up -4 yards on three rushes.
3:09 PM - Notre Dame again settles for a field goal after a long drive that was aided by a pair of Louisville penalties. After an early sack, Louisville was called for illegal hands to the face. After another sack, this time on third-down, Louisville was called for defensive holding. Notre Dame got inside the 10-yard line but Book threw an incomplete pass to Javon McKinley, whose release was poor, the second down run was stuffed and the third-down snap ended with another sack after the wideouts struggled to get separation.
2:58 PM - After giving up a 14-yard run on the first play the Irish defense tightened up and forced a punt. A strong backside fill from DT Jayson Ademilola and a great third-down breakup from sophomore safety Kyle Hamilton were the big plays.
2:53 PM - Notre Dame settles for a 32-yard field goal from Jonathan Doerer on drive one. The Irish got deep, but quarterback Ian Book took a second down sack, failing to see the open crossing route. That stalled the drive, which benefitted from an 18-yard gain from wideout Kevin Austin and a well-called 18-yard run on a quarterback draw.
2:39 PM - Notre Dame won the toss and elected to receive. The offense will start the game.
2:13 PM - Kevin Austin didn't get any reps during pre-game 7-on-7 drills.
2:12 PM - Ben Skowronek was playing with the first team offense at X, Braden Lenzy is working with the second team.
2:11 PM - Shayne Simon is getting first team reps at Buck today despite playing poorly a week ago. Shaun Crawford is back to safety and Nick McCloud is in the starting lineup at corner.
2:02 PM - The flags are blowing hard at times. A lot of gusting winds down on the field. If it persists it could make an impact on the deep balls for both teams.
1:59 PM - Sophomore guard Hunter Spears is in his warm up outfit and is not in pads.
1:53 PM - Fifth-year senior transfer Ben Skowronek is going through warm ups and looks to be moving around fine.
1:21 PM - Heading into the game, junior wide receiver Lawrence Keys III is the only player we expect to be out. Keys was in the concussion protocol this week.
Before the game starts, get caught up on all the pre-game analysis and matchup conversations.
First Glance: Louisville Cardinals - Breaking down the Louisville season results, statistical leaders, and its offensive and defensive philosophy
Louisville At First Glance: Names To Know - Offense
Louisville At First Glance: Names To Know - Defense
Stacking Up: Notre Dame Offense vs. Louisville - Breaking down how the Notre Dame offense stacks up on paper against the Louisville defense.
Stacking Up: Notre Dame Defense vs. Louisville - Breaking down how the Notre Dame defense stacks up on paper against the Louisville offense.
Midweek Musings - Matchups to watch, biggest concerns for the Irish in this contest, stats to keep an eye on and players that must step up to ensure victory.
WSBT Interview - This week we talked about the Notre Dame vs. Louisville matchup, quarterback Ian Book, OC Tommy Rees, the Notre Dame ground attack and much, much more.
Podcast: Opponent Insider - Football analyst Vince DeDario talks with Louisville insider Jeremy Wahman.
Notre Dame vs. Louisville Q&A - Publisher Bryan Driskell answers questions about the Notre Dame vs. Louisville matchup.
Game Prediction: Notre Dame vs. Louisville - The Irish Breakdown staff make their picks for the Irish/Opponent matchup.
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