Irish eyes turn toward Wolverines after PSU rout
BY DAVE MILLER
September 20, 2006 | 5:01 PM
Notre Dame's season-opening 14-10 win at Georgia Tech last week was deemed unimpressive by many television and radio talk show pundits, as well as some writers who vote in the weekly Associated Press Top 25 college football poll.
More importantly, the team's performance was deemed unacceptable by head coach Charlie Weis, as the leader of the Fighting Irish even dropped his team a few spots on his ballot in the coaches' poll. What a difference a week makes.
Led by quarterback Brady Quinn's 287 passing yards, the fourth-ranked Fighting Irish quieted all the doubters who were shouting 'Overrated!' by annihilating the 19th-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions 41-17 on Saturday afternoon at Notre Dame Stadium.
The sell-out crowd was treated to the beautiful offensive exhibition that college football experts nationwide expected when the season kicked off last week. Displaying its no-huddle offense, the Notre Dame offense drove deep into Penn State territory on its opening drive as Quinn continually hit tight end John Carlson. Carlson eclipsed his career highs in catches and yards for the second consecutive week as the senior finished with 98 yards on six grabs for the game.
After the 12-play, 63-yard drive stalled at the Nittany Lions' 19-yard line, kicker Carl Gioia's 36-yard field goal put the Irish on the board. The kick was a huge confidence-booster for Gioia, who had missed on both of his 35-yard field goal attempts last week.
However, Penn State responded quickly on its first possession. Senior tailback Tony Hunt sprinted down the left sideline for a 30-yard gain for the third first down of the drive. The Notre Dame defense held, forcing the Nittany Lions to attempt a field goal. Holder Jason Ganter lost control of the snap, however, and was corralled by Trevor Laws as the Nittany Lions came up empty.
On Penn State's next possession, Arlington Heights native Tom Zbikowski delivered a big hit to Hunt, forcing a fumble which Ronald Talley recovered as the Irish regained possession. The Penn State defense showed resolve, however, thwarting the Irish drive as Gioia and the Irish settled for a 35-yard field goal to stretch the lead to 6-0.
On its next possession, Heisman Trophy candidate Brady Quinn led a nine-play, 75 yard drive that culminated in a Jeff Samardzija touchdown to give the Irish a 13-0 lead. Quinn was 4 of 5 for 67 yards on the drive, including a key 27-yard completion to Samardzija—the Chicago Cubs fourth-round draft pick—and a 32-yard strike to the emerging Carlson.
Penn State took over with three and a half minutes to play in the first half, and Nittany Lions quarterback Anthony Morelli went deep looking for wideout Deon Butler, who drew a pass interference penalty on junior defensive back Terrail Lambert to give the Nittany Lions a first down and some positive momentum. But Irish defensive end Victor Abiamiri sprinted off tackle to sack Morelli and end the threat.
The Irish took over after the Penn State punt and went right back to work as Quinn found Carlson, Walker and Rhema McKnight to get into Penn State territory. Continually moving the chains, Quinn found McKnight wide open in the back of the end zone for a Notre Dame touchdown that gave the Irish a 20-0 lead over the deflated Nittany Lions. Quinn completed all five of his pass attempts on the half-ending drive.
Coming out of the locker room to begin the second half, the Fighting Irish would not let up on defense. Linebackers Travis Thomas and Maurice Crum. Jr. combined to snuff out a Morelli option play on third and two, forcing a fumble that Zbikowski scooped up and sprinted into the end zone to give the Irish a 27-0 advantage just 1:02 into the second half.
Morelli almost single-handedly drove the Nittany Lions deep into Irish territory on its next possession, scrambling for a long gain to put Penn State inside the Irish 20-yard line. But the defense stood tall once again, holding Penn State to a mere field goal to stay in control.
The Travis Thomas Show then shifted to the offensive side of the ball, as the starting weakside linebacker spelled Darius Walker at tailback as he did last season and netted 44 yards, including a touchdown run to make it 34-3. Walker finished the Notre Dame scoring when he caught Quinn's third touchdown of the day—all to different receivers—on a 15-yard screen play to make it 41-3.
Next up for Notre Dame is Michigan, as the 2-0 Wolverines visit Notre Dame Stadium this Saturday afternoon. The Irish defeated Michigan 17-10 last season in Ann Arbor when the Wolverines were ranked second in the nation.
More importantly, the team's performance was deemed unacceptable by head coach Charlie Weis, as the leader of the Fighting Irish even dropped his team a few spots on his ballot in the coaches' poll. What a difference a week makes.
Led by quarterback Brady Quinn's 287 passing yards, the fourth-ranked Fighting Irish quieted all the doubters who were shouting 'Overrated!' by annihilating the 19th-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions 41-17 on Saturday afternoon at Notre Dame Stadium.
The sell-out crowd was treated to the beautiful offensive exhibition that college football experts nationwide expected when the season kicked off last week. Displaying its no-huddle offense, the Notre Dame offense drove deep into Penn State territory on its opening drive as Quinn continually hit tight end John Carlson. Carlson eclipsed his career highs in catches and yards for the second consecutive week as the senior finished with 98 yards on six grabs for the game.
After the 12-play, 63-yard drive stalled at the Nittany Lions' 19-yard line, kicker Carl Gioia's 36-yard field goal put the Irish on the board. The kick was a huge confidence-booster for Gioia, who had missed on both of his 35-yard field goal attempts last week.
However, Penn State responded quickly on its first possession. Senior tailback Tony Hunt sprinted down the left sideline for a 30-yard gain for the third first down of the drive. The Notre Dame defense held, forcing the Nittany Lions to attempt a field goal. Holder Jason Ganter lost control of the snap, however, and was corralled by Trevor Laws as the Nittany Lions came up empty.
On Penn State's next possession, Arlington Heights native Tom Zbikowski delivered a big hit to Hunt, forcing a fumble which Ronald Talley recovered as the Irish regained possession. The Penn State defense showed resolve, however, thwarting the Irish drive as Gioia and the Irish settled for a 35-yard field goal to stretch the lead to 6-0.
On its next possession, Heisman Trophy candidate Brady Quinn led a nine-play, 75 yard drive that culminated in a Jeff Samardzija touchdown to give the Irish a 13-0 lead. Quinn was 4 of 5 for 67 yards on the drive, including a key 27-yard completion to Samardzija—the Chicago Cubs fourth-round draft pick—and a 32-yard strike to the emerging Carlson.
Penn State took over with three and a half minutes to play in the first half, and Nittany Lions quarterback Anthony Morelli went deep looking for wideout Deon Butler, who drew a pass interference penalty on junior defensive back Terrail Lambert to give the Nittany Lions a first down and some positive momentum. But Irish defensive end Victor Abiamiri sprinted off tackle to sack Morelli and end the threat.
The Irish took over after the Penn State punt and went right back to work as Quinn found Carlson, Walker and Rhema McKnight to get into Penn State territory. Continually moving the chains, Quinn found McKnight wide open in the back of the end zone for a Notre Dame touchdown that gave the Irish a 20-0 lead over the deflated Nittany Lions. Quinn completed all five of his pass attempts on the half-ending drive.
Coming out of the locker room to begin the second half, the Fighting Irish would not let up on defense. Linebackers Travis Thomas and Maurice Crum. Jr. combined to snuff out a Morelli option play on third and two, forcing a fumble that Zbikowski scooped up and sprinted into the end zone to give the Irish a 27-0 advantage just 1:02 into the second half.
Morelli almost single-handedly drove the Nittany Lions deep into Irish territory on its next possession, scrambling for a long gain to put Penn State inside the Irish 20-yard line. But the defense stood tall once again, holding Penn State to a mere field goal to stay in control.
The Travis Thomas Show then shifted to the offensive side of the ball, as the starting weakside linebacker spelled Darius Walker at tailback as he did last season and netted 44 yards, including a touchdown run to make it 34-3. Walker finished the Notre Dame scoring when he caught Quinn's third touchdown of the day—all to different receivers—on a 15-yard screen play to make it 41-3.
Next up for Notre Dame is Michigan, as the 2-0 Wolverines visit Notre Dame Stadium this Saturday afternoon. The Irish defeated Michigan 17-10 last season in Ann Arbor when the Wolverines were ranked second in the nation.
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