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Another game, another couple of turnovers for Notre Dame. Tommy Rees fumbled on his own 25 yard line in the first quarter, leading to three Pittsburgh points, then threw an interception inside the 5 yard line later in the second quarter. Despite these two turnovers, the Fighting Irish still lead the Panthers 7-6 at halftime, thanks to a 79 yard run by RB Jonas Gray, the longest touchdown run for the Irish since 2000.
ND has outgained Pittsburgh 258 yards to just 143, but that hasn’t translated to points. The final drive of the first half saw the Irish start at their own 2 yard line, drive all the way down to the Pitt 22, but miss a 39 yard field goal with 24 seconds remaining half.
Rees is 12 of 24 for 104 yards and the interception in the first half, as the defense has forced him to dink and dunk down the field. Pitt QB Tino Sunseri is 8 of 11 for 68 yards in the first half. RB Ray Graham is averaging 5.5 yards per carry in the first half, and was the main weapon for the Panthers in the first half.
Irish star WR Michael Floyd had three catches in the first four plays, but hasn’t caught a ball since, as the Panther defense has been doubling him nearly on every play. TE Tyler Eifert has four catches for 41 yards to lead the Irish receivers.
The final full week of Big Ten play before conference play begins. Both Purdue and Northwestern have the week off while the remaining ten teams have relatively easy games in which the Big Ten will be heavily favored. This is likely the week of the non-conference in which the Big Ten will have a perfect record, but there are a few chances for upsets. Here is the full slate:
Central Michigan (1-2) at Michigan State (2-1) Noon, ESPNU
The last time these two teams met the Chippewas pulled off a stunning upset on a last second field goal, but that was with all-MAC quarterback Dan LeFevour. He has graduated, and the Spartans are coming off a week where little went right at Notre Dame. A late Kirk Cousins interception inside the five ended any chance of a comeback last week. Things should be much easier this week against Central Michigan, which has followed an opening win over FCS South Carolina State with losses to Kentucky and Western Michigan.
San Diego State (3-0) at Michigan (3-0) Noon, Big Ten Network
The Wolverines are back in the top 25 this week at #22, but the Aztecs present an interesting challenge. Michigan coach Brady Hoke left their program at the end of last season when the Michigan job came available, so many of SDSU's players were recruited by Hoke. The Aztecs are coming off of a 42-24 upset of Washington State last week and running back Ronnie Hillman (497 yards, eight touchdowns) could have a banner day against a porous Michigan defense.
Eastern Michigan (2-1) at Penn State (2-1) Noon, ESPN2
Last week the Eagles faced their first FBS team in Michigan and scored only three points. That was against a Michigan defenses that is not nearly as strong as Penn State's. The Nittany Lions continue to struggle offensively, but for one week at least things should get better against a team that, quite frankly, they are light years better than. Things are getting so bad in Happy Valley that Black Shoe Diaries is beginning to turn on Joe Paterno somewhat.
Louisiana-Monroe (1-2) at Iowa (2-1) Noon, Big Ten Network
The Hawkeyes needed an epic comeback last week against Pittsburgh just to make it to 2-1. Louisiana-Monroe has been nothing special, but their two losses have been to very good teams in Florida State and TCU. Linebacker Bruce Davis left the team earlier this week, citing personal reasons. There are still plenty of things that Iowa must clear up before the Big Ten season begins, at least according to Black Heart Gold Pants.
Colorado (1-2) at Ohio State (2-1) 3:30pm, ABC/ESPN2
The Buffaloes are far from a strong road team, but after Ohio State threw for just 35 yards last week in an ugly loss at Miami the Buckeyes are in a much different position this week as opposed to last. Luke Fickell has not named a starting quarterback yet, and neither Joe Bauserman nor Braxton Miller has shown they can throw the ball with any consistency. Along the Olentangy calls Colorado's offense deceptive, and if the OSU offense continues to struggle it could be a recipe for an upset.
South Dakota (2-1) at Wisconsin (3-0) 3:30pm, Big Ten Network
South Dakota is calling this a chance of a lifetime, and the Coyotes already have a Big Ten upset when they knocked off Minnesota last season. Beating the Golden Gophers is much different from beating the Badgers though. There is a small chance of a huge upset. South Dakota beat defending FCS champion Eastern Washington 30-17 in week 2 and is ranked 18th in the FCS poll.
Western Michigan (2-1) at Illinois (3-0) 3:30pm, Big Ten Network
The Fighting Illini are enjoying their return to the top 25 after a four year absence, and they should stick around for awhile against the overmatched Broncos. WMU already has a loss to a Big Ten team this season when they opened with a 34-10 defeat at Michigan. There is little question that Illinois opened some eyes with a home win over Arizona State last week and the momentum should keep moving forward this week.
North Dakota State (2-0) at Minnesota (1-2) 7pm, Big Ten Network
It is a good thing the Golden Gophers broke into the win column last week, because the Bison present a very dangerous challenge. NDSU has already won once in Minneapolis and they come in with a #8 ranking in the FCS poll. They even received a first place vote this past week. Minnesota must keep the same consistency it had on offense last week or a third loss to an FCS school since 2007 is very possible. That may mean a return to a two-headed backfield and focus on the ground game.
Indiana (1-2) at North Texas (0-3) 7pm, ESPN3
The last time the Hoosiers visited a team for a stadium opening they lost at Connecticut. North Texas may be 0-3 overall, but there will be excitement in Denton as they opened their new stadium a few weeks ago. This will be their first home game at Apogee Stadium against a BCS conference opponent, and Indiana cannot afford to take any team lightly. That said, UNT has one of the worst offenses in the nation, averaging just 13 points per game and they have surrendered over 40 each to Florida International, Houston, and Alabama.
Nebraska (3-0) at Wyoming (3-0) 7pm, Versus
The Cornhuskers have had defensive troubles early on against Fresno State and Washington at home. Now they must face a Cowboys team that has thrown for almost 800 yards and a balanced ground game that has four rushers with more than 130 yards each. Brett Smith is a mobile quarterback that could have a very good day against a defense that has not earned is Blackshirt heritage yet.
It was a much more pleasant few days in South Bend for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team after getting their first victory of the season last Saturday, a 31-13 triumph over the Michigan State Spartans. While they still turned the ball over 3 times (bringing their season total to 13), the defense only allowed three points after those turnovers, helping the Irish get over that mental hurdle of closing a game out.
The Irish hit the road Saturday afternoon to face familiar foe Pittsburgh, who made headlines twice in two days last weekend. The first time was their game at Iowa last Saturday, where they blew a 17 point fourth quarter lead to lose by four to the Hawkeyes (this remind you of anything Irish fans?) Then, several rumors about the school moving to the Atlantic Coast Conference were confirmed Sunday morning, when the ACC announced that both Pittsburgh and Syracuse have been accepted as new members of the conference, bumping them up to 14 members. It's still unclear at this time when all this shifting will come to fruition, but we know the Panthers and Orange will be moving fairly soon.
Last season, the Panthers struggled in the Red Zone, leading to a 17-3 halftime lead for the Irish, but as most ND games seemingly go, Pitt clawed their way back in, and cut the lead to 23-17 halfway through the fourth quarter. The Irish defense stepped up both times Pittsburgh got the ball back after that, keeping the final score the same six point margin. This will be the eighth meeting between the two schools in the last 10 years, with the Irish having a 4-3 edge in those games. Overall ND leads the series 44-20-1, which started all the way back in 1909.
While the Panthers didn't have success at Notre Dame Stadium last season, their new Head Coach did. Todd Graham took over after former Irish Offensive Coordinator Mike Haywood was fired just 15 days on the job, when he was arrested on domestic violence charges, ironically enough in South Bend. Haywood had replaced Dave Wannstedt, who had been at Pittsburgh since 2005. Graham came from Tulsa, who defeated the Irish 28-27 last year. It was the first significant action for Irish QB Tommy Rees, who threw four TD passes, but also had three interceptions, including one in the end zone with just 20 seconds remaining in the game.
The biggest weapon for the Panthers is RB Ray Graham, who is averaging 140 yards per game on the ground in 2011, including over five yards per carry. Last week against Iowa he also caught six passes out of the backfield, making him a dual threat, and a guy Irish LB Manti Te'o to have his eye on throughout the day. Last season Graham had just eight carries for 44 yards, but shared duties with now Eagles RB Dion Lewis. The Irish will be ready for Graham, as they stuffed a potent Michigan State running attack last week, holding them to just 29 yards on 23 carries. The Panthers will have a tough time winning Saturday if they are held down like the Spartans were last week.
Under center for Pittsburgh is returning starter Junior Tino Sunseri, who has struggled with interceptions the last two games, throwing two in each of them. He was pretty accurate against Iowa last week, completing nearly 70% of his passes, but killed their final drive with an interception with 1:41 remaining, and the Hawkeyes ran out the clock after that. He's also been susceptible to getting sacked this season, 12 times in the first three games, which is great news for the Irish pass rushers, who were giving the MSU offensive line fits last week. Freshman DE Aaron Lynch had six QB hurries last week, including a sack, which were more QB hurries than any ND player had all of 2010. Expect Lynch to have two guys responsible for him at all times, and if he, or any other Irish player can get to Sunseri, things will look good for the Irish.
ND QB Tommy Rees played pretty well last week despite two more turnovers, one where he held onto the ball too long and fumbled after getting sacked, and an interception where had he lofted the pass just a little bit rather than thrown a dart, it would have been a touchdown to Tyler Eifert. He looked a lot more comfortable in the second half, throwing a perfect go-route pass to T.J. Jones for a touchdown in the third quarter that gave the Irish a 28-10 lead. Last season both Theo Riddick and Michael Floyd caught seven passes, so expect Rees to try and spread the ball around.
The Panthers defense has been great this season against the run, only allowing 2.4 yards per carry on the ground. The Irish have been gashing opposing defenses running the ball this season, especially in the first half of games, going well over five yards per carry. Where Pittsburgh has struggled this season is against the pass, where they've been torched this season. The Panther pass defense has allowed 276, 334, and 399 yards in their first three games, so it could be a big day for Rees and the passing game. Last season against the same Todd Graham coached defense, Rees threw for 334 yards, but much like this year, the turnovers killed ND's chance for winning.
Much like the first three weeks, Notre Dame looks to be the superior team in this matchup. Pittsburgh has had the same problems as ND has had closing games out, allowing two 4th quarter TDs to Maine, and FCS school, and the three TDs last week to Iowa. The Irish "only" turned it over three times last week and won comfortably, mostly because the defense stepped up and didn't allow any points after those turnovers. If the Irish play turnover-free football, I see no scenario where they lose on Saturday. However, as we've seen twice already this season, turning the ball over is the great equalizer.
SB Nation Indiana Prediction: Notre Dame 35, Pittsburgh 17
2011 Notre Dame Football: Irish Survive, Win 15-12 Over Pittsburgh
One of these weeks, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are going to put together a game where they don't shoot themselves over and over, and we'll actually see how good this team actually is. Until then, including Saturday, they'll have to claw and scratch their way to wins. QB Tommy Rees found TE Tyler Eifert with 6:48 to go in the fourth quarter for both a 6 yard TD pass, as well as a two-point conversion, giving them a 15-12 lead, which was the final score Saturday afternoon.
After Eifert's TD, Pitt looked like they were on their way to at least a game-tying field goal, having a first and 10 at the ND 40 with just over 3 minutes to go. However, the Irish defense was up to the task, as Aaron Lynch and Prince Shembo both recorded a sack, forcing a 4th and 25, where LB Carlo Calabrese broke up a pass by Pitt QB Tino Sunseri to Mike Shanahan. It wasn't over quite yet, but the Irish converted a 4th and 1 with 0:55 left at the Pitt 32 to ice the game away.
Rees played his worst game of 2011, as before the final TD drive he was just 15 of 32 throwing the ball for just 137 yards, fumbling once after getting sacked, and throwing another red-zone interception in the second quarter. But as we've seen him do before, when he needs to lead the Irish down the field in the fourth quarter, he came up huge. On the TD drive he was 8 of 8 for 72 yards, and completed another pass to Michael Floyd on the final drive, setting up the 4th and 1 sneak he converted to win the game. Floyd caught the first 3 passes of the day, and the very last, but was rarely even targeted otherwise, as he was blanketed with double coverage all day.
RB Jonas Gray got the Irish on the scoreboard in the second quarter with a 79 yard burst down the right sideline, the longest TD run for Notre Dame since 2000, when Terrence Howard went 80 yards against West Virginia. Gray only had 3 carries on the day, but he made the most of those three runs. Cierre Wood led the way on the ground with 94 yards on 23 carries. Eifert had 8 catches for 75 yards and the TD, and Theo Riddick had 6 catches for 52 yards. In all, seven different ND players caught passes from Rees.
The Irish looked to have some momentum to start the second half, even after a long drive just before halftime ended in a missed 39 yard field goal by David Ruffer. They had the Panthers backed up inside their own 10 yard line with a 4th and 20, but committed a Roughing the Punter penalty after they tried for the block, giving Pitt an automatic first down. They proceeded to have a 19 play, eight and a half minute drive capped off with a 3 yard TD from Sunseri to Hubie Graham, giving them a 12-7 lead after they missed a two point conversion. The Panthers seemed to control the second half until that final Irish drive, allowing just 22 yards until that final drive in the second half, and controlling the time of possession.
Panthers star RB Ray Graham was held in check for most of the day, only breaking free once for a 42 yard run when Pitt was backed up deep in their own territory. On his other 20 carries of the day, however, he only managed 47 yards, well below his season average of 140 yards per game. He also caught 8 passes out of the backfield, but could only muster up 43 yards, as the Irish defenders did a very good job of wrapping him up and bringing him to the ground.
Despite their continued insistence on making every game an adventure thanks to their own screw-ups, Notre Dame has evened their record to 2-2, and they'll look to get above .500 next Saturday night when they face in-state rival Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue had the weekend off, so they should be ready to go. If the first four games are any indication, the Irish will let the Boilermakers hang around into the fourth quarter.
Sep 24 4:41p by Matt Grecco