[david murray]

Everybody think the Irish are going to whip up a frenzy in South Bend this afternoon and dominate a PSU team with a virtually untested QB and only one returning starting offensive lineman?

[rmjvol]

Well, I'll be a bit surprised if it's that easy for the Irish

But, yeah, I think ND walks away with a big victory today. I think ND just has too much going for PSU to keep up with today. Both teams will have good plays on both sides but Notre Dame wins in the end.

[rmjvol]

Should have been 3-3. Looks like this is gonna be a great game.

[Lefty Noob]

Not so much of a great game after all, Ross. Penn State looked pathetic and the Irish... well, they were running on all cylinders this afternoon. I have to take my hat off to the Irish for a great win, but in all honesty, I think we learned more about the Nittany Lions than Notre Dame in this one. Tons of mistakes, miscues, missed opportunities and mental errors. That's not a formula that will lead to a lot of wins for JoePa's club this season.

Irish fans -- who's your player of the game? Quinn? McKnight? Zbikoswki? Travis Thomas maybe?

[bautch24]

My player of the game is Rasheon McNiel, who recovered Zibby's muffed punt. I think that was the ball game right there, if they recover that its a whole new game.

[EmpireWF]

34-3 after three quarters. I'd have to assume Penn State never showed up to play lol.

Notre Dame has looked very good and great so far. I still think they'll come close to beating USC later in the year.

[bautch24]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

34-3 after three quarters. I'd have to assume Penn State never showed up to play lol.

Notre Dame has looked very good and great so far. I still think they'll come close to beating USC later in the year.

I think we will beat USC later this year. Sweet revenge it will be.

[david murray]

Originally Posted by bautch24

My player of the game is Rasheon McNiel, who recovered Zibby's muffed punt. I think that was the ball game right there, if they recover that its a whole new game.

I agree, HUGE recovery. They were saying that Zibby has never called for a fair catch, that he refuses to do so?

[bautch24]

I think they made that up about Zibby, Im pretty sure I remember him fair catching it some last year.

[david murray]

Yea? It's a good story then! He is one tough dude, no question, and the fans love him--see all those guys in the stands yesterday with mohawks?

[dbwelsh63]

I think the real story is that he is predictable. Boom a high long one to him, and clean his clock as soon as he touches it; odds are you'll end up with a couple of fumble recoveries in the red zone. Give me players with a little less "toughness," and a little more smarts.

Dave

[david murray]

Originally Posted by dbwelsh63

I think the real story is that he is predictable. Boom a high long one to him, and clean his clock as soon as he touches it; odds are you'll end up with a couple of fumble recoveries in the red zone. Give me players with a little less "toughness," and a little more smarts.

Dave

I think it's just that warrior mentality in him--he's just not going to let the ball bounce and risk his team getting pinned down on the goal line. And as you say, he is going to get his clock cleaned every now and again.

[dbwelsh63]

There's a huge difference between being a warrior, and plain stubbornness (or stupidity); there's nothing heroic about risking turnovers. Don't get me wrong, I like a tough return man, but there are times when the smart thing to do is take the fair catch, or let the ball roll into the end zone for the touchback. I'll take the smarter player any day.

[dbwelsh63]

By the way, those guys with the mohawks didn't look so happy from the second quarter on.

[david murray]

Originally Posted by dbwelsh63

By the way, those guys with the mohawks didn't look so happy from the second quarter on.

You've got a good point there! But keep in mind that Zibby is a threat to take it to the endzone each time he touches the ball. Last year against Tennessee he scored on a punt return and a pick return, a rare feat that helped the Irish overcome the Vols (sorry, Ross).