2009 Season Preview
A stunning bowl victory over Hawaii was a positive end to an otherwise disappointing 2008 season. A 6-6 record in the regular season, an up-and-down season ended on a high note. The Hawaii Bowl victory restored confidence in the storied program in South Bend. It also helped to keep Head Coach Charlie Weis employed, as he looks for more success in his fifth season at the helm.
What is being considered a "make or break" year for the Irish, is now under the watchful eye of a new Athletic Director. A good relationship with the coach does not mean the University is not expecting to win now. Another nice recruiting class brings solid young talent to a team that displays 22 seniors. Ten of those Seniors go into 2009 as starters, including the entire offensive line.
An interesting schedule, a new defensive scheme and another year of experience should only yield more wins for Charlie Weis. Yet the team will have to rely on the star power and potential of junior Quarterback Jimmy Clausen; while utilizing quite possibly the nation's best receiving core and a deep group of running backs.
Offense
Charlie Weis has not been shy on talking about the talent in his offense. A former number one overall prospect out of high school,
Jimmy Clausen has great star potential, and is looking for a breakout year at Notre Dame. He will have to cut down on his interceptions and mental mistakes, something the coaching staff focused on in the off-season.
The team runs a very balanced, pro-style attack. This doesn't just help Clausen, but shows off the speedy slasher behind Clausen,
Armando Allen. Allen rushed for good numbers in 2008 and will need more success, but may see less carries in a crowded backfield. Junior
Robert Hughes and senior
James Aldridge plan to see carries, while Hughes could be seen as a third down and short yardage runner. The team does use a full back at times, although many expect to see more three wide receiver sets in 2009. The full back,
Steve Paskorz is more of a blocking full back, and could see some goalline touches.
What is being considered the nation's best receiving core is led by a great tandem of targets for the "golden" arm of [Jimmy] Clausen.
Golden Tate became a playmaker last season, while leading the team in receptions, receiving yards, and reception touchdown in 2008. The hyper-athletic phenom plans for even more success in his third year in South Bend. Along with Tate,
Michael Floyd showed to be the reliable receiver, with big play potential. As a freshman last season, Floyd broke most of Notre Dame's freshman receiving records on his way to a standout season.
Joining the top tandem is a depthy group of receivers and a solid tight end. When the team uses three receivers, junior
Duval Kamara expects to see most of the looks as the third receiver. The tall and strong receiver, he could be seen as a big threat in the upcoming season.
Deion Walker could be used in a different role, as the speedy sophomore plans to be a big play "waiting to happen" in 2009.
There has been talk of new addition, freshman
Shaquelle Evans getting playing time, but he will have to fight seniors
George West and
Robby Paris, who both plan to be used in '09 as well. While the unit has been taken over by a top sophomore and junior, another sophomore should see more looks as well. Tight end
Kyle Rudolph came to South Bend looking to walk in the foot steps of many other great Fighting Irish tight ends. In his second year as a starter, the 6'6 athletic force should expect more time on the field as he continues to grow as a player.
A question mark of the offense is the highly experienced offensive line. With four returning starters and five starting seniors, the line looks to anchor a successful year for the offense. Led by All-American
Sam Young, he bookends a line for his final season, in which he was named team captain. On the other side, new starter
Paul Duncan takes over the left side and must prove in his final season that he belongs as the starter. Junior
Mike Romine challenged Duncan for the position, but lost out when he showed his pass-blocking was simply not as good.
The interior of the line returns, led by center
Dan Wenger. A two year starter for the Irish, he has been named to the watch list for the Rimington Award, given to the nation's top center. Struggling against bigger pass rushers, he bulked up to 300 lbs. and expects an improved senior year. The guard position remains with
Eric Olsen and
Charles Stewart, who both made minimal mistakes while having similar numbers in 2008.
Success for the Irish will not rely on any single Irish player. Paul Duncan returns to the left side, and protecting Jimmy Clausen will be key. Giving Clausen time to find two highly skilled receivers in Golden Tate and Michael Floyd. Yet the air attack will be even more effective if a rushing attack can emerge. Averaging only 3.3 yards per carry last season, that is one statistic that must increase. With its increase, could come more win in 2009.
Defense
The question and overall key to success for the Irish may be on the defensive side of the ball. A tough season defensively in 2008 led to changes for 2009. Switching to a standard 4-3 base set could help against the run, and help where the Fighting Irish have struggled, up front.
The Irish's front four, in the words of Defensive Coordinator John Tenuta, look "woefully thin." The unit will not be allowed any injuries and will need some break through performances to find success in 2009. The team plans to use a mix of defensive ends, with returning starter
Kerry Neal probably losing time to senior
John Ryan. Neal, a junior, started most of 2008, but struggled in getting pressure on the Quarterback. The Irish look to increase it pressure on the opposition's Quarterback, and plan to start opposite of Ryan, the big, athletic sophomore
Kapron Lewis-Moore.
The team lacks much depth, but has twelve players listed as defensive lineman on the roster. Inside, the team returns
Ian Williams, while looking for a player who started just four games to step up in 2009. Sophomore tackle
Ethan Johnson will look to be the pass rusher, in comparison to the tough, run-stuffing Williams. Johnson has shown he can contribute, including two sacks against USC, but a bit undersized was pushed around at time.
If the strength of the unit is the secondary, then the consistency comes from the linebacking core. Currently, a trio of 'Smiths' look to start for the Irish. Led by junior
Brian Smith, he shows flashes of big play ability, but wants to focus on helping against the run in the upcoming season. Inside,
Toryan Smith gets the nod, a senior looking to finally make an impact after three mediocre years with Notre Dame. Then finally,
Scott Smith was named the other starter, after starting spring behind
Steve Filer on the depth chart. A strong spring gave the upperclassmen the advantage.
The future looks bright as well, with two impact freshman looking to possibly see the field early.
Manti Te'o, the islander turned Irishman, picked Notre Dame over USC and UCLA, and the aggressive freshman has already made an impact on the coaching staff.
Zeke Motta will see time on special teams early, and has shown he has a great motor. The core is young, even with the starters being all upperclassmen.
Finally in the backfield, the secondary must have continued success for the record to improve this next season. The safeties get most of the credit, and must continue the impressive campaigns the had a year before.
Kyle McCarthy became the first Notre Dame defensive back to record over 100 tackles. He wants to lead the team in tackles this season, but must improve his play against the pass.
Harrison Smith started at linebacker last season, but played so well in coverage, it only made sense to make him the free safety.
At corner, the team returns one starter and brings in an impressive sophomore to put on the other side.
Raeshon McNeil is in his final season with Notre Dame, and must continue his knack to breakup passing plays.
Robert Blanton saw little time as a freshman, but was named the starter after showing better man coverage than the nickel corner,
Darrin Walls. The speedy junior Walls returns to the Irish after a year away from football. The team hopes that he can return to his 2007 level as the Irish's top cover corner.
Overall, the unit will be improved and still relies on the solid play of the secondary. Switching to a 4-3 could be more comfortable for an undersized line, although a deep linebacker core will woo the coaches to use an occasional 3-4 set. Newcombers, returners, and returning starters alike make up a unit full of question marks and great potential in 2009.
Special Teams
The team returns both the kicker and punter.
Brandon Walker missed six of his first seven field-goal attempts last season, but he bounced back and finished 14-of-24 even though more than half his kicks were from at least 40 yards. His inconsistency remains cause for concern, but Walker already has proved he can handle adversity.
Eric Maust averaged 41.1 yards per punt last season and sent 16 of his 54 attempts inside the opponent's 20. Golden Tate and Armando Allen are some of the nation's best return men, and the return units looks to be top of the NCAA in 2009.
Overview
The 2009 season will be an interesting one in the great history of Notre Dame football. Talented enough to be undefeated, a tough schedule and many rivals could prove to be the difference from a big season. Charlie Weis expects a Top 25 season, as do fans, boosters and the Athletic Department alike. A great weight is put on the 2009 team to be successful, otherwise great changes may be around the corner.