Tag: Navy

Social media reacts to Audric Estime’s rushing touchdown

The Irish have a nice running back.

Expectations were high for Notre Dame running back [autotag]Audric Estime[/autotag] coming into the season. Even though the Irish have arguably their best quarterback in years in [autotag]Sam Hartman[/autotag], that didn’t mean their rushing attack would be de-emphasized.

Estime scored one touchdown against Navy, and it only was a matter of time before he got his second against Tennessee State. He did just that on this 5-yard run that was the same distance as Hartman’s earlier in the second quarter:

That 28-3 lead was much more in line with what the Irish were expected to do with the Tigers. The Irish got off to a slow start in the first quarter but finally have asserted the gap in both talent and level between the two programs. Assuming the Irish hold on, there will be a lot of dissecting those differences. In the meantime, here’s what social media was saying about Estime after his touchdown:

Social media reacts to Jeremiyah Love scoring first college touchdown

Love-ly first score.

[autotag]Jeremiyah Love[/autotag] got four carries in his first collegiate game when Notre Dame beat Navy. While he got 40 yards out of those opportunities, they barely registered a blip on the radar with all the scoring going on. He didn’t have to wait long to find the end zone against Tennessee State. On the Irish’s first drive, they mainly advanced the ball on the run, and Love capped it with a 36-yard touchdown, the first score of the game and the first of his collegiate career:

Love is so new to the Irish that we don’t even have a proper photo of him available at the time this is being written. Rest assured, plenty of images of Love will surface if he continues to have big plays like the one we just witnessed. For now, we’ll settle for the fact that he’s being noticed by those watching the game as these tweets suggest:

What the experts are predicting: Notre Dame vs. Tennessee State

What’s your prediction?

Notre Dame and Tennessee State have not met before, but they will Saturday in the first 2023 game at Notre Dame Stadium. Some Irish fans might not be happy about the Football Championship Subdivision level coming to South Bend, but there’s nothing that can be done about that right now. The only thing fans should be focused on is the Irish improving to 2-0.

Let’s look at what some college football experts are predicting for this game:

Tale of the Tape: Notre Dame defense vs. Tennessee State offense

Like the Irish’s D?

Just as impressive as Notre Dame’s offense against Navy was its defense. Allowing only a late field goal to the Midshipmen, the Irish showed that the defense they’ve boasted about for many years will continue to be as lethal as it’s ever been. There’s little reason to believe otherwise, though the Midshipmen’s run-heavy offense might not have been the best one to measure against.

Now, the Irish get to deal with Tennessee State, a Football Championship Subdivision offense on a team coached by former All-Pro running back Eddie George. That association alone gives the Tigers’ offense legitimacy no matter who they play, at least when it’s up against another FCS team. Put a Football Bowl Subdivision defense against that unit, particularly one like Notre Dame, and one never can tell what’s going to happen. Most likely, it will be bad news for that offense.

Here’s a look at how the Irish’s defense through extremely limited Football Bowl Subdivision rankings matches up with the Tigers’ 2022 FCS rankings:

Paul Burmeister to do play-by-play for Notre Dame home opener on NBC

Jac’s not back yet.

When Jac Collinsworth became too ill to travel to Ireland for Notre Dame’s season opener, many figured he would be back for the home opener. Instead, he will be replaced in the NBC booth once again when the Irish play their first 2023 game at Notre Dame Stadium against Tennessee State. Pete Sampson of The Athletic has tweeted the following:

Burmeister already is employed by NBC Sports, so this decision had to have been an easy one. Irish fans used to watching games on TV but not listening to them on the radio will get a taste of what it’s like to experience the Irish when you can’t see the action. As great as Noah Eagle is, NBC needs him for its Big Ten Saturday Night coverage.

It’s not known as of this writing who will fill in for Burmeister on the radio. Still, the Notre Dame Radio Network has employed some great broadcasters over the years. Someone worthy surely will be chosen, even if for one day only.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman is Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week

Congrats, Coach!

Notre Dame played the Week 0 game with the highest profile and won in convincing fashion. The 42-3 win over Navy signaled to everybody that the Irish will be a team worthy of paying attention to if for no reason than the offense looks better. But regardless of why the team played well, people indeed having taken notice. And it’s why [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] has been named the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week.

Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation chairman Jim Terry said the following:

“This was a dominating win for coach Freeman and the Irish to begin the 2023 season. Coach Dodd loved defensive football, and Freeman already had the defensive unit in mid-season form, holding Navy’s offense to just three points and 169 yards.”

We don’t know if Freeman will end up winning the Dodd Trophy or even be a finalist. Still, having this honor after the first game is something he can be proud about as the season continues.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Notre Dame statistical leaders through one game

The first of many updates this season.

Notre Dame looked like a team that was ready for the season against Navy. Hardly any weaknesses were on display. Now, we get to see if the Irish can repeat that performance or at least mimic it in their home opener against Tennessee State. To get you started for the week, here are the team’s statistical leaders after the first game:

The day after: Lasting thoughts on Notre Dame’s season opening victory

What has stuck out in your mind since yesterday Irish fans?

It was one fun opening Saturday afternoon for the [autotag]Notre Dame football[/autotag] team, soundly defeating Navy 42-3 in Dublin, Ireland.

The offense was great, the defense just missed a shutout but played excellent. It was the kind of effort that we didn’t necessarily see last season, but it seems like head coach [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] learned a thing or two from his first full seasons as the man in charge.

In the past 24 hours there have been plenty of thoughts that have stuck in my mind regarding the Irish’s win and what is to come this season. Find out below what those thoughts were.

Notre Dame football: Navy head coach evaluates Irish after 42-3 thrashing

What the only head coach to play against Notre Dame so far this season saw…

If it was a fight they would have stopped it.

Notre Dame did anything and everything they wanted to Navy on Saturday, thrashing the Midshipmen 42-3 and starting the 2023 season 1-0.

The game was the first as Navy’s head coach for Brian Newberry, who replaced Ken Niumatalolo this past off-season.  The game was obviously a thrashing but what did Newberry see in the Fighting Irish?

Here is what the new Navy head coach had to say about Notre Dame following the blowout victory and how he sees the Irish faring in 2023.

Notre Dame sinks Navy 42-3: Best photos from Ireland game

A memorable trip to Ireland was a successful one, too. Check out the best photos from Notre Dame’s 42-3 win over Navy!

For the third time in program history, Notre Dame went across the Atlantic Ocean to Ireland to take on annual rival Navy.

For the third time in program history, Notre Dame routed Navy in front of the real Irish.

The Fighting Irish scored touchdowns on their first five possessions Saturday and kept the Naval Academy off the scoreboard until just over three minutes to play as a 42-3, season-opening victory was the final result.

Be sure to check out the reaction from the game below as Notre Dame now returns to the States.  Also check out the best photos from Saturday’s dominating victory on an international stage!