Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com OCT. 15, 2018 5 FAN FORUM SPIRIT OF '88 The chemistry of this 2018 team re- minds me of the 1988 championship year, and how it happened. It began with Lou Holtz moving Frank Stams from starting fullback to linebacker/end. The way this move was accepted by Stams and the impact it had on the team was galvanizing. Defensively the '88 team was very tal- ented, but Stams added an element of speed and fierce determination. It was obvious after we saw a few minutes of Ian Book early last year that we had a quarterback with supe- rior talent, especially passing ability. He now will complete and enhance our offensive capabilities. It also has been quite obvious that we have a superior athlete in Brandon Wimbush. Now consider what the team reaction might be if Wimbush is moved to a defensive back or wide receiver position. He would be an added value wherever he played. And if he accepted the move graciously and with enthusi- asm, he would convey the element of total team commitment. It also may enhance Wimbush's chances to play at the next level, if he is interested. This year we now have what it takes to win it all. The fourth quar- ter of the Stanford game showed we have the strength, stamina and over- whelming verve to win profoundly. George Casey St. Louis Mr. Casey, the move of Stams took place in 1987, when he played sparingly behind senior Cedric Figaro. It wasn't until after Figaro graduated that he was elevated to the starting position. There were other crucial position changes too, including Andy Heck shifting from tight end to left tackle, Ricky Watters from running back to flanker, Tim Ryan from linebacker to guard, Chris Zorich from linebacker to nose tackle and Pat Terrell from wide receiver to free safety. As for Wimbush, he is still needed at quarterback as a senior. Finding a starting role for him elsewhere would be a long shot. BE HEARD! Send your letters to: Blue & Gold Illustrated / Letters P. O. Box 1007 Notre Dame, IN 46556 or e-mail to: lsomogyi@blueandgold.com FROM THE WEBSITE During Notre Dame's 5‑0 start, Pro Football Focus ranked Notre Dame's pass rush unit tops in the nation with a 42.2 score, ahead of the Alabama dynasty's No. 2 standing at 39.4, with Ohio State and Clemson also among the top five (for more on this, see pages 18‑19). Just two years ago the Irish ranked among the nation's worst teams in pass pressure, including only three sacks from defensive linemen. Here is a small sampling of comments from BlueandGold.com: Kevin PS: I hope #1 is elite enough for those who wring their hands over our inability to get "elite" pass rushers. FightinMike87: Well, 3 of the other 4 schools will be there again next year. We'll see about ND. PatrickT1010: We're only expected to lose Jerry Til‑ lery. Khalid Kareem could test the NFL waters with de‑ gree in hand, but unless he puts up some serious num‑ bers down the stretch he'd be better served to improve the "stay in school" grade he is almost certain to get. NonCents: I still regret Jaylon Smith being wasted in a lot of ways. Imagine his stats/impact in this defense. Wchew200: I fully believe playing Alabama in 2012 was the best thing that ever happened to coach Kelly. He really started recruiting both lines much harder after seeing how Alabama was built. Apegambino: Mike Elston has done nothing but progressed his linemen year after year since he ar‑ rived with Kelly in South Bend. He did that in the 3‑4 under Bob Diaco, and we are seeing that again with Mike Elko and Clark Lea's aggressive 4‑3 defense. It was a mistake to shift him away from the line in 2015‑16. Elston is a heck of a position coach and we are lucky he is still on the staff. gusfootball.com Notre Dame Legend • Notre Dame's First All-American - 1913 • Team Captain - 1912 • Four Year Starting Quarterback - 1910-1913 • Rockne's Teammate, Roommate and Friend • Forward Pass Pioneer • Gipp's Backfield Coach " ... It is a story researched and told lovingly, one that helps provide immense context and understanding not just of Dorais' life and compe ve fire but of Notre Dame' s rise as a power and the founda on of American football itself… " – Roland Lazenby; Most prolific sports author of our me Defensive line coach Mike Elston's crew was ranked as the No. 1 pass rush unit in the coun- try with a 42.2 score from Pro Football Focus through five weeks. PHOTO COURTESY FIGHTING IRISH DIGITAL MEDIA