Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/83107
Fan Forum Controlled Rage Purdue defensive linemen Bruce Gaston and Kawann Short spent so much time in Notre Dame’s backfield, I thought they were new recruits. These guys played like ND defensive linemen of the past: Chris Zorich, Alan Page, Ross Browner, Justin Tuck, etc. No, they are not criminals, but their aggression is a controlled rage driven by the refusal to even consider a loss. I don’t see these guys swaying with the student body singing the alma mater following a tough loss. I think they would rather smash helmets on concrete or walk over to “The Linebacker” to argue the merits of Miller or Miller Lite. This is who Allen Pinkett was referring to — and he is right. John Unchester Mountainside, N.J. Mr. Unchester, Short and Gaston were very good in the interior — and so was defensive end Ryan Russell — but they weren’t any more effective than the tandem of sophomore Stephon Tuitt and junior Louis Nix III on Notre Dame’s side. Tuitt and Nix could become one of the nation’s better duos for the next couple of years. Fickle Faction While I was happy that Notre Dame had a good win against Purdue, I must express my disappointment at the boos that came from the Notre Dame fans when Brian Kelly put Tommy Rees in the game. That was wrong. Here is a young man stepping onto the field during the final minutes to make some magic happen for the team. He should have heard cheers and support from Irish fans, but instead many jeered him. The irony of it is that the boos stopped after Rees helped win the game. When he was interviewed after the game, he answered with deference and respect to Everett Golson and his team, and he carried himself with his characteristic poise. So much talk has been about Rees, who is a typical young man, like many of us are or have been. To me, the biggest shame is the fair-weather fans who only support Notre Dame when it suits them. No more prima donna, fair-weather, spoiled fans. You stick with the Irish always. Go Irish! Tim Foley Cincinnati Evolving Form I just wanted to say how impressed I am with Blue & Gold Illustrated and how great the writing is. I love stats and little-known things — and it’s filled with it. I used to get this years ago when it was in newspaper form, but I love it more in magazine form. I have followed the Irish since the Jerome Bettis (I got to meet him and he signed my Irish card I had of him) days, but went strictly New York Yankees for years, though I always cheered the Irish on. I also so love the digital issues on the Internet. Deanna Wray Wall Township, N.J. From The Website There was some disagreement last week about whether Notre Dame’s move to the ACC in its other sports is a first step toward relinquishing independence in football. 19BlueAndGold85: I give it four years until the announcement is made football is all into the ACC. Risksorter: I think you nailed it. This is a slippery slope. To me, it’s the end of an era, with more to come written on the wall. I really don’t like it. Hemy: ND remains independent today for these reasons: 1. We control the money-flow. Remember the movie, “Follow The Money”? 2. We control our television rights. 3. We control the ability to schedule our traditional rivals outside of the ACC and actually get to play a number in conference. 4. We get to play the same teams, by and large, that we were already scheduling and playing before we got aligned. I do not see why this is the first step to loss of independence. Nothing in this deal points to that, nothing compels that, nothing “inevitably” leads to that. NdIrish2: No way we stay independent. 10 more years at the most. It should be coming in 5. Corby11: We will always stay independent in football. No reason on this planet to lose what we have. HamonWry22: There is constant fluidity right now in college football, so nothing is etched in stone. Your concerns are justified, and it certainly could come to pass, but I don’t see it as an inevitability. Naplescarpenter: No force is big enough to force them into joining a conference for football! Ndfaninmd: 9-plus win seasons with yearly marquee win(s) (USC, OU, FSU, etc.) will maintain ND independence. 8 wins or less could force conference allegiance. Simm: It looks like we took the first step, and the only way we get out is to pay $50 million (to exit the ACC). We will eventually add the other three games to our schedule to become a full member. The end of independence in football has begun. Brenner_f: ND will be independent for as long as I’m watching the game of football. No end in sight.