Chat Transcript: Why the internal preseason misread on the Notre Dame defense? 

Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat, Arkansas week.

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► Finally at WSBT Sports Radio 960, I’m part of the Notre Dame Football pregame shows with Tim Grauel, Jim Irizarry and Blue & Gold teammate Tyler Horka. The new expanded show kicks off with three hours of news, analysis and special guests live on Saturday ahead of the Arkansas game. We’ll start our coverage at 8 a.m. ET. You can listen locally at WSBT-AM 960, Sunny 101.5 FM, and 106.1 FM in Southwest Michigan. And it will be live streaming on wsbtradio.com.

As far as this week’s chat …

We’ve tried to make it easier on everyone by embedding the chat in a story on our webpage instead of you having to hunt for it off platform. If you have feedback on the change, send my a note on the Lou Somogyi message board or email me. Thanks.

Still, PLEASE include your name and hometown along with your question(s).

Here are the rules:

Eric Hansen: We’re going to rescind all but “no fighting” and “no spitting” this week for good behavior last week.

OK, off we go …

Jeff from Phoenix: Hey Eric! Hope you guys are doing well. I know we are only 3 games in, but I am curious about what you think was missing with the defense during fall camp and why high preseason expectations have fallen short so far. On Monday, MF said something to the effect of not enough of the 1s were working together and/or available in camp. Was there too much focus on competition at certain positions rather than repping plays? Correct me on the paraphrase please, and I look forward to your insights.

Eric Hansen: Hi Jeff. Great leadoff question, and not just because it was a question I asked in the press conference. Let me preface my answer with this. I loved the passion and the authenticity Marcus Freeman brought to the presser Monday, especially when talking about the defense. For this answer only, it started out kind of word salad-y. But then it got great. But this specific part, I’d like to add my own two-cents and then some.

Marcus is a “question everything” kind of guy, and I think he’ll put this high on the agenda of why the spring and fall camp didn’t do a better job of exposing flaws that could have been addressed before the Miami game. I am not dismissing missing personnel, but we’re talking an entire spring and fall camp. too. I think there are some baked-in elements of camp that contribute to a possible mirage. OC Mike Denbrock kind of touched on it from the offensive side a bit Tuesday night.

That is, you can make suppositions and assumptions, but until you’re in the fire, you don’t know how some players are going to react in THAT environment. Even tested players, playing in a new scheme. But I think there’s more. There may have been too much of an assumption of a smooth transition from Al Golden to Chris Ash. And so the defense and Marcus Freeman focused a lot of time and energy creating chaos for the benefit of finding the right QB. Great for the offense, but not necessarily great for a new defense?

But beyond that, I am confident Marcus will find a way to make the preseason a better litmus test for what’s ahead in the season and what can be fixed in August. Maybe getting more sets of eyes from former coaches he can trust on practices? Just a thought. But again, knowing Marcus Freeman, this is a scenario he is determined not to repeat and will find a way. … And thanks for the compliments, Jeff.

George from Seattle, Wash.: True or false: Chris Ash will be ND’s DC 1 year from today?

Eric Hansen: George, this is a tough question from the standpoint I’ve seen a lot of times over my career a storyline completely flip during a season. Could this be one of those? I’d love a bigger sample size, but based on the fact that Chris Ash isn’t more involved in the recruiting process on top of the problems on the field, I’ll give a very slight edge to no. But I don’t think that evaluation will or should be made until after the season has concluded.

Marie from Atlanta: Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a fantastic week. Based on the press conference, it seems like Freeman wants to stick with the plan and try you rush only 4. So far this has been unsuccessful, what does the Line need to do to become successful at the rush. It seems like the line does the same thing repeatedly and  as with any sport if you know what’s coming it’s pretty easy to defend.

What should the line do to confuse the opposing offensive line so they actually have a chance to be successful with a rush? Looking at Taylen Green’s stats he does not do well against the rush, so it will be important this weekend. Do you see the defense using a spy this weekend? If so, who do you think it would be? Finally, addressing Freeman’s comment from the presser where he said they were throwing everything  they could think of at the end of the first half and trying to see what worked, shouldn’t a defensive coordinator who has coached much as Ash and who scouted the Purdue team know what to call and what will likely work? Would you agree that Ash just does not seem to make good situational calls? As always, thanks for hosting the chat and all your great insights.

Eric Hansen: First things first. For those of you who are wondering if Marie is a real person, here is proof. We got together to talk football and life and a possible future YouTube project together when she came up for the Purdue game. As a former Irish tennis player. Marie was part of the “Cheer Her Name” initiative to celebrate 50 years of women’s varsity athletics at the university.

Eric Hansen: OK, to your questions, Marie … I’m not sure Marcus Freeman is as committed to ONLY a four-man rush as he is the notion that if they’re going to bring more than four, they better get home and affect the play, not just weaken the coverage. No one can cover forever. Not even Leonard Moore when healthy. And there are different things ND can do with four — twists and stunts, pre-snap movement and different fronts, better disguising pressures as well are all a few options.

They’ve got to get pressure on Taylen Green and also make sure he doesn’t gash you in planned QB runs. Arkansas’ QB is the nation’s leader in total offense and Memphis was able to force him into a couple of interceptions in their narrow upset win last Saturday. Marcus kind of pooh-poohed the spy concept. Maybe a red herring. If ND did use it intermittently, I like Jaylen Sneed in that role. As far as the calls, I believe you make a good point and yet that was much sounder in the second half. I think, and rightly so, Marcus is more about finding answers than finding blame right now. Thanks for being part of the chats and for some fun conversation last weekend.

Roger from Peoria: Hi Eric!!! Against the Boilermakers, Love the Price is Right and Carr motoring in the passing lane.  Both obvious, but from your observation, what was the other most significant, positive development by the Irish offense? On the other hand, the first half the Irish pass defense was like Swiss Cheese, in the second not great, but Gouda.  Again from your observation, was there a significant, positive development by the Irish defense?  And if so, what was it?

Eric Hansen: Well let me build on the Irish offense first, although i won’t be able to match your creativity, Roger. That was next level. But I think wide receiver play and offensive line play are elevating. That’s significant. And CJ Carr continuing to show a very fast growth spurt in what he’s able to do pre-snap at the line of scrimmage is huge. As far as the defense, three things … They were better in the second half everywhere (286 total yards vs. 98). They were much better vs. the run all game than they have been against admittedly one of the weaker running teams on the schedule this year, and those young DBs put in some valuable time and show they can help. That was a win for the D,

Matt from Austin: Hi Eric, hope you are well. Kinda disappointed that you are hosting the chat today as it means that you were not promoted to defensive coordinator. Also sad to hear about Angeli’s  injury. Seems like a very nice guy and a hard worker. Question, is Greathouse in the witness protection program? After playing so well in last year’s CFP, it’s shocking to me that he can’t get touches. Is there something more than just new players taking his reps? Do you see us getting a little more settled and consistent in the defensive backfield this week or should we expect more of the same (yeah, I know we had injuries). Lastly, what is going to happen with Knapp? Thanks Eric.

Eric Hansen: Hi Matt, my only experience being a defensive coordinator was coaching 4th-, 5th- and 6th-graders years ago, and I had a pretty hair-brained scheme that somehow actually worked. But I’d love the paycheck and not the headache. Yes, said to hear about former Irish QB Steve Angeli’s Achilles tear with his new team, Syracuse, which means he won’t be able to play against ND in November. Coach Fran Brown does expect Angeli to be back for spring practice in 2026.

And the Irish do play at Syracuse in 2026. … On Jaden Greathouse. He has played the third-most snaps (88), behind Jordan Faison (146) and Malachi Fields (140). Will Pauling is fourth at 55, I think it’s because Faison has been so effective outside, Pauling and Greathouse have been more of a timeshare than Pauling also getting more reps outside as well. But why only two catches for 41 yards through three games for Greathouse? He’s only been targeted five times and has not had very good film grades, per Pro Football Focus.

Running back Jeremiyah Love being more involved in the passing game (12 targets) has probably eaten into Greathouse’s opportunities. I would not give up on this having a good ending. He’s really talented, works hard and can be a real mismatch on third down and in the fed zone, especially with smaller nickels covering him. As CJ Carr gets better at seeing mismatches pre-snap and making those changes, I think we’ll see Greathouse become more of what we all expected. And as far as Anthonie Knapp, the coaching staff feels like he’s improving other than the whiff on the sack in the second quarter. His PFF grades would support that, especially with run blocking. Pass blocking still needs work.

Patrick from Boulder: Eric!!!!!!!!!!!!! So grateful for your chats and insight. Thanks for all you do! It’s been a while since I’ve asked a question, but I have a couple for you today. First off, what do you make of the defense’s disconnects b/w the secondary and defensive line? It seems to be a head scratcher to see poor technique this year vs. last year. My best guess is that technique follows confidence, and confidence comes from understanding. Do you think that Coach Freeman can help restore the defense’s confidence so that they can execute at a high level? Second, who in the secondary do you see most likely turning a corner at Arkansas, and why? Thanks for your insights!

Eric Hansen: Patrick!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bringing the punctuation prowess today! And thank you. Patrick, I think you laid out the dynamic there very well, and YES, I do think Marcus Freeman injecting himself deeper into the process is necessary and will be successful. Now, Arkansas is a handful, even for last year’s Irish defense. So if you’re expecting a 13-10 game, turn off the TV early in the first quarter. I think there are several players on an upward trajectory in the secondary … I do, and I really do impose the “no drinking” rule on myself during the chats. I love where redshirt freshman safety Tae Johnson’s game is headed, and he’ll start again at safety this week. Really love who freshman nickel Dallas Golden is turning into. And even if DeVonta Smith comes back this week from injury, I think Golden will play some and play well. Why? Two great athletes with the capacity and desire to work hard and learn quickly, paired with that athleticism.

Steve from St Louis: At the beginning of the season I thought the defense would have to protect the offense with an inexperienced QB, now I feel the offense might need to protect the defense. Certainly doable with the backfield we have but how do you balance time of possession and not handcuff an offense that has the ability to be explosive?

Eric Hansen: Steve, this is a great question and I hope I have the answer to match. OC Mike Denbrock talked about the evolution of the offense last night in a story I did for this morning: Mike Denbrock on Notre Dame’s offensive identity, CJ Carr’s growth and O-Line progress … For more depth, check it out, and lots of the interesting storylines, but let’s stick to your topic here in the chat. The offense Mike Denbrock wanted to build was one that could do basically everything. Run-first and run-rich, but have gears to it for situational football.

And I think we’re seeing significant strides there and will see more of them on Saturday. So, if ND needs to get down the field vertically, it can. If it needs to pick apart a defense that’s given receivers a cushion it can. If it needs to sit on the ball with a lead, it can, or it can against Purdue. Arkansas’ defense is in the same stratosphere in most areas, though a bit better against the pass and slightly worse against the run. Ultimately, ND’s defense has to improve or it gives you a tiny margin for error on offense and special teams.

Think back to 2015. That’s the movie you’re watching through three games. That was a playoff-worthy offense, which Denbrock was also play-calling for, that grew each week and was paired with a defense that never solved anything. I don’t think Marcus Freeman lets the movie end the same way. Just my feeling.

Doug from Sunny Florida: Eric, it appears to me that the left side of the O-line has struggled during the first three games.  I believe the PFF grades support that to some point as well as ND’s tendency to run the ball to the right side more often.  When C. Jagusah returns, do you believe either he or G. Lambert will move to LT with the other going to RG?

Eric Hansen: If/when Charles Jagusah comes back, and he is not yet practicing, he’s one of your best five. Period. Full stop. He may very well be No. 1. So, he’ll return to the lineup. OC Mike Denbrock talked Tuesday night about how good the staff feels about the jelling and chemistry of the interior — Guerby Lambert, Ashton Craig and Billy Schrauth. Which then leaves the tackle spots. So, if he were coming back tomorrow, it’d be as the starting left tackle. But a lot can change in a month, which may be when Jagusah finally returns from that summer injury (or longer). And Lambert stays in the lineup at Jagusah’s old right guard spot.

traci: Are we going to see any trick plays this week?

Eric Hansen: Now, Traci with no hometown or capital letters in your name, if I told you, it wouldn’t be a trick play, now would it?

Dave Henner from Bayamon, P.R.: Who calls the defensive line plays? Is that Ash? Why do they just “engage” and sort of stand there rather than having stunts or overloads?

Eric Hansen: Hi Dave. This is Chris Ash’s scheme and his defensive calls and the position coaches coach what he’s directing them to do. Now, it’s not that they don’t have input and a voice in meetings or even on game days, if they can contribute. Coaching on this staff is far more collaborative than it is doing things in a vacuum and marching orders and digging in of heels. And I think Marcus Freeman this week and in the last game is asking the same questions you are, so let’s see what the answers look like on Saturday in Fayetteville.

Kevin fromSleepy Eye, Minn.: Eric!!! We heard all preseason that the defense dominated at practice. What are practices like now? Hard to believe defense dominates.

Eric Hansen: Kevin!!! If you know how to get me into in-season practices, there’s a free beer with your name on it in South Bend. Or a Dump Davie sticker I can mail to you. Your choice. Keep in mind there’s less 1s vs. 1s during the season. It’s 1s vs. the scout team. But in 1s vs. 1s, I would push my chips in on the offense.

Ced walker from Saginaw michigan aka sagnasty Saginaw pride I notice cole Mullins got some snaps vs Purdue im happy for Dallas Golden getting the start at nickel he played pretty good gave up a touchdown  but did get a int when will James flanigan get some game reps at tight end God Bless This Football team here come the irish trust the process the golden standard rally we are nd god country go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us

Eric Hansen: Ced!! I didn’t get to your question last week, and you have fans who missed you, so here you are. Good observation on Dallas Golden, and if I remember right, you had been eager to see him in the lineup. I am surprised too that James Flanigan hasn’t surfaced yet. But tight end usage is down this season beyond starter Eli Raridon. He has played 168 snaps. Next is Ty Washington at 60. and Jack Larsen at 13. Flangian hasn’t played on offense or special teams.

There is still a lot of excitement over what his potential can be even this year. Maybe after the bye week he gets more engaged, but he is someone the staff is very high on for the future.

Shane from White Deer, Texas: Hey Eric, there has been a lot of talk about last year’s secondary compared to this year’s. I don’t know how hard it would be to do, but what would last year’s secondary be ranked if you just used the stats from say the Penn St and Ohio St games? Not trying to excuse the play, but the stats may not tell the entire story due to sample size.  Although, Purdue kind of blows up my hypothesis. I wish I would’ve asked this last week. Thanks for the chats. Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen: OK, here are the numbers and the context ,,, ND’s season pass-efficiency defense rating last year was a nation’s leading 104.4. This year they are No. 103 at 142.1. In the two games you mentioned, the Irish were a combined 150.1. However, in those two games they went against the No. 3 passer (Will Howard) and the No. 13 (Drew Allar) and held them to collectively what both had done over the entire season individually. Howard was at 175.3 and Allar 153.5. Also the Irish faced No. 2, Kurtis Rourke of Indiana, in the first round of the CFP.  OK, no more math for the rest of the chat. 😎

Al from Flagstaff: In light of the current state of the defense, it would be interesting to know the thought process behind MF hiring Ash.  Does it say more about the maturation of MF and choosing the right “fit”?  Also; how is it that we heard this was thought to possibly be a better or at least a comparable defense to last year?

Eric Hansen: Al, in fairness to Marcus Freeman and Chris Ash both, I’m going to reserve judgment on the hiring process until after the season. I can remember very well some harsh words in this chat (not by you) about Al Golden after his first couple of games and Marcus Freeman after both his first two games as DC and as head coach. Football’s greatest life lesson is how you get up when you’re knocked down. Now that doesn’t mean you can’t be mad now.

I can speak for myself on why I thought it would be as good or better. I looked at how good both the returning players are and new additions. I looked at the athleticism at linebacker and having the best DBs coach in the country back. I looked at Marcus Freeman’s leadership and his assessment of the progress he was seeing (again, our access to practice in August is very limited). That painted the picture for me. What I didn’t know was how Ash would affect that picture.

Based on the people who recommended him, including Urban Meyer, and based on people who knew of him in the business, I had an open mind that it could be a positive. Still might be. Hasn’t been so far, and I’ll own that. I’m open-minded it could go either way with Ash, but Marcus Freeman has earned the benefit of the doubt from me.

Z from Wakarusa: Greetings Eric! I’m sorry I haven’t been part of the chats for 3 out of the last 4 weeks. Rest assured I’ve tuned in and read every word after the fact.
Part 1
Like so many I am absolutely disgusted with where we are defensively. My concern is much deeper than play calling. We have had fundamental breakdowns of epic proportions. For 12 quarters I have seen time and time again especially DBs attempting to (not going to use the word tackle) opponents. Their arms are behind them- they are leading with their shoulders/ hips or worse helmets. Very few even think about wrapping up. Setting an edge or containment seems like an odd concept. As for pass rush there are “no moves?” I have yet to see a spin or even a swat and swim.  Best I’ve seen is a few efficient bull rushes.(Hinish) Coach Al Washington didn’t forget how to coach- I don’t understand how we could have such a colossal collapse in so many areas.(?)
Part 2
One last question- it appears to me that Ash may have been a good pencil pusher/ scout, but as a hands on leader and developer- simply put he is not. Am I way off base on my assessment? Ash almost has me longing for the days of BVG. Help me understand why not removing him now isn’t the best option for a bad situation. I understand it’s not going to fix anything by him being fired; however, it would send a message to the current players and recruits- that this is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Otherwise are they not all drinking from “The Well of Collective Madness”
Thanks Eric for hearing all my concerns and questions. As always you’re part of the shine of what makes ND football special. Go Irish!

Eric Hansen: Z, that was very strategic to not only put a very nice compliment in the second screen of the question AFTER the long rant, but to put a Brian VanGorder reference in it that made me laugh so hard coffee came out of my nostrils. To your ultimate question, why not fire Chris Ash now? In 2016 with BVG four games in it did make sense, but he had 26 previous games to prove himself and there was a cultural rot settling in, because he dug in his heels and refused to evolve and change. It had to be one.

I don’t see that parallel with Ash. If it was, he would be gone too, I believe. But I think he can be valuable with whatever his role looks like going  forward. There are a lot of really good offenses, especially passing offenses, on the remaining schedule, so there will be plenty of true gauges to measure whether this is getting better. And Z, you don’t even need a note from your mom when you skip. The hype was well worth the wait (my hype, not Ash’s).

Matt from Muscatine: Hi Eric! Thank you for continuing to do these. I have three questions. 1) What makes Arkansas dangerous and how strong has their competition been so far? 2) ND is #1 in the Rivals recruiting rankings (Woohoo!!!) but #3 in the combined rankings. Which ND commits does Rivals value a lot higher than the other recruiting services, leading to this discrepancy, and what do you personally think about those players? 3) One of the great gifts you bring to the ND football fan community is your experience in sports journalism, and, in the last few years, particularly, you have commented on how much college football has changed. Out of curiosity, how would you describe the changes in sports journalism from when you started to today? And, since punctuation is valued in these chats, I’m giving you a series of happy faces for the excellent job you do. 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂

Eric Hansen: Hi Matt. 1) What makes Arkansas dangerous is their offense. The Razorbacks have a 6-6, 235-pound dual threat QB in Taylen Green who leads the nation in total offense. They’re 8th in total offense against a variety of defenses ranging from Memphis(43rd in total defense) to Arkansas State (No. 131 of 134), so no one elite yet. 2. I am going to have to pass on this one and do it another time or it would take me the rest of the chat to work out. Sorry. 3. Oh wow, how cool was the end of this. I wish I had a fabulous prize to send you. To answer your question of the changes in sports journalism, I can’t do it justice in this forum. Just not enough time. But let me give it a stab at being overly concise and incomplete … 

Newspapers are dying, and I believe On3 CEO Shannon Terry not only has a business model that works way better than the newspaper folks’ stabs at this, he knows what sports JOURNALISM should look like. The things I really like about this wave are the multimedia aspects, the way to be creative and the outstanding people still in this business. What I could do without, being slaves to algorithms and rewarding people who don’t do their own work, but take ours and run it through an AI program. Not a big fan of people who don’t take accountability for what they write or say. … I love that the live chat has endured over time (roughly two decades) through all these changes, so thank you all for making that possible.

Mike AKA Mo from Maumee, Ohio: Hi Eric! “…We got to all buy in and execute this the right way.” I hope I’m not reading too deeply into Marcus Freeman’s words when I say that maybe some of the defensive players WEREN’T buying into Ash’s philosophy/strategy/coaching? What is your take on this- thanks! BTW- the $12 beer spilled on me from behind during the A & M game has pretty much dried by now….

Eric Hansen: Mike! and/or Mo!!!! I don’t think you are reading TOO deeply. But I think you got tripped up in the context. Marcus Freeman was talking about the need for everyone to buy into the solutions. He wasn’t suggesting there had been a lack of buy-in previously (although it’s possible there might have been). He was suggesting if not everyone was buying into the next step, there would be problems. And he didn’t not anticipate that being an issue. As far as getting a beer spilled on you, sorry to hear that and I heard that from a few folks.

If it makes you feel any better, the press box isn’t immune to that. At the 2014 Pinstripe Bowl, an open-air press box in December at Yankee Stadium. Someone volunteered to bring me a hot chocolate. And they did. And the back of my dress shirt just loved it. Honest mistake. I guess it felt better on my back than a cold, sticky beer.

Chuck from “The Land”: Hi Eric, your expanded duties are suiting you well — more insight, more common sense and more optimism. Here are my questions: 1) Do you think that the “fight or flight” mentality for the D will limit ARK to under 20 points? 2) WHY is Knapp still starting — seems soft & confused for 2 years now —backups inferior? 3) Proud of the strides made by the O & Spec Teams but the D – are the DB’s confused by the multiple coverages that have them looking for WR’s or are DBS like Gray, Hobbs and Stroman just over their heads? Pig pickin’ this week….42-35 IRISH. Thanks ” great one”!

Eric Hansen: Chuck from my birthplace of Cleveland, thanks for being so good for my PR. To your questions: 1) No I don’t, but I expect improvement in the defense. Not sure anyone is going to hold them under 20 unless the wheels fall off for coach Sam Pittman, which is possible. LSU, Texas and Missouri will be tough to move the ball against late in the season for Arkansas, but I love that QB. He’s good. 2) If Anthonie Knapp were not improving, they would make a change. They believe he is. Styles Prescod is the backup and freshman Will Black worked a lot at guard in August, so if Jagusah weren’t coming back, maybe we’d see Black eventually at tackle. But again, Knapp is making strides. 3) Hard to answer this with a blanket statement, but I blame confusion, lack of pass rush eroding confidence as the biggest factor in the back end. Confusion brought on by scheme tweaks and not teaching them well.

Fred from Richmond: Eric, as usual thanks for all your excellent insight into everything about ND football. The offense looks scary good so far with possibilities of becoming a true juggernaut in upcoming games. Which upcoming games to you see where the opposing teams defense can cause the Irish some difficulties.   The upcoming game against Arkansas will be using SEC refs, which I dread. They missed one of the most blatant holding call I can remember. Has Coach Freeman addressed that with the powers to be who control the refs in the SEC?

Eric Hansen: Hey Fred. Here are the national pass-efficiency defensive rankings for the balance of ND’s schedule: 51-92-98-57-72-76-87-64 and 114. Now, the USC-BC-Navy-Pitt stretch featured defenses that have played decently against the run and are in the 30-50 range in total defense. So, that’s where the resistance is most likely to come from. Not sure about the officiating crew on Saturday. Might actually be from the ACC. Usually it’s the conference of the visiting team. (or conference-adjacent in this case).

Scott from Greenville, S.C.: ERIC!!!! You deserve every one of those exclamation marks! Great to be part of the chat session again. Been a while but I’ve been watching FNS episodes and enjoying the excellent commentary from you, Tyler and usually stoic fan base! I know you’ve be inundated by Ash questions and I don’t want to pile on but I’ve got a couple thoughts for you. Regarding Mike Mickens, is this an opportunity for MF to insert him into the playoffs calling without indemining

Eric Hansen: Scott$$$$$$$$$$ You’re money on the exclamation points. Thanks for the compliments. I think your question got cut off and jumbled at the end, but I think I can decode it enough to give you an answer. I don’t think Marcus Freeman would have Mike Mickens call the defense over Chris Ash. What would be valuable is for Mickens to be part of the solution as to what worked last year in terms of marrying the right coverages with the right pressures, which is something that could be done kind of clandestinely from the public during the week.

Eric Hansen: Ok, we’ve reached the bewitching hour, when I usually have to say adios until next week. However, let me do a few more lightning-round style since I haven’t even gone through a third of the question portal yet. (slow brain-to-fingers connection).

Bill from St Joe, Mich.: Hi Eric!!! Loved your interview with Mike Denbrock! Made me  even more confident about the offense’s trajectory. However, what’s your take on his statement  “I’m just glad somebody’s finally listening around here.”

Eric Hansen: Bill!!! Thanks for the compliment, and that was a big fail on my part about your misunderstanding that comment. That whole opening exchange was done with smiles and laughter, and I probably should have made that clear. Usually is with Denbrock when we greet him. Very fun and easy to talk to.

Robb from Colorado: Eric, any thoughts on the schedule and maybe looking to ease into the season a little bit more in the future?

Eric Hansen: It’s not always doable, and may get tougher in the future with both realignment and all the power conferences committed to nine league games a year. Next year the rollout is Wisconsin, Rice, Michigan State, Purdue … so more manageable, theoretically. And Purdue opens 2027, but there’s years where Texas and Alabama lead off. Ideally, yes you don’t want to start off with two teams with top 10 potential.

Tom F from Kennesaw, Ga.: Eric, these next three games are the crux of the season. At Arkansas, then home games with Boise and USC. All good teams. All winnable and losable games. I am not confident in us going 3-0. What is your outlook and why?? Any word yet on if Smith or Moore have practiced this week??  Thanks. Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen: Hey Tom, thanks. NC State is wedged in there too, on Oct. 11, between Boise and USC … and with a really good QB paired with a struggling NC State defense. I am confident in ND against Boise and NC State. If they find some answers against Arkansas — not just beat them but evolve defensively, then I think the Irish can beat USC applying those lessons. We will get an update on DeVonta Smith and Leonard Moore on Thursday, and we’ll post that. I am feeling better about Moore this week than I was last week. We’ll see. Not a doctor. Didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn Express anytime recently either, where it could help.

Jeff from Phoenix: Eric, great picture with Marie.  You seem to be a magnet for smart, successful and attractive women.  The rest of us are just renters in this world..

Eric Hansen: Ha. Thanks. I’m just glad I didn’t break the camera.

Patrick from Boulder: ERIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a follow up question. As great as Love has been this year, it seems that Price has been even more effective at times. What do you think it would take for the coaches to more evenly distribute the carries, and do you think that would be a mistake? Against Miami, for example, it seemed that Price was far more effective. I understand pulling him for a while for the fumble, but his North/South running style appears more effective at times – do the coaches see something the fans don’t?

Eric Hansen: The great thing is those guys are both dynamic, both bring something valuable and both don’t care if the other is in the game. Both very unselfish, and that’s going to benefit this team. Ja’Juan Seider made it work last year at Penn State with two elite backs, and it’s working for ND this season. Not dismissing your observations. But I think Jeremiyah Love is the better back, but Jadarian Price is really, really good.

Bill from Sarasota, Fla.: When was the last time ASH called a college defense during a game? I wonder if he called OSU’s in 2011.

Eric Hansen: He called the defense for Texas in 2020. Had been in the NFL the past four years as a position coach and a scout.

Tom from Evanston, Ill.: I have been attending games since the late 1960s. I hardly ever go any more. But I have been exposed to ND football for decades. In all that time, never had a game interrupted for weather. I have been rained on and snowed on, but no interruptions. Now it seems like it happens at least annually. Can they cover ND Stadium? On the defense, does ND currently have a “base” defense that the team knows? They certainly don’t look like they do. Are they trying to do too much in an effort to be clever?

Eric Hansen: Hi Tom, that was the fifth weather delay in Notre Dame football history, and the third at home. But there have been delays the last three seasons (2023 at NC State, last season at home vs. Stanford, Saturday vs. Purdue). A dome near the dome? I don’t see it happening. I do think ND has a base defense, and part of being a good defense is being unpredictable, but you only want to be unpredictable to OPPOSING offenses, not your own players.

Len from the Jersey Shore: Hello Eric! I saw this on PFF when I sorted for top defensive player PFF score  in NCAA this season.  First is Rueben Bain Jr., Edge Miami, with a score of 95.6. Tied for 7th is Akheem Mesidor, Edge Miami, with a 90.5 score. Tough first game for any O-line to handle.  Better to meet these two after line had a chance to gel together.  Would love to see ND mee the Hurricanes again.

Eric Hansen: Len! You may get your wish. I know this: Notre Dame would love to play in that stadium again this season, because Hard Rock Stadium is the site of the national championship game in January.

David: You had me at gluten free!

Eric Hansen: Thanks, David!!

Ryan from Frankfort Ill.: Good afternoon Eric what do you think about the play of Melachi fields Jermiyah Love and Jadarian price i think they all have looked good i think the Irish win 42-28 or something like this week GO IRISH ☘️☘️☘️🏈🏈🏈

Eric Hansen: I agree with you on the standouts, and I’d add CJ Carr to that list. I think I picked ND 41-34, so we’re very close.

Mike from Rochester, N.Y.: Eric, I’ve been a little surprised that Botelho hasn’t been more of a force. Is he still not 100% or is it a lack of reps in the new defense? How is your crush Jason Onye grading out so far? I’m pulling hard for him, he’s endured so much to get this far!!!!!!!!!

Eric Hansen: Hey Mike. Given it was two major injuries and months of missed time and coming back 6 weeks ahead of schedule, Jordan Botelho, I believe, has some very good football ahead of him. And he’s been really good in his tackling and against the run. The pass-rush burst will come. Jason Onye hasn’t yet played at that level, and the Irish need him to. Again, he missed most of last season, but he was healthy in the spring and in August.

Eric Hansen: OK, now I do have to run. Thanks for all the great questions. Sorry for the ones I couldn’t get to or that were too similar to some we did address. We’ll be back to do it all over again next Wednesday at noon ET. The transcript will be posted at blueandgold.com later this afternoon.