Everybody Else Is Doing It…Part IV, As In The Best Rocky Movie Ever Part IV

The 2007 season continues with Subway Domer’s “Why The Hell Not, 2007 Season Predictions” Part 4 of the epic 5 part series.

Notre Dame (7-1) VS. Navy (8-0) 47-14 IRISH

During the preseason, this game was pegged by some “experts” as an upset special. I suppose after 43 straight wins by the Irish in this series, they should lose sometime…right? Navy came into the game undefeated and had an impressive win at Rutgers (37-13). Well…wrong. This is the Charlie Weis era, and losing to an academy (all due respect) just doesn’t happen. The Irish came out with a balanced attack in the first half, and scored TD’s on its first 5 possessions. Clausen was 14-16 for 210 yards and 3 TDs (Grimes, West, Allen). The other 2 TDs were both runs by Thomas of 3 and 42 yards. The 1st half ended with the score 35-0. The Irish put its reserves in for the entire 2nd half. Navy did score 2 TDs quickly on the opening kickoff, and a fumble by Luke Schmidt that fell into the hands of Clint Sovie for a 28 yard return. Notre Dame’s other scores were a 33 yard bulldozing from Robert Hughes, a 34 yard FG from Walker, and a Safety on a blitz from Ray Herring.

MVP- Jimmy Clausen 14-16 210 yards 3 TDs

Notre Dame (8-1) VS. Air Force (6-4) 38-10 IRISH

In another game versus a Service Academy, the Irish came away with another victory. This was not so easy early on. ND was sloppy in the first half and had 2 fumbles and an interception in the red zone. Air Force was methodical and scored on its first 2 possessions. The first was a 21 yard FG after an apparent TD on a 4th and goal. (Offsetting penalties caused the play to be replayed and AFA took the chipshot that time around). The 2nd was a masterful 93 yard drive directed by Shaun Carney that ended with an 11 yard TD run by Carney on a QB sweep. The half ended with AFA up 10-0. Weis had a few words for the entire team at the half that I believe had something to do with Fudruckers. ND came out in the 2nd half and dominated AFA with physical play on both sides of the ball. Weis benched most of his running backs in the 2nd half and played Jabbie and Schwaap exclusively. Although it was only a 10 point deficit and not eligible for a “Great Comeback” moniker, it was quite impressive…here’s how…

• Goerge West takes the opening kickoff back 82 yards to the AFA 8.
• Jabbie Stiff Arms his way in for the first Irish TD.
• Tommy Z gets an INT and takes it 41 yards for a TD.
• Walker FG.
• 72 yard TD reception by Richard Jackson via D. Jones.
• 11 yard TD reception by Carlson via D. Jones.
• 94 yard fumble return by Kerry Neal with 30 seconds left.

MVP- Kerry Neal 3 sacks, FR, TD, 13 tackles.

Notre Dame (9-1) VS. Duke (0-10) 42-0 IRISH

This needs no rehashing. It was a blowout from start to finish.

MVP- James Aldridge 20 carries 211 yards and 2 TDs

Notre Dame (10-1) @ Stanford (5-5) 31-28 IRISH

Stanford came into this game on a 5 game winning streak after starting out 0-5, and needed just one more win in their last two games to be bowl eligible for the first time since 2001. They are going to have to get that last win versus Cal. This was a nail bitter for Irish fans. A win would solidify a BCS berth and perhaps, with some luck, a National Championship appearance. It started out all ND in the 1st half. ND went up 21-0 in the first quarter on 3 big plays; 82 yard bomb to Kamara (third play of the game), 67 yard punt return by Zibby, and a blocked punt returned for a TD by McNeil. Stanford did get on track in the 2nd quarter with 2 drives of 81 and 73 yards that both ended with Ostrander to Moore TD receptions. At the half the score was 21-14 with the momentum (and the ball) to Stanford to start the third quarter. Stanford was pinned inside their own 5 to start the half after a bad return and a holding penalty. It took only 3 plays to get to the Irish 20 after strikes to Moore and Bradford. Two plays later, Cardinal fullback Emeka Nnoli carried a few Irish defenders into the endzone for a 16 yard TD run to tie the game. Notre Dame answered right away with a long drive of its own for 80 yards to score a TD on a D. Jones 12 yard pass to Carlson for a TD. And like a yo-yo, Stanford returned the favor with a TD drive that took only a shade over 3 minutes with another Moore TD reception. With 4 and a half minutes ND got the ball back on its 27 yard line. It methodically moved the ball one play after another. 5 yards here, 3 yards here, first down. The big play came on a screen pass to Armando Allen that got the Irish to the Cardinal 22 yard line with 49 seconds remaining. 3 running plays for a net 1 yard and 3 Stanford T.O.s later, Walker set up for a 38 yard FG. NAILED! The ghost of the Skunkbears behind them, the FG unit finally hit a clutch shot. The game ended with a desperation bomb that was intercepted by David Bruton. Let’s Go Bowling!

MVP- Brandon Walker 4-4 PAT 1-1 FG 38 yards.

Next Up: Bowl Game TBD

Ranking: 5 A.P. / 5 Coaches / 4 BCS