UCLA Gameday Thread [Sat. Oct 6th '07]

[Timugen]

Sorry to kick this off so early....insomnia sucks.

Here's a little something to set the mood:

Notre Dame Football - Videos - QuickPlay


GO IRISH!!!!!

 

[NDFan4Life]

I never get tired of watching that game. It has to be the best comeback in the past 20 years. ND will triumph again today!

 

[SouthernIrish]

I woke up feeling pretty good about this game! and I love this one. The video is bad but the guy screaming in the background sounds like every SEC fan I have ever heard

GO IRISH!

YouTube - Notre Dame vs UCLA (last play--Cowan sacked)

 

[SouthieND04]

Go Irish!!!

Nd: 24
Ucla: 17

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

ST and our defense need to make some big plays, if they do, we can win.

 

[SillyIrish]

Special Teams, who are they?

 

[johnnd05]

Just a quick update from the Roundup:

Wounded Bears <!-- by John -->

<small></small> A post on BGS yesterday mentioned that several UCLA players are struggling with injuries. Here’s a more detailed analysis of who’s in, who’s out, and why.
Definitely out

• Senior fullback Michael Pitre has bone bruise in his left knee and was limited against Oregon State. He will miss today’s game, and possibly much of the rest of the season as well.
• Junior quarterback Patrick Cowan has an injured knee and will miss the game. Cowan was 17-of-30 passing for 147 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the one game he started this year, but backup and fellow junior Ben Olson has been a capable replacement, completing just over 50% of his passes for 922 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions in four games.
• Senior defensive tackle Brigham Harwell - four tackles in two games this season - will also be out several more weeks with a knee injury.
• Junior wide receiver Gavin Ketchum - five catches for 51 yards and a touchdown - has a sprained ankle and will be out at least this week and next.

Probably out

• Senior tailback Chris Markey, who injured his toe against Oregon State, did not practice this week, and is doubtful - “less than 50/50,” and “unlikely” to play, according to UCLA head coach Karl Dorrell - for the game. Markey is regarded as the backup at his position, has actually been listed as the starter for two games this year, and he is barely behind #1 back Kahlil Bell (98 carries, 504 yards, four TDs) with 79 carries for 404 net yards and three touchdowns, as well as eight receptions for 105 yards, on the season. Last year, Markey rushed for 1107 yards, but was largely shut down against Notre Dame. Markey’s carries will go to inexperienced sophomores Christian Ramirez and Chane Moline, who have only 13 carries and 105 yards between them on the season. In a puzzling decision, Dorrell continued to play Markey in the second half against Oregon State, even with the game well in hand, thus possibly exacerbating his injury and missing an opportunity to let his young backups gain some valuable experience. (NOTE: See below for some updates on the health of Bell and Ramirez.)

Banged up

• Star offensive guard Shannon Tevaga, who missed the past two games with an MCL injury in his right knee, should be back for today’s game, though junior backup Micah Reed will still be the starter.
• Senior wide receiver Marcus Everett, who is third on the team with ten catches for 134 yards and a touchdown in four games, has an injured ankle and was limited in practice this week, and will be “available” for today’s game, though it’s unclear how much he’ll actually be able to contribute.
• Pass-rushing senior defensive end Nikola Dragovic suffered a minor groin injury that limited him in practice this week, but he is expected to play.
• Kahlil Bell, who as noted above is UCLA’s top rusher, suffered a mild shoulder injury against Oregon State that limited him somewhat in practice, but there are no reports that it is still a problem. Meanwhile, Christian Ramirez, who has noted above will get some carries if Chris Markey is unable to go, had his knee examined after practice on Thursday when he was hit by an “overzealous scout teamer,” but once again there are no reports that this is still a problem.

 

[johnnd05]

Nothing earthshaking by any means, but here are my keys to the game:

1. Stop the run. Olson is a capable backup, but he's not going to beat you throwing the ball. With Markey and Pitre out and Bell possibly injured, we should be able to gear up and slow down UCLA's ground game.

2. No more stupid mistakes. See here - 'nuff said.

3. Play all four quarters. This is a major part of what doomed us against MSU and Purdue. In particular, we can't let the game get away from us if things start going wrong, like in the start of the second half against MSU.

4. Protect the passer. Or get rid of the ball quickly when and if we can't.

5. Win the turnover battle. Pick off a pass or force a fumble and keep UCLA from doing the same.

 

[KamaraPolice]

This late in the afternoon and we are still in it. YAY! GO IRISH!

 

[NDfan12]

what channel is this game on. i live in the burbs outside of Chicago. and I cant find this game anywhere....

 

[johnnd05]

what channel is this game on. i live in the burbs outside of Chicago. and I cant find this game anywhere....

It's probably only on ESPN Gameplan for you ... it doesn't start until 8pm EST, though.

 

[NDfan12]

thanks, I knew it started at 7, but i couldn't find it anywhere on tv. this sucks

 

[Steve]

we ordered the gameplan, but right now it is POURING outside. it's nuts. and it's crapping all over our satellite which doesn't happen to often. if this keeps up when the game starts, i'm gonna be PISSED.

 

[patman1868]

I am hoping for a win today and I think it is possible against UCLA. If ND contiues to improve like they have for the past few weeks and play 60 minutes of good football I think we could see a win. I think another key to the game will to be keep pressure on the QB to try to force quick throws and hopefully a int or two. Also can we please convert a 3rd and 1 that would be great to see.

 

[notredomer23]

we are about to punt from our 45

 

[notredomer23]

ugh bad defense

 

[notredomer23]

big 3 and 4 for ucla.

 

[notredomer23]

ND Ball ten yard line

 

[Golden_Domer88]

another 3 and out for ND.

 

[Golden_Domer88]

defense sucks. gave up another 3rd and 8 or so.

 

[SouthieND04]

Damn you, Bruins!

 

[SouthieND04]

BTW, if anyone still can't get to the game, see the thread titled "link to game". Many tanks to MirageSmack for making my night.

 

[Golden_Domer88]

bunch of girls out there TRYING to tackle.

 

[SouthieND04]

COWAN is DOWN!!!

 

[Golden_Domer88]

FOUR guys missed ONE guy. all touched but no tackle.

 

[SouthieND04]

COWAN is DOWN!!!

[blast--he got back up]

 

[Golden_Domer88]

pretty bad we have to count on the other teams players to get hurt for us to have a chance.

 

[SouthieND04]

Someone please tell UCLA to keep moving the ball the wrong way.

 

[Golden_Domer88]

Nd:0
Ucla:3

 

[Golden_Domer88]

man AA is fast.