‘21 AL QB Riley Leonard (Duke Transfer - Notre Dame Verbal)

[stlnd01]

Idk I think even accepting he was having a bad day it isn't unreasonable to think he should still be able to just chuck the fucking thing deep if it's wide open (which it was). Truly one of the worst passes I've ever seen.

This here. We've seen (at Duke) that Leonard is able to throw the ball a long way. If he does that there, it's incomplete or a game-sealing touchdown and, really, fine either way. He just couldn't make the throw that he inexplicably did.

 

[Sea Turtle]

There are only 5 teams in all of cfb that don't have a passing touchdown.

Notre Dame is one of them.

 

[FWIrish4]

There are only 5 teams in all of cfb that don't have a passing touchdown.

Notre Dame is one of them.

Yeah but how many of them have had to play two ranked teams to start the year?

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

There are only 5 teams in all of cfb that don't have a passing touchdown.

Notre Dame is one of them.

We're a special category. Kinda of elite really.

 

[KMac151993]

Nothing changes my outlook - this was Angeli's job to lose and Leonard was just here as insurance.

Boy you cray cray

 

[KMac151993]

You seem fun

 

[GrangerIrish24]

We're a special category. Kinda of elite really.

Light up Grace Hall!

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I'm normally one to laugh how often the backup QB is the favorite player in SB but just look at the stats. We are ranked dead last in passing offense and passing TD (ZERO) among P4 programs. We KNOW Angeli can distribute the ball, and with our stable of backs, I don't know why Leonard's rushing abilities trump Angeli's ability to get the ball out ON TIME to our WRs.

But...we all know exactly what is going to happen. They're going to roll with Leonard, and if/when he struggles, THEN they'll go to Angeli in the middle of the game, and we'll all just have to hope it's not to late by that point.....

I feel very confident that this will be the case, and it should be a fireable offense. Also, Denbrock isn't blameless in any of this. Only something like 4 touches for Price in the game on Saturday. Absolutely criminal.

 

[CANONIZEFATHERSORIN]

Don’t get why everyone is talking about riley leonards running ability. The kid isn’t cam newton lol, he isn’t even fast. He occasionally goes for a thumping 6 yard run. News flash, that isn’t that valuable

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Don’t get why everyone is talking about riley leonards running ability. The kid isn’t cam newton lol, he isn’t even fast. He occasionally goes for a thumping 6 yard run. News flash, that isn’t that valuable

I understand he's a tough guy to take down, and fast enough to elude a pass-rush and make a defense play if they don't spy him, but the best runners on this team are unequivocally our RBs, who are 1a/1b studs, and 1b only touched the ball 4 times after torching aTm on the first score in College Station. Not utilizing play-action for a running Qb who is struggling to read the defense when dropping back is also a major mistake.

My confidence in Denbrock is seriously shook, and I was elated to have him back. Something is just out of sync right now with this program and it's painful to watch, after how excited we all were before Saturday afternoon.

 

[NorthDakota]

I understand he's a tough guy to take down, and fast enough to elude a pass-rush and make a defense play if they don't spy him, but the best runners on this team are unequivocally our RBs, who are 1a/1b studs, and 1b only touched the ball 4 times after torching aTm on the first score in College Station. Not utilizing play-action for a running Qb who is struggling to read the defense when dropping back is also a major mistake.

My confidence in Denbrock is seriously shook, and I was elated to have him back. Something is just out of sync right now with this program and it's painful to watch, after how excited we all were before Saturday afternoon.

If Riley Leonard is your QB...it's gonna be tough to look like 2023 LSU with a Heisman QB.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Sampson was asked this question so TIFWIW and said there’s no way he’s not starting. He said the offense is too invested in RL (in more ways than one) to scrap the offense and start over. He pointed out that the offense was built around a running QB and none of the other three options can run as effectively as RL. And if/when we do see another QB, it will be Angeli…not Carr.

Well, there's that then.

I can't even remember who they beat in that bowl game, but I'm sure there were probably guys that sat out of it. I was happy for Angeli at the time, but if they still decided to go out and get Leonard in the portal, I think that speaks volumes about the process. What Sampson is saying only confirms that they're probably going to ride or die with him for a while.

 

[Kingbish01]

I'm waiting to hear that RL broke his hand or finger in the first series. He ran great, then really didn't run again. Something seemed so off with that game. Even the refs trying to screw NIU at the end was bizzarro. I wish ND would have thrown a Hail Mary at the end, I'm convinced we would have seen a flag and a winnable kick.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Last month there were people worried this would be an NFL showcase for him as opposed to a chase of a playoff spot and or championship.

Suddenly the internet masses want him benched at 1-1. Proof that football comes at ya fast just like life.

 

[CANONIZEFATHERSORIN]

Last month there were people worried this would be an NFL showcase for him as opposed to a chase of a playoff spot and or championship.

Suddenly the internet masses want him benched at 1-1. Proof that football comes at ya fast just like life.

Do you think it’s good when our quarterback’s TD:INT ratio is infinity?

 

[NorthDakota]

Last month there were people worried this would be an NFL showcase for him as opposed to a chase of a playoff spot and or championship.

Suddenly the internet masses want him benched at 1-1. Proof that football comes at ya fast just like life.

I didn't know anyone was worried about an NFL showcase. That would mean he's playing awesome.

 

[SDIrishFan]

He's at the top of the depth chart this week, FYI

 

[NDPhilly]

If Freeman and staff are worried about "optics" then the easiest way to do this is to say Riley is banged up and will be available if needed, but Steve will start. Then pray Steve is good enough to have the decision made for him.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

He's at the top of the depth chart this week, FYI

Of course he is.

 

[CANONIZEFATHERSORIN]

He's at the top of the depth chart this week, FYI

And with that im done with this team and this coach for at least a few weeks

 

[NorthDakota]

If Freeman and staff are worried about "optics" then the easiest way to do this is to say Riley is banged up and will be available if needed, but Steve will start. Then pray Steve is good enough to have the decision made for him.

The optics thing is overblown. But yes I'm with you.

 

[Sea Turtle]

https://athlonsports.com/college/notre-dame-fighting-irish/irish-breakdown/football/notre-dame-quarterback-problems-go-far-far-deeper-than-riley-leonard

 

[NDPhilly]

Well Freeman just said he's QB1

 

[BeatSC]

It would be great if somehow they turn a corner with Riley at Purdue but if they don’t he needs a very short leash. Any interceptions based on terrible throws and or reads early on and he gets yanked. Don’t GAS about NIL dough. The social contract freeman has with millions of fans takes over poor judgement in bringing RL in to the team. Any more embarrassing losses like this and it’s clear freeman isn’t capable of getting his team motivated and coached up at ND. Big Lou never took any opponent for granted. Freeman spent too much time last week basquing in the glow of a big win as head coach for ND. That win pales by comparison to the embarrassment his team just dealt to their fan base. Had to take down my flag, take off my hats and leave my ND shirts in the hamper. I’m ashamed to be an ND fan right now. Way more than in Charlie’s 3 win of Kelly’s 4 win seasons.

 

[Luckylucci]

In 2023 Riley had 3 TD, 3 INT, and a 57% completion rate. The fact the staff got swindled into taking him is mind blowing.

I posted this at the time but the writing was on the wall but everyone was so firmly on the Freeman hype train it didn't matter.

In 2022, he had a 4 game stretch against UVA, GT, UNC, and Miami. During that 4 game stretch he averaged 5.3 yds/att. Game by game it was 5.375, 3.23, 7.9, and 5.44. What happened on Saturday should be surprising to no one.

You simply cannot win all your games with a QB that can so easily go in the tank throwing the ball like Leonard does.

His full season stats were bloated by huge performances against a couple/few opponents. Look game by game and it was obviously the player we were getting.

 

[Giddyup]

Well Freeman just said he's QB1

Seriously? Moron

 

[Bluto]

I posted this at the time but the writing was on the wall but everyone was so firmly on the Freeman hype train it didn't matter.

In 2022, he had a 4 game stretch against UVA, GT, UNC, and Miami. During that 4 game stretch he averaged 5.3 yds/att. Game by game it was 5.375, 3.23, 7.9, and 5.44. What happened on Saturday should be surprising to no one.

You simply cannot win all your games with a QB that can so easily go in the tank throwing the ball like Leonard does.

His full season stats were bloated by huge performances against a couple/few opponents. Look game by game and it was obviously the player we were getting.

So, what I hear you saying is that Freeman should have asked the kid with the clipboard to weigh in on this.

 

[JamIrish]

Season Passing yards prop bets were released. They got Riley Leonard at 2,525yds. That's an average of 210 yds a game. I was hoping to see it closer to the 2800. Let's hope the Irish are playing with comfortable leads most of the season and we see the backups get plenty of reps

I posted this after seeing the props released and cautioned fans expecting Leonard to light the world on fire. So far through 2 games he has zero passing TDs and 321 yds? Freeman also talking about not stretching the field is caused for concern. Expect Riley to have a few games where he throws for 250+ but there will be more games where he is kept under 200 pass yds.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Is his footwork fucked because he's not totally healed?

He had a fairly serious injury less than a year ago and another surgery on top of it. He's obviously cleared medically, but is there something else lingered there? Is it mental?

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

He's at the top of the depth chart this week, FYI

I’m fine with this. Just be ready to let Steve play if the struggles continue.