January 1 | Oklahoma State | Fiesta Bowl

[Luckylucci]

Will Liafau play?

I haven’t read anything that says he will but I came here to say it’s great to see him out there. This is some important work for him.

 

[Riddickulous]

Will Liafau play?

He's not expected to play per MF.

 

[Riddickulous]

So is Foskey still trying to decide whether he's playing? I didn't see him mentioned in the defensive practice report by prister.

He was in the practice photo Merriweather's dad posted yesterday

 

[Dizzyphil]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/tbhorka/status/1470181179072647170[/TWEET]

 

[tko]

Love Styles and his quicks

 

[NDBoiler]

I get the feeling that if a few of the other key guys on offense return next year (Austin, Patterson would be priority) that this team will be even better than they were this year, provided QB gets solidified.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I get the feeling that if a few of the other key guys on offense return next year (Austin, Patterson would be priority) that this team will be even better than they were this year, provided QB gets solidified.

I think it goes without saying they'll be better.

The offense should have a significantly upgraded OL with Alt, Fisher, Kristofic and potentially Patterson. A lot may hinge on getting guys like Austin and Lenzy back. RB looks stacked even with Kyren moving on. Mayer, Bauman and Evans back at TE.

Defense loses Hamilton, but I don't really count that, because we've essentially had to play without him for half the season now. They get Marist back, and potentially the Ademilola Bros and Foskey. Another year of development for Botelho. They lose MTA and Hinish, but guys like Mills, Lacey, Cross and Kahuna look very promising. We'll also likely see a lot more of Kollie and may even see some of the freshmen freaks at LB, particularly Sneed and Burnham.

How much better will essentially hinge on what they get at QB. Whether it's Buchner or maybe a transfer like potentially Armstrong from UVA if he hits the portal.

 

[DONTH8]

I think it goes without saying they'll be better.

The offense should have a significantly upgraded OL with Alt, Fisher, Kristofic and potentially Patterson. A lot may hinge on getting guys like Austin and Lenzy back. RB looks stacked even with Kyren moving on. Mayer, Bauman and Evans back at TE.

Defense loses Hamilton, but I don't really count that, because we've essentially had to play without him for half the season now. They get Marist back, and potentially the Ademilola Bros and Foskey. Another year of development for Botelho. They lose MTA and Hinish, but guys like Mills, Lacey, Cross and Kahuna look very promising. We'll also likely see a lot more of Kollie and may even see some of the freshmen freaks at LB, particularly Sneed and Burnham.

How much better will essentially hinge on what they get at QB. Whether it's Buchner or maybe a transfer like potentially Armstrong from UVA if he hits the portal.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but MTA can come back, right? Not saying he will, but he could. I think he had a RS year for injury and was under the 4 games. 2018 right?

 

[Huntr]

I'm sure this news will put Pokes players in a good frame of mind.

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/AndyWittry/status/1470216243462483970[/TWEET]

 

[Irish#1]

It 100% matters. Its huge in fact, but I just dont agree that recruits are going to give a rats butt about the significance of ND breaking their NY6 bowl drought going back to all the chicken little arguments that ND would be better off winning a NY6 bowl than losing by 20+ in the playoffs again. if youre not in the playoffs then the best you can do is win the next game in front of you, and it definitely helps getting to end the season with a win over a top 10 team.

No, recruits don't care about breaking a drought. However, winning a NY6 bowl is another recruiting tool in the coaches arsenal when recruiting. You win and then you can show the recruit that you deserved t be in the playoffs.

Freeman certainly thinks this game is big.

 

[Irish#1]

I'm sure this news will put Pokes players in a good frame of mind.

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/AndyWittry/status/1470216243462483970[/TWEET]

So someone at UF leaked this letter or was it Gundy's agent?

 

[IrishLax]

So someone at UF leaked this letter or was it Gundy's agent?

Someone at Florida did. Pretty shitty of them, but then again agents and coaches wouldn’t act how they do if their antics were out on front street like this.

 

[Huntr]

Someone FOIA'd UF and that was part of it. Cowboys' fans are beside themselves saying it's fake because Gundy doesn't have an agent.

Which is hilarious, because they all have people and representation, even if they say that they don't.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Something doesn't smell right with this though. In 2017, I remember there were reports that Gundy was involved in the Florida search before Mullen was hired. So why would an agent have to speak up Gundy to an AD that has already spoke with him once before? Gundy can't be THAT desperate, can he?

 

[NDPhilly]

I'm sure this news will put Pokes players in a good frame of mind.

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/AndyWittry/status/1470216243462483970[/TWEET]

I could have put a better pitch deck together lmao. IDK feels fake.

This is locker room killing stuff. Imagine if something like this about BK leaked?

 

[Free Manera]

Notre Dame by 90. Seriously, the intangible stuff tied to this game is so incredibly one-sided.

In one corner you have a team frothing at the mouth to obliterate someone for their new coach. In the other corner you have a team whose stud D coordinator took another job, but was staying for the bowl, then wasn't staying for the bowl and suddenly jetted, and a head coach who coldcalled UF asking them to hire him, during the season.

 

[NDPhilly]

Here's the agent's website:

http://boniksports.com/

After seeing this...maybe it is real lol. Website looks like its from 2000.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Those routes by Styles were filthy. He's going to be so good these next two years. He does a great job setting up the DB with his feet before the break, great separation.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Notre Dame by 90. Seriously, the intangible stuff tied to this game is so incredibly one-sided.

In one corner you have a team frothing at the mouth to obliterate someone for their new coach. In the other corner you have a team whose stud D coordinator took another job, but was staying for the bowl, then wasn't staying for the bowl and suddenly jetted, and a head coach who coldcalled UF asking them to hire him, during the season.

I hope you're right. I'm cautiously optimistic. We don't do well in the Fiesta Bowl with any OSU but maybe this year is different.

 

[IrishLax]

It’s 100% real. The excuse being given is that Gundy “doesn’t have an agent” which likely isn’t true.

 

[IrishLax]

Someone FOIA'd UF and that was part of it. Cowboys' fans are beside themselves saying it's fake because Gundy doesn't have an agent.

Which is hilarious, because they all have people and representation, even if they say that they don't.

Do we know exactly what the FOIA request was? Glad that ND is private…

 

[Henges24]

I don't think Gundy can reach out legally, can he? That is the point of a middle man (agent).
It's probably real and I don't blame him for wanting to leave the Big 12 for the SEC.

 

[Irishize]

Will Liafau play?

He is participating in practice but at a very minimal level so he still has a ways to go before he’s a full go. Hopfully, he can be ready by Spring.

 

[Irishize]

I hope you're right. I'm cautiously optimistic. We don't do well in the Fiesta Bowl with any OSU but maybe this year is different.

No kidding. Teams w/ the initials OSU have dominated ND in our lifetime. Let’s hope the streak ends against the Pokes.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Do we know exactly what the FOIA request was? Glad that ND is private…

Schools know how to operate around FOIA requirements. This only popped up because a third party decided to make a written communication to them. Gundy's agent screwed up.

If you look up Devin Bonik (named in the communication) he's an agent who formerly played at Oklahoma State. If you pull up his client list on the website (which does not include Gundy, FWIW) it's all either NFL guys or college position coaches. So he probably didn't realize what he was getting himself into when dealing with a head coaching search with a major CFB program.

 

[DONTH8]

Schools know how to operate around FOIA requirements. This only popped up because a third party decided to make a written communication to them. Gundy's agent screwed up.

If you look up Devin Bonik (named in the communication) he's an agent who formerly played at Oklahoma State. If you pull up his client list on the website (which does not include Gundy, FWIW) it's all either NFL guys or college position coaches. So he probably didn't realize what he was getting himself into when dealing with a head coaching search with a major CFB program.

I see that he represents Jeff Banks, the now notorious Special Teams Coordinator for the Texas Longhorns. The dude obviously has his hands full right now... so we should cut him some slack for not navigating this the right way.

 

[Huntr]

Do we know exactly what the FOIA request was? Glad that ND is private…

I'm pretty sure the guy that tweeted that requested "any comms related to UF's coaching search" and that came back in the package. He has a CFB newsletter/blog and has made similar requests from other public schools.

As far as getting around it, 1) UF doesn't care, they got their guy and this doesn't hurt them and 2) Florida's sunshine laws means you have to take extra care to hide stuff like this. This dummy doesn't know what he's doing. He screwed up inquiring like this where the school has no choice but to dump it.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but MTA can come back, right? Not saying he will, but he could. I think he had a RS year for injury and was under the 4 games. 2018 right?

Technically, everyone can come back, with exception of Coan and Hinish.

 

[Rasputin]

I'm pretty sure the guy that tweeted that requested "any comms related to UF's coaching search" and that came back in the package. He has a CFB newsletter/blog and has made similar requests from other public schools.

As far as getting around it, 1) UF doesn't care, they got their guy and this doesn't hurt them and 2) Florida's sunshine laws means you have to take extra care to hide stuff like this. This dummy doesn't know what he's doing. He screwed up inquiring like this where the school has no choice but to dump it.

What kind of idiot agent puts that pitch in writing? Pick up the phone, use your words. Leave no trace.

 

[Rack Em]

Here's the agent's website:

http://boniksports.com/

After seeing this...maybe it is real lol. Website looks like its from 2000.

Check out which former disgraced ND D Coordinator is pictured on the website:

http://boniksports.com/services