So since we seem to be recalling some of our favorite memories of the Weis era the past couple of weeks, I figured that now would be a good time to cash in my promise of letting everyone in on stories from my time as a manager.
This week, we dive into the art of the trick play.
Weis made a point to have at least one trick play up his sleeve every week. Some were simple and were just more complex versions of a play-fake that you’d likely see and not think it was actually a trick play. Others, however, were true gimmick plays that were so off the wall that no one would see them coming.
My favorite of these plays was never actually executed during a game, but was practiced during Tennessee week. The play was “OH SHIT! Screen Right”–no that isn’t a typo.
Many of us know Weis loved the screen, but this one was a particular stroke of genius that was also unbelievably hilarious in both its simplicity and execution.
The Irish would line up with Anthony Fasano to the left. After the snap, Fasano would run a drag route across the line; however, once he got to the center, he would intentionally trip himself, fall down, and yell “OH SHIT!!!”
The defenders would then ignore Fasano while two offensive linemen crept up right in front of him. Once those linemen were in position, Fasano would pop up and receive an easy pass from Quinn. At this point, the defense that completely ignored him now had to find a way around two big uglies and Fasano barreling down their throats.
Sadly, the Irish never had a need to run this play against Tennessee and quickly tossed the play the following week. However, for all the talk that Weis had about a “decided schematic advantage”, this play would definitely qualify.
I won’t lie, if Kansas somehow pulls this out of their hat, I will have a small celebration in honor of this play actually seeing the light of day.
The Roundup
Need an excuse to go to Vegas? The undefeated Mike Lee will be fighting on August 4th at the Texas Station Casino. Should you not be able to make it out to Sin City, the fight will be televised on Telefutura. Now, being Mexican and from Texas, this fight screams all kinds of good mojo for me. Also, if you’ve never watched a sporting broadcast in Spanish, you should–knowing the language is not a prerequisite to enjoying it.
Les Miles finds his way into the Roundup yet again. This time, he is angered by his own mascot finding a QB that is far better than the disaster he fielded last season.
So, Notre Dame isn’t the only school with an embarrassing video. Just ignore the video-that-shall-not-be-named and revel in the fact that there are far worse things that other schools have published on YouTube.
Johnelle might need a few bucks. Seriously.
Law & Order: The Isaiah Crowell Special. First, he melts our hearts by showing his commitment to Georgia with a baby bulldog. Then he’s caught packing heat and runs to the FCS.
One Foot Down finds a way to make me sad about the Lou Holtz Era. Couldn’t we just skip this particular trip down memory lane?
When I was a manager, I had to memorize this and more. Subway Domer has all your freshman roster assignments–study up.
The Beer
This week will be the first week that I recommend a beer that I have not yet tasted. Thanks to the magic of Twitter, @okerland suggested that, based on the heels of last week, I examine Sam Adams Porch Rocker.
While discussing the beer, the Sam Adams Twitter account chimed in as well:
@okerland @HLS_NDtex Technically it’s a radler, a German style beer which takes a Helles style brew and blends with fresh lemon juice.
— Samuel Adams Beer (@SamuelAdamsBeer) July 2, 2012
Another American themed beer that tastes like lemonade on the heels of the 4th? I’m all in.
- Epilogue - January 3, 2022
- HLS Podcast Finale - January 2, 2022
- The Final Fiesta: Notre Dame vs Oklahoma State NCAA ’14 Sim - December 31, 2021
kyndfan
That commercial is great! It inadvertently points out Les’ inability to produce a big time QB. Seeing his obvious frustration over Gunner, I think it’s brilliant!
Why didn’t Weis try that play against scUM, SC, MSU, or any of the other teams that beat the snot out of ND during his tenure?……sorry, still have a bad taste in my mouth from the majority of his time at ND.
You know you’ve made it big when you get Sam Adams tweeting at you. Happy Friday everybody!
NDtex
I can only speak for 2005, but here is what I remember for those teams:
Michigan – not so much trick plays but the gimmick was to open the game with a silent count no-huddle offense to shut the crowd up.
USC – The trick play for that week was awful and I’m glad it wasn’t called. It was a HB pass to Quinn who had the best analysis of that play “that pass is too soft, I’m going to get killed as soon as I touch the ball.”
Sparty – I can’t remember if it was Sparty or Purdue for this play, but it was a more complicated play fake. We had been running TONS of look routes (QB gets snap, looks and immediately throws to WR) and teams were starting to jump it. Knowing this, Weis put a new play in: pump fake the look route, have the WR take off on a go route. Should the CB jump as planned, you have a wide open receiver. Back when Shark was on his TD streak, Weis saw the play run and told him “this play will be your TD for the week”.
I might have weeks mixed up on the last one, but the main point it that Weis definitely had a bag of tricks. Some he liked and used, others he either didn’t like or didn’t have the need to run them and risk a penalty/turnover.
dc
Might have been BYU, I remember they played way off the receivers, we kept picking up large chunks of yards with almost zero risk, and eventually ran a go or 2 when they tried to jump the route
dc
Isn’t that trick play an illegal man (men) downfield
NDtex
If not timed properly, it can be. That pretty much goes for any screen though. The linemen have to make sure to not venture too far off and Fasano had to keep his route pretty tight to the line.
TheRef
As long as the OLmen dont go further than 3 yards, they’re not considered downfield. This three yard window has a couple of applications in the game, most notably for field goal kicks. If a ball is kicked and touched less than three yards from the LOS(and when in question, it has NOT gone 3 yards) touching is ignored and the ball is live.
Rule 7-3-10: No originally ineligible receiver shall be or have been more than three yards beyond the neutral zone until a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone has been thrown.
trey
I still dont get why people hate the ND video so much. It’s catchy, good quality, in key…not NEARLY as bad as the Georgia or Kansas videos on that site.
NDtex
Freekbass is all kinds of awful. There is nothing about that video that says “we are ND” save for the lyrics (of a song that needs to burn in the hottest of fires).
Blog Davie
Even the official 2012 Olympic song thinks the “We are ND” song is terrible.
trey
How is it not ND? Is the Joyce center not ND? Is the tunnel not ND? Is the Leprechaun not ND? What makes you say that? Is is the rock/rap song you just dont like, the costumes? What? Compared to the other vids in that link, I think ND’s is pretty top of the line. All these kinds of videos are corny and ridiculous. I think Freakbass pales in comparison to HOT HOT HOT, the Beanpot trot, and that awful UGA vid. For what it is, i dont really have the problem y’all seem to
Brian
First time seeing that video and I’m feeling a little embarrassed for having watched the entire thing. What’s the point of it? Is it meant to show ND students and fans as raucous and fun? If it was meant to be cheesy, it was definitely a success.
Having said that, I actually think that the video of Brian Kelly yelling at some female athlete was far cheesier.