Kanka's Sports Page Details

Hindsight and Optimism
2007-10-21 22:47:00
Lots of hindsight can be thrown at this weekend's ND-USC game. The first that comes to mind is starting Evan Sharpley, a guy who holds onto the ball too long, against SC's tenacious pass rush. But there's no use crying over that now. This is a program that has been wandering in the desert for the past 10-15 years, but there is reason for hope. For the first time in a while, we at least have a head coach that actually wants to go undefeated, and is willing to do anything within the rules and within his power to do so. Maybe it's a sad comment on the state of the program when simply having a coach who wants to win is a good thing. But so be it. It remains to be seen whether Coach Weis will be the next Gerry Faust, who loved Our Lady's University with all his heart but was severely overmatched making the jump from high school to I-A, or the next Dan Devine, who brought home a championship but never gained universal acceptance due to his ups and downs. The key barometer - besides w ...

Notre Dame Football 2007Issue 8: USC
2007-10-18 02:12:00
No regular preview again this week (unless someone wants to write one). As an aside, I couldn't believe how lost I was watching the BC game after not previewing that game. I humbly hope that at least a few of my readers feel the same way.We'll start with some news: Evan Sharpley will start at QB for the Irish, and unless John David Booty makes a semi-miraculous injury comeback, Mark Sanchez will call signals for the Trojans.I will leave you some video inspiration, in honor of the 1977 Green Jersey Game, which will be commemorated this Saturday. First, some game clips from the BGS Video Vault. Second, with all due respect to Irish Round Table, Fire It Up! ...
Football Issue Notre Dame

Know Thy Enemy:USC
2007-10-16 04:51:00
According to USC TrojanAdam RoseAttak KatBoi from TroyA Choad's Guide to USC FootballConquest ChroniclesCrazy Trojan MusingsDaily TrojanDC TrojanThe Displaced TrojanFight on ForeverHeismanPunditI Can't ComplainInside USCIrish TrojanIt's a Definite MaybeLex IconPlay Tusk!SC FootballScott Wolf Inside USCStudent Body RightTalking TrojansTommy Trojan's BlogTribute to TroyTrojans Football NewsTrojanWireUSC Football FanUSC Football TailgateUSC HerdUSC Trojan FootballWe Are SCFanblogs USCFanHouse USC ...
Enemy

Boston College 27, Notre Dame 14
2007-10-15 00:13:00
Quarterback: It's quite obviously a rebuilding year at this point. But here's the question: do you go with Jimmy Clausen (20-7-2, 60 yds), quarterback of the future, and let him learn the offense on the fly? Or do you go with Evan Sharpley (29-11-0, 135 yds, TD), whose experience and playmaking ability lets everyone else on the field learn the offense on the fly? In other words, yes we'd like Clausen to gain experience and learn the offense. But with Sharpley in there and able to throw the ball downfield more, the young receivers are gaining valuable live experience.Running Back: BC has a stout run defense, and it showed. Not counting two sacks and an errant Geoff Price knee, the Irish attempted only 18 runs. James Aldridge ran 5 times for 17 yards, Armando Allen 3 for 9, and Robert Hughes 5 for 6. Allen added 3 receptions for 16 yards.Fullback: Asaph Schwapp had a decent day with the ball. He had 1 carry for 4 yards and 2 receptions for 22 yards.Receiver: In this game, Robby ...
Boston College Notre Dame

Know Thy Enemy:Boston College
2007-10-11 03:18:00
Sorry, running behind this week, so no BC preview. Well, maybe a brief one. Big time passing offense, very good against the run, mediocre against the pass. Should be fun, especially if any of the current players are old enough to remember the last few contests. ND 23, BC 21.The Bricks HouseEagle in AtlantaFor Here Men are MenHeights and LowsNews from the HillFanblogs Boston CollegeFanHouse Boston College ...
Boston College Enemy

Notre Dame 20, UCLA 6
2007-10-07 23:56:00
Quarterback: Sometimes you need to do just enough to win. As far as Jimmy Clausen is concerned, the important things I'm taking away from this game are his three QB sneaks. Only two were successful, but one was for a TD. More importantly, this is the first time I can remember Clausen running sneaks. This shows that he believes he has the toughness to get the first down, and that Coach Weis has faith in Clausen to execute the play.Running Back: It was tough running again for the Irish, but James Aldridge did pick up 52 yards on the ground, and another 18 in the air. Armanda Allen added 19 yards on 3 rushes and 3 yards on 2 receptions. Allen also hit John Carlson on a ten yard pass late in the game. Is Allen becoming the poor man's Darren McFadden? Travis Thomas had another rough day, picking up 1 yard on two carries.Fullback: Asaph Schwapp was finally able to gain some positive yardage, picking up 2 yards on 1 carry.Receiver: Robby Parris started for the injured David Grimes and ...
Notre Dame

Notre Dame Football 2007Issue 6: UCLA
2007-10-04 04:01:00
Sorry for the abbreviated preview; it's midterm week. Oh, and the baseball playoffs are on.UCLA Rush Offense vs. ND Rush Defense36 Khalil Bell and 28 Chris Markey have shared time for the Bruins. Bell is averaging 20 rushers and 104 yards per game, while Markey is averaging 16 and 81. Bell has 4 rushing TDs to Markey's 3.Trevor Laws now leads the Irish in total tackles with 41, and in tackles for a loss with 4.5. Maurice Crum is second on the team with 20 tackles, and Joe Brockington is right behind with 38.ND Rush Offense vs. UCLA Rush DefenseJames Aldridge is starting to see more and more carries for the Irish. He's now averaging 8 rushes and 43 yards per game. Armando Allen is averaging 6 and 20. Robert Hughes is trying to become the short yardage back; he's averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Travis Thomas has struggled, averaging just 1.2 yards per carry.Linbackers 51 Reggie Carter and 55 Korey Bosworth each have 4 tackles for a loss, trailing only DE 44 Bruce Davis. UCLA's to ...
Football Issue Notre Dame

Know Thy Enemy:UCLA
2007-10-02 00:28:00
Bruin RoarBruins NationDump DorrellInside UCLAInsomniac's LoungeLA Seitz of ChicagoTalking BruinsWhat's Bruin(.net)What's Bruin (LA Times)What's Bruin, Dawg?Fanblogs UCLAFanHouse UCLA ...
Enemy

Sixteen Discriminatory Major League Baseball Teams And The Proposed Compensatory Counterparts, In Increasing Volume Of Groups Discriminated Against
2007-10-01 01:39:00
by Klondike, 2007 KankaNation Laetare recipientEditor's Note: If you'd really rather see my Purdue wrapup, just scroll down.#16:DISCRIMINATORY TEAM: Cincinnati RedsCOMPENSATORY TEAM: New Orleans BluesMASCOT: A down-on-his-luck saxophonist.HAT COLORS: Midnight blue with smoky white pinstripes.#15:DISCRIMINATORY TEAM: Colorado RockiesCOMPENSATORY TEAM: Jefferson City SmoothiesMASCOT: A giant smoothie cup that carries around a huge plastic straw.HAT COLORS: Soft, pastel orange with a cream-colored bill.#14:DISCRIMINATORY TEAM: San Diego PadresCOMPENSATORY TEAM: Montgomery MadresMASCOT: The Swinging Nun.HAT COLORS: Black with a white bill.#13:DISCRIMINATORY TEAM: Kansas City RoyalsCOMPENSATORY TEAM: Portland PeasantsMASCOT: A gnarled, grubby man in tattered clothes with a garden hoe over his shoulder.HAT COLORS: Mud brown.#12:DISCRIMINATORY TEAM: San Francisco GiantsCOMPENSATORY TEAM: Providence MidgetsMASCOT: A whole cheering squad of midgets.HAT COLORS: Anything bright enough to help peo ...
Baseball League Proposed Teams

Purdue 33, Notre Dame 19
2007-09-30 20:28:00
The Irish have played two good halves this year. Unfortunately, those two halves haven't come in the same game. Notre Dame spotted Purdue a 23-point lead, and try as they might, they just couldn't come back.Quarterback: Purdue defensive coordinator Brock Spack wisely chose to shut down the run and force Jimmy Clausen to make plays. However, surprisingly, Spack put very little pressure on Clausen, and the freshman QB was able to make plays. Clausen completed 18 of 26 passes for 169 yards, with a TD and a pick, before leaving due to an injury. However, it probably wasn't the rib injury that knocked him out. Clausen also injured his left foot, and had trouble planting on it. This caused him to lose some touch on passes downfield.Clausen was replaced by Evan Sharpley, who performed rather well, completing 16 of 26 passes for 208 yards, 2 TDs, and one interception. Despite what ESPN commentator Andre Ware said, there is no QB controversy. Both Irish passers played well, and the sta ...
Notre Dame

Notre Dame Football 2007Issue 5: BEAT PURDUE!
2007-09-27 03:40:00
Purdue Rush Offense vs. ND Rush DefensePurdue has feasted on lesser opponents so far this season, so much so that their pass-happy offense is averaging 202.8 rushing yards per game. They're led by senior 24 Kory Sheets, who is averaging 25 carries, 94 yards, and a touchdown per game. Sheets is backed up by 25 Dan Dierking, who is averaging 6 carries and 39 yards per game. WR 9 Dorien Bryant has 6 carries through 4 games, and FB 44 Frank Halliburton has 3 rushes in as many games. QB 12 Curtis Painter has been credited with a total of 7 carries and 13 yards this season.Notre Dame's run defense has been porous, to say the least, giving up 232.8 yards per game on the ground. Though the Boilermakers like to pass, Sheets and company are probably licking their chops at those numbers.ND Rush Offense vs. Purdue Rush DefenseNotre Dame is finally starting to establish itself on the ground. James Aldridge is the leading rusher, averaging 8-9 carries and 43 yards per game, and more importantl ...
Football Issue Notre Dame

Know Thy Enemy:BEAT PURDUE!
2007-09-25 00:29:00
Boiled SportsBoiler StationBoilermaker BanterIt Came from Black BackgroundOff the TracksUnrestricted ViewFanblogs PurdueFanHouse Purdue Also this week, be sure to look back at some fond Beat Purdue memories from years past. ...
Enemy

Michigan State 31, Notre Dame 14or: The Charlie Weis Fact Sheet
2007-09-24 03:38:00
"They played the way they did in the first half because of the full-contact practice. But... they played the way they did in the second half because of the full-contact practice." - Mike "You gotta believe. This school was founded on faith and on belief. I told you last week how when Notre Dame burned down, Father Sorin said the mistake we made was that we didn't build it big enough. Everything ...
Michigan Notre Dame Sheet State

Notre Dame Football 2007Issue 4: Michigan State
2007-09-20 03:48:00
MSU Rush Offense vs. ND Rush DefenseOnce again, MSU's backfield feature some familiar faces. 23 Javon Ringer and 30 Jehuu Caulcrick have shared the load this year for a team that is averaging 194.7 yards per game on the ground. Ringer has the slight advantage in carries per game (18 to 15) and yards per game (85 to 72). But Caulcrick has been the man in goal line situations, scoring 6 of MSU's ...
Football Issue Michigan Notre Dame State

Know Thy Enemy:Michigan State
2007-09-18 00:23:00
Bleeding GreenThe Enlightened SpartanSpartanBlogSpartan BobA Spartan for All SeasonsSpartans Insider (was "Grinz on Green")Spartan TailgateSpartyMSU BlogFanblogs MSUFanHouse Michigan State ...
Enemy Michigan State

Content Dump
2007-09-17 03:39:00
There is a brief Michigan wrapup below, if you really want to read it. Otherwise, check out the random cleaning out of KankaNation's inbox... First, courtesy Andy Gray and SI on Campus, a tailgate report card from the Georgia Tech game. Second, Juiced sports takes on a Plain Dealer sports mailbag column. Third, a few Fire Mark May-esque celebrity blogs form Yardbarker. http://yardbarker.com/ ...

Michigan 38, Notre Dame 0
2007-09-17 00:59:00
Not many positives came from this one. Two things did stand out to me, though. First, there's that old adage about controlling the line of scrimmage. On both sides of the ball, Michigan move the line of scrimmage two yards on every single play. They dominated the rushing stats 289 to -6. But ND's rushing stats would have been a lot worse if it wasn't for James Aldridge's performance against ...
Michigan Notre Dame

Notre Dame Football 2007Issue 3: Michigan
2007-09-13 02:58:00
Michigan Rush Offense vs. ND Rush DefenseFor another year, 20 Mike Hart is Michigan's workhorse. At this point, he's one of the few things that's gone right for UM. Hart has averaged 24 carries and 158 yards over the first two games, and has 3 total rushing touchdowns. Backup 4 Brandon Minor has also gotten his fair share of carries, averaging 10 rushes and 4- yards per game. WR 86 Mario ...
Football Issue Michigan Notre Dame

Know Thy Enemy:Michigan
2007-09-11 00:30:00
Ace of SportsAutumn ThunderBig House FootballBlah Me to DeathThe Blog that Yost BuiltBlue Cats and Red SoxDangerous LogicThe DiagFootball OutsidersThe Hoover Street RagiBlog for CookiesJim Harbaugh ScrambleMGoBlogMVictors.comThe M ZoneMaize 'n' BrewMichigan Against the WorldMichigan Football SaturdaysMichigan Sports CenterMr. WolverineMotown Sports RevivalOff TackleA Pudge is a SandwichQuo ...
Enemy Michigan

Penn State 31, Notre Dame 10
2007-09-10 03:34:00
Quarterback: Courtesy AP/Gene J. Puskar Well, it's a start. Coach Weis kept things simple at first, allowing Jimmy Clausen to throw only screens and swing passes. He handled those well, and threw downfield later on. Despite his early success, though, Clausen completed just over 50% of his passes, was sacked 6 times, and threw a pick Running Back: Four backs combined for 25 yards on 16 ...
Notre Dame State

Notre Dame Football 2007Issue 2: Penn State
2007-09-06 02:05:00
Penn State Rush Offense vs. ND Rush Defense33 Austin Scott steps in as Penn State's starting tailback this year. Last week, he ran 11 times for 47 yards and two scores. He's backed up by 20 Rodney Kinlaw and 22 Evan Royster, who both had good showings against Florida International to the tune of 8 carries and 8+ yards per carry. Starting fullback 34 Matt Hahn did not have a carry in the game, ...
Football Issue Notre Dame State

Know Thy EnemyPenn State
2007-09-03 23:10:00
Back in Happy ValleyBlack Shoe DiariesBleed Blue 'n White50-Yard LionFight On StateLion in the DesertThe Nittany LineNittany LinesThe Nittany NotebookThe Nittany TurkeyPenn State Fan LetterPSU Football FanaticsRun Up the ScoreThere Is No Name On My Jersey2 the Lion FootballZombie NationFanblogs Penn StateFanHouse Penn State ...
State

Eleven Ways To Make Sports In The United States More Delightfully English, In Increasing Magnitude Of Stereotypical Awfulness
2007-09-03 16:57:00
by Klondike, 2007 KankaNation Laetare recipient Editor's Note: Really? You'd rather see a GT wrapup? I'll include my thoughts in the PSU preview. David Beckham was my inspiration for this month's attempt. #11 - Soccer: Import some extremely well-paid English players. This seems so obvious, I'm not sure why nobody else has already thought of it. Also, the sport would have to be renamed " ...
English Sports United States

Notre Dame Football 2007Issue 1: Georgia Tech
2007-08-30 04:08:00
Georgia Tech Rush Offense vs. ND Rush Defense22 Tashard Choice returns as Tech's starter, after averaging 105 yards on approximately 20 carries per game in 2006. Choice also had 12 rushing TDs in 14 contests. With the departure of Reggie Ball and Calvin Johnson, Choice is arguably the centerpiece of this offense. He'll be aided by an offensive line that returns four starters. 20 Jamaal Evans ...
Football Issue Notre Dame

Know Thy Enemy
2007-08-28 02:05:00
I plan on posting each team's "Know Thy Enemy Links" on the Monday or Tuesday before that week's game - so good luck getting any work done this fall. If I have left you off this list, screwed up your link, or grossly misinterpreted your blog title, please send an email to kanka@kankasports.zzn.com, or stop by our message board. Georgia TechGeorgia Tech Sports Blog Golden Tornado GT Sports Blog ...
Enemy

Know Thy EnemyGeorgia Tech
2007-08-26 22:48:00
Editor's Note: Look for a complete Know Thy Enemy, and Know Thyself post tomorrow, listing all ND and opponent blogs for the season. In the meantime, if you have a GT blog that isn't listed below, or if something with your link or blog title is awry, please let me know via email or the message board. (Links are at the top of the page.) Georgia Tech Sports BlogGolden TornadoRamblin' OnRamblin' ...

The National Lampoon Sports Minute (Or So)
2007-08-26 06:52:00
Editor's Note: Catching up, again. Also, if you've sent me a link request within the last 4-5 months, please resend it. I've done a terrible job of housekeeping this summer. The National Lampoon Sports Minute (Or So) Written by Steve Hofstetter, Adam Hofstetter, Cody Marley, Ryan Murphy, Rich Ragains, Elliot Steingart, and Chris Strait More bad news for Michael Vick. Nike has decided to delay ...

Notre Dame Football PreviewDefense, Special Teams, and Predictions
2007-08-23 01:07:00
Defensive LineSpotlight: Pat Kuntz GTacklesTFLSacks20061248158Also Returning: Justin Brown, Neil Kennedy, Trevor Laws, Dwight Stephenson, Jr. Lost: Casey Cullen, Chris Frome, Derek Landri, Travis Leitko (graduation), John Ryan (position change), Ronald Talley (transfer), Derrell Hand (?) Gained: Paddy Mullen, Kallen Wade (DNP as freshmen), Andrew Nuss, Emeka Nwankwo (freshmen) One reason for ...
Football Notre Dame Predictions Teams

Notre Dame Football PreviewOffense
2007-08-17 03:46:00
QuarterbackSpotlight: Demetrius Jones GAtt-Comp-IntYdsTD2006DNPAlso Returning: Evan Sharpley Lost: Brady Quinn, Dan Gorski (graduation), Zach Frazer (transfer) Gained: Darrin Bragg (position change), Justin Gillett (walk-on), Jimmy Clausen (freshman) Those who do listen to Charlie Weis seem ready to annoint Sharpley as the starter. Those who don't listen to Weis seem ready to give the job to ...
Football Notre Dame

Cleveland Browns 16, Kansas City Chiefs 12
2007-08-13 02:10:00
Kansas City's two star running backs didn't even play. Their other top three offensive weapons only made token appearances. (Tony Gonzalez and Eddie Kennison started and each caught one pass. Damon Huard attempted 4 passed after relieving Brodie Croyle.) So it's no wonder their offense was nonexistent. Their touchdown was scored when Browns RB Jerome Harrison let a lateral sail over his head ...
Chiefs City Cleveland

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