Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

Steve Diotte — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 23:02:13 GMT

Last night, we all got a taste of what's in store for next year. GO IRISH!

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

Rick Barnes — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 23:07:34 GMT

Really great to see the Irish win like this. I hope it means something about what to expect in 2009.

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

Smitty, Birmingham AL — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 23:55:57 GMT

Head start on '09? Slow down. One win against a scrub doesn't make a championship...

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

Dave — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 01:47:36 GMT

Hopefully this is a new start but time will tell.

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

Rick Martin, Bellingham, WA — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 03:44:26 GMT

It appears that Clausen has finally arrived. His accuracy was impressive. I am a USC Trojan fan, but like Weis. I am happy for him as I now expect the program to flourish with their "new" quarterback and rejuvenated coach. Anyway, congrats!

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

paul bartoszek,phoenix, az. — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 04:39:42 GMT

what is the 2009 schedule?

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

Jack de Lowe, Raanana, Israel — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:27:45 GMT

What the Irish did against Hawaii is no indication of what kind of team they are. What they didn't do against USC was the real indication.
I hope that congress votes a $20 million subsidy for Notre Dame to retain Coach Weiss. He may be good for the pros, but he is simply not suited for the college game.

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

TBONE — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:17:32 GMT

GO IRISH!!

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

J. Livadas, Utica, NY — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:20:02 GMT

And a very Merry Christmas to Father John Jenkins
and AD Jack Swarbrick, who had the foresight and
courage to withstand those in the media,the so-called
"ND fans" and the ND hate mongers who demanded Coach
Weis be fired. "GOD rest ye merry gentlemen."

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

Tony Rice, Cherry Hill, NJ — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:39:33 GMT

Yep, forget the way they fell apart at the end of the season, forget the loss at home to Syracuse. This win over a stout Hawaii defense will easily propel the Irish to at least 11 wins next year, a Heisman win for Clausen and a contract extension for Weis. I'm glad to read that everything is now fixed and ND is officially back.

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

Bill Thomas Las Vegas Nevada — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 23:45:57 GMT

This is what Nore Dame needed. Now if they could only schedule more teams like Hawaii and participate in low level bowls, everything will be alright.

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

Ignatius Mattie, Fairport, New York — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 01:37:36 GMT

Glad to see the Irish finally look good winning. They have a long way to go to resemble a great ND team, but I am happy to see the progress. However, I hated seeing the names on the back of the jerseys. If they are ever to come close to their past glory, they will need to once again become a team. A team of intelligent players who don't make stupid mistakes. A team that has discipline and focus. I look forward to next year and hope when they take the field in 2009 it is without names on their jerseys, but with focus, discipline and desire to win for Our Lady's University. In other words an understanding that it's bigger, and more important than any one individual. My wish for coach Weiss is a healthy and successful 2009.

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

Tomas, Richland, WA — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 01:42:57 GMT

It is funny how many "ND Haters" like to appear and comment on ND articles.
ND won a lesser bowl being the underdogs (yes, Hawaii was favorite by 1 or 2 points), and finished the season 7-6 which is better than a 3-9 from last year. That should be the end of the story.
Next season will start during the Spring of 2009. Can this victory carry any implications into the next season? I find it hard to believe. ND won the last two games of 2007 and they came quite tepid to the opening game against SDSU. The only reasonable expectation is that the upperclasmen for the 2009 take advantage of all the opportunities they were provided to play and show leadership so the 2009 season will be marked with significant victories against teams such as MSU, USC and BC.

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

Steve — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 07:33:32 GMT

Let's hope they can place this in a can a go big in 2009 so the storied rivalry with USC will have meaning. No ONE wants ND in the bottom of the rankings in Div 1 if they are playing them. From what I can tell it looks like the USC v ND game will go on and on as always. So for it to have any meaning at all means ND must raise the bar. They must tackle Top Ranked teams and get these patsy's off their schedule fast.

Happy New Year South Bend....

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

Jeff Blodgett — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 14:43:22 GMT

Hawaii sucks. No real game here.

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

DarinD Fredericksburg, Va — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:47:28 GMT

Duhhhhhh, they played Hawaii for God's sake people. Some of you are giving them credit for playing an inferior team. Look what Georgia did to Hawaii last year. Before you go playing the Irish fight song, let them beat a real team! The fat man should have been fired! They had a watered down schedule this year and manage to get smoked. Maybe next year they will play the Vermont State High school champs!

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

Michael Albo, Spokane, WA. — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:08:54 GMT

Without a better prepared offensive line and better play calling, the Irish will be going nowhere in 2009. The Hawaii win did help everyone's morale. I'm hoping for the best and not trying to be too negative. Go Irish!

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

Jack Fairfax, Virginia — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:23:46 GMT

I love ND football but they have to develop a running game - get back to meat mouth football - if they would have had a running game they would have gone 10-3 instead of 7-6

Clausen, Weis, Irish get head start on 2009

Cobra78 — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:12:55 GMT

Please give me a break, they beat up on Hawaii in last years bowl game. Hawaii should not be allowed to participate in D 1 games. The losing Irish ways will continue with the fat man in charge