NOT OT: ND Running Back Dexter Williams - Is he suspended, or maybe not?
Apologies if I have missed this being discussed elsewhere.
MGoBlog 3.0 search returned nothing on this either.
I hadn't seen anything where the Starting Running Back from Notre Dame would be suspended at least for the UM Game.
Apparently it is still in question, although even a ND site expects him to be:
"Obviously we are all working under the assumption that Williams will be suspended for the first four games of the season — much like Kevin Stepherson last year. We are about 99 percent sure and it sucks."
I am not finding much out there indicating whether he will play or not.
In a separate article, they discussed how Kelley was considering bringing back two suspended player from back in January...so I wouldn't put anything past the Purple-People-Eater.
Thought this was an interesting storyline to follow - I believe we will be fine regardless, but would be nice to know which RB our Defense will destroy. :)
If anyone has more info, I'd appreciate it!
August 14th, 2018 at 3:54 PM ^
Here's the money quote from that article:
Not having Dexter Williams for Michigan is a blow, but WHEN the Irish win that game, they could actually be sitting in a much better place than what we are imagining at this moment (well NOW we are imagining it).
That's some quality stuff right there.
(EDIT: Emphasis THEM)
August 14th, 2018 at 4:06 PM ^
I've never run into unconfident ND fans/alumni. It's cute.
August 14th, 2018 at 6:31 PM ^
They are OFTEN stupid and wrong - however, they are NEVER in doubt...
August 14th, 2018 at 5:21 PM ^
One who puts on his armor should not boast like one who takes it off.
August 14th, 2018 at 3:56 PM ^
Sounds to me like he may or may not play
August 14th, 2018 at 3:57 PM ^
no official word but all ND sources agree he will miss four games.
August 14th, 2018 at 4:01 PM ^
I wouldn't put anything past that student killer, Kelley.
August 14th, 2018 at 4:26 PM ^
The four game suspension is being handed out by the university, not the football program. Kelly will have no control over it.
August 14th, 2018 at 4:15 PM ^
There won't be an official word until game day/week (if ever), but the "insiders" firmly believe he's out 4 games. Depending on the nature of the suspension, ND sometimes enables a student privacy protocol and doesn't disclose any information -including the length of the suspension.
August 14th, 2018 at 3:58 PM ^
I'd say 9 out of 10 times, a situation like this is 50-50. But I'm only 25% sure of that...
August 14th, 2018 at 4:04 PM ^
25% sure about 90% being 50%
August 14th, 2018 at 4:14 PM ^
Yeah. That’s the joke.
August 14th, 2018 at 7:09 PM ^
"So you're saying there's a chance..."
~Lloyd Brady (I think. Though it might've been Lloyd Christmas. Or maybe Tom Brady).
August 14th, 2018 at 3:59 PM ^
Wimbush may not start also. Their defense is overrated. They seemed weak last year physically. Early prediction 33-17 Michigan.
August 14th, 2018 at 4:00 PM ^
I like how you think "NotTomBrady" (wink wink)
August 14th, 2018 at 4:12 PM ^
You mean he won't start because of performance? Everything I have read suggests he has the position locked down, despite his video the other day.
August 14th, 2018 at 4:18 PM ^
I can't imagine ND is ready to anoint a true freshman QB over a guy in Wimbush that, if flawed, at least proved he can get the job done last year.
But then, it's Brian Kelly. No idea how he's going to handle his QBs; nobody runs off talented QBs like Brian Kelly does.
August 14th, 2018 at 4:43 PM ^
Ian Book would take the starting role before the freshman. The "Insider" speculation is that ND's personnel -across the board- is dictating an approach that includes using the quarterback as run threat fairly often. Wimbush is the best fit for Kelly's 2018 scheme, thus he has the advantage as of now. Book is more pro-style and is a more accurate passer, but doesn't fit the 2018 offensive scheme as well.
Brian Kelly has to coach a ND team that lacks WR/TE depth and experience and he lost the anchors of his O-line. His starting RB surprise declared an early entry in the draft and his replacement RB screwed up one way or another this off season.
August 14th, 2018 at 4:21 PM ^
From what I've seen, they should clearly start Ian Book. That said, what I've seen is very limited compared to BK and his coaching staff.
August 14th, 2018 at 4:33 PM ^
Close. Hyphen in wrong spot. 331-7 Michigan.
August 14th, 2018 at 4:37 PM ^
From what i've read their QB situation is a lot like ours last year. I hope they split reps. Would be trouble when preparing for our defense.
August 14th, 2018 at 5:01 PM ^
That would be the first time we've seen Michigan win their opener by that exact score since last year!
August 14th, 2018 at 4:03 PM ^
Hes not playing. Many ND insiders are saying he's only recieving end of practice reps. Tony Jones will be the starter against Michigan. They're super thin at the RB position.
August 14th, 2018 at 4:20 PM ^
From what I have read though, it's not a huge loss like it would be Wisconsin losing Taylor or MSU losing Scott. Probably not even as bad as us losing Higdon for a game.
If indeed their RT misses the game, and it sounds like that's not necessarily likely, that would be more impactful.
August 14th, 2018 at 5:06 PM ^
its still a huge loss for how much they return at the position. They will start a guy with less than 40 career carries. Michigans defense will dominate Wimbush without having a threat of a run. Wimbush is a poor man Barrett and Michigan pretty much shutdown Barrett the last 2 years
August 14th, 2018 at 5:58 PM ^
It would be like if we lost Higdon and Evans, started Samuels and were expecting all the freshman to play. That's basically what ND is doing. A guy with 40 carries backed up by a converted QB who's never been in a game, a RS freshman and 2 true freshman 3*. Sure one of those unknowns could be great but it sure seems like their offense, which relied so heavily on running last year, is gonna struggle.
August 14th, 2018 at 6:03 PM ^
No, it's not. They are starting senior Williams by default after losing their top rusher (and his back up). He's not a stud/dude. He's not a major loss, at least not for a couple games. For a whole season he would be for the sake of depth.
August 14th, 2018 at 8:14 PM ^
Williams is by far their most experienced back. As I mentioned a bunch of guys with no college experience are going to be playing. Williams may be their best returning player on offense. Seriously look at who they return. Not to mention out of hs he was ranked higher than any of the other RBs. He may not be a Heisman contender but he's their best option and it's not even close. NBC sports ranked him as the most important player for the outcome of the upcoming season a week ago. That says a lot about their depth, but you're unselling his loss.
August 14th, 2018 at 10:18 PM ^
Williams averaged 9 yards per carry last year... that’s a huge loss
August 14th, 2018 at 4:09 PM ^
Chances the incident involves a tutor?
August 14th, 2018 at 4:16 PM ^
It has been discussed a bit, but that's no fault of you for not finding it--where it has come up it has been buried deep in other threads. And this is, potentially, a pretty big deal for our game, so it's worth the thread post.
If Michigan can score touchdowns on Notre Dame with any consistency, Notre Dame is going to have a lot of trouble answering.
I think the confidence of ND fans is misplaced, but of course they probably think the same about me. We'll see on the field, but it sounds like we won't see Williams on the field.
August 14th, 2018 at 4:58 PM ^
All of the ND sites have been reporting for a while that he is likely suspended the first 4 games. It is a university suspension so Kelley has no control over it. Also, Kelley cannot comment about it due to student privacy rules (according to those sites), so there won’t be an official announcement.
August 14th, 2018 at 8:01 PM ^
Does it really matter? By all accounts he's a mediocre running back.
UM wins this game by 21+
Nuts&Taint-->Face
August 14th, 2018 at 8:42 PM ^
Should really be the new MGoStore t-shirt.
August 14th, 2018 at 10:31 PM ^
what did williams do now? i know he was arrested a couple years ago based on a quick google search.
August 15th, 2018 at 1:19 AM ^
I read that too about possibly bringing back those two guys--I think the article was from June--but they've both since transferred, one to Penn State and the other to the Last Chance U juco.