Post Game Observations

[Buster Bluth]

-I was really impressed with how the OL played as a whole. Great protection against a lot of creative pressures. No breakdowns like Oklahoma. WITH THAT BEING SAID... wtf is up with all of the false starts and snap infractions? Does it have to do with all of the checking?

Kelly said in the post-game press conference than the noise was much louder than they expected and caused check problems. I imagine that's what caused those.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"Since Kelly took over we are now 11-3 in October…10-1 in November. The only loss in November was to Stanford in 2011." - <a href="https://twitter.com/FunkDrSpock1975">@FunkDrSpock1975</a></p>— oak (@oaknd1) <a href="https://twitter.com/oaknd1/statuses/387306237055873024">October 7, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Front loaded schedules FTL. Wish we could do something about that.

From Brian Fremeau:

Following a 35-21 loss to Oklahoma, the Fighting Irish bounced back with a 37-34 victory over Arizona State on Saturday night in the fifth installment of the Shamrock Series. The story of each of the last two games was turnovers, a recurring theme throughout the season. Notre Dame gave up three turnovers to the Sooners and were unable to record any of their own. Against the Sun Devils, the Irish won the turnover battle three to one.

With just over four minutes left in the third quarter against Arizona State, defensive back Bennett Jackson forced the first Sun Devils turnover, a fumble setting up the Irish offense for quick strike touchdown and a 24-13 lead. The fumble was the first Irish turnover forced in nearly eight full quarters of game action. Since a Mathias Farley interception in the third quarter against Michigan State on September 21st, Notre Dame’s defense had faced 25 straight opponent offensive drives without recording a turnover.

That 25-possession stretch matched the longest stretch between turnovers of the 2012 season. From late in the Oklahoma game last year through the Pittsburgh game and deep into the Boston College game, Irish opponents had 25 straight offensive possessions that did not result in either a fumble or interception. In that span, Notre Dame gave up 595 yards and two touchdowns. As illustrated in the chart above, the Irish defense gave up 813 yards and four touchdowns before Jackson ended the turnover drought.

Notre Dame forced two more turnovers on Arizona State’s final five drives, including a Dan Fox pick-six that extended the Irish lead to 37-27 late in the fourth quarter. Of the six turnovers forced by Notre Dame so far this season, the Irish defense scored a touchdown on three of those plays.

The chart above outlines each possession sequence between turnovers for Notre Dame and its opponents so far in 2013. The Irish offense has scored 2.1 touchdowns per turnover (compared to 2.5 touchdowns per turnover in 2012). The Irish defense has given up 2.7 touchdowns per turnover on the season (compared to 0.7 touchdowns per turnover in 2012).

And from FIDM, our highlights from the ASU game:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DUi8BIEFHJo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[ThePiombino]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>"Since Kelly took over we are now 11-3 in October…10-1 in November. The only loss in November was to Stanford in 2011." - <a href="https://twitter.com/FunkDrSpock1975">@FunkDrSpock1975</a></p>— oak (@oaknd1) <a href="https://twitter.com/oaknd1/statuses/387306237055873024">October 7, 2013</a></blockquote>
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[GATTACA!]

I took AP stats, and i have to be honest....i have no ****ing idea how read that graph lol

 

[IrishLax]

Let's not get it twisted ASU is not better than OKU,because 1. They can't stop the run to save thier friggin life ! and they're also a lousy pass defense and if they played Michigan the "weasles would run up 60 + points on them because Mike Gallon would have a field day on that defense . Look this is a much needed win but let's not make it out to be more than what it is.

They're a lot better than Oklahoma. Period. If you've watched Oklahoma at all this year, you'd know that. Oklahoma has struggled mightily against the two non-cupcake teams they played (West Virginia who sucks, and TCU who is also bad). They beat us because of crucial turnovers at crucial times and because ND is not very good.

Michigan also sucks. They haven't played a single non-doormat team except for Notre Dame, and they still managed to almost lose to 1-5 AKRON and 0-4 UCONN. Akron most recently got waxed 43-3 by the Ohio Bobcats and their only win was a 2 point squeaker over FCS James Madison. UCONN most recently got waxed 41-12 by Buffalo. Michigan needed late game miracles (and questionable calls for Akron) to beat both of those teams by a single score.

Who is Mike Gallon?

Down playing a win over a ranked Arizona State team that has a better offense BY FAR than either Michigan or Oklahoma, has a quality win over Wisconsin, and only has losses because they've played the hardest schedule of any team in the country not named Georgia to this point is just ridiculous. We were a TD underdog coming into the game for a reason.

 

[blackirish]

They're a lot better than Oklahoma. Period. If you've watched Oklahoma at all this year, you'd know that. Oklahoma has struggled mightily against the two non-cupcake teams they played (West Virginia who sucks, and TCU who is also bad). They beat us because of crucial turnovers at crucial times and because ND is not very good.

Michigan also sucks. They haven't played a single non-doormat team except for Notre Dame, and they still managed to almost lose to 1-5 AKRON and 0-4 UCONN. Akron most recently got waxed 43-3 by the Ohio Bobcats and their only win was a 2 point squeaker over FCS James Madison. UCONN most recently got waxed 41-12 by Buffalo. Michigan needed late game miracles (and questionable calls for Akron) to beat both of those teams by a single score.

Who is Mike Gallon?

Down playing a win over a ranked Arizona State team that has a better offense BY FAR than either Michigan or Oklahoma, has a quality win over Wisconsin, and only has losses because they've played the hardest schedule of any team in the country not named Georgia to this point is just ridiculous. We were a TD underdog coming into the game for a reason.

Sorry about that mate, I meant Jeremy Gallon ( I should know that because I saw him play at Apoka h.s here in florida ) but what I'm saying how's is ASU a socalled damn good team,ok they beat a not so good USC team 62-41 !. My point is that thier defense has damner gave up 40 points a game, I'm not saying that OKU and the "Weasles are world beaters, and yeah I agree they've both struggle,but were talking ASU who gives up 40 a game and 400 yds of offense a game,however I'm not sure we racked up 400, but we moved the ball at will against them.
ASU plays Colorado coming up who are 2-2 and I'm sure the "Buffaloes are going to rack up a ton of yardage on them also,
Like I said I'll take the win anyway we can get it because it seems like this year
Ain't Nobody scared of Nobody and that goes for the SEC and Big 10 socalled elite teams also.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

NBC's Keith Arnold just published an article titled "How We Got Here: Defensive Line":

Heading into the season, Notre Dame’s defensive line was looked at among the finest units in the country. Led by preseason All-Americans Louis Nix and Stephon Tuitt, the Irish’s three man front, with sophomore Sheldon Day stepping in for graduated Kapron Lewis-Moore, had the makings of one of the deepest and most dangerous in the country.

Which made the sight of outside linebacker Romeo Okwara and true freshman Isaac Rochelle playing significant crunch time snaps up front against Arizona State all the more telling. That the Irish haven’t played as dominant along the defensive line isn’t as easily explained as injuries to guys like Day, Chase Hounshell or Tony Springmann, and the disappearance of Eddie Vanderdoes. But let’s take a look at the production the Irish have gotten from Mike Elston’s guys and check out some of the contributing factors that have gone into Notre Dame’s 4-2 start.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

Louis Nix III — 20 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 BU, 1 PD
Stephon Tuitt — 18 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 1 PD, 7 QBH, 1 FF
Sheldon Day — 7 tackles, 1 TFL
Kona Schwenke – 6 tackles
Isaac Rochelle — 3 tackles
Jarron Jones — 2 tackles

THREE KEYS

Injuries. There’s really no getting around this one. Losing glue guys like Hounshell and Springmann were killer injuries, especially with Day struggling to come back from an ankle sprain the past few weeks. Combine the fact that Tuitt has been slowed by a hernia surgery, and you see a position that at one time looked like the deepest in the past 20 years on the defensive side of the ball, now need to depend on untested players like Jarron Jones and Tyler Stockton in key situations.

Supporting Cast. Playing a three-down alignment doesn’t just rely on great work by your nose tackle and two stout defensive ends. It depends on precise run fits by linebackers and seamless work by defenders in elementary things like alignment, communication and scheme. Losing Hounshell and Springmann loses two guys that understand what it is this defense wants to do. Subbing in a first time starter at linebacker like Jarrett Grace (and now with his injury, walk-on Joe Schmidt or Kendall Moore) in place of Manti Te’o, and you see how the little things likely led to some bigger issues.

Bullseye. Let’s be honest. It’s easy for guys like Stephon Tuitt and Louis Nix to make an impact when not everybody knows how good they are. But after a 12-0 season that saw both players garner some All-American mentions, constant double teams and offensive coordinators scheming against you certainly makes things a little bit more difficult.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I really like Keith's take on things, and thanks for pointing it out Whiskey! You are truly the getmaster!

 

[Emcee77]

I really like Keith's take on things, and thanks for pointing it out Whiskey! You are truly the getmaster!

The keymaster. Are you the gatekeeper?

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I just pull it off Twitter and post it here for you good people. I'll surely be replaced by a robot in the near future.

The keymaster. Are you the gatekeeper?

Ghostbusters is great and all, but not sure I'm comfortable with where this symbolism is taking us...

 

[Rudy89]

Only 6-7 games left of watching Tommy.

This does make me kinda sad in a way. Yes Tommy has a huge hand in many of the headaches, heartaches, and frustration we have had with this team since Kelly took over but other than that one incident he's come across as a great kid who hopefully has a bright future ahead of him and I will miss Tommy when he's gone. I hope his career here at ND ends the way it began. Upsetting some ranked teams, Beating USC, and winning a Bowl game. I hope to god we can at least get those last two.

 

[Irish Insanity]

I will celebrate Tommy after his last game. What he has done for our program deserves it.

 

[ulukinatme]

Only 6-7 games left of watching Tommy.

Really sick of seeing fans rag on Tommy. If you don't like Tommy, you should direct your frustrations towards Golson. Like it or not, he's the best QB we have on roster at this stage. Maybe if Tommy was still here next year it would be Zaire instead. The kid plays hard, and he's an ND man. Don't treat him like he's garbage, waiting to be carried off the lawn. You can say he's had a bad game, or struggling in a particular area, just don't treat him like some kind of scapegoat that cursed this season. This kid doesn't deserve anyone's negativity.

 

[Cackalacky]

I just pull it off Twitter and post it here for you good people. I'll surely be replaced by a robot in the near future.



Ghostbusters is great and all, but not sure I'm comfortable with where this symbolism is taking us...

Shoulda stuck with the "Micrometer," bud.

 

[Irish#1]

This does make me kinda sad in a way. Yes Tommy has a huge hand in many of the headaches, heartaches, and frustration we have had with this team since Kelly took over but other than that one incident he's come across as a great kid who hopefully has a bright future ahead of him and I will miss Tommy when he's gone. I hope his career here at ND ends the way it began. Upsetting some ranked teams, Beating USC, and winning a Bowl game. I hope to god we can at least get those last two.

I will celebrate Tommy after his last game. What he has done for our program deserves it.

Really sick of seeing fans rag on Tommy. If you don't like Tommy, you should direct your frustrations towards Golson. Like it or not, he's the best QB we have on roster at this stage. Maybe if Tommy was still here next year it would be Zaire instead. The kid plays hard, and he's an ND man. Don't treat him like he's garbage, waiting to be carried off the lawn. You can say he's had a bad game, or struggling in a particular area, just don't treat him like some kind of scapegoat that cursed this season. This kid doesn't deserve anyone's negativity.

Agree.......Before the season started, I said I would be comfortable with Tommy leading the offense in EG's absence. He has played pretty good so far, but I did think he would have eliminated some of the errors he's had this year. Regardless, I never have and never will bash him. He's stuck it out through thick and thin and hasn't whined or pouted like some (You hear me Clowney?). He's always put ND first. Dare I say he definitely the RKG?

 

[ulukinatme]

I'd like to see Tommy get a grad assistant position with the team in the future

 

[Emcee77]

I'd like to see Tommy get a grad assistant position with the team in the future

Man, he would be perfect for that. They've always said that there's nobody better in the film room. Considering that we lack a real QB coach, I would be absolutely delighted if Kelly hired Tommy as a grad assistant. Imagine how great a help he could be to the younger QBs. I have a feeling Zaire and Kizer would come along a lot faster.

 

[irishfan]

I'd like to see Tommy get a grad assistant position with the team in the future

Then BK can be able to scream at Rees on the sidelines for years to come.

 

[ulukinatme]

Then BK can be able to scream at Rees on the sidelines for years to come.

Some things never change

 

[Whiskeyjack]

NBC's Keith Arnold just published an article titled "How we got here: Offensive Line":

When left tackle Zack Martin decided to return for a fifth year of eligibility instead of likely being chosen in the first half of the NFL Draft, Notre Dame received a boost similar to the ones they got when Michael Floyd, Tyler Eifert and Manti Te’o decided to come back for their senior seasons. While Martin might not end up a first rounder or a national player of the year candidate, he will be a four-year starter at left tackle and the team’s offensive lineman of the year for a ridiculous fourth consecutive season, setting the standard for durability and consistency that will be a model for the program moving forward.

Martin’s decision to return was also a key to stabilization up front. The veteran left tackle teamed with Chris Watt to create one of college football’s best left sides, and is such a far cry better than any other option currently on the Irish roster at tackle that it’s no wonder he’s considered a “six-star” recruit. With new starters Ronnie Stanley and Nick Martin surrounding Christian Lombard, who has shifted inside to guard, the front was expected to be one of the best the Irish had in recent memory.

Has it been that? Not exactly. But it certainly has lived up to that billing in other facets as well. Let’s take a closer look at the offensive line.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

Run Game:
189 rushes for 822 yards.
114th in Rush Attempts
66th in YPC (4.35)
91st in Yards Per Game (137.0)

Pass Game:
T-8th in Country in Sacks Allowed (4)
1.9% Sack Rate

THREE KEYS

Continue Dominating in Pass Protection. Against pretty stiff competition, the Irish have done a very good job protecting Tommy Rees, a quarterback that doesn’t have much scramble ability. Of teams with over 200 passing attempts, only Fresno State and Toledo have given up less sacks.

Keeping Rees protected is a key in a passing game that hasn’t been able to rely on quick throws and has taken more shots down field than any team in the Kelly era. While Rees did a nice job buying additional time in the pocket against Arizona State, he’ll be tested again by Clancy Pendergast’s Trojans defense, a top ten defense in terms of sacks.

Shore up the run blocking. It was about this time last year where the running game came to life as well. The bye week should be well utilized by Harry Hiestand to get everybody more comfortable in the ground game, where the offensive line has struggled sometimes accounting for defenders in the box and getting to the second level and blocking linebackers.

On paper, USC will be the fourth top 15 defense the Irish have faced thus far, amazing considering they gave up 62 points to Arizona State. Get off to a good start against the Trojans and that could build momentum for the season’s second half.

Keep developing depth. You probably didn’t notice, but that was freshman Steve Elmer working in at guard with Christian Lombard. That a freshman would come in to help a fourth year player gives you an idea of just how good Elmer could be. Ronnie Stanley’s growing into his role at right tackle, but a future with a rebuilt left side of the Irish line is coming sooner than many Irish fans want.

Starting to win some games comfortably should allow younger players like Elmer and Conor Hanratty to get more reps, while the rest of the talented freshman class continue to save a year of eligibility. It should also allow Lombard to get more comfortable playing guard, a transition that hasn’t always been smooth.