Post Game Observations Rice '14

[connor_in]

Everyone who was on campus and didn't come away with at least rumor-fuel for the 5 suspended can take a lap. Pitiful. I would never let that happen.

Wasn't there...explain in the Rumor thread

 

[UmphreakDomer]

Make up your mind; he was either perfect, or he made a mistake. He could not have been both.

it was a prefect game. that throw wasn't picked(bad pass doesn't knock the rest of the game). no TO, no sacks, extended plays, >60% completion. 5 total td's.

 

[EuropeanDomer]

Run offense - We looked great most of the day. A bit of a slow start. Three headed RB was fine, especially trying to find out how each play on gameday. GB fantastic running the ball today. TF pretty good too. Cam didn't get the yards but I feel he did better on pass protection. The line was doing a good job of opening holes.

Pass offense - The line was kind of scary here. Golson did stand in the pocket sometimes but had to bail and scramble around too much for my taste...especially against Rice. However, Golson made pretty tasty lemonade from most of it. Fantastic accuracy mostly even on long balls. After the first quarter was under his belt, felt like he didn't have the urge to bolt upfield too soon and let things play out and receivers get open. Receivers did well. I loved Amir and CJ (minus the huge drop) and feel they will be a great part of the WR rotation. I think Cory not getting looks will change and was partly because of his hand. Personally, I didn't miss DD. He has the potential, but has been inconsistent. I hope he comes back and proves me wrong.

Special teams - Best we've seen in a long time. Just teach GB how to signal fair catch and figure out what Brindza's glitch was.

Run Defense- Pretty good but bigger teams scare me right now. But this was first game with new scheme and major replacements up the middle. Schmidt knows what he is doing but gets pushed a bit. Can the pre-med guys get his brain in Morgan's body?

Pass Defense - Scariest part of the team right now. Riggs, Luke, and Redfield were good. I felt Farley was much improved. However, we deeply missed KR and AC's brain and heart. We got lucky that Rice dropped their fair share. The line did start getting some penetration but I would have wished for more. Once again, I will be patient and chalk it up to some really young guys and a new scheme.

Overall, a very good game that we needed against an OK but overmatched opponent to tune things up. Coaches, I know you guys are good at teaching, so keep it up and we should have a decent year.

I still guess 3 losses with a chance of getting it down to 1 if we gel quickly enough and get guys back.


EDIT
A couple of additions...I wanted to say Golson did way better at deciding to throw the ball away when necessary, much improved over 2012. Also, props to the OL for keeping Rice's biggest weapon on D nearly invisible. One other thing, were we not executing well on offense or are we saving up tempo for scUM? Muck Fichigan BTW.

Why exactly? I do not find a reason to have missed Russell yesterday. In fact, Luke looked yesterday like an absolute boss and did his job almost effortless.

 

[kmoose]

it was a prefect game. that throw wasn't picked(bad pass doesn't knock the rest of the game). no TO, no sacks, extended plays, >60% completion. 5 total td's.

Golson had a great game. Any criticism of it would just be nitpicking, but it was not perfect. Kelly even said, in his post game presser, that the two penalties were both from the QB not getting the ball snapped when he should have. I'm not saying Golson didn't play a great game, but I am saying that people should pump the brakes a little. It's great to be excited about Golson's first outing back being such a big success for him. But it was Rice. Let's be hopeful, but not overconfident, until we see what he does over the first few weeks.

 

[IrishLax]

Why exactly? I do not find a reason to have missed Russell yesterday. In fact, Luke looked yesterday like an absolute boss and did his job almost effortless.

Because with KVR you have him and Luke starting with Riggs playing nickel. The two biggest coverage busts were on Farley playing nickel per ISD. Farley struggled covering some of the crossing stuff (as did Schmidt, which was surprising) and I think being able to play Riggs there would help a lot.

 

[NDALA]

Maybe I'm missing something but I thought most thought Collinsworth was a liability last year and now seems like most are saying we really miss him being out there? I feel like people are putting a lot into the coach speak of what a great defensive QB of the defense he has been in fall camp into this. Between his supposed great understanding of the d and Shumate's greater athletic ability I'm not sure how much difference there will be? Seems like more of a trade off in weaknesses. Hope he comes back soon and both can improve in there areas of concern.

 

[connor_in]

Why exactly? I do not find a reason to have missed Russell yesterday. In fact, Luke looked yesterday like an absolute boss and did his job almost effortless.

I specifically said Luke was good. Everyone else brought up secondary positioning as well, I just stated it differently. You put KR in there and AC quarterbacking the secondary and have Riggs with Luke and Redfield and we are far better to the point of maybe getting to lockdown. It's more of an experience thing.

 

[koonja]

If KVR is back and Riggs plays in the position Farley was in the whole time, we'd look sooooooo much better.

For those that said Farley looked better, I don't see it at all. He had a ball literally thrown to him that OMM would have caught. He didn't even have to make an athletic play to get it. He was just standing there. He filled on a run play nicely the play before that, so people think he did OK, but he was horrible in open space IMO. If you don't believe me, wait til you see against UM and/or better teams.

#FreeKai #FreePat #FreeDD #FreeShaq #FreeHardy #FreeMoore

 

[Chi_IRISH]

Good:
All 3 running backs. Different looks all seem confident in their ability
It's great to have a mobile quarterback that extends plays and has a big arm
The blitz package (creative different pressure from different places)
The WR core looks fast!
The OL getting to the second level on many occasions
The return game!

Bad:
Tackling way to many missed tackles
Secondary communication! (I think everyone could do their job but must communicate)
Dropped balls!
The blitz package( I don't like zone blitzes where a College DE runs with a college WR) actually this scares the hell out if me😁

Overall great game but we have to be better with Michigan! I will be there in person can't wait! 🍀

 

[ndftbl]

Maybe. But all it proved is that FSU isn't untouchable and ND absolutely COULD play with them.

??

Who said ND could not play with them?

Are you talking about the guy who said we are not in their class, as they are the No. 1 team in the country?

All I said was that they are bigger and faster than we are, overall, and I definitely think that.

 

[ndftbl]

Never believe I'm the one confused when you converse with me. It'll either be a faulty assumption, failed logic or hopeful presumption but they'll all be attributable to you.

Same goes for you.

How many people do you know, who BEFORE the 93 FSU game, predicted we would beat FSU, and then lose the next week vs BC?

I know you think you are a Notre Dame football genius, but the rest of us are not quite as dumb as you may think, either.

 

[STLcardz-NDirish]

Our offensive skill positions are unreal. The depth we have is excellent.

GB1 is an absolute stud. His vision and quickness are blue chip.

I though the O-Line got better as the game went on, which is understandable. Will be a force.

DL made it hard to run the football for sure, but pass rush pressure will need to step up.

The athleticism at linebacker is better than I thought. I don't think there were any coverage issues in the middle of the field which makes me smile considering last years vulnerability there.

Riggs and Luke are very reliable. They tackle and press very well

I want to see more from the safeties.

Special teams is light years ahead of last year already, which could very well be difference between winning 10 games apposed to 8.

Also, BK couldn't have called a better game

Great Team win.

It's nice to finally see us DESTROY teams that we should!
GO IRISH!!

 

[STLcardz-NDirish]

Also, did anyone else notice that block (I couldnt tell who it was) on the opening kickoff right as Amir took off. Thats the style of football that stands out. I love the new mindset BK has installed in these kids.

 

[FearTheBeard]

Definitely seemed like the best game on special teams in the last 3 years lol. Couldnt believe it when i saw us returning punts

 

[irishfan]

Also, did anyone else notice that block (I couldnt tell who it was) on the opening kickoff right as Amir took off. Thats the style of football that stands out. I love the new mindset BK has installed in these kids.

Believe it was Cam.

We have a lot more starters on special teams this year, I think it will benefit us greatly. On the fake punt we stopped, we had guys like Folston on their pitch man with Cam and JO in on the tackle. I'm forgetting who else was in on the play (haven't re-watched yet), but really liked how many starters we had out there on STs.

 

[koonja]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I don't think u wanna run up !!!! &#55357;&#56496; <a href="http://t.co/kbK63J3X7h">pic.twitter.com/kbK63J3X7h</a></p>— Greg Bryant J.r #⃣1⃣ (@The1twoWatch) <a href="https://twitter.com/The1twoWatch/statuses/506122184889466880">August 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[IrishBlood81]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I don't think u wanna run up !!!! �� <a href="http://t.co/kbK63J3X7h">pic.twitter.com/kbK63J3X7h</a></p>— Greg Bryant J.r #⃣1⃣ (@The1twoWatch) <a href="https://twitter.com/The1twoWatch/statuses/506122184889466880">August 31, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Seriously?! I have that imagine on my clipboard to post in this thread and tag you in it. Unbelievable! You just beat me to it!

 

[calvegas04]

anyone seen a full game replay yet? Forgot to set my dvr yesterday

 

[ndftbl]

Definitely seemed like the best game on special teams in the last 3 years lol. Couldnt believe it when i saw us returning punts

I couldn't believe it when, for the first time in Kelly's tenure, we actually made an effort to block on punt returns.

 

[phork]

Because with KVR you have him and Luke starting with Riggs playing nickel. The two biggest coverage busts were on Farley playing nickel per ISD. Farley struggled covering some of the crossing stuff (as did Schmidt, which was surprising) and I think being able to play Riggs there would help a lot.

I thought that was Shumate's big errors, it sure looked it it to me.

 

[CanadalovesND]

anyone seen a full game replay yet? Forgot to set my dvr yesterday

NBC Sports

 

[PANDFAN]

I thought that was Shumate's big errors, it sure looked it it to me.

The one td for rice when they were on ND's 35 Or something. ...farley took shumates man so they both had him covered and when shumate realized it,he went after him but was way late...it appeared to myself and everyone else that it was shumates fault but when you watched the replay you could tell it was farley who took wrong man looking like shumate was in the wrong

 

[ARALOU]

I thought it was a solid effort. They won, they won easily. Rice isnt a great team but neither was Tulsa, Navy, South Florida, or any of the other mid tier teams the Irish have had trouble with in the past. They took care of business. As said before, they have addressed a glaring issue in the return game. I enjoyed that game.

 

[Irish8248]

I thought the D played great minus the inexperience at safety and IMO Schmidt is worthy of a scholarship but not sure if he should be starting. Between the missed tackles and taking on a blocker or runner 2-3 yds after LOS is going to kill us.

Jarron Jones is steadily growing. I thought he played a very consistent game. He will become a disruptive force with experience and health

 

[IrishLax]

I thought that was Shumate's big errors, it sure looked it it to me.

Looked like that to me too, but ISD says otherwise.

 

[TheChosen1]

I like how in today's presser BK said that's he's not moving anyone into the position. It's up to shumate to figure it out.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

There are some things that still hang heavy :

None of the DB's Shumate, Farley, or Baratti had any prep for the configuration of players that were on the field Saturday. Either they had no first team reps, or they had no reps with the other players.

The Rice coach had the back end of our defense figured out. He attacked it. They weren't ready. That is why Collinsworth was so important, and his loss at the very last minute was so incredibly costly.

One of the first things the Rice coach mentioned was how good ND's tackling was, and how good it was in space. He wasn't getting paid to say that.

I don't get the distain for the linebackers. The only thing I can think of is that fans are used to seeing the old 3-4 prototype heavies, the Manti's, the Carlo's, the Foxy's, meet the plays and blow them up by themselves. That is not how this defense works. On these plays that some of you think our linebackers (Schmidt, and Onwualu) got abused, where did they meet the blocker and the ball carrier? You are right! A yard or more behind the ball!

 

[twig21]

I thought the D played great minus the inexperience at safety and IMO Schmidt is worthy of a scholarship but not sure if he should be starting. Between the missed tackles and taking on a blocker or runner 2-3 yds after LOS is going to kill us.

Jarron Jones is steadily growing. I thought he played a very consistent game. He will become a disruptive force with experience and health

Schmidt has to start, regardless of his minuses. BK has said repeatedly that he is like a coach out there, getting everyone in their right position. We have no one else to quarterback the defense.

 

[Kak7304]

Per BK at his presser today, lack of pass rush was part of the game plan. Wanted to contain Rice's QB and force him to pass.

 

[Grahambo]

Looked like that to me too, but ISD says otherwise.

Not sure why ISD says it's Farley. Unless they were told after the game. To me, the giveaway was when Redfield went straight over to Shumate to discuss.

I wish the camera picked up who BVG went nuts on.


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