Post Game Observations Stanford '14

[IrishinSyria]

I was really terrible, there is no way the misery of the situation can be picked up on by the cameras. Maybe im extra biased because i had an isle seat, but it was the coldest i think ive ever been. The constant fine mist coupled with the steady freezing wind got everything soaking wet and cold.

This is accurate. It's pointless to talk about sloppy play or whatever because the players were in the exact same situation. I had two layers of waterproof rain gear on and ended up soaked to the bone, my fingers didn't have enough strength to tie my shoes at the end of the game. It was very very easy to tell that the players were having a ton of trouble with their hands. At some point, your body stops responding the way you want it to. Both teams reached that point tonight. Any analysis of the game that downplays the weather is straight up wrong.

 

[IrishinSyria]

I'm having one of the best sports days ever! I'm hyped about the win,

BUT

I'm wondering...did our defense really look that good?... because their offense is horrendous.

Impossible to tell. Stanford took a couple shots deep early in the game and definitely could have connected. However, it was abundantly clear that their QB couldn't reliably throw the ball deep given the conditions, and they basically scrapped any passing play over 15yards from their playbook. They went from using the power running game to set up 40 yard bombs to using the power running game tl set up 5 yard out routes.. Made life very easy for us.

Make no mistake, our D is good. How good, however, is not clear from this game.

 

[Bubba]

This is accurate. It's pointless to talk about sloppy play or whatever because the players were in the exact same situation. I had two layers of waterproof rain gear on and ended up soaked to the bone, my fingers didn't have enough strength to tie my shoes at the end of the game. It was very very easy to tell that the players were having a ton of trouble with their hands. At some point, your body stops responding the way you want it to. Both teams reached that point tonight. Any analysis of the game that downplays the weather is straight up wrong.

At some point in the 4th quarter the TV camera stopped on a direct shot of a Stanford TE's face. You could see him shivering, his teeth were chattering. I'm sure there have been colder games, but I'm also sure it was more miserable than it looked from the comfort of my home.

 

[BGIF]

• Notre Dame had five plays of at least 20 yards today. Stanford entered the game yielding just four 20-yard plays all season.
  
• Entering the game, Stanford's opponent high for passing yards in a game was 135 yards and the opponent high for total yards in a game was 291 yards. Notre Dame collected 241 yards passing in the game and 370 yards total in the contest.
  
• Notre Dame's defense held Stanford to less than 300 yards in the contest. The Irish have held their opponents to 300 yards or less in 19 of their last 37 games. They have won 15 straight such contests.

241 yds despite the wind, rain, cold, INT and once again not having ND's best receiver on the field. Not too shabby a performance by Golson.

ND threw 43 times and rushed 32. They average 5.6 yd/pass attempt and 4.0 yd/rush. ND probably would have run more but they trailed since the 3:50 mark of the 1st quarter and didn't take the lead until the 4th quarter lost and got it back with a minute to go. ND lead for only 5:32 seconds of the game. Without Golson's 33 yd run and Procise's 29 yd end around ND only rushed for 70 yds on 30 attempts or 2.4 ypc.

 

[EuropeanDomer]

- Golson just had a bad game. But i think it can be good for him to learn. All the heisman talk.. i think it does not help.

- Mcdaniel had a good game giving the circumstances. Folston does not look like same the runner of last season and Bryant is frustrating, you can see the talent but he tries to do too much.

- Despite of some drops, the WRs did a good a game overall.

- The OL is a huge problem. In fact, i do not remember a problem like this as an ND fan (on the field). They are just getting destroyed every single snap.

- I did not expect the level of the DL, they are winning games. Jones, Day, Okwara, Trumbetti, Cage, Rochelle.. They are the real MVPs.

- Jaylon, Schmidt, Onwualu.. all of them played great. They are taking advantage of the outstanding job of the DL to make plays.

- Luke is soooooooooooooo good. I said it against Rice, this dude will be better (if he is not already) than Russell. Riggs is having a great season as well.

 

[woolybug25]

It's funny reading some of the posts on here calling out all of the negatives. It is also weird to read when the game I saw in the stands seems to be different than what it may have looked like on tv.

- This was one of the wettest/coldest games I have been to. Windy too. I've been to some doozie late Nov games over the years too. This topped it. The sloppiness of the game was entirely caused by the conditions for both teams.

- Regarding our offensive line, jeebus crimety... Stanford's defense is electric and our offense handled them. Was it ugly?... sure, but what wasn't in a game played in high 30's/low 40's with steady rain?

- Our defense balled the fuq out.

- Jaylon Smith isn't going to maybe become phenomenal... he is phenomenal right this very moment. He was all over the field and Stanford had zero answers for him. Don't know how his play was called on tv, but in person, he was the best player on either team all game long.

- I don't blame the receivers for the drops. I'm always in awe that they can hold on to footballs (especially ones thrown with Golson's velocity) in wet/cold conditions period. I was more concerned that most of the time Stanford was able to blanket them with single coverage all game.

- I wanted them to keep grass. I've done a complete 180 after today. This game, on the old grass, would have been miserable for both teams.

Overall... too sloppy of conditions to possibly be too down on anything. Loved the way our defense came out and outplayed what really is a fantastic Stanford defense. We deserve to be considered one of the top teams right now. We beat a hell of a football team today.

 

[Rambler09]

1Q
ND had some OL miscommunication and incomplete passes to start.
SU had 3 False Starts and incomplete passes to start.
On their 4th drive SU drove down the field to ND's 43 then Hogan threw an a long pass down the ND sideline INTERCEPTED inside the 10 by Luke.
Golson ran on first down for a couple yds and fumbled. Recovered by SU.
On second play Hogan sold a pass then ran into the ND EZ for the score. SU 7-0
They traded 3 and outs. Then Golson hit Brown for 20 yds to close the 1Q. Folston had a great block picking up a blitzer.

2Q
Procise ran for 26 on an end around and a personal foul took it down to the 11.
Golson feeling pressure ran left extending the play then threw to a WR at the left corner of the goal line. Defender stepped in front for the INT at the SU 2.
SU went 3 and out.
ND started inside SU 40 and drove to SU 24. Drive stalled. On 41 yd FG attempt the holder who everyone knows now, Hunter Smith, mishandled the snap for a missed FG.
SU then drove to ND 24. Onwualu had a big stick on one of the running plays. Drive stalled and SU tried a FG. Snap was over the kicker's head. ND's ball on downs at ND 38.
ON the first play Folston had a nice run but there was a question about a fumble. Replay didn't show any fumble. After a couple of inc. passes Golston ripped off 33 yds on a QB draw. He had both arms wrapped around the ball like a fullback when tackled.
Golson then hit Chris Brown on a crossing route just over the LOS for a 17 TD. 7-7
They then traded 3 and outs to close the half.

3Q
ND drove into SU territory and punted.
SU got a couple of 1st downs then BVG showed pressure from the strongside while Trumbetti streaked in from the weakside for sack. After a couple of incompletions, Tranquil got his hand on the punt but the ball rolled to ND 37.
ND got a first down than Brindza punted to SU 13.
ND forced another 3 and out.
ND got a first down but the drive stalled after Golson was tackled for a sack. Actually, Golson ran trying to split two rushers being blocked but was knocked down by Elmer being pushed back into him. The SU defender backed up Elmer up like he was a HS OL. Brindza punted to SU 15.
SU ran two plays to end the 3Q tied at 7.

4Q
On the first play of the quarter, Luke dove in front of a receiver for an INT inside SU 40.
ND drive stalled at SU 10. ND went for FG but another mishandled snap lead to Brindza kicking the ball out of both of the holder's hands. SU returned the block to their 44.
BVG's boys held SU to another 3 and out.
ND started at their 20 and mixed runs and passes to Robinson to drive to SU 28. Brindza was sent out for a FG and this time the holder, Hunter Smith was wearing GLOVES. 45 FG GOOD for the 10-7 lead.
Montgomery ripped off a 40 yd kickoff return. SU mixed runs and passes for a first and goal at the 10. After 2 runs for the loss of a yd, ND split the safeties wide leaving the middle open. SU ran up the gut as their OLine put on a clinic of getting to the second level and taking out the LBs. RB went 11 yds untouched for the TD. SU 14-ND 10 with 3 minutes to play.
SU kicked off out of bounds giving ND the ball at the 35. Golson then moved the team down the field throwing to different receivers. Fuller picked up 11. Robinson 17. Fuller then forced a Pass Interference for a first down at the 22. ND had a 3 and 7 when Golson standing in the middle of the pocket saw Koyack wide open in the left front corner of the end zone. Golson moved left, I believe to prevent a blocked pass by the onrushing defenders and neatly hit Koyack for the game winning score. ND 17-14 with a minute to play.
Brindza buried the kickoff out the back of the end zone where it was cleanly fielded by the bank leader in a raincoat.
ND gave up a couple of short passes in a prevent defense. The game ended with SU at midfield.

Thanks for that. Great summary.

 

[BGIF]

- Golson just had a bad game. But i think it can be good for him to learn. All the heisman talk.. i think it does not help.

...

I agree with the rest of your post but I'll differ here. Looking at a statistical sheet perhaps but not when you consider Golson battled the weather, a top ranked defense, a struggling OLine, and his receivers drops (the weather was bad for them as well).

Yet on this horrible day to be outside, Golson threw 2 TDs giving him 13 in 5 games surpassing the 12 he threw in all of 2012. He did throw a pick. That tends to happen when you throw the ball 43 times even in good weather. I also thought the defender made a heck of a play on that INT.

Stanford has the #2 ranked passing defense. In their first 4 games they allowed 57%, 74 yds/game, 0.25 TDs, and 0.75 Ints. Golson hit 47%, 241 yds, 2 TDs, and 1 INT.

Stanford was averaging I pick every 25 attempts. Golson threw 1 in 43 attempts in horrible weather. USC's Cody Kessler threw for 135 yds and 0 TDs and INT against Stanford in good weather.

You noted ND's Oline was the worse you've seen as an ND fan. Jimmy Clausen would probably disagree with you but they're definitely not the OLine Golson played behind in '12 or Rees did in '13. Hegarty got beat up the middle a lot it seemed. Golson seemed to have bodies being pushed back into his face forcing him to sidestep to find a throwing lane OR a running lane. That was in addition to the weather. Yet he still threw for 241 yds and had the longest run of the night.

It's difficult to make precision throws rolling left. The one INT came off such a throw but then so did the game winner on 4th and 11 with the game on the line. No, he didn't have a Heisman night but he did have a Heisman highlight with that winning TD throw under pressure.

 

[dmort]

Great post !!

 

[rtrn2glory]

elmer exposed and hegarty not much better.

idk what happened to elmer, but he's playing with zero confidence it seems.

hopefully we can get that fixed asap.

 

[tko]

elmer exposed and hegarty not much better.

idk what happened to elmer, but he's playing with zero confidence it seems.

hopefully we can get that fixed asap.

Two words: Conor Hanratty

 

[Irish2155]

I'm pretty happy this morning.

Somebody please name another NC2A QB making that fourth down throw.

 

[kmoose]

For those saying that no criticism of Golson is warranted:

I don't think anyone is saying that Golson is a bad QB. But he had a bad game. He was under 50% completion percentage, he had 2 turnovers, and he was late on a number of throws, and he seemed unsure of whether or not to run off of his scrambles. This caused him to throw the ball away a few times, garnering zero yards on plays that should have been positive yards. He had to throw it away because instead of tucking and running for 3-4-5 yards, he got boxed in by the pursuit of the defense. This caused more than a few third and longs, when we could have been in 3rd and short. The weather may have contributed to the first two, but it did not keep him from recognizing where the ball should go, quickly. There were things he did incredibly well, but he did not play a perfect game, and some people are just saying that there is still room for him to get better.

I mean, it's not like he threw for 700+ yards or anything.

 

[Irish2155]

He needs to stop fumbling the football.

I can live with a pick now and then.

 

[Irish YJ]

I can live with this performance on a cold, wet, windy day, when he leads a drive at the end of the game to beat the #1 ranked defense. The performance last week is much more disturbing. He will get it right. I'm confident.

 

[Irish2155]

Everybody got beat yesterday. Except FSU, on our schedule, and Auburn. Maybe a team down in TX too.

That's a good Saturday.

 

[woolybug25]

For those saying that no criticism of Golson is warranted:

I don't think anyone is saying that Golson is a bad QB. But he had a bad game. He was under 50% completion percentage, he had 2 turnovers, and he was late on a number of throws, and he seemed unsure of whether or not to run off of his scrambles. This caused him to throw the ball away a few times, garnering zero yards on plays that should have been positive yards. He had to throw it away because instead of tucking and running for 3-4-5 yards, he got boxed in by the pursuit of the defense. This caused more than a few third and longs, when we could have been in 3rd and short. The weather may have contributed to the first two, but it did not keep him from recognizing where the ball should go, quickly. There were things he did incredibly well, but he did not play a perfect game, and some people are just saying that there is still room for him to get better.

I mean, it's not like he threw for 700+ yards or anything.

- Who said that there is no room for criticism? I didn't see anyone say that.

- He had the best statistical game of any QB that has played Stanford this year.

- It must have looked differently on tv, because I don't recall any plays where he threw it away where Stanford left anything open for him to tuck it. Most pass plays, Stanford kept the edge and contained Everett. I don't know where you expected him to run or why you would want your starting QB to run into a pack of #1 defensive lineman in the freezing cold... but to each their own.

- The weather didn't "maybe contribute"... it was a prevailing factor for both teams all game long.

- A QB has to throw for 700+ yards to be considered having a good game? You have high standards, my man.

 

[Irish YJ]

- Who said that there is no room for criticism? I didn't see anyone say that.

- He had the best statistical game of any QB that has played Stanford this year.

- It must have looked differently on tv, because I don't recall any plays where he threw it away where Stanford left anything open for him to tuck it. Most pass plays, Stanford kept the edge and contained Everett. I don't know where you expected him to run or why you would want your starting QB to run into a pack of #1 defensive lineman in the freezing cold... but to each their own.

- The weather didn't "maybe contribute"... it was a prevailing factor for both teams all game long.

- A QB has to throw for 700+ yards to be considered having a good game? You have high standards, my man.

This!!!

don't forget our OL issues. Stanford blew them up several times. Anyone recall our C getting knocked the F... back into EG on a planned keeper. Sweet Jesus that was ugly.

 

[Wild Bill]

I'm not defending the turnovers or his overall performance, but those were two great defensive plays. The hit to jar the ball loose was perfect and the pick was a great individual effort. I think golson threw that ball low and away thinking it would probably go incomplete but he'd give his receiver a chance to make a play. The corner made one hell of a break, and I think it surprised Everett.

 

[Wild Bill]

- Who said that there is no room for criticism? I didn't see anyone say that.

- He had the best statistical game of any QB that has played Stanford this year.

- It must have looked differently on tv, because I don't recall any plays where he threw it away where Stanford left anything open for him to tuck it. Most pass plays, Stanford kept the edge and contained Everett. I don't know where you expected him to run or why you would want your starting QB to run into a pack of #1 defensive lineman in the freezing cold... but to each their own.

- The weather didn't "maybe contribute"... it was a prevailing factor for both teams all game long.

- A QB has to throw for 700+ yards to be considered having a good game? You have high standards, my man.

And they had almost instant pressure up the middle. It's hard to scramble or buy time in the pocket when you have heat from the middle and disciplined contain from the edge rushers.

 

[Irish2155]

I'm not defending the turnovers or his overall performance, but those were two great defensive plays. The hit to jar the ball loose was perfect and the pick was a great individual effort. I think golson threw that ball low and away thinking it would probably go incomplete but he'd give his receiver a chance to make a play. The corner made one hell of a break, and I think it surprised Everett.

Can't fumble the ball, ever, again...never. I don't care if he gets judo chopped.

An INT every now and there is alright.

 

[yankeeND]

Wooly and BGIF, I really liked your analysis' above! This game was incredible and had me on the edge of my seat throughout. Luke was awesome! Smith was awesome! Tranquil, Trumbetti, Robinson, all awesome!

The final drive on offense for us was nothing short of spectacular. The third down throw to Robinson was critical and EG took a little something off it and showed excellent touch, then the fourth down throw... Ice water in the veins!

Just an incredible performance all around against the number one defense in the land. Though our defense may be building themselves into that in their own right.

Anyway, on a day that all the top teams couldn't get it done, ND did and it feels great!

 

[Irish YJ]

ND getting a bunch of good press on ESPN's "the Sports Reporters". Mostly old school guys. Saying ND is a top 4 team, and the FSU/ND game will be the game of the season. Would love to see Mark May thrust into that forum....

 

[CarrollVermin]

Sorry, just getting to the party. Just a few thoughts:

- Weather sucked. Impact on both teams, and their ability to throw the ball.

- Thought our OL settled down, had some miscues early, but communication got better. HAVE to find a new center - consistently getting beat, and just not engaging at the line of scrimmage very well. I would be okay if he was not getting any push and just getting in someone's way...but at this point, major liability.

- Ran the ball effectively against a team that has consistently shut down our running game. Having EG helped that. Thought was one of the differences in the game.

- EG still cannot take care of the ball when he runs. I don't know what the solution is...maybe we pull one of those "The Program" stunts and have him carry it with him on campus for a few weeks.

- Defense played out of mind. Given the short field for the first touchdown, and the longer drive. Overall, a few things to clean up. Easier to do it after a win than a loss.

- How was Koyak that open?

Great win...on to the next one. Hope we get some or all of the Frozen Five back this week to add to depth.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Anybody complaining about the drops, Golson, the holds, or anything clearly was not at the game. That was the worst football weather I have ever seen. The only take away from the game is that ND '14 has guts.

Yep. I can tell from the comments that this weather didn't translate over to television. It was absolutely abysmal.

 

[EuropeanDomer]

How many snaps is Onwualu getting compared to Jaylon and Schmidt? I know he is listed as a starter but he only has six total tackles in five games. Who is his backup?

 

[Irish YJ]

How many snaps is Onwualu getting compared to Jaylon and Schmidt? I know he is listed as a starter but he only has six total tackles in five games. Who is his backup?

Officially, I think it's Turner, but could be wrong. Turner is what Rivals has I think.

 

[NDohio]

Since moving to South Carolina and letting people know I am a ND fan they all tell me that Golson, when in HS, refused to lose. That no matter how poorly he has played in a game, he will find a way to win. They have told about his amazing games against Clowney. Bottom line - he's a winner. He showed that again yesterday. I'll take that over stats any time.

 

[Irish2155]

Since moving to South Carolina and letting people know I am a ND fan they all tell me that Golson, when in HS, refused to lose. That no matter how poorly he has played in a game, he will find a way to win. They have told about his amazing games against Clowney. Bottom line - he's a winner. He showed that again yesterday. I'll take that over stats any time.

Stats aren't so bad either.

 

[Pachuco]

Since moving to South Carolina and letting people know I am a ND fan they all tell me that Golson, when in HS, refused to lose. That no matter how poorly he has played in a game, he will find a way to win. They have told about his amazing games against Clowney. Bottom line - he's a winner. He showed that again yesterday. I'll take that over stats any time.

Beautiful post.

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