Who else loved the commitment to smash-mouth football?

[IRISH in MT]

McGlinchey was a beast.

Great to see Luatua getting utilized...he better be in more goalline and 3rd & short packages in 2015.

Prosise looks like he can run the ball with some power and speed.

Folston and Malik could be a dangerous tandem running the read-option IF allowed to do so.

Will Brian Kelly finally swallow his passing pride and look at the stats to overhaul his offensive philosophy to a run oriented, clock control offense?!?!

Sheldon Day is a trench warfare man beast. The defense is so much better with him on the field.

Isaac Rochelle's versatility to bounce inside was much needed and fairly effective.

Cody Riggs will be missed and was a key injury return against an SEC team.

Redfield and Shumate need to stay out of the doghouse and continue to mature. They could be a dynamic duo.

 

[GoldenDomer]

 

[DonnieNarco]

Having a QB who can run the read option certainly helps a lot.

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

I've been screaming for a full back or H back all year. I loved the Two Tight end Sets. I don't really understand why Golson doesn't get those sets though?

I get the read option, but why can't Golson just hand it off? but anyway...I loved it. I'm all in on it. I just pray that's what we get come September 2015

 

[Guest]

Love it. I wanted more balance all year long. Doesn't matter if you run it from the spread or smash mouth it. Just run the f'n football!

 

[eNDzone]

Looked to me like the Oline and just everyone seemed to be commited to the run blocking like I haven't seen in awhile.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

This is why you recruit those monsters up front. Let them mash and grind. I really enjoyed seeing those double tight ends out there. This team can have the best of both worlds with the athletes we are recruiting. We can grind in the trenches and go over the top with speed. I really hope this is a blueprint for what to expect moving forward from the program. I think we've all been hoping for this.

 

[kmoose]

Not to say "I told you so.....", but I recall some of us being encouraged to go to NDN earlier in the year, because we questioned why Kelly didn't stick to the running game in some games.

 

[Dizzyphil]

The last team that truly played smash-mouth football won the 1988 NC and played that way until Holtz left....

Zaire reminds me a lot of how Rice played.

This team, if they remain healthy and Kelly's crew coach up the new recruits and this year's Fresh/Soph step up a level next year...

Diz

 

[ResLife Hero]

I'm not as big a fan of "smash mouth" football as some others, but it was definitely a relief to see us using the run game effectively in all 4 quarters. Ideally, I'd like to see a balanced attack, but it drives me nuts when we just start throwing on every down and distance with zero attempt to run like we have in a lot of BK-coached games.

If running the ball is how we'll be able to beat big-time teams, I'm all for it, but we've also got playmakers in the passing game.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

Not to say "I told you so.....", but I recall some of us being encouraged to go to NDN earlier in the year, because we questioned why Kelly didn't stick to the running game in some games.

It was frustrating at times this year to watch. I know sometimes the game dictates your playcalling, but most of us wanted to see it right off the bat and continue to run. I think this was a big game for the offensive line confidence wise moving forward.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I'll say it again. BK's arrogance and stubbornness has cost him a lot of games at ND. Yesterday, he put that all aside in order to win. And they won. BK called a near perfect game yesterday and it all started with the run.

 

[Dizzyphil]

It was frustrating at times this year to watch. I know sometimes the game dictates your playcalling, but most of us wanted to see it right off the bat and continue to run. I think this was a big game for the offensive line confidence wise moving forward.

Let's be honest about it 2014 season..... the Irish were plagued with turn-overs and injuries. Not one person likes or wants to make excuses but, if you combine that with the suspensions 8-5 and beating LSU in the Bowl game turned out to be a good year IMO. (minus the loss to Northwestern).

Diz

 

[kmoose]

Zaire reminds me a lot of how Rice played.

Seriously, Clark? I can't see Zaire making this play:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/t82V6GfWBv4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Zaire appears to run more like Ben Roethlisberger than Tony Rice. And there's nothing wrong with that. You just have to keep it in perspective; he will consistently be able to get you 4-5 yards, and will occasionally bust a 15-20 yarder. But he is not a real threat to go 65 yards to the house.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

Let's be honest about it 2014 season..... the Irish were plagued with turn-overs and injuries. Not one person likes or wants to make excuses but, if you combine that with the suspensions 8-5 and beating LSU in the Bowl game turned out to be a good year IMO. (minus the loss to Northwestern).

Diz

Totally agree Diz! I have been with that thought process all year. I just hope a light bulb went off that the offense can help protect the defense a lot when you commit to running the ball and winning the time of possession battle. Some of the losses this year were a hard pill to swallow. I hope this style carries over, the talent is there.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Seriously, Clark? I can't see Zaire making this play:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/t82V6GfWBv4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Zaire appears to run more like Ben Roethlisberger than Tony Rice. And there's nothing wrong with that. You just have to keep it in perspective; he will consistently be able to get you 4-5 yards, and will occasionally bust a 15-20 yarder. But he is not a real threat to go 65 yards to the house.

With all do respect, Zaire played yesterday as a First time starter, rotating out with Golson, and as a Freshman against a pretty good/favored LSU... your video is Rice as a (correction) Junior....

Diz

 

[BeauBenken]

Seriously, Clark? I can't see Zaire making this play:

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/t82V6GfWBv4" allowfullscreen="" width="420" frameborder="0" height="315"></iframe>

Zaire appears to run more like Ben Roethlisberger than Tony Rice. And there's nothing wrong with that. You just have to keep it in perspective; he will consistently be able to get you 4-5 yards, and will occasionally bust a 15-20 yarder. But he is not a real threat to go 65 yards to the house.

Everett had a TD run of 65 this year, didn't he? Pretty sure if he can do it, Malik can.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Everett had a TD run of 65 this year, didn't he? Pretty sure if he can do it, Malik can.

Refresh my memory, I believe Zaire had a 60 yard rush this year......Was it Rice game?

Diz

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Everett had a TD run of 65 this year, didn't he? Pretty sure if he can do it, Malik can.

And Malik's first run was 56 yards. Not a TD, but 56 yards.

EDIT: Yes, against Rice.

 

[jspags10pg]

Everett had a TD run of 65 this year, didn't he? Pretty sure if he can do it, Malik can.

Agreed. And how about Malik's very first play of his college career...a 56 yard run. Not a TD but still proves he's plenty fast. And he broke a 26 yarder against LSU yesterday. Malik isn't slow and there's no way someone can spin it to say otherwise. He might not be Denard fast but he's a VERY good run threat and adds much more power to the QB run game than a Denard type speedster.

EDIT: I was a few minutes slow haha.

 

[Dizzyphil]

And Malik's first run was 56 yards. Not a TD, but 56 yards.

EDIT: Yes, against Rice.

10-4.... I see where Kmoose is coming from.... always respect his opinions....

I just see Rice in Zaire; of course, time will tell. I believe the difference in Zaire and Golson is field vision when running the ball. It just makes next year that much more exciting!

Diz

 

[kmoose]

10-4.... I see where Kmoose is coming from.... always respect his opinions....

I just see Rice in Zaire; of course, time will tell. I believe the difference in Zaire and Golson is field vision when running the ball. It just makes next year that much more exciting!

Diz

I think the difference is that Zaire makes up his mind to run, puts his head down, and gets downfield. Golson is always trying to hit a home run. Zaire seems to be content to hit doubles all day long, knowing that hitting .385 and doubles gets you more runs than hitting .225 and the occasional home run.

 

[IRISH in MT]

This is why you recruit those monsters up front. Let them mash and grind. I really enjoyed seeing those double tight ends out there. This team can have the best of both worlds with the athletes we are recruiting. We can grind in the trenches and go over the top with speed. I really hope this is a blueprint for what to expect moving forward from the program. I think we've all been hoping for this.

I agree 100%. I think BK needs to gameplan for EVERY game like he did LSU. So many tools on the team that he should be able to find a weakness in every opponent and be able to utilize his tools to exploit the weaknesses. Seems like BK is intent on forcing his passing style on opponents when sometimes the best matchups favoring the Irish are actually in the trenches. Some games we will need to run a majority of plays from Shotgun. Other games use 2 TE sets and a FB. Keep using situational play calling and formations that fit the down and distance like against LSU.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Not to say "I told you so.....", but I recall some of us being encouraged to go to NDN earlier in the year, because we questioned why Kelly didn't stick to the running game in some games.

I know some of that exchange occurred between the two of us, so let me reiterate that:

• I'm on record advocating for a switch to Auburn's "power" spread; and
• I don't think it's possible to effectively "commit to the run" from a spread offense when your QB can't execute the Zone Read well.

When Golson was carving teams up early in the season, it wasn't an issue. The threat his arm posed opened up lanes for Folston. But when Golson lost his confidence and couldn't force opponents to respect the passing threat, our ground attack sputtered because Golson isn't much of a threat to run himself.

I agree 100%. I think BK needs to gameplan for EVERY game like he did LSU. So many tools on the team that he should be able to find a weakness in every opponent and be able to utilize his tools to exploit the weaknesses. Seems like BK is intent on forcing his passing style on opponents when sometimes the best matchups favoring the Irish are actually in the trenches. Some games we will need to run a majority of plays from Shotgun. Other games use 2 TE sets and a FB. Keep using situational play calling and formations that fit the down and distance like against LSU.

See above. BK has been slinging it because that's what his QB was equipped to do. Golson's late season meltdown opened the door for a different QB who can actually run the Zone Read, which is why we hung so many yards on the SEC's best defense yesterday. But it all hinges on the QB's ability to execute an option well. The numerical advantage that offers at the point of attack is crucial for running effectively in any spread offense.

Unless Golson can learn how to competently fulfill his obligations in our rushing attack, Zaire should be the clear #1. It's basically a requirement in Kelly's system. Ridiculous that he's been through 5 years worth of QBs before getting one who can run his whole offense.

 

[ickythump1225]

I'm not as big a fan of "smash mouth" football as some others, but it was definitely a relief to see us using the run game effectively in all 4 quarters. Ideally, I'd like to see a balanced attack, but it drives me nuts when we just start throwing on every down and distance with zero attempt to run like we have in a lot of BK-coached games.

If running the ball is how we'll be able to beat big-time teams, I'm all for it, but we've also got playmakers in the passing game.

This. It doesn't matter to me if our style is "smash mouth" or not I just want to see a balanced attack that can run or pass when needed.

 

[ARALOU]

Diz, with all due respect, I think there was some smash mouth played in the Sugar Bowl against Florida, 92 I think. Also against Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl a year or two later. I agree it has been few a far between.

 

[IRISH in MT]

I'll say it again. BK's arrogance and stubbornness has cost him a lot of games at ND. Yesterday, he put that all aside in order to win. And they won. BK called a near perfect game yesterday and it all started with the run.

I liked how there were very few play changes at the line yesterday. BK called the play and expected execution. He stuck to his plan and it paid off. Every play and QB substitution seemed to come from down and distance. I like this kind of stubbornness!

 

[Dizzyphil]

Diz, with all due respect, I think there was some smash mouth played in the Sugar Bowl against Florida, 92 I think. Also against Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl a year or two later. I agree it has been few a far between.

Well, Holtz left in '96 so, we agree.

Diz

 

[ARALOU]

Loved the Lou. I read somewhere that he sent the 3 largest guys on the team to show FSU to their locker room in 93. Just for intimidation.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Loved the Lou. I read somewhere that he sent the 3 largest guys on the team to show FSU to their locker room in 93. Just for intimidation.

Awesome stuff from LOU!!!

My all-time fav is putting the Ref in a head-lock when they were playing BYU!!!

Gotta love him!!!

Diz