Observations and Opinions from the game

[Akron Irish]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here. I say Tech end up the season as a top 10 team. They were just THAT good. We come out hyped and organized next week and lay a beating on PSY...I mean PSU.

 

[Timugen]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here. I say Tech end up the season as a top 10 team. They were just THAT good.

I really do want to believe this, but the objective part of me can't forget how our team last year, which was much more "proven" than this team, had a great nack to make even sub-par teams look a lot better than what they were.

I would tend to believe that this game was just the perfect storm of:

1. A team practically full of players who have never seen a snap in a game before

2. A lackluster job of preparation/game-planning by the coaches. CW himself said that he thought they had a strong handle on what the problems would be going into the game, but the solutions they came up with were flat-out wrong. CW's words, not mine, so please don't take this as me bashing him.

3. A pretty-good (maybe top 20, nowhere near top 10) GT team.


I sure as hell hope that I'm dead wrong here and it's just that GT is THAT good; it's just that history, and the evidence at hand, doesn't tend to suggest that.

 

[Stalking_Eagle]

I just said a similar thing in a different thread, but it's not clear that CW wasn't "letting" DD throw it. Sometimes it looked like that's what he was supposed to do, but he just tucked and ran instead.

It seemed that when CW would call a pass play it wasn't in a great situation for the Irish. I think a lot of the problem too was the break down of the OLine. Either way I think we are trying to say the same thing. There is a lot to work on in the next 6 days.

 

[KamaraPolice]

Did anyone else feel the Justin Brown personal foul was complete bullsh*t? It was on a lineman and it was head up. There was no malicious intent and it wasn't a cheap shot. It looked to me like he was just finishing the battle. Now, maybe he got warned before that and that's why he got ejected. But if it was just the ref seeing it happen and flagging him AND KICK HIM OUT, thats bs. thats a personal vendetta. I was completely dumbfounded, I have never seen a guy get kicked out of a game on his first personal foul unless it was a spear job to a guy laying on the ground. I just dont think what he did was wrong, should pads/helmet into shoulder pads/helmet on a bigger guy.

 

[Timugen]

Did anyone else feel the Justin Brown personal foul was complete bullsh*t? It was on a lineman and it was head up. There was no malicious intent and it wasn't a cheap shot. It looked to me like he was just finishing the battle. Now, maybe he got warned before that and that's why he got ejected. But if it was just the ref seeing it happen and flagging him AND KICK HIM OUT, thats bs. thats a personal vendetta. I was completely dumbfounded, I have never seen a guy get kicked out of a game on his first personal foul unless it was a spear job to a guy laying on the ground. I just dont think what he did was wrong, should pads/helmet into shoulder pads/helmet on a bigger guy.

I agree that it was a personal, as it was (I think) well after the play. What utterly baffled me was the ejection. What the hell was that? After that call I thought it was a no-brainer that the GT player would be ejected for the personal foul that was a helmet-to-helmet late hit on the QB. WTF?

 

[KamaraPolice]

I agree that it was a personal, as it was (I think) well after the play. What utterly baffled me was the ejection. What the hell was that? After that call I thought it was a no-brainer that the GT player would be ejected for the personal foul that was a helmet-to-helmet late hit on the QB. WTF?

I know, that is far more dangerous, a big guy coming full speed and going helmet to helmet on a qb.

Thinking back now, maybe the ref thought Justin Brown was head-butting the guy? But I didn't see it like that.

 

[summerland]

the picture in the sunday south bend tribune says it all....it shows coach weis and his son sharing the same looks on their faces....coach looks like he is in tears, as does his son...i dont know why they were so against the r word...rebuilding....i think that is what has to happen....no worries...been here before....the thunder is just a little further off in the distance that's all...

 

[username]

I noticed the helmet to helmet as well, but if anyone here is not used to ND getting the shaft by officiating, well, ..........

I'll say it again: OFFENSIVE LINE COACH MUST GO. CLUELESS CLUELESS CLUELESS CLUELESS CLUELESS. I said it last year and someone responded that the guy is a respected coach. Well, I respect my mother, but I wouldn't have her coaching at ND.
Linemen's feet stay planted, no mobility, no field awareness, no leverage, no coaching...

Opponent's offensive game plan to score 50 vs. ND: Sweep left, sweep right, sweep right, inside trap, sweep right, sweep left, pass anywhere, sweep right, sweep left.......

Bright spot: 1st quarterback reminds me of Tony Rice - TUFF TUFF TUFF TUFF. FUMBLES ARE COACHES' FAULT. The guy is a warrior. Holtz would have stayed with Demetrius and scored 30. Somewhat admire CW for initial game plan, but lose some admiration for abandoning the guy when it was the o-line's fault. 2nd QB is vanilla but strong arm. Can't avoid rush. 3rd QB looks poised. Travis Thomas reminds me of Ricky Waters - TUFF TUFF TUFF TUFF. Another warrior but was attacked as soon as he took handoff - NOWHERE TO GO. Other backs are super. All backs remind me of Holtz era. Bright future here. They charge upfield, as opposed to last year's undrafted sideways runner.

Fix the o-line and you have one helluva team. Give Demetrius another shot. He definitely belongs on the field somewhere. Don't waste a great athlete the way previous coach wasted Holliday.

 

[Golden_Domer88]

Heres a thought, put Jones at WR. Hes not a good QB, sorry. He would be a much better WR than a QB. But we all know that he wont move to WR. If he doesnt then well maybe he doesnt start.

 

[username]

If Jones is not QB, then put him at DB. Good size, good speed, great athlete. DON'T WASTE A GREAT ATHLETE. GIVE HIM ANOTHER CHANCE.

 

[IrishGuard93]

Latina must GO

 

[Stalking_Eagle]

Latina must GO

I didn't want to say it but it has crossed my mind.

 

[username]

summerland: "the thunder is just a little further off in the distance that's all... "

No. Agree with Weis - not rebuilding because they have the lightning now. The o-line is acid rain. I was adamant about subpar o-line COACHING last year. I fully expected all the mistakes I saw, but was actually excited by the athletes on the field. Get rid of O-line coach and ND National contenders next year. Loss was softened by Mountaineer victory. Great things ahead for ND. DON'T GIVE UP ON TRAVIS AND DEMETRIUS.

 

[bayernarsch]

So do you suggest bringing back Joe Moore? If we're going to live in the past, why not bring back a true relic (and great coach FWIW). Seriously though, I agree the line play yesterday left a lot to be desired. I was at the stadium and the early miscues and lack of offensive movement drained the life out of the place. Rather than starting to call for Latina's head right now, see if this young line shows true growth throughout the season. If not, after the firings last winter I would expect to see him get shown the door. Coach Weis knows the importance of good line play. The line is young and new, so they'll either grow up quickly or be the achilles heal of the squad. Either way, it is quite apparent that the success or failure of the offense will definitely lie with the line play.

 

[username]

yes I am living in the past, just like when I went to school and someone from the past taught me a little thing called history or math or what knaught. I called for Latina's head last year.

I'm here to tell ya: Get rid of the o-line coach, and ND a contender sooner than later.

 

[MeanGreen]

What is Latina doing different the past two years that he did not do in 2005. The line played well that season and was relatively inexperienced. Just as CW simplified the game plan maybe he needs to tell the line to just knock the snot out of the guy across from you and if you do not have someone across from you find someone and hit them.

 

[username]

Defenses played soft in 05 vs. ND because they did not know what to expect. They caught on by midseason though, and O-line coach actually had to start coaching. He still can't coach. No need to think at practice, just bust heads and survivor wins.

 

[username]

Weis is the leader. Among players, no one needs to create anything. Natural law is always in effect. I'm tired of hearing wannabe coaches say that defense is tired because offense is 3 and out. Why doesn't defense create 3 and out the way the other team's defense does?

 

[Junkhead]

Weis is the leader. Among players, no one needs to create anything. Natural law is always in effect. I'm tired of hearing wannabe coaches say that defense is tired because offense is 3 and out. Why doesn't defense create 3 and out the way the other team's defense does?

The D was tired because they pretty much only got a 5 min break between series. The D line depth is paper thin as well. We are a year or so away from having talent and depth where it needs to be. The D will wear out if they are on the field non-stop, its common sense.

 

[NDgettysburg]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here. I say Tech end up the season as a top 10 team. They were just THAT good. We come out hyped and organized next week and lay a beating on PSY...I mean PSU.

They don't have a top 10 offense...not at this point in the season anyway.

 

[NDgettysburg]

Bright spot: 1st quarterback reminds me of Tony Rice

Reminds me nothing of Tony Rice. TR could throw the ball and elude a rush long enough to either run or get it done through the air. DJ absolutely reminded me of Arnaz Battle at QB....no confidence in that at all.

 

[username]

Tony Rice had a line, a backfield, a special team, a receiving corp, an experienced head coach. Pull your head out of your ass . Demetrius is a great athlete.

 

[NDgettysburg]

Tony Rice had a line, a backfield, a special team, a receiving corp, an experienced head coach. Pull your own head out of your ass loser. Demetrius is a great athlete.

plonk!

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Just curious if I'm the only one who thought that overall our team looked good EXCEPT THE OL. Most of the bad things that happened (including a lot of GT's points via unbelievable field position) are attributable to the OL.

The outside LBs sucked. They kept getting turned in and every run to the outside went for positive yardage by GT.

 

[username]

Common sense to a wannabe maybe. Why didn't ND's D pull a 3 and out like GT's D did? Common sense dude. Depth has nothing to do with starters not getting the job done. Common sense.

 

[username]

What does "plonk" mean? Does that mean you have to think about it for a few months?

 

[ND4life]

Why didn't ND's D pull a 3 and out like GT's D did? Common sense dude.

nd's D did pull 3 and outs "basically" GT had a short field and made 3 FG's. they gave us a chance. then the end of the half was a melt down, starting with the brain fart of justin brown which led to choice's TD. simply put we collectively played like shit. I dont know about anyone else but my mind is on wondering what our team is gonna do wit PSU. let this game go......

GO IRISH!!!

 

[username]

"Let this game go." Great point... But...
GT has a worthless offense. Top 40 team. ND defense still did not match GT defense's 3 and out. Don't matter where the ball is spotted. Defense sucked. No sugarcoating allowed. D looked slightly improved over last year maybe but still thinking too much. Need to bust some heads just for fun and make a statement.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Who will step up to be the leader of this team? I hope a freshmen.

 

[username]

I think you mean "freshman" not "freshmen". Leaders don't "step up" as if...
Leaders are leaders. Followers "step up" when they learn who to follow.