'21 CA QB Tyler Buchner (ND FB -> Bama FB -> ND LAX???)

[Irish#1]

Have the second possession rehearsed for Buchner. Get to 14-0 and see what happens.

BK has said there won't be a package for TB. He'll run the same plays as Coan. Trying to simplify things for everyone, especially the O-line.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

BK has said there won't be a package for TB. He'll run the same plays as Coan. Trying to simplify things for everyone, especially the O-line.

I get the point T-Boone was trying to make, I think he's saying have a scripted first drive for Coan followed by a scripted second drive for Buchner, then go from there.

But you're correct, BK said there aren't "packages" for TB12, he'll be running the offense. Him opening up the RPO game was a thing of beauty. So much potential there with these weapons.

 

[GowerND11]

You underestimate Book's ability to evade sacks. We're one of the worst teams in the country in sacks given up, we rank 123rd. Obviously much of that is on the OL, but some of it is due to the fact Coan is not mobile. Coan pushes the ball down the field more and gets yards that way, but Book made things happen with his feet and made defenses respect that. Besides, it wasn't really the QB position that held this team back last year, it was a weak WR group.

You might overestimate Book's ability to evade a sack though too. There's plenty of film from last year where the pocket is still clean and the receivers aren't even done their breaks yet, but Book saw the DE pushing up field so he vacated. Sure, he scrambled for 7 yards, but he missed Skowronek on a deep in for 20+.

It's really a case of you're both right here.

 

[ulukinatme]

You might overestimate Book's ability to evade a sack though too. There's plenty of film from last year where the pocket is still clean and the receivers aren't even done their breaks yet, but Book saw the DE pushing up field so he vacated. Sure, he scrambled for 7 yards, but he missed Skowronek on a deep in for 20+.

It's really a case of you're both right here.

It's hard to blame Book completely when we struggled so much at WR last year. Last year it was the WRs that often failed to beat their guys consistently. We effectively had two possession receivers on the outside without much speed or separation and our most consistent option to stretch the defense was Davis. This year it feels like the WRs have stepped it up a bit, but the OL has faltered. Either way, the WRs have to be expected to win their 1 on 1s consistently if the QB is going to get the ball to them. If they don't have the speed they need crisper route running and timing, use the elbows for separation, whatever it takes.

 

[NDdomer2]

How will Buchner look now that the base set of plays for him is on film is the real question. His first action did not disappoint. I think it should also put to bed any discussion about BK doesnt play freshman etc.

 

[BobbyMac]

You underestimate Book's ability to evade sacks. We're one of the worst teams in the country in sacks given up, we rank 123rd. Obviously much of that is on the OL, but some of it is due to the fact Coan is not mobile. Coan pushes the ball down the field more and gets yards that way, but Book made things happen with his feet and made defenses respect that. Besides, it wasn't really the QB position that held this team back last year, it was a weak WR group.

Coan refuses to be mobile. He stands in the pocket like he's been taught. He ran in HS. He was an elite LAX prospect. He's athletic, he's just not afraid to stand in the pocket and do his job.

Not saying it's the best fit for this line, this year. Not saying that all.

 

[Irishbounty28]

It's hard to blame Book completely when we struggled so much at WR last year. Last year it was the WRs that often failed to beat their guys consistently. We effectively had two possession receivers on the outside without much speed or separation and our most consistent option to stretch the defense was Davis. This year it feels like the WRs have stepped it up a bit, but the OL has faltered. Either way, the WRs have to be expected to win their 1 on 1s consistently if the QB is going to get the ball to them. If they don't have the speed they need crisper route running and timing, use the elbows for separation, whatever it takes.

This isn’t entirely true. Wide receivers weren’t given opportunities to make plays as often last year. When the balls were thrown the receivers made plays. I would reference the 4th quarter catch by Kevin Austin against Toledo. Contested catch and Coan threw a 50/50 ball. Same can be said for the touchdown to Wilkins against FSU. Receivers weren’t given that opportunity as often in 2020. Coan will throw to guys even when they aren’t “open” and give them a chance. Book hesitated to throw to anyone who wasn’t actually open.

 

[Irish#1]

How will Buchner look now that the base set of plays for him is on film is the real question. His first action did not disappoint. I think it should also put to bed any discussion about BK doesnt play freshman etc.

If the DE is disciplined enough to stay home, the line better be ready.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Coan refuses to be mobile. He stands in the pocket like he's been taught. He ran in HS. He was an elite LAX prospect. He's athletic, he's just not afraid to stand in the pocket and do his job.

Not saying it's the best fit for this line, this year. Not saying that all.

Well, he did get Wally Pipped after suffering a significant foot injury. It's possible he got buried by Wisconsin because his mobility didn't fully return.

Either way, I don't think he's going to significantly change his style during the season.

 

[ulukinatme]

This isn’t entirely true. Wide receivers weren’t given opportunities to make plays as often last year. When the balls were thrown the receivers made plays. I would reference the 4th quarter catch by Kevin Austin against Toledo. Contested catch and Coan threw a 50/50 ball. Same can be said for the touchdown to Wilkins against FSU. Receivers weren’t given that opportunity as often in 2020. Coan will throw to guys even when they aren’t “open” and give them a chance. Book hesitated to throw to anyone who wasn’t actually open.

Book has film from 2017, 2018, and 2019 where he had no problems throwing to Claypool, Finke, Boykin, etc. When the next crop of WRs came up suddenly Book can't hit our WRs? There's a reason our leading receivers were a TE and a RB for much of the season, and it had more to do with an inexperienced WR group than it did our experienced QB.

 

[BabyIrish]

Had a tight hamstring which is why he didn’t play that much today according to BK.

 

[irishff1014]

Had a tight hamstring which is why he didn’t play that much today according to BK.

He looked pretty good escaping the tackle for loss and getting a big gain.

 

[Irishbounty28]

Book has film from 2017, 2018, and 2019 where he had no problems throwing to Claypool, Finke, Boykin, etc. When the next crop of WRs came up suddenly Book can't hit our WRs? There's a reason our leading receivers were a TE and a RB for much of the season, and it had more to do with an inexperienced WR group than it did our experienced QB.

Book didn’t throw downfield often in 2017, or 2018. If I remember correctly 2018 had Book throwing quick high roll percentage passes for a bulk of the year which plagued ND in the playoff. 2019 did see Book take some shots with Claypool, but not nearly as often as Coan has. It is factual data if you look at stats. I’m not making it up. If you want to argue it was scheme and not Book I guess that is possible.

 

[Luckylucci]

Maybe I’m crazy but I’d really like to see Buchner to start the game. His role might be the exact same but I’d like to see us establish the run with him and then get to Coan to push the ball downfield. We should get Kyren and Tyree running more outside zone. And, get Buchner moving some chains with his feet early. Get some momentum. Even if it’s just a few first downs then punt. Get a couple more first downs and see what happens. We’re far too big play dependent right now with Coan for him to start the game.

 

[irishff1014]

Maybe I’m crazy but I’d really like to see Buchner to start the game. His role might be the exact same but I’d like to see us establish the run with him and then get to Coan to push the ball downfield. We should get Kyren and Tyree running more outside zone. And, get Buchner moving some chains with his feet early. Get some momentum. Even if it’s just a few first downs then punt. Get a couple more first downs and see what happens. We’re far too big play dependent right now with Coan for him to start the game.

And get him to attempt and complete some more passes so that actually have to second guess their selves.

 

[SBirishlawyer]

Maybe I’m crazy but I’d really like to see Buchner to start the game. His role might be the exact same but I’d like to see us establish the run with him and then get to Coan to push the ball downfield. We should get Kyren and Tyree running more outside zone. And, get Buchner moving some chains with his feet early. Get some momentum. Even if it’s just a few first downs then punt. Get a couple more first downs and see what happens. We’re far too big play dependent right now with Coan for him to start the game.

Especially for the wisconsin game. Could not agree more.

 

[BabyIrish]

He looked pretty good escaping the tackle for loss and getting a big gain.

He came up lame on his last run of the game where he converted the 3rd and 16

 

[Trait Expectations]

Alright, the Buchner ERA is close to being upon us. I expect Buchner to see a 5-10% increase in snaps in the bowl game. He has 3-4 weeks to further develop his role and his dual threat nature will stress the Oklahoma State defense. I don't know how they've handled mobile QBs this year but it always gives defenses more headaches.

I really hope he comes in and drops some deep shots. No hesitation, no 5 step drops. Just quick 3 step drop and unload. Rinse. Repeat. I want the defense to be queued in on what he normally does and I want Tommy to completely break the trends.

A few keepers are also expected but anything to give me faith in his future would be great for my offseason excitement.

 

[Riddickulous]

I don't expect anything crazy. Maybe a handful of extra snaps. Though I do wonder what the offense looks like without BK micromanaging Rees.

 

[Free Manera]

For what it's worth, Loy said that he was tearing it up in practice last week and impressed everyone. Someone asked if it was just running or throwing and Loy said it was both.

 

[stpeteirish]

I don't expect anything crazy. Maybe a handful of extra snaps. Though I do wonder what the offense looks like without BK micromanaging Rees.

I’m actually not expecting anything great. Kelly must have been good at something to be a winning coach for all those years.
My guess is he was good at offensive game planning and we’ll feel his absence there.

 

[Southside Sully]

Lets not forget this kid as a Junior had unreal stats, and didn't play as a senior with the pandemic.. He has 36 pass attempts in his ND career, so he has a very very small sample size of what we can see him do. Hopefully these extra practices for the Bowl, the spring practices and Summer Camp help with him taking the next step.
2019 Stats: 4,474 passing yards, 1,610 rushing yards, 53 passing touchdowns, 28 rushing touchdowns

 

[Luckylucci]

For what it's worth, Loy said that he was tearing it up in practice last week and impressed everyone. Someone asked if it was just running or throwing and Loy said it was both.

Gosh, I sure hope he is. A nitpick that I had down the stretch this season was how much Buch played yet how little he passed. I really don't understand why they wouldn't have taken 3 straight blowouts to get him more reps in the passing game. He only attempted 11 passes over the last 3 games. For a guy who's going to get his first start in Columbus, I would've liked to see more. But, who knows what went into that decision or who made that decision. Hopefully it was the coach that is now at LSU having a mid-life crisis.

 

[Irishize]

Alright, the Buchner ERA is close to being upon us. I expect Buchner to see a 5-10% increase in snaps in the bowl game. He has 3-4 weeks to further develop his role and his dual threat nature will stress the Oklahoma State defense. I don't know how they've handled mobile QBs this year but it always gives defenses more headaches.

I really hope he comes in and drops some deep shots. No hesitation, no 5 step drops. Just quick 3 step drop and unload. Rinse. Repeat. I want the defense to be queued in on what he normally does and I want Tommy to completely break the trends.

A few keepers are also expected but anything to give me faith in his future would be great for my offseason excitement.

I went back and watched the “Key Plays” in every ND game (minus Toledo) from this past season. Even vs the weaker defenses, Coan would either get sacked or run into a sack in most opening drives. Oklahomas State will be the best defense ND has faced since the Cincy game. Could they be overrated? Sure but I think ND could be guilty of being overrated considering how poor their competition was the last half of the season. The ND offense settled for a ton of FGs so I hope Doerer is 100% &/or Tommy has installed a strategy that isn’t 100% the same as what OSU can find on tape.

 

[Wild Bill]

I went back and watched the “Key Plays” in every ND game (minus Toledo) from this past season. Even vs the weaker defenses, Coan would either get sacked or run into a sack in most opening drives. Oklahomas State will be the best defense ND has faced since the Cincy game. Could they be overrated? Sure but I think ND could be guilty of being overrated considering how poor their competition was the last half of the season. The ND offense settled for a ton of FGs so I hope Doerer is 100% &/or Tommy has installed a strategy that isn’t 100% the same as what OSU can find on tape.

Purdy had a decent day against their defense. He threw for over 300 but only put 24 points on the board. Looks like OSU shut down their run game and turned it over twice on downs in OSU territory. 24 was enough to win the game, though.

Caleb Williams had a decent day against them too. 3 TDs and he gashed them for a long run late in the game that put Sooners in a position to score/win. OSU put pressure on him most of the game and Sooners lost 37-33.

If Coan is playing well and making throws, I doubt Buchner gets many reps unless they pull away late. If they shut the run down and Coan is struggling, I could see Buchner playing quite a bit to give them a spark. I doubt Freeman's decision regarding who plays will have anything to do with Buchner's development or the future. If he can get the win here, it's a huge boost for him and a loss will sting. The final result is probably the only thing on his mind, if I had to guess.

 

[Irishize]

Purdy had a decent day against their defense. He threw for over 300 but only put 24 points on the board. Looks like OSU shut down their run game and turned it over twice on downs in OSU territory. 24 was enough to win the game, though.

Caleb Williams had a decent day against them too. 3 TDs and he gashed them for a long run late in the game that put Sooners in a position to score/win. OSU put pressure on him most of the game and Sooners lost 37-33.

If Coan is playing well and making throws, I doubt Buchner gets many reps unless they pull away late. If they shut the run down and Coan is struggling, I could see Buchner playing quite a bit to give them a spark. I doubt Freeman's decision regarding who plays will have anything to do with Buchner's development or the future. If he can get the win here, it's a huge boost for him and a loss will sting. The final result is probably the only thing on his mind, if I had to guess.

I agree 100%. Well stated.

 

[Irish#1]

I really don't expect to see much of a deviation from the normal game plan. You dance with the partner you brought to the dance. I do expect to see TB get a few more reps than what he saw the second half of the season, but not a significant increase unless the run game is struggling.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Kelly the QB Killer has left South Bend.
The QB Era is upon us.

 

[T-Boone]

Kelly the QB Killer has left South Bend.
The QB Era is upon us.

Haha.
Do we think Rees has shown good early signs as aa QB whisperer?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Haha.
Do we think Rees has shown good early signs as aa QB whisperer?

Yes. Rees is the only starting QB under Kelly not to suffer a sophomore slump, and he was the only QB coach under Kelly to successfully pull a starter (Book) out of his own sophomore slump.