January 1 | Oklahoma State | Fiesta Bowl

[IrishLax]

Notre Dame finished with 551 yards of offense against a top defense.

Baylor only needed 240 to beat Oklahoma State. Iowa State only needed 330 to beat them. The offense was NOT supposed to need to go up and down the field and score 30+ points with ease. That was unrealistic... no one did that to Oklahoma State.

Defense gave up 600+ yards to a very mediocre offense. Combination of bad individual play and the inability to make adjustments to challenge Oklahoma State. They had no answer for the QB run game and the linebacker blitzes never got home. No ability to play coverage because Clarence Lewis was burnt toast against semi-decent receiver. Just crazy to watch the ND defense fold like that against something as basic as tempo.

 

[chicago51]

Great game plan…horrible adjustments. Lack of experience on the coaching staff hurt this game. Being it’s a first game I’m hopeful there will be improvement. Definite need for an assistant with HC experience to help with in game management.

Proud of the team. With the coaching change, and opt outs they could have mailed it in before the game even started. Coulda, woulda, shoulda, but KW and KH likely make the difference today if they play.

Game plan was really good.

I think all the good on good during practice lead to the fast start.

That's something to take away for next time.

 

[irishtrooper]

Hate to say it, but at least it wasn’t a blowout loss. At the end of the day it sucks to lose, but unless it’s a blowout where the talent is clearly not nearly as good, it’s not the end of the world.

Sucks that I feel like a close loss is kind of a win, but at least we didn’t get blown out from jump and have to score late to not make it look ridiculous. I know it’s Okie St, but it’s something…….I guess

Talent injection over a couple recruiting cycles correct most of this nonsense. Even with that, if the Captains showed up rather than opting out, ND wins and it’s impossible to argue otherwise.

 

[1219Booopa]

The offense really let the defense down. Coan and Rees in particular. Rees stopped being aggressive. Coan couldn't execute and he played scared in the second half

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Cons broke two Fiesta bowl passing records and we lost…

 

[Rudy89]

This program will never we can’t win titles and we can’t win big bowls. I don’t know how anyone else thinks Freeman will change that or be any better than BK

 

[irishtrooper]

Our program is simply incapable of winning big bowls. I don't want to ever here about Michigan and big bowls. They have won them this century..

Today couldn't happen and it did in the most embarrassing way. Same old Notre Dame.

If you are going to ramble on about how Michigan is better than ND, at least use the correct hear (rather than here) in your irrational opinion. “Things no Irish fan should say for $500 Alex”

 

[ulukinatme]

Notre Dame finished with 551 yards of offense against a top defense.

Baylor only needed 240 to beat Oklahoma State. Iowa State only needed 330 to beat them. The offense was NOT supposed to need to go up and down the field and score 30+ points with ease. That was unrealistic... no one did that to Oklahoma State.

Defense gave up 600+ yards to a very mediocre offense. Combination of bad individual play and the inability to make adjustments to challenge Oklahoma State. They had no answer for the QB run game and the linebacker blitzes never got home. No ability to play coverage because Clarence Lewis was burnt toast against semi-decent receiver. Just crazy to watch the ND defense fold like that against something as basic as tempo.

I think you're right, poor job adjusting in the 2nd half. I really would have liked to see the offense build on what they did in the 1st half, but you're right...way too many yards in this one given up. We were absolutely spoiled by playing against poor offenses in November as I suspected, this defense hasn't turned a corner yet. Gotta hope some of these young recruits coming in will push for playing time or something because 600 yards is inexcusable.

 

[Irishbounty28]

Notre Dame finished with 551 yards of offense against a top defense.

Baylor only needed 240 to beat Oklahoma State. Iowa State only needed 330 to beat them. The offense was NOT supposed to need to go up and down the field and score 30+ points with ease. That was unrealistic... no one did that to Oklahoma State.

Defense gave up 600+ yards to a very mediocre offense. Combination of bad individual play and the inability to make adjustments to challenge Oklahoma State. They had no answer for the QB run game and the linebacker blitzes never got home. No ability to play coverage because Clarence Lewis was burnt toast against semi-decent receiver. Just crazy to watch the ND defense fold like that against something as basic as tempo.

This is all correct and comes down to coaching experience. ND should have seen the tempo coming and made adjustments. When the strength of your defense is matchups/sub packages a good coach will try and exploit that with tempo. Gundy is a great coach.

 

[ulukinatme]

The offense really let the defense down. Coan and Rees in particular. Rees stopped being aggressive. Coan couldn't execute and he played scared in the second half

It was a pretty complete team failure in the 2nd half tbh. 600 yards given up, 27 unanswered points by Ok St after we led by 3 TDs.

 

[Bishop2b5]

I fucking hate football,… it’s the abusive relationship I just can’t get out of.

Maybe it's not football's fault, it's yours. If you'd stop nagging football and complaining about everything, football wouldn't treat you this way. Football loves you, but it shows you in a different way. You're the one who chose to be a football fan, you know. You asked for this. Seriously, do you think you could find a better sport? You?? You gonna become a basketball fan or something? You really don't know how good you have it with football. Stick it out and things will get better. I promise.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Notre Dame finished with 551 yards of offense against a top defense.

Baylor only needed 240 to beat Oklahoma State. Iowa State only needed 330 to beat them. The offense was NOT supposed to need to go up and down the field and score 30+ points with ease. That was unrealistic... no one did that to Oklahoma State.

Defense gave up 600+ yards to a very mediocre offense. Combination of bad individual play and the inability to make adjustments to challenge Oklahoma State. They had no answer for the QB run game and the linebacker blitzes never got home. No ability to play coverage because Clarence Lewis was burnt toast against semi-decent receiver. Just crazy to watch the ND defense fold like that against something as basic as tempo.

Seriously.... Didn't realize Baylor was that much better than us

 

[NorthDakota]

Only if we have or can get someone better. He has a good passing game but its hard to believe how bad he is running. Who is available in the portal?

No. We can have worse QBs...I'm fine with that. Because a bad quarterback brings change. Coan is good enough to hold a job but not good enough to excel.

 

[bkess8]

It was a pretty complete team failure in the 2nd half tbh. 600 yards given up, 27 unanswered points by Ok St after we led by 3 TDs.

30 unanswered!

 

[T-Boone]

Maybe it's not football's fault, it's yours. If you'd stop nagging football and complaining about everything, football wouldn't treat you this way. Football loves you, but it shows you in a different way. You're the one who chose to be a football fan, you know. You asked for this. Seriously, do you think you could find a better sport? You?? You gonna become a basketball fan or something? You really don't know how good you have it with football. Stick it out and things will get better. I promise.

Hahaha. Gold.

 

[GoIrish41]

Cons broke two Fiesta bowl passing records and we lost…

We were a handful of Buchner reps away, IMO. Coan had a good game, but his lack of mobility allowed OSU to pin their ears back and get him out of sync. If Fosky opts for the draft he will be a huge loss.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

Maybe it's not football's fault, it's yours. If you'd stop nagging football and complaining about everything, football wouldn't treat you this way. Football loves you, but it shows you in a different way. You're the one who chose to be a football fan, you know. You asked for this. Seriously, do you think you could find a better sport? You?? You gonna become a basketball fan or something? You really don't know how good you have it with football. Stick it out and things will get better. I promise.

Today is probably not the day you want to come here and antagonize posters. Maybe give it a few weeks

 

[Dale]

Notre Dame finished with 551 yards of offense against a top defense.

Baylor only needed 240 to beat Oklahoma State. Iowa State only needed 330 to beat them. The offense was NOT supposed to need to go up and down the field and score 30+ points with ease. That was unrealistic... no one did that to Oklahoma State.

Defense gave up 600+ yards to a very mediocre offense. Combination of bad individual play and the inability to make adjustments to challenge Oklahoma State. They had no answer for the QB run game and the linebacker blitzes never got home. No ability to play coverage because Clarence Lewis was burnt toast against semi-decent receiver. Just crazy to watch the ND defense fold like that against something as basic as tempo.

They tried QB spy, didn’t work either. Bauer spied I remember distinctly one play and Sanders literally just ran past him for around 15 yards at midfield. Bauer is athletic in some ways but his hips literally don’t work, the second he has to spin he’s toast.

 

[chicago51]

I'm actually looking forward to what Marcus Freeman says post game. BK would blame the players or cite talent differences. I want to see Marcus step to the plate and put it on himself.

 

[T-Boone]

This program will never we can’t win titles and we can’t win big bowls. I don’t know how anyone else thinks Freeman will change that or be any better than BK

I think it is a bad sign that he seems to be going to stick with the current coaching staff.

 

[stpeteirish]

I was discouraged by the lack of in game adjustments by coach Davie and his staff. Err. wasn't Davie

 

[T-Boone]

We were a handful of Buchner reps away, IMO. Coan had a good game, but his lack of mobility allowed OSU to pin their ears back and get him out of sync. If Fosky opts for the draft he will be a huge loss.

I think he will be gone. I can see him getting drafted in the 3rd round.

 

[Bishop2b5]

Today is probably not the day you want to come here and antagonize posters. Maybe give it a few weeks

I think you missed the point of my post. Sorry today's game didn't go well. Some days the better team doesn't win.

 

[Sea Turtle]

30 unanswered!

We had to work HARD to extend our streak to 28 years.

 

[Irishize]

I think you're right, poor job adjusting in the 2nd half. I really would have liked to see the offense build on what they did in the 1st half, but you're right...way too many yards in this one given up. We were absolutely spoiled by playing against poor offenses in November as I suspected, this defense hasn't turned a corner yet. Gotta hope some of these young recruits coming in will push for playing time or something because 600 yards is inexcusable.

It was like ND went into halftime and decided “Let’s just repeat in the second half what we did in the first half on both sides of the ball”. Meanwhile, OSU’s three DCs made adjustments and forced ND to 3 & out after 3 & out while the Cowboys’ offense eroded the Irish lead.

You gotta credit the OKie St OC as well. They adjusted to ND’s aggressive D and used their aggression against them while exposing the ND defensive backs. I don’t recall many blitzes getting home in the second half. If anything they did Sanders a favor as he simply split the middle and raced to another first down.

ND got out-coached. There is no waiver wire in CFB so Elston/Mickens/MF knew what they had in the defensive backfield. Their plan worked for a good part of the first half but that defensive plan was built on swampland b/c it collapsed in the 2nd half & Rees wasn’t prepared to adjust to a shootout to at least give the D a rest.

 

[pumpdog20]

I'm actually looking forward to what Marcus Freeman says post game. BK would blame the players or cite talent differences. I want to see Marcus step to the plate and put it on himself.

I'm sure he will, but I also want some heat on Rees for lack of adjustments and no plan for TB12.

Dude has been our QB coach for a few years. One of the most exciting QB recruit we got apparently isn't that good? Meanwhile Michigan is playing their true freshman in a playoff game. A guy we passed on for Buchner?

 

[Irishize]

I knew Doerer was due for a miss. I didn’t know it would wind up being the difference in the game. Not saying the blown lead is his fault. Plus, Okie St likely doesn’t settle for a FG on their last drive but we’ll never know what would’ve happened

 

[chicago51]

They tried QB spy, didn’t work either. Bauer spied I remember distinctly one play and Sanders literally just ran past him for around 15 yards at midfield. Bauer is athletic in some ways but his hips literally don’t work, the second he has to spin he’s toast.

Mobile QB playing well is tough. In all my games coaching high school or Jr high school there was only 1 game ever I actually thought worked out perfectly against a great mobile QB.

True story. I coach against Houston Griffiths 8th grade team. They were undefeated and Houston was one of the RBs. We actually did a great job on Houston and the WRs but lost 12-6 (may have been 18-6, they might have scored really late). Because we couldn't handle their QB scrambling.

You try being discipline in your rushing. You try spying with a a LB but mobile QBs are tough, if they can also throw.

But I'm just a physical therapist that coaches for free after work. Elston and Freeman get paid to figure this out. But I will say it's tough.

 

[IrishRazor82]

If/when Foskey leaves think of how average our defense will be next year. Entire LB unit that played this year wouldn't make an SEC scout team, 2ndary is a bunch of 3 star WRs/Corners playing Corner/safety (and not well). Not a single player on the DL to give an offense a scare individually.

 

[AKRowdy]

I think it is a bad sign that he seems to be going to stick with the current coaching staff.

Nope. Past staffs were complacent to keep the status quo. I stil believe the practice routine and athletes coming in will be game changers. MF had 1 month to get this team ready/ implement his game plan, hold together the recruits, hold together the team after a disastrous of a week. Still on the up. If we have a better QB or hell a whiff of a running game, it would’ve been a win.