2019 Blue-Gold Game

[Old Man Mike]

Watched the game with two potential concerns: RB and LB. Only one now. We have at least three really good RBs. I'll have to re-watch it (and listen to the staff and the IE experts) to assess how the LBs really went.

First team OLine looked excellent to me, despite our great DLine doing its part. When Kelly was asked pre-game about the team, he said in his first sentence: we're built on our OLine and on our DLine (so the team has a strong foundation.) This is what I believe and Chris Sims agreed with that in his commentary.

Book looked great --- Heisman Watch.
Claypool looked great --- is it the Harlan Hill award still?
Our pull and run right was devastating --- Kraemer and Hainsey were burying the D while Banks was cleaning up whoever the TE didn't. Patterson did fine at Center. Eich got beat a few times, but no one can block Okwara and Karim. (Put Okwara on whatever watch that is.)

MVP: Chris Sims. Not only does he keep DF out of the booth and our ears, but he is the first WOW ND Proponent announcer I've had the privilege of listening to in recent years (even better than Mayock, who "just" really praised our players) . Some of his commentary: Notre Dame is Tight End U; It's also OLine U. If I was a high school running back I'd want to come here knowing that I'd be behind that line. When, really, have we heard that sort of pro-recruiting salesmanship from any of these guys?

Really pleasant experience (despite Phil's mysterious wobble-passing, and several punk punts) to be gifted with on this fine beginning-of-Spring Saturday. Stay healthy and eligible guys --- "We gonna be Beast."

 

[NDRock]

NBCsn just had a graphic of our upcoming "nonconference" games over the next few years (UGA, Wisco, Arkansas, Bama).

Nonconference lol

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

I know we like to pretend we’re truly Independent but we do have our own “conference” in the 5 ACC games, Navy, Stanford, and USC. The other 4 games I consider OOC and compare those to how other teams schedule their OOC games.

 

[Luckylucci]

Our offense and pass rush should be a sight to behold come fall so long as we stay healthy.

Our punting game is going to be putrid. And to all the PJ defenders out there, is it still too early to be worried about his development? You all were crushing people for raising concerns in the Spring Practice thread.

Not a PJ defender as much as I am a defender of reality and rational thinking.

Considering he's only had 1 week of practice since that conversation, yes still too early to freak out over this. It's obvious he has a lot of things to work on but everything that was said before is still true. He hasn't even been on campus for 1 full year, that's how this works. Ian Book wasn't playing like he is now during his first Spring. Seems bizarre that folks can't comprehend this.

 

[Irishize]

Watched the game with two potential concerns: RB and LB. Only one now. We have at least three really good RBs. I'll have to re-watch it (and listen to the staff and the IE experts) to assess how the LBs really went.

First team OLine looked excellent to me, despite our great DLine doing its part. When Kelly was asked pre-game about the team, he said in his first sentence: we're built on our OLine and on our DLine (so the team has a strong foundation.) This is what I believe and Phil Sims agreed with that in his commentary.

Book looked great --- Heisman Watch.
Claypool looked great --- is it the Harlan Hill award still?
Our pull and run right was devastating --- Kraemer and Hainsey were burying the D while Banks was cleaning up whoever the TE didn't. Patterson did fine at Center. Eich got beat a few times, but no one can block Okwara and Karim. (Put Okwara on whatever watch that is.)

MVP: Phil Sims. Not only does he keep DF out of the booth and our ears, but he is the first WOW ND Proponent announcer I've had the privilege of listening to in recent years (even better than Mayock, who "just" really praised our players) . Some of his commentary: Notre Dame is Tight End U; It's also OLine U. If I was a high school running back I'd want to come here knowing that I'd be behind that line. When, really, have we heard that sort of pro-recruiting salesmanship from any of these guys?

Really pleasant experience (despite Phil's mysterious wobble-passing, and several punk punts) to be gifted with on this fine beginning-of-Spring Saturday. Stay healthy and eligible guys --- "We gonna be Beast."

I concur w/ your analysis. I was most impressed w/ Chris Sims for the reasons you noted. He doesn’t have to be a “homer” but he at least pointed out what makes ND special & different. Plus, the OL comment about attracting great RBs was gold. Simms was the highlight of the game IMO & I hope NBC throws him in the booth w/ Tirico. I think his youth pays dividends too considering it’s a college broadcast. Really impressed w/ him.

I listened to both the BGI & II podcasts and read their spring analyses. The game mirrored what both groups have been saying so I wasn’t upset w/ anything I saw. As Driskel says, I couldn’t give a crap what the punter & kicker do until it’s in a real game that matters. In regards to Jurkovec, it’s his first Spring. He’s obviously in his own head way too much. Kelly confirmed as much during the game. He just needs to continue to study the playbook & make the best of his reps. Keep in mind Phil was not a football-only QB like Trevor Lawrence or Jake Fromm. They spent every waking moment in the film room, on the field or on the 7-on-7/QB Camp tours. Meanwhile, Jurkovec reminds me of DeShone Kizer in that both played multiple sports & weren’t concentrating on football 24/7, 365 days/year. If Book does down w/ a major injury, I’d be concerned. Otherwise, he needs time to grow & improve.

 

[Irishize]

Not a PJ defender as much as I am a defender of reality and rational thinking.

Considering he's only had 1 week of practice since that conversation, yes still too early to freak out over this. It's obvious he has a lot of things to work on but everything that was said before is still true. He hasn't even been on campus for 1 full year, that's how this works. Ian Book wasn't playing like he is now during his first Spring. Seems bizarre that folks can't comprehend this.

Thank you. Remember how bad we heard Kizer looked leading up to 2015 regular season? He was reportedly considering a switch to baseball. Thank goodness, he stuck with the process.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Yep, I see a lot of Kizer, in Phil. Similar builds, both playmakers (arms and legs). Just needs to clean it up, be consistent, and #trusttheprocess.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[stpeteirish]

The problem with Phil is "pocket presence". In a real game 1) he'll have much better blocking 2) he'll take off and run a lot. And gain yardage when he does; he's a good runner. But you want your QB to beat people with his arm.

Don't think we could beat anybody good with what we've got right now with Phil, but we won't have to unless Book gets hurt.

Improvement should come in the fall. If it doesn't Brendan Clark becomes plan B.

 

[stpeteirish]

My biggest concern re spring game QB play wasn't Phil; Book didn't demonstrate his deep ball is any better than last year. Few attempts-why didn't they call more deep ballsl with Book in the game?

Might just be keeping it off the film that everyone can see but I'd feel better if he'd hit more than one deep pass.

 

[OhioIrish31]

I didn't record the game...anybody have a link to watch the replay?

 

[T-Boone]

My biggest concern re spring game QB play wasn't Phil; Book didn't demonstrate his deep ball is any better than last year. Few attempts-why didn't they call more deep ballsl with Book in the game?

Might just be keeping it off the film that everyone can see but I'd feel better if he'd hit more than one deep pass.

Yep first time I want to see it is against Georgia.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Phil will be academically ineligible... if he's as late for his classes as he is at getting rid of the ball.

Book must stay healthy. Phil is young and needs time to develop.

Backs look good. Kyren Wiliams and Jahmir look really strong for such young backs and Jafar could be really good this year.

Our Receivers are going to give Ian a lot of options.

I think the D Line is going to be really good this year.

 

[EddytoNow]

Got to keep things in perspective with Phil. He did not early enroll last year, so he didn't arrive until last summer. He was the third option at QB, and Wimbush and Book received nearly all the snaps in practice. It's only natural that he is thinking too much now trying to implement an offense he does not yet completely understand.

Let him absorb the offense for a season as a back-up just like Ian had to do. As his understanding of the offense develops, his release time will improve and that will begin to show on the field. Book has two years of eligibility left. By the time he leaves, Phil will either be ready or he will be passed up by Clark, Pyne, or Buchner.

Now if Book should be injured early next season it's a different story. In that case, we will have to take our lumps as Phil masters the offense on the fly.

 

[Irishize]

I didn't record the game...anybody have a link to watch the replay?

The NBC Sports app has the highlights if you want to click on that. I believe it’s in their College Football Talk section.

 

[longliveautrydenson]

Thank you. Remember how bad we heard Kizer looked leading up to 2015 regular season? He was reportedly considering a switch to baseball. Thank goodness, he stuck with the process.

Kizer was the clear third string QB that spring. Golson and Zaire received almost all of the reps while Kizer was dealing with personal issues. By contrast, Jurkovec was one of two scholarship QBs on campus and received around 40% of the reps.

The fact of the matter is that PJ holds the ball weird, it comes out of his hand weird, and if he’s lucky it reaches the target weird. It’s hard to change a QB’s throwing motion once it’s set, that’s what they’re trying to do with Phil. So far it looks to be unsuccessful.

 

[ARALOU]

Some of the sacks were early whistles. Matter of fact, the only time i saw him (PJ) go down, he fell over an o lineman. There were no sacks, just touch sacks or early whistles. Some of those pressures, he may have avoided.

 

[Luckylucci]

Some of the sacks were early whistles. Matter of fact, the only time i saw him (PJ) go down, he fell over an o lineman. There were no sacks, just touch sacks or early whistles. Some of those pressures, he may have avoided.

That’s the point of the red jersey, right. Obviously, there is never going to be anything more than a touch sack. And, they’ll never be taken down.

 

[BeatSC]

Concerned about keeping Book healthy all year and you can guess why. Throwing motion and ball spiral from Pj looked worse than Manning during his last season. No way this guy was a 5 star. He is a project. Have we seen a performance like that in. big game? Kiser looked awful his first year as backup. D looked concerning but eventually settled in. Number 54 is a big aggressive guy and so was 57. Too lazy to look up their names. We looked like we had SEC talent all over the field that just needs some work and practice and opportunity. RB by committee but Jafar looked good overall. Team speed looked good and our OL looked giant. We have a good shot going undefeated but Kelly needs to put the foot on the throat.

 

[NDdomer2]

https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1117116308997455872?s=19

Credit to Agoro though. played really well

Joe Wilkins needs to stop at the garage and unhitch the trailer

 

[Crazy Balki]

Phil was stuck with the 2nd team OL more often than not, and that is telling.

Both our starting OLs and DLs are absolute stud units. The problem is that there is a considerable drop off from 1st team OL to 2nd team. That gap doesn't exist for the 2nd team DL. They are still really good and consistent. So you have 1 good unit going up against 1 not so good unit and that "not so good" unit is tasked with protecting Phil most of the time. I get that Phil needs to improve his pocket awareness, but that's hard to do when you are pressured practically every pass before your drop back is finished.

 

[arrowryan]

The backup o-line is more of a story than Phil is, IMO. The backup d-line kicked their ass all afternoon. Tom Brady, Ian Book, or Phil, it would be hard for anyone to have a good day behind that line.

I know I was critical of Phil earlier in the spring, but this isn't the kind of game environment he's best in. He needs to be able to use his legs, do the read option, and needs his line to hold a block for more than 2 seconds.

For the second team o-line, they're young right? Lots of freshman and sophomores? They'll get it together, but it was a rough day for them. Nice to see the staff build some legit depth on the d-line though. Can't wait to see that in games this fall.

 

[KyfightingIrish36]

I thought Phil settles in a little bit. He had a few nice throws called back in touch sacks. The big story we had guys who haven’t played a snap on O line vs guys that produced on a CFP team.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

One thing I was worried about before yesterday was RB. Honestly thing it is going to be one of the strengths of the team as long as everyone stays healthy. Jafar, Smith, Williams, Jones are all capable and I believe will all play. One big concern of mine is the kicking game. This is somewhere where if we don’t get it together can end up screwing us over

 

[koonja]

Throwing only one deep ball was a fail. But we didn't even try it with Lenzy.

This is essentially a live practice. We know the deep ball is what held us back last year, and Lenzy is going to play this year.

Not one post for him in a meaningless game? Damn.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Throwing only one deep ball was a fail. But we didn't even try it with Lenzy.

This is essentially a live practice. We know the deep ball is what held us back last year, and Lenzy is going to play this year.

Not one post for him in a meaningless game? Damn.

Might have been difficult to tell on tv, but they did run him long multiple times, especially with Phil. The issue was that the ol couldn't give him the few seconds needed for the play to develop.

 

[koonja]

Might have been difficult to tell on tv, but they did run him long multiple times, especially with Phil. The issue was that the ol couldn't give him the few seconds needed for the play to develop.

At least they tried if that's true. Did he get separation?

And even so, Book is the one who needs to be working on that throw. Even the 1 deep route they threw to Claypool wasnt even a deep post or fly route. It was just a long sideline route.

I dont understand the logic of not trying it in love action. Seems like a big missed opportunity. Book was already awesome at the 7 yard route and that's all we ran.

 

[arrowryan]

At least they tried if that's true. Did he get separation?

And even so, Book is the one who needs to be working on that throw. Even the 1 deep route they threw to Claypool wasnt even a deep post or fly route. It was just a long sideline route.

I dont understand the logic of not trying it in love action. Seems like a big missed opportunity. Book was already awesome at the 7 yard route and that's all we ran.

Just because its on tv makes it live action? Other practices are just as live as the actual spring game. You're the one that says its just another practice, which I agree with. Just because they didn't use it in the spring game, doesn't mean they haven't been practicing it. We're making a non-issue look like an issue.

 

[ulukinatme]

Thank you. Remember how bad we heard Kizer looked leading up to 2015 regular season? He was reportedly considering a switch to baseball. Thank goodness, he stuck with the process.

There was no hearing that Kizer looked bad, he was bad. The Spring Game in particular that year was hard to watch when he was in. Then Golson slipped out in the night and it was just Zaire and Kizer. As mentioned, things were so bad for Kizer he thought about dumping football because he couldn't cut it at the time. Fortunately he didn't, I can't imagine how awful that season would have been if he had. I expect behind the 1st team PJ will find his footing much like Kizer did, and he's going to have to devote himself to honing his game just like Deshone did. History tells us that Book will probably have to come out of a game at some point during the season, and we'll need Phil to be ready.

 

[Irishize]

Might have been difficult to tell on tv, but they did run him long multiple times, especially with Phil. The issue was that the ol couldn't give him the few seconds needed for the play to develop.

Agreed. I saw Lenzy run posts when Phil was in but he could never get time to throw.

 

[BobbyMac]

Agreed. I saw Lenzy run posts when Phil was in but he could never get time to throw.

The one where Phil hit Keys deep over the middle, Lenzy ran a go down the right sideline and would've blown by the safety as he was in no man's land deciding who the ball was going to.

As for 3*Phil. Take off the red jersey, eliminate the touch sacks and the reaching tag tackles where Phil was off to the races and then we'll see if he's who we think he is.

Not even the least bit worried at this early stage. If you are, go watch an hours worth of his Hudl highlights and remember the guy throwing those perfectly placed 50 yard spirals is the same guy who looked terrible yesterday.

 

[irishandy]

Concerning Phil, by the time fall camp starts I hope ND has a better back up QB. He seemed to settle in better as the game progressed. There seemed to be posters here that thought Phil could overtake Ian. No way, Ian 100% should be ND's starting QB. It's still early and Phil is a work in progress.

I thought our running backs did a heck of a job yesterday. I hope ND doesn't redshirt Kyren Williams, he could be ND's diamond in the rough at the position.

Cole Kmet and Brock Wright could be the best 1-2 punch tight ends in the country. I think they both have big years.

On the defense, I know we lost some key players from last years team, but I think this years defense could be just as good or even better.

My only concern is special teams, Yoon and Newsome will definitely missed.