Dec 29 | Champs Sports Bowl vs. Florida State

[OchoShayneO]

The QB has been the downfall of this team in 2011. Looking back maybe benching Crist wasn't the right move. Kelly has to know this, but he'll never admit it.

Yea I was convinced of this too after dayne got another shot in the USC game...wait, sorry. I only said that because I ran out of my adderoll prescription and took crazy pills instead.

 

[GBdomer]

Golson.

 

[Senoj13]

Just awful. Fsu had no answer for the blitz and Diaco out thought himself. QB play was inept and missing Floyd late was too much to overcome

 

[Yes]

Rees should've been in this game for two drives at the most.

 

[jus10]

If only INTs equalled points.

Rees for Heisman.

 

[CarrollVermin]

Can we end the love affair with Kelly? No QB development in the least this year. It is no wonder Gunner chose LSU. Any reason he needed was evident tonight.

He needs to find a PROVEN QB coach, one who knows what he is doing. Otherwise next year ends like this year.

 

[enrico514]

Let the endless QB debate threads begin. First time this year that I absolutely feel our QB play lost the game.

First time? QB play cost us multiple games and game were often won despite our QB play!

 

[NYIrish14]

I really do not understand why Kelly barely plays Hendrix the entire game. However, during one of the most important drives of the game when all they had to do was protect the ball and get out of their own red zone, he decides that it's the right time to put in Hendrix. What the hell is Kelly thinking? Then Diaco starts to pull out that crap bend dont break mentality. SMH.

 

[Yes]

2010: 8-5
2011: 8-5
2012: 8-5...

 

[Irishman77]

Unreal how we had that game in hand... then gave up a big kick return... and then stopped blitzing.

Also, where was Ethan Johnson today? Didn't see him at all.

he cleaned up on a Lynch sack or tackle I remember but that is it.

 

[enrico514]

Can we end the love affair with Kelly? No QB development in the least this year. It is no wonder Gunner chose LSU. Any reason he needed was evident tonight.

He needs to find a PROVEN QB coach, one who knows what he is doing. Otherwise next year ends like this year.

QB development? He's not a miracle worker... TR has physical limitations that are pretty hard to overcome!

Seems to me that BK knows Golson is the QB he needs for his system.

 

[NDPhilly]

This game didn't change my view of this team at all.

 

[Sweetness34]

It's amazing when watching a real QB(RGIII) hell even Manual and seeing what they can do for a team let alone an offense.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Dayne really couldn't have played better than Tommy today?

Not fair, that was about as bad as a QB could have played. And if Eifert didn't go up round 10 feet in the air on a couple over throws it would have been horrific. As well as, Floyd bailing Tommy out on the TD throw.

Tommy is just horrible, and I really hope to never to see him throw a pass again. And if he does, BK isn't a very good coach.

 

[returnofthemack]

12-4! 2 MORE YEARS!!!!!

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Man, RGIII shows what a guy can do when he throws to an actual open guy, not throws it up!

 

[NDfan12]

???

I completely messed that up. I was talking about the team in general being poor....I wouldn't want to suffer with this squad either. I then meant to make a separate thought on how disappointing our QB play is (Tommy...Andrew..and Dayne even though he's not here anymore) Brady Quinn, who's struggling to even sit on the bench in the NFL, is better than them.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

This game didn't change my view of this team at all.

That's because you sir, are a smart man.

 

[returnofthemack]

Also for all of you that attack posters for questioning Kelly's decisions: he is not the Pope - he is not infallible, as was clearly evidenced today by his decision to play Rees for so long (actually all season) and, as Lou Holtz said, the total lack of blitzing in the second half.

 

[tadman95]

Diaco's second half game plan? He's still got some learning to do too.

 

[Yes]

Tommy Rees isn't horrible, but he's a terrible fit in this offense and he shouldn't even be considered at QB going forward.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

12-4

1-4 against good teams (Stanford, USC, FSU, Michigan) this year.

If we play Air Force, Navy, Army, Wake, Maryland he is Fine. But, look at the schedule. And Look at Tommy's STats against BC, Pitt, USC, FSU, MSU, Mich) absolutely horrific. Padds stats on wins, yards, and TD's against lesser comp. And gets owned versus good comp.

 

[Black Irish]

I think this bowl game summed up our season pretty well. Lots of promise, plenty of excitement, but bone-headed plays and breakdowns at critical times cost the game. The Irish can't keep outplaying opponents for 3 quarters just to give it all away at the end. This loss is worse than getting steamrolled. victory was in the palm of their hand but they gave it all away.

 

[phgreek]

...steps up to the Tee box...nice practice swing...deep breath...aaaaand we Charles Barkley swing, and chillie whack it into the weeds...before the ladies tee...walk the rest of the hole with your pants down ladies....you earned it!

well...at least that is over...this season is over...and another chance comes around for SOMEONE to be a leader.

talk about Xs and Os all you want...positional weaknesses....whatever! But the plain, hard truth is guys that are supposed to step up...simply don't.

If I'm a prospect looking at ND...I'm absolutely going to ND. All I have to do is not wilt like a lilly, and I play big time minutes.

lets recap shall we...
-2nd yr starting wideout, key play...DROP.
-All world all everything wideout on a sure TD...DROP.
-A QB with how many starts with TWO red zone TOs, and who sacks himself under pressure. I can't figure out what he sees...ah hell, who knows
-A senior Lineman in crunch time...HOLD!
-Dbacks...good lord not again...throwing it up like a punt, and we'll for sure eff it up. Pride gentlemen...thats all it is...deep down refusal to lose those battles.
-block in the back by a senior Dback on ST at the end of the game...REALLY?
-A senior wideout who can't concentrate long enough to execute a hook and lateral for god's sake...and who didn't even adjust his route and fight for veteran QB's DUCK!

THIS is the absolute epitome of what we cannot be if we hope to turn the corner. This is NOT talent issues...this is being weak, and weak minded, and not effing standing up for your team and this program...there I said it!

oh And how do you explain our defensive scheme in the second half...yea they burned us, but talk about helping a team back into the game....I'm pretty sure ND fans around the globe are now sure only one man walked on water...BOB WTF was that?!?!

 

[CarrollVermin]

This game has me questioning where we are headed as a program. You can't win without a quality quarterback and the development of said quarterback. Unless Kelly finds someone that can do that, this isnt going to end well.

I'm not expecting a miracle worker, but I can expect growth at the position. It makes it hard to ask Eiffert to return when you may have your draft stock drop without a proven QB.

 

[Grahambo]

Maty Mauk anybody??

I kid!! Seriously, it's a joke.

Devin Fuller has a chance to come in and play right away and Golson really has a shot at taking the reigns.

We were the better team in every game except the Stanford game. I would argue the USC game as well because turnovers affected that game too.

 

[johnnykillz]

QB play has a lot to be desired. That's the MO of this game...

Bottom line: Golson has the edge, IMO.

 

[johnnykillz]

I'm tired of losing to douche bags.

 

[CarrollVermin]

Maty Mauk anybody??

I kid!! Seriously, it's a joke.

Devin Fuller has a chance to come in and play right away and Golson really has a shot at taking the reigns.

We were the better team in every game except the Stanford game. I would argue the USC game as well because turnovers affected that game too.

So start another unproven QB and expect to win??

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I need BobD to cheer me up.