Good first half, absolutely pathetic second half

[choo choo]

just cant go with pathetic...sure we made some mistakes and didnt look like the offense of last year but jc and golden are gone...thought we established a running game, and were getting after it better on d...walls and gray were great...not good enough to beat michigan, but it was a good first game WIN...and we even kicked extra points and field goals...ok, not great but no way in hell was it pathetic

 

[CanadianIrish]

Some parts of the game were really good (we can actually run again, loin looked ok). However, Dane has me really worried. At this point his accuracy is appalling, he threw away two tds and almost threw away the ball on the last throw of the game which was a five yard out for christ's sake. Unless there is BIG improvement at qb we are going to have a very average season.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

ND owned the game. Time for a celebration today.

Sorry to digress, but everytime I see choo choo post, and I want to celebrate, I think

YouTube - C'mon N' Ride It (The Train) - Jay Ski (Greatest Hits)

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[Irish Man3]

Some parts of the game were really good (we can actually run again, loin looked ok). However, Dane has me really worried. At this point his accuracy is appalling, he threw away two tds and almost threw away the ball on the last throw of the game which was a five yard out for christ's sake. Unless there is BIG improvement at qb we are going to have a very average season.

DAYNE should not have anybody really worried. When you say "at this point" you understand the fact that your speaking after week 1 of the season right? Im sure as any coach with a brain would do, BK told DAYNE to manage the game and go through his reads and make the simple decision. This was his first start in front of 80,000+, first contact since surgery, first start in a brand new system, and against a solid in-state rival. Crist was not over the top impressive but he managed the game very well and avoided big mistakes. Job well done for week 1.

 

[CanadianIrish]

5* quarterbacks should not be "managing" the game. His accuracy was terrible - just watch that last throw again. I'm not going to pretend he played well or lower expectations. Accepting that quality of play is what has led to years of bad teams.

 

[WaveDomer]

I think some expectations are a bit ridiculous. Fair criticism is fine, but it seems like people were expecting too much. Dayne played a solid game. He should have had 2 sure TDs and maybe one more. Floyd dropped the sure one and he overthrew on a couple more. He didn't turn the ball over. He held it too long at times, but he also made a nice scramble. He moved the chains. Keep in mind, he hasn't played much. And his last game series ended with injury. This is a new system and there are many new pieces to the team. I'm not sure what people expect. The guy won the game. For the most part he threw with nice accuracy. He probably just doesn't have the confidence yet to make the tight throws into coverage. He threw one out to Floyd that was beautifully placed. Give the guy some slack and let him grow into the position for a week or two, will ya?

This team played solid football in all phases. There were little mistakes but no real killers. 2 penalties and both in the kicking game. That is awesome beyond belief. I'll take solid wins any day of the week over some exciting up and down crap.

 

[SoInIrishFan]

5* quarterbacks should not be "managing" the game. His accuracy was terrible - just watch that last throw again. I'm not going to pretend he played well or lower expectations. Accepting that quality of play is what has led to years of bad teams.

Not another *'s person. Crist did exactly what was asked of him. He played very well for a 1st time starter. No glaring mistakes, and plenty of room for improvement.

You're assessing this "first start" QB like he's been in the system for 2 years as a starter. Very unreasonable, and makes one question your reasoning. I'm don't know of many 1st time starters, playing quality opponents, who do what you're expecting.

If JC was still playing, I'd be right there with you. That's not the case.

I'd expect DC to get better every week, and continue to do what the staff asks of him. He helped ND win, and didn't lose it. He has the talent and the brains to be an elite (5 * LOL) QB at the college level. Give the young man a chance.

Just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Harrison Smith is a major liability

I think you mean "Brian". Great against blockers, but continues to struggle against ballcarriers in open space, and consistently finds himself out of position.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

5* quarterbacks should not be "managing" the game. His accuracy was terrible - just watch that last throw again. I'm not going to pretend he played well or lower expectations. Accepting that quality of play is what has led to years of bad teams.

He was 19 for 26 with no interceptions.

"Terrible" must mean something else in Canada, eh hoser?

 

[RyCo1983]

5* quarterbacks should not be "managing" the game. His accuracy was terrible - just watch that last throw again. I'm not going to pretend he played well or lower expectations. Accepting that quality of play is what has led to years of bad teams.

2 maybe 3 total passes weren't spot on accurate.
his completion percentage was over 70% and he had over 200 yards and a touchdown toss, should have been 2 for sure (COME ON FLOYD).
First game in a system that takes 2 years to properly implement.
He played smart
He played cautious
He didn't make mistakes

HE DID WHAT KELLY ASKED HIM TO DO.
BK is easing Dayne into the spread.

Crist had a solid game.
Kelly will be utilizing the run as much as he can as long as its productive.
So get used to Crist not having 400-500 yards passing in every game like Pike did at Cinci.
That's not gonna happen as long as there is a running game that's actually producing.

I will say, to actually keep this post on topic, that the first half was great, the OLB position will be an issue if we can't keep all the boys healthy. Those flats were wide open and Marve abused them. Defense played pretty stout and shut down the deep ball for all but 2 plays which thankfully were either overthrown or dropped.

All-in-all
The Alamo is pleased.

 

[Irish Man3]

5* quarterbacks should not be "managing" the game. His accuracy was terrible - just watch that last throw again. I'm not going to pretend he played well or lower expectations. Accepting that quality of play is what has led to years of bad teams.

His accurancy was terrible? I think your right judging by all the INTs he threw. He threw three balls that were off target. He threw for over a 70% completion percentage. That sucks big time in division one college football. He threw one touchdown and had Floyd not fumbled on the 4 yard line, he would've thrown two.
By last throw Im guessing you mean the one that he lead Floyd towards the sidelines and away from the defender to pick up the first down and seal the game??? That throw?? Yea that sucked as well.
No1 said that DAYNE CRIST played amazing. He did what was asked of a "5*" qb in his first start. On another note, since you are a huge Irish fan you should learn to spell the names of the people you are throwing under the bus correctly. His name is not Dane. Show some respect and try to understand how football works!

 

[ACamp1900]

nice little side note...

we outscored purdue in the second half... that is my kind of "pathetic secondhalf"

 

[NDgettysburg]

A win is a win.


That is all.

Is that a Charlie Weis quote?

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Thanks for this thread guys! Over the last 10 months, I had forgotten what is what like to come on here and wonder what game some people are watching. It really is the glue sniffers that keep this place interesting at times.

 

[jason_h537]

There is no doubt in my mind that Dayne will be a star, i watched him in HS and he owns that locker room already. Terrrible is harsh, he is learning a new system and has run with the one's for a couple months. He is not hgnna be Jimmy accurate but he played well and need to work on his timing and touch. By the bowl game we will be talking Heisman for him next year. Mark it down

 

[IrishJayhawk]

nice little side note...

we outscored purdue in the second half... that is my kind of "pathetic secondhalf"

You're pathetic.

 

[IrishinSyria]

I watched the game live, so its not as easy to evaluate some things as it is on TV, especially when you're yelling yourself hoarse (and wondering if Taylor Swift is really in the stadium.) But a few things: Crist's touch in the red-zone is a bit worrisome, because scoring those touchdowns will be key to the Kelly system. He will be going 4 or 5 wide when the ball is under the 10 yardline, receivers will not have much room to get open, and Crist will need to put the ball on the money when they do get a step or else this offense simply will not work.

The other thing that jumped out was our coverage of men coming out of the flats, especially when the quarterback was rolling out. Brian Smith in particular just did not look like he could do anything to stop those 5 to 10 yard completions.

Finally, only one turnover but we put the ball on the ground 3 times. Can't keep doing that.

Overall though, much more good than bad. Purdue was a good warm-up, it looks like Michigan is going to be the "show me" game it traditionally is.

 

[WabashFalcon]

YouTube - DJ Khaled "All I Do Is Win" feat. Ludacris, Rick Ross, T-Pain & Snoop Dogg / Victory In Stores Now

Enjoy.

 

[thinkirish]

Michigan will face a 3-4d next week, Ucon plays a what?
Robinson will see a much more agressive d Saturday. He'll get yardage and he'll make plays and he'll also make a mistake or two.
A touchback, more of those!
The passing game will improve.
Coach Kelly looks good on that sideline.
Bennett Jackson!

 

[JughedJones]

I saw many more positives than negatives.

The game could have easily been a much bigger win and I never really felt worried we'd lose.

I thought the D for looked good for the most part and was much much improved from last year.

GO IRISH BEAT MICHIGAN!

 

[IrishJayhawk]

...and I never really felt worried we'd lose.

This is where I'm at. I didn't ever feel that we'd lose. Last year, I would have broken something.

 

[DomeX2 eNVy]

I saw a lot of contrast to last year's team, with a few similarities. The big differences to me were:
First thing: seeing the coach run out on the field with the team – it just gave out a positive change.
Not having an explosive/scoring first drive. It seemed like that was something CW had dialed in with his schematic advantage. We got used to that and without it, it (wrongly) seemed like a slow start.
More likely than not to prevent a 1st down on 3rd and long. They gave up some yards, but not enough. Huge positive and improvement on the worst element of last year’s team every game.
The D line pushed their O line back 2+ yards multiple times. I just don’t remember much more than a stalemate last year.
Multiple 10 yard runs, i.e. a running game as noted about 100 times in this thread. AA looked good, but Cierre was electric almost every touch.
While there was a 2nd half lapse like last year, it didn’t extend straight out of half time. They came out strong, but had a little mental let down later – though they recovered. There were about 10 bad minutes in the 2nd half, not the whole half. Purdue’s long drive was extended because Manti missed some sure tackles. I can live with the other teams relying on him to make mistakes in order to move the ball, because I doubt he’ll miss manh more.
The kicking and return game were much improved. Ruffer was solid, lots of confidence in him now. I expect Turk to have better games from now on, and we’ll see some return TDs.
Lack of the perception of a vertical passing game. Again, we were spoiled from last year – however I believe Purdue was playing a lot of cover 2. I recall a game last year (I think BC) where they did that, and most all of JC’s passes were underneath, and people were complaining. Dayne took what was there; he wasn’t perfect, but good enough for a first start.
It was great to see coaching adjustments mid game.

My favorite thing about the game was seeing Brian Smith jumping around on the sideline for his teammates. While he may not have played perfectly, I think he was a positive influence with the way he is taking his backup role – though he was in a lot.

All in all, I was pleased, but I don’t feel exuberant about the team . . . yet. And I’m more worried about Michigan now than I was two days ago. Should be fun!!!

 

[IrishinSyria]

All in all, I was pleased, but I don’t feel exuberant about the team . . . yet. And I’m more worried about Michigan now than I was two days ago. Should be fun!!!

Exactly. Both teams look like they should be legit this year, which means its a very important game.

 

[IrishGiant]

I wouldn't term it an absolutely pathetic second half. Last year this same team probably loses this kind of game. The bent, but didn't break, and got the big plays, and stops when they needed to. It's the first game, and I'm pleased with the early returns thus far.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

does anyone know why Slaugter was taken out...I would start zeke and slaughter...

Dude I completely agree with you! I'm wondering why we took Slaughter out in the second half also. I def think that Motta and Slaughter give us the best Safety combo back there. Smith seemed a little delayed in his read and reaction yesterday.

Also it seemed like in the second half Smith and Neal were playing the OLB spots and Fleming wasn't playing much...

 

[choo choo]

doomer, you make me blush

 

[military_irish]

Dude I completely agree with you! I'm wondering why we took Slaughter out in the second half also. I def think that Motta and Slaughter give us the best Safety combo back there. Smith seemed a little delayed in his read and reaction yesterday.

Also it seemed like in the second half Smith and Neal were playing the OLB spots and Fleming wasn't playing much...

Slaughter was taken out because he suffered an ankle sprain, he'll be out until at least Tuesday but is expected to play versus Michigan

 

[tonyroberts4life]

I was at the game so I wasn't able to get the replays but from watching it live I was impressed with the defense.
-Secondary was greatly improved over last year.
-Played very physical
-Minus a few exceptions, limited the big plays.

I really don't get where some of you thought Dayne had a bad game??? Sure he missed his spot a few times but he ran the no-huddle offense like a true leader and WON the game. Good first start in my book! GO IRISH!! Beat michigan!

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Does anyone know if young McCarthy played? how did he do...I looked for him...(wathched the game again)....did not see him.