Natty Postgame

[IrishinSyria]

This is a good breakdown of the back breaking Smith catch.

 

[laughingirish92]

so damn proud of this team for not throwing in the towel after being down multiple scores and coming back to make it a one score game late in fourth

 

[greyhammer90]

Just got home from the game. Obviously I'm down about it, and I'm not big on moral victories, but the fight in this team is unbelievable. The fact that the game was as lopsided as it was 1:30 into the second half, and we ended up in a position where we were fighting to get the ball back down one possession late was amazing.

OSU was the more talented and healthier team, they gave us their best haymakers for 2.5 quarters, their QB played mistake-free football, and we still had a shot to win the game.

I dont know if this was just a preternatural gutsy group or if Freeman brought this out of them. I really hope it's the latter because I dont see how Freeman doesn't win one at some point.

 

[MPClinton22]

Also just got home from the game. Not much to say about the play or big takeaways regarding our team, but the one thing I will say is this - OSU fans are lame AF. Not even rude or cocky or anything. Just lame. They were all just walking around after the game looking for their rides home, like nothing had happened. Y’all just won a championship, and you’re acting like you’re commuting home from work. It was so bizarre.

 

[IrishTusker]

Also just got home from the game. Not much to say about the play or big takeaways regarding our team, but the one thing I will say is this - OSU fans are lame AF. Not even rude or cocky or anything. Just lame. They were all just walking around after the game looking for their rides home, like nothing had happened. Y’all just won a championship, and you’re acting like you’re commuting home from work. It was so bizarre.

They expected to win easily. And did.

 

[MacIrish75]

Someday we’ll win the natty again, fellas.

 

[MPClinton22]

They expected to win easily. And did.

Nah because even Bama didn’t act like this in 2013. I’ve never seen a winning fan base more disinterested in celebrating their win

 

[greyhammer90]

I'll also add that Marcus outsmarted me. I wasn't posting from the game but I was livid when he elected to kick that FG. Why the hell would you take 3 points when it doesn't change your number of possessions?

Imagine my surprise late in the 4th when I realized that if we had made that kick we'd be trying to get the ball back to actually win the game in regulation.

Turns out Freeman and his analyst know ball better than I do.

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

I'll also add that Marcus outsmarted me. I wasn't posting from the game but I was livid when he elected to kick that FG.

Imagine my surprise late in the 4th when I realized that if we had made that kick we'd be trying to get the ball back to actually win the game in regulation.

Turns out Freeman and his analyst know ball better than I do.

What if we had scored the TD and 2 pt conversion?

 

[jpachuta33]

Any take that says we were over matched by a highly superior team is a joke.

We totally could have won this game. Our later play in the game showed that pretty clear.

The problem was poor pass play by Riley early on. He had all day and couldn’t seem to find anyone open when OSU’s DB’s are not great. Which showed late in the game when we actually threw the ball downfield and tested them.

Poor game plan for our coaches as well, especially Golden and Freeman (apparently, buck stops with the HC). Way too conservative

The most frustrating part of this game was that we could have won, but showed up poorly and were poorly coached on the whole.

The good news is we could have won the title game after running the gamut in the playoffs. Great season, disappointing ending, with a very positive outlook moving forward.

Respect your opinion, but I kindly disagree. With the injuries we have suffered this year, we were over matched tonight. It was 31-7 and Ohio State let their foot off the gas.

Ask yourself, what starters for Notre Dame tonight would start for Ohio State? Maybe Mitchell Evans at tight end? Xavier Watts isn’t starting over Caleb Downs.

 

[greyhammer90]

What if we had scored the TD and 2 pt conversion?

From 4th and 9 with a shrunk field? I'd say Mitch was statistically more likely at that point in the game. My biggest issue was that I didn't think there was a chance that we would have enough time. We did, just couldn't get the last stop.

 

[T-Boone]

I think the young LBs looked tired this game. Ausberry should have brought Judkins down in the 1st for example.

 

[aubeirish]

Gutted right now. That said, heck of a season boys, heck of a season!

 

[T-Boone]

Respect your opinion, but I kindly disagree. With the injuries we have suffered this year, we were over matched tonight. It was 31-7 and Ohio State let their foot off the gas.

Ask yourself, what starters for Notre Dame tonight would start for Ohio State? Maybe Mitchell Evans at tight end? Xavier Watts isn’t starting over Caleb Downs.

I'd have Moore and Schrauth in there. But yes there was a talent gap and we just missed a pass rusher like Traore.

 

[MacIrish75]

I'll also add that Marcus outsmarted me. I wasn't posting from the game but I was livid when he elected to kick that FG. Why the hell would you take 3 points when it doesn't change your number of possessions?

Imagine my surprise late in the 4th when I realized that if we had made that kick we'd be trying to get the ball back to actually win the game in regulation.

Turns out Freeman and his analyst know ball better than I do.

I just felt so bad for Mitch. Short kick. Right hash. Late call to kick, so your operation is sped up…yeah he probably could’ve/should’ve made it, but that’s so tough.

 

[CanadalovesND]

I have a strong feeling that we win this game if Morrison is healthy. Thems the brakes. Never saw so many injuries as we had this year, it's perplexing.

One could argue that Mills, or Botelho/Traore, would have been more impactful, or would have been a bigger need in this game that ND didn't have.

 

[nfbuckeye]

Just wanted to stop by and congratulate you all on a helluva season. Was really impressed with how your guys fought back tonight. A lot of teams would've folded after that first half. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you guys get a Natty under Freeman; he's a damn good coach.

 

[IrishLax]

What if we had scored the TD and 2 pt conversion?

The odds of that, even against an "average" defense, were incredibly low. 23% chance of TD... 11% chance of getting both. Factor in Ohio State other worldly goal-to-go defense and the numbers drop well below 10%.

Sad reality no matter what happened our odds of winning were quite low, even if we got the TD the odds were like ~7% chance of victory:

 

[GATTACA!]

I saw the score after it ended. Because I was doing something else with my time because they weren’t winning this game and that was obvious to anyone who looked at the matchup. Why would I waste my time getting upset about it? It’s just a football game.

Avoids the game to avoid upsetting himself.

Gets upset in arguments about not watching the game.

 

[ColinKSU]

Avoids the game to avoid upsetting himself.

Gets upset in arguments about not watching the game.

It’s about the amount of time spent upset. I can handle some dork for a few minutes, but an entire game? Naa.

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

The odds of that, even against an "average" defense, were incredibly low. 23% chance of TD... 11% chance of getting both. Factor in Ohio State other worldly goal-to-go defense and the numbers drop well below 10%.

Sad reality no matter what happened our odds of winning were quite low, even if we got the TD the odds were like ~7% chance of victory:

Agree. This is my point. It was a toss up call. Anyone emphatically saying they absolutely should’ve kicked the FG or they absolutely should have gone for the TD doesn’t know what they’re talking about.

 

[ulukinatme]

Yeah, I didn't like the kick myself. I suppose it works if we make it and we got two quick stops, but we didn't do either so...eh.

 

[ulukinatme]

One could argue that Mills, or Botelho/Traore, would have been more impactful, or would have been a bigger need in this game that ND didn't have.

Perhaps, but Gray got picked on once again. I know the scheme called for it and whatnot, but no way would I have had Gray lined up against Smith at any point tonight. That's poor planning imo. If Morrison is out there with Leonard I think we prevent some big passes that hurt us tonight and we're not playing from behind so much.

 

[greyhammer90]

Agree. This is my point. It was a toss up call. Anyone emphatically saying they absolutely should’ve kicked the FG or they absolutely should have gone for the TD doesn’t know what they’re talking about.

Ok so who are you arguing with? All I said was that I thought it was stupid, then realized it wasn't stupid when I considered how the game flowed after

 

[GATTACA!]

1. You can’t give up 4 long field TDs on 4 drives to start the game and expect to have any chance of winning. The number one thing you have to question is going away from what got you here to try to “out scheme” Ohio State. Who knows if playing man and blitzing would’ve gone better, but it couldn’t have gone worse.

Frankly, yeah it could have gone worse. Not the direct results of the drives, but at least from a TOP standpoint. Their first drive took over 6 minutes. If we play aggressive man and they start scoring with 3 shot plays we're looking at a Oregon style 35-7 at the half beatdown.

 

[LifelongFan]

Devastating way to end the year. Maybe next season will be it.

 

[BeatSC]

If we make that chip shot we assure #2. If we are #3 that is the difference. Makes it a one score loss. No excuse missing a chip shot. Going easy on him since he was money for 2 games. Hope new guy is a good kicker all season.

 

[MacIrish75]

All I know is @ND88 boutta be real mad when someone fires up the BK thread in the coming days…

 

[yankeehater]

Six of the top nine leading tacklers tonight were FR or SOPH. Barring a transfer portal exodus this team will be loaded next season with most of the offense coming back as well. Only have a few positions to fill and I look forward to seeing what our current returning QBs can do.

 

[MacIrish75]

If we make that chip shot we assure #2. If we are #3 that is the difference. Makes it a one score loss. No excuse missing a chip shot. Going easy on him since he was money for 2 games. Hope new guy is a good kicker all season.

He’s a right footed kicker from the right hash from the 9 yard line who got run out there with about 1/3 the normal prep time. Yeah it’s a shorter kick, but that kick is also tough as hell.