I think the main difference was ND receivers getting separation against Navy. That’s it.
Tommy Rees calling plays uncredited would be the ultimate full circle of an underappreciated all-timer
Honestly think Book’s roll out and Lawrence Keys’ sideline catch was our highlight play of the season. Awesome patience, great throw, incredible toe tap.
Out of respect for Long.....If LAX is right, which I think he is, I would expect to see Long, "accept" a new position during the off-season.
If it has changed, why would it be kept a secret who is calling offensive plays?
I think the main difference was ND receivers getting separation against Navy. That’s it.
Long is fatigued
VT was down to the last 2 CBs on their roster, and had a defense ranked 88th by advanced stats at game time.
Out of respect for Long.....If LAX is right, which I think he is, I would expect to see Long, "accept" a new position during the off-season.
I don’t think you’re giving him enough credit. The Lenzy play was right in front of us and Book let that one fly before Lenzy was past the DB.
I will say the protection was really good and Navy got killed by their failed blitzes. Book saw a ton of man coverage and had time to throw. Still, ND has been unable to punish anybody for gambling on defense so this was great to see.
I would love to believe the positive strides are the result of rearranged staff responsibilities.
I remember them being depleted but I checked the game log and they had a lot of CB's in the box score. That's not including the Deablo who became an All American that game. Oh, and a couple of the CB's are Caleb Farley and Nadir Thompson who are legit 10.6-10.7 track guys in HS. I would not be afraid to bet whoever was on the field at CB for VT was better/faster than the Navy CB's
For all the talk about the run game still being horrible:
Is Armstrong going to truly be an integral part of the backs moving forward?
I'm curious to know more about the board's views on his potential and what everyone thinks his ceiling is.
Anything you can share, or just guessing?
McKinley was out, in walking boot. Unsure on status.
Tommy Rees calling plays uncredited would be the ultimate full circle of an underappreciated all-timer
They had injuries during the game, and after their last one it was remarked that they were out of reserves. On the Virginia Tech post game radio I listened to on the drive home, Bud Foster confirmed that they were down to 2 scholarship CBs and that he was hopeful they could get some guys back for the upcoming games or that they would "be in trouble." So that's what I was referencing.
I understand your point about VT having superior athletes and it's accurate, but while your original post might've been tongue-in-cheek Navy certainly has guys running faster than 4.8. They have been a solid unit all year, and have not gotten torched by opposing passing offenses despite playing a handful of teams with passing offenses rated comparable to ND's heading.
Virginia Tech has been playing some better football in recent weeks. They ascended to a defensive ranking of 35th in SP+ and 59th in FEI. At game time against ND they were 55th and 88th. So they're playing really well to improve that much in advanced statistical rankings in a short period of time. For reference, Navy was 45th and 25th coming into the game, and had allowed 8 passing TDs all season. Those rankings will certainly drop after ND torched them.
I just want to make sure people aren't poo-poo-ing this performance by Book, Claypool, etc. That was (arguably) one of the better defenses they've played this year, and they absolutely clowned them. Part of that is better athletes, but the bigger part IMO is execution and play calling. If ND plays that way the rest of the year BC and Stanford will be laughers.
Anyways, just hope the FSU & Arkansas jobs start a coaching matriculation that lands Long a job at a G5 school down south or the OC job at Bama we actually feared last year.
For all the talk about the run game still being horrible:
Is Armstrong going to truly be an integral part of the backs moving forward?
I'm curious to know more about the board's views on his potential and what everyone thinks his ceiling is.
Re-watching some of the game and the tackle Hamilton made chasing down Perry is unreal. Nobody on the field makes that play besides him.
Idk Pride is pretty fast and has chased down many players
Norvell to Arky, Long back to Memphis
Idk Pride is pretty fast and has chased down many players