New Mexico Post game thread

[Irish YJ]

Why not send McKinley long? And why is it on BK?

Chip Long calls the plays.

And I’d take my chances with a 50/50 deep ball all day with Von.


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McKinley is slow and gets zero separation on go routes. I'd prefer someone that actually gets separation who can catch it on the run. If you watched the 2Q attempt (mid to long) to him, the DB was stride for stride (actually ahead of him by half a step), and he didn't make the best play on the ball. He got bailed out by a PI, but looked slow/awkward aside form the PI.

We keep hearing Book needs to throw it longer, etc... but it sucks for a QB when almost every long ball is at WR with no separation and is more or less a 50/50 ball. It works out with guys like Claypool or Boykin, but I don't see it working out near as much with VM.

Also, sure Long calls plays, but this is still BKs O. Aside from the young guys getting a shot at KR (which was pleasantly surprising), the "safe" calls on personnel have permeated every BK O.

I like VM, just not for long routes.

 

[Old Man Mike]

A few random thoughts

1. when you beat somebody 1000-6 you are doing somethings very right --- AND those things squeeze out opportunities for other things that you might have done;
2. the other guys will make some plays. Despite IE mockery of them, they are actually pretty good athletes;
3. pass blocking errors were essentially due to our center not holding up very well (yet --- I remain hopeful; give the kid some time) and lousy support, as usual from TEs and RBs; and WRs not getting open;
4. the ineffectiveness on very short yardage situations --- Long needs to tell the RB (or Book) to run behind Kraemer/Hainsey, not between Kraemer/center or Banks/center. Kraemer buried or at least got significant push on every one of those plays I slowed down to analyze. In my amateur opinion, what we should do on these things is this:

a). Put Wright on Hainsey's shoulder;
b. Have Kraemer/Hainsey slightly slant towards center (they will bury some people and make a pile), Wright's job is simply to stop a blitzing LB from being too involved --- we only need a yard or so on these;
c. Line Lugg up in the backfield as an H-Back --- yeh, one of the only good ideas that Stanford typically is willing to use. If Long is too nervous to do that --- well, he's wrong --- and he can use some defensive wild man as his "fullback" instead --- Bo Bauer seems to be such a wild man, but I'd take MTA;
d. Bust the H-Back right into the backass of the Kraemer/Hainsey pile --- who cares if they know where we're running? We're meaner than they are (and we only need one yard);
e. If Long won't do that, at least do the Kraemer/Hainsey/ Wright part and tell the @#$% back to hit THAT spot, not the center or dance.

5. McKinley looked powerful --- I like it;
6. The third string QBs arm is the livest accurate-looking thing I've seen at ND for awhile --- how will we get these three guys playing time and not lose someone to transfer? This year Ian/Phil is psychologically OK, but next year? If Clark has the arm that it looked like in this brief appearance, I'd HATE to lose him. On the other hand, Jurkovec is just an athletic stud who probably will be able to do ANYTHING in real action. Could we have two great ones coming after Ian leads us to glory in his time?

7. OK. Georgia is a monster. We have to be saving a lot back --- so have they, but they probably don't spend as much time on that as they are a base running team. We'll just have to see "what they got." Also, Lea needs one or two series to get adjustments installed --- he's just like Bud Foster used to be in that. He counts on his DTs and corners to hold the fort until the rest of the plan clicks in. So, patience .....

 

[koonja]

I wss watching with a buddy who doesn't know ND football.

After McKinley's TD he goes "that's the longest TD from a TE I can remember".

That's why McKinley doesn't/shouldn't play more.

 

[Riddickulous]

I missed most of the game but I do have one gripe from what I saw. I don't understand why Phil Jurkovec only got one drive. Shouldn't we be getting him as many reps as possible?

 

[stpeteirish]

A few random thoughts

1. when you beat somebody 1000-6 you are doing somethings very right --- AND those things squeeze out opportunities for other things that you might have done;
2. the other guys will make some plays. Despite IE mockery of them, they are actually pretty good athletes;
3. pass blocking errors were essentially due to our center not holding up very well (yet --- I remain hopeful; give the kid some time) and lousy support, as usual from TEs and RBs; and WRs not getting open;
4. the ineffectiveness on very short yardage situations --- Long needs to tell the RB (or Book) to run behind Kraemer/Hainsey, not between Kraemer/center or Banks/center. Kraemer buried or at least got significant push on every one of those plays I slowed down to analyze. In my amateur opinion, what we should do on these things is this:

a). Put Wright on Hainsey's shoulder;
b. Have Kraemer/Hainsey slightly slant towards center (they will bury some people and make a pile), Wright's job is simply to stop a blitzing LB from being too involved --- we only need a yard or so on these;
c. Line Lugg up in the backfield as an H-Back --- yeh, one of the only good ideas that Stanford typically is willing to use. If Long is too nervous to do that --- well, he's wrong --- and he can use some defensive wild man as his "fullback" instead --- Bo Bauer seems to be such a wild man, but I'd take MTA;
d. Bust the H-Back right into the backass of the Kraemer/Hainsey pile --- who cares if they know where we're running? We're meaner than they are (and we only need one yard);
e. If Long won't do that, at least do the Kraemer/Hainsey/ Wright part and tell the @#$% back to hit THAT spot, not the center or dance.

5. McKinley looked powerful --- I like it;
6. The third string QBs arm is the livest accurate-looking thing I've seen at ND for awhile --- how will we get these three guys playing time and not lose someone to transfer? This year Ian/Phil is psychologically OK, but next year? If Clark has the arm that it looked like in this brief appearance, I'd HATE to lose him. On the other hand, Jurkovec is just an athletic stud who probably will be able to do ANYTHING in real action. Could we have two great ones coming after Ian leads us to glory in his time?

7. OK. Georgia is a monster. We have to be saving a lot back --- so have they, but they probably don't spend as much time on that as they are a base running team. We'll just have to see "what they got." Also, Lea needs one or two series to get adjustments installed --- he's just like Bud Foster used to be in that. He counts on his DTs and corners to hold the fort until the rest of the plan clicks in. So, patience .....

Thanks for a more positive post. The amount of negativism here after a 66-14 win is almost NDN like. After hearing about how BK never "puts his foot on their throats" when we play a bad team now we score 66 points and, well, they can't tackle. Neither can Ball St and how'd we do vs them?

I see a deeper team than we've had in years but one that doesn't have the high end guys that the top teams have.

We only play one of those.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I wss watching with a buddy who doesn't know ND football.

After McKinley's TD he goes "that's the longest TD from a TE I can remember".

That's why McKinley doesn't/shouldn't play more.

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want McKinley as a WR in the red zone. The back shoulder fade TD is indefensible. If Book puts it in that spot every time and Von’s strong hands that play is indefensible.


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[koonja]

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want McKinley as a WR in the red zone. The back shoulder fade TD is indefensible. If Book puts it in that spot every time and Von’s strong hands that play is indefensible.


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Im completely fine using Mckinley in that limited role opposite of Claypool.

But he's just too slow to use as we drive the field, IMO.

 

[Irish2155]

I don’t expect to see much of Vaughn next week. First corner off the bench will be Bracy.

McKinley and Lenzy need to play more.

I thought Bilal played well today.

I didn’t like the game camera at all.


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I hated that camera angle.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I hated that camera angle.

Thought it was horrible. I actually felt farther from the action...


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[calvegas04]

Wish PJ had more than 1 series, other than the one good pass he looked extremely lost out there

 

[irishandy]

My postgame thoughts:

Book looked horrible in the first quarter, but made the necessary adjustments. We will need him to be 60 minutes good for next week.

Happy for Javon McKinley. He played like he belonged and when called upon he produced. I'd like to see him work his way into a starting role.

With their speed I think Lawrence Keys/Braden Lenzy would be a great tag team at slot receiver. Finke has been MIA this year.

The running game didn't impress me and we will need more out of our 4 RB's next week. I really like Kyren Williams, could he be our dark horse for Georgia?

Daelin Hayes quietly had a great game.

Kyle Hamilton isn't playing like a freshman. In the 4 passes thrown his way this year he's had 2 pass breakups and a pick 6.

Where is Houston Griffith on defense?? Why isn't he playing.

Go Irish!!!

I also think that ND has held back on offense and defense not showing everything. I hope to see more next week.

 

[koonja]

How excited is everyone for the Avery Davis double pass?

I hope ND executes it.

 

[irishandy]

How excited is everyone for the Avery Davis double pass?

I hope ND executes it.

It was a hell of a play. Glad to see him get on the field.

When he scored and I saw #4 my first thought was that Kevin Austin isn't playing this year. Even the announcer announced it as Kevin Austin scoring the TD, but he corrected the stat.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

How excited is everyone for the Avery Davis double pass?

I hope ND executes it.

You know it’s coming on one of the jet sweeps. Thing is the defense will probably be alert to that also...


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[Valpodoc85]

The team I saw yesterday is a work in progress. Certainly has some good athletes. Georgia is much more polished, with outstanding athletes and good depth. Next week will be a tough pill. Virginia the following week could also be tough, if leadership doesn't keep the troops focused and further injuries hurt the cause. Without a functional running game Virginia will be a fight

 

[Irishize]

The team I saw yesterday is a work in progress. Certainly has some good athletes. Georgia is much more polished, with outstanding athletes and good depth. Next week will be a tough pill. Virginia the following week could also be tough, if leadership doesn't keep the troops focused and further injuries hurt the cause. Without a functional running game Virginia will be a fight

And Bryce Perkins will give ND fits.

 

[stpeteirish]

The team I saw yesterday is a work in progress. Certainly has some good athletes. Georgia is much more polished, with outstanding athletes and good depth. Next week will be a tough pill. Virginia the following week could also be tough, if leadership doesn't keep the troops focused and further injuries hurt the cause. Without a functional running game Virginia will be a fight

I was highly unimpressed with UVA in their game last night. Barely got out of it with a win vs a dysfunctional FSU team. Its not quite a one man team but nobody besides Perkins stood out. Their Oline was overpowered by FSU on many occasions.

Perkins is crazy good at avoiding pressure tho. Keep him in the pocket. He only showed accuracy on the short passes last night.

 

[tko]

Went to watch the second half on the recording and Directv didn't record on NBC, said something about 4k. This is the first time I've had this issue. The ABC game @ Louisville recorded fine.

 

[GUknights75]

Went to watch the second half on the recording and Directv didn't record on NBC, said something about 4k. This is the first time I've had this issue. The ABC game @ Louisville recorded fine.

I had the same problem

 

[Irish#1]

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want McKinley as a WR in the red zone. The back shoulder fade TD is indefensible. If Book puts it in that spot every time and Von’s strong hands that play is indefensible.


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Im completely fine using Mckinley in that limited role opposite of Claypool.

But he's just too slow to use as we drive the field, IMO.

From BK’s presser it sounds like he will play more. Don’t be surprised to see him and Funke moved back to slot on occasions.

 

[stlnd01]

From BK’s presser it sounds like he will play more. Don’t be surprised to see him and Funke moved back to slot on occasions.

Eric Hansen has BK saying McKinley will start at boundary, with Finke moving back to the slot.
https://www.ndinsider.com/football/...cle_77d97415-8051-5356-9da3-b4cd6863d087.html

 

[greyhammer90]

Eric Hansen has BK saying McKinley will start at boundary, with Finke moving back to the slot.
https://www.ndinsider.com/football/...cle_77d97415-8051-5356-9da3-b4cd6863d087.html

The Sunday conference suggested that Claypoole might get moved to the outside nearer the slot, and McKinley could become the starter by that move.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I wss watching with a buddy who doesn't know ND football.

After McKinley's TD he goes "that's the longest TD from a TE I can remember".

That's why McKinley doesn't/shouldn't play more.

Does he know Claypool is bigger?

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[NDMIA]

#1 Chase Claypool - #1 WR material and plays like it.
#2 Chris Finke - pure slot WR. Had issues when playing outside
#3 Javon McKinley - big bodied outside guy. Closest on the roster to resembling Claypool outside of Micah Jones (not ready) and Kevin Austin (suspended)
#4 Lawrence Keys III - believe he’s a slot guy but not too sure where his skill set fits best but he’s probably the 4th best WR right now
#5 Braden Lenzy - put him in for the threat of a deep ball

INJ - Michael Young - don’t know where he’d slot in when he gets back but he’s a solid WR
SUS - Kevin Austin - it’ll be interesting to see where he’d get burn if he comes back at all this year.

#1 Cole Kmet - everything I see and read says he’ll be playing against UGA. Maybe not the entire game and every snap but he’s immediately the biggest threat at TE when he’s on the field
#2 Brock Wright - Especially against UGA you’ll see a lot of him for his blocking prowess. Good to see him catch a pass last week.
#3 Tommy Tremble - becoming a favorite target of Ian Book. Will be interesting to see if that diminishes against UGA with Kmet back in

#1 Tony Jones Jr. - this is a game where you’ll need to see Jones give everything. Hopefully he’s up for it
#2 Jahmir Smith - gonna need that toe to heal fast (BK said he should be ready). Seems to be a fairly decent drop off between #2 and #3 with C’Bo. Kyren flashed a little but idk if he’s ready for big time primetime. I think it’ll be entirely Jones Jr. & Smith.

INJ - Jafar Armstrong - really rough to be out for the UGA game cause they’re gonna need every inch they can get and he’s a dynamic back that ND doesn’t have to replace him.

 

[BGIF]

I wss watching with a buddy who doesn't know ND football.

...

A matched pair.

 

[arrowryan]

If you would've asked me in June, I probably would've said that this would be Book's last season in South Bend. Now, I'm not so sure. I hope he looks at Kizer and learns from the terrible decision DK made. I'm not sure why Phil only got one series, but Prister said on twitter that there might be a legit battle for no. 2 right now. Maybe the Notre Dame legacy of highly ranked quarterbacks getting outplayed by low ranked quarterbacks will live on.


I thought the defense played really good all game long. Yeah, NM put up some rushing yards but they needed 47 attempts to do so. You're not going to beat Notre Dame running it 47 times. In the passing game, I thought our secondary was rather suffocating.

The offense is interesting. Some of you have expressed concern about the offense not being able to have long drives. I think Notre Dame scored on 7 straight series on Saturday. Would I have liked to see Ian Book and the offense throw in a couple 8+ play drives in there? Sure. But knowing this fanbase, there probably would've been people complaining about a lack of explosive plays if they had long drives instead.

At the end of the day, Brian Kelly and the team did exactly what they wanted to do in this game: play backups early and often and finish the game injury free.

 

[Irish#1]

A matched pair.

LOL.........I'd rep ya if I could.

 

[Irish#1]

If you would've asked me in June, I probably would've said that this would be Book's last season in South Bend. Now, I'm not so sure. I hope he looks at Kizer and learns from the terrible decision DK made. I'm not sure why Phil only got one series, but Prister said on twitter that there might be a legit battle for no. 2 right now. Maybe the Notre Dame legacy of highly ranked quarterbacks getting outplayed by low ranked quarterbacks will live on.
.

I was listening to the game on the radio and have only been able to watch the first half so far, but I wouldn't be surprised if there is a battle. Except for the bomb, it sounded like 5* Phil really struggled. Given Phil got the majority of the #2 snaps in the spring and fall camps BK might have seen this as the only opportunity to see what Clark can do in live action. The announcers made it sound like Clark looked confident and comfortable,

 

[koonja]

Do you want Book back in 2020?

 

[stlnd01]

#1 Chase Claypool - #1 WR material and plays like it.
#2 Chris Finke - pure slot WR. Had issues when playing outside
#3 Javon McKinley - big bodied outside guy. Closest on the roster to resembling Claypool outside of Micah Jones (not ready) and Kevin Austin (suspended)
#4 Lawrence Keys III - believe he’s a slot guy but not too sure where his skill set fits best but he’s probably the 4th best WR right now
#5 Braden Lenzy - put him in for the threat of a deep ball

INJ - Michael Young - don’t know where he’d slot in when he gets back but he’s a solid WR
SUS - Kevin Austin - it’ll be interesting to see where he’d get burn if he comes back at all this year.

#1 Cole Kmet - everything I see and read says he’ll be playing against UGA. Maybe not the entire game and every snap but he’s immediately the biggest threat at TE when he’s on the field
#2 Brock Wright - Especially against UGA you’ll see a lot of him for his blocking prowess. Good to see him catch a pass last week.
#3 Tommy Tremble - becoming a favorite target of Ian Book. Will be interesting to see if that diminishes against UGA with Kmet back in

#1 Tony Jones Jr. - this is a game where you’ll need to see Jones give everything. Hopefully he’s up for it
#2 Jahmir Smith - gonna need that toe to heal fast (BK said he should be ready). Seems to be a fairly decent drop off between #2 and #3 with C’Bo. Kyren flashed a little but idk if he’s ready for big time primetime. I think it’ll be entirely Jones Jr. & Smith.

INJ - Jafar Armstrong - really rough to be out for the UGA game cause they’re gonna need every inch they can get and he’s a dynamic back that ND doesn’t have to replace him.

Good breakdown.
It will be interesting to see what happens when Young comes back. Whether he takes over the outside spot, or it's McKinley (or Austin?). Book did seem to benefit last year from having bigger WRs on the outside, and the experiment of putting Finke out there hasn't worked out so well. Rooting for McKinley to make it a tough decision (or an easy one, I suppose).
I do think we need to find ways to get the ball in the hands of Young, Lenzy and Keys though. All three can make plays. And someone will have to play WR for us next year.

The other thing this tells me: Aside from Claypool and Kmet (and maybe Lenzy or Tremble as an occasional situational player), there's no one on our skill position depth chart right now who would sniff the field on most of the teams ranked ahead of us. That's not great.

Did we run the two RB set at all on Saturday?