Nov 9 | Pittsburgh

[ulukinatme]

Actually if ND had made only 4 more out of 118 tries ND would be tied with 8-1 Auburn for #31. IF we had played Arkansas St, Florida Atlantic, and Div II Western Carolina like Auburn did, ND would be in the Top 20.

Holy crap, I never bothered to see who Auburn was playing this season to achieve that 9-1 record they have right now. Hell, even da Chiz probably could have been 8-1 right now with that schedule. Auburn has only needed to play two teams with a pulse: Texas A&M and LSU, losing to LSU and just beating A&M in a shootout. I was kind of hoping they might pull an upset against Alabama, now I'm not so sure.

 

[BGIF]

Uluk, good points. Look at our Track record With QB's is they don't stay for all of their years of eligibility.

Jimmy, Dayne, Gunner, Everett, Zach Frazier, Nate Montana, all won't/didn't spend all years of eligibility.

Heck, you can even go back to Demetries Jones, Matt Lovecchio.

They all left or transferred for different reasons. But, left none the less. So, getting some guys playing time early may help. Most won't stay for all of their years of eligibility.

Jimmy left when he was older than Rees is now. By the way hos is that Early to the NFL working for him?

Dayne got his ND degree than transferred to KU and flunked there as a QB.

Gunner made Les look good when he wouldn't even try to compete in Spring Ball.

Frazier left because he couldn't beat out Demetrious Jones in Spring Ball.

Nate Montana, are you serious? He was a WALK-ON and on the team only because of his father's name. He left for Pomona C.C. and couldn't compete with the guys they had there. What's he in now his 4th school.

Demtrious had the worse game I recall for an ND QB and he should such character that he didn't show up for the bus for the next game. He didn't have the common courtesy to tell anyone leaving the team a player short. He transferred to one school, then another and ended up playing part time as a LINEBACKER.

Matt LoVecchio came from my HS. He played well when thrown in the lurch as a true freshman but didn't like having to compete. His father was a head case and objected not only to who the coaches were playing in pradtice but he objected who the coaches were recruiting. He was told to BUTT OUT. So he pulled his kid out. He had an OK career in college, NW, I think, but didn't match his freshman success at ND.

There are others. The Olson kid bailed in preseason practice and had a unprestigious career at UVA. The was a Jr in '97, Zak Kustok, that was #2 on the depth chart going in the Spring Game behind Jackson. He was so bad in that game that both Arnaz Battle and Eric Chappell moved ahead of him. I was at that B&G game this kid's performance was poor but his attitude was visibly rotten. There were only 4 QBs on the team but Kustok dropped to 5th based on his performance on the field and on the sideline. I had a source on staff back in those days and was told Kustok was advised to turn his attitude around or turn in his uniform, his choice. Instead of taking it as a motivating factor he quit and went to NW where he did well after sitting out a year and maturing. Funny part was neither Battle nor Chappell were even capable QBs. Had this Kustok stayed he would have been the starter when Jarious went down. Battle later became a good WR and Chappell who would have been a very good safety (All State) left school for infractions.

Out of the guys you named Clausen was the only one with a noteworthy career. I don't follow the NFL but last I heard he wasn't considered a one in a decade player there, was he? Perhaps he and several of the others who were so quick to seek greener fields would have done better using their eligibility wisely.

 

[NDbrbkny]

tuitt's ejection was bogus!

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

I'm so disgusted.

 

[aubeirish]

There is a very very slim chance that a freshman QB would do a better job than Tommy. Tough loss. Let's move on and support...

 

[Rhode Irish]

Lol yeah other teams have these nights. Remember watching Oregon not execute anything for 3 quarters against Stanford? Or Michigan blow a game against PSU? Or LSU somehow continually f*ck up against Ole Miss?

It happens to everyone not named Alabama.

No, I get that. It is more the WAY we lose than the fact THAT we lose. I've been a fan of bad teams before, but none of them come up with as gut-wrenching ways to lose as ND. The Tuitt thing is something I will remember for as long as I am sports fan and retain a reasonable amount of my faculties. The Rees stuff is frustrating, but that is football. The Tuitt thing is something that feels like it could only happen to Notre Dame.

 

[BGIF]

No, I get that. It is more the WAY we lose than the fact THAT we lose. I've been a fan of bad teams before, but none of them come up with as gut-wrenching ways to lose as ND. The Tuitt thing is something I will remember for as long as I am sports fan and retain a reasonable amount of my faculties. The Rees stuff is frustrating, but that is football. The Tuitt thing is something that feels like it could only happen to Notre Dame.

Perhaps the ref didn't think Tuitt was being a good ambassador for ND and held him to a higher standard.

 

[PLACforever]

"Our mantra is you can't start winning until you stop losing and we did things tonight that caused losing," Kelly said.
Wtf?

 

[Irish Insanity]

]Irish Insanity, 2 of the 3 loses are right on tommy. Today 100% for sure[/B], and the stupid plays versus Michigan too. OK was more of a team loss.

Irish Insanity, those 2 turnovers lead to us not scoring 3 or 7 in the end zone and lead to a TD on the runback.

That is 10/14 points. How many did we lose by? 7

Did Tommy throw the ball wrongly in the end zone? Yes Did he over throw our TE for the other INT?

100% on him, and they weren't wrong routes/tips/fall downs etc. 100% on tommy and we lost by 7 and those were 10/14.

Now the Day and Fox boneheaded play on the fumble would only have been 7 points. But, 10/14 directly on Tommy. Not talking about the grounding or other inaccurate passes.

Whether you like it or not, #1 reason was Tommy Turnover tonight.

So was is it squarely on him as stated before, or 100% as stated in the first quote, or was he the #1 reason as stated in the second? I completely disagree with the first 2, and agree with the 3rd. I've never denied Tommy shared some fault. I simply said he wasn't the only reason. Thats what lead to my examples of the fumble and the D giving up so many points. Again Tommy is to blame, he's not the only one. He's just one of many issues.

Yeah, the 40 points we gave up to Michigan were all Tommy's fault. It had nothing to do with the fact we didn't want to stop Gallon and Gardner. The first pick six against Oklahoma was all on Tommy because he didn't anticipate getting hit in the blindside as he was throwing. The loss at Pitt was Tommy's fault for causing TJ to fumble at the 5 yard line, getting Tuitt ejected, and failing to keep the defense healthy going into this game.

Tommy isn't perfect, but the team around him isn't perfect either. You can point fingers if you want, but we're making mistakes at more than the QB position. Last year we got a lot of help from our defense and some lucky bounces. We're not really getting that this year. We're on pace to score more points than last year despite Tommy playing QB

This man gets it.

"Our mantra is you can't start winning until you stop losing and we did things tonight that caused losing," Kelly said.
Wtf?

He's right. We beat ourselves. And often. My question is what is gonna be done to change that? When do the mistakes become a staff issue as opposed to a player issue?

 

[Patulski]

Those are not my words I never said malik was to blame. I said it was the coaching staff for not giving him a shot. And I didn't say that was the only reason. I didn't also didn't say it would be a fix, but you never know until you try.

I think Kelly thought he could minimize the damage Rees could do to the football team. After all, Rees has played in 42 games. Unfortunately, he was wrong. All we can hope for is that with Golson/Zaire we will be a major upgrade at the QB position, which is the most important position on the field. What gives me hope is the contrast between Golson and Rees in the clutch against Pitt in 2012 and 2013. As a sophomore in his first season playing Golson put the team on his shoulders and won the game. As a Sr after 42 games played Rees threw the game away.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Well we wont miss your input. Go sit with all the other pussy fans on this site

Sad the one you call a pussy gets banned (I may have missed the post that caused it) yet **** like this is acceptable. Actually your pussy comment was referring to several on this site, but I'm certain now that includes yourself.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Point?

Chuck Martin's playcalling tonight wasn't the issue.

I generally agree with you and support your crusade against overreaction and blatant stupidity, but in this case I will say that Martin's playcalling - specifically on 3rd down - certainly did not help matters last night.

 

[kmoose]

I understand that, but honestly Andrew hasn'tearned much game time action. Where Tommy earned a lot. I can understand both sides. But, I also understand how many times Tommy has folded against good teams. And now he has done it against a team that isn't very good.

Then again, any QB could have thrown two ints in the endzone against FSU in the bowl game. And that happens a lot with Tommy. We have 3 more games of Tommy and I for one can't wait until he no longer has any years of eligibility left. I'd rather go with a freshman in Malik that is mobile or EG. I am just 100% done with Tommy now. After today's debacle, I absolutely can't wait till is a former Irish QB. Nice kid, makes stupid decisions. And who can forget his kung fu kick of the cop, that caused him to be suspended for Dublin.

It is a mute point talking about Andrew really, we have Tommy for the final 3 games. And can't imagine how Stanford will just destroy him. The back foot throwing will be on full display. And zero mobility to get away form Murphy and the crew.

Oh well, Tommy Turnover is what we have. And BK is sticking with him.

FIFY

 

[ACamp1900]

Easily the hardest to take loss in some... Still pissed off.

And with that I'm done with this thread.

 

[Bluto]

Easily the hardest to take loss in some... Still pissed off.

And with that I'm done with this thread.

Agree. That was an epic fail in all three phases of the game.

 

[PANDFAN]

Record field goal attempt, Folston with limited carries, malik not getting his shot, extremely predictable play calling, absolutely terrible special teams, and the list goes on.

1. def had the leg, hooked it but hit a 53 yarder just what...a week or 2 ago
2. actually we had the most unpredictable play calling of the season, tj runs, play action, screens---can't blame the coaches on player not catching them--cj, amir
3. could it be that they just didn't execute

 

[Bogtrotter07]

One year after being a top ten defense in nearly every category, this years defense has had a bit different level of success. Granted personnel makes all the difference. So does coaching adaptability.

The Truth about the Passive/Aggressive Defense:
10 turnovers on defense all year (Tied No. 111)
160 yards rushing per game (No 60)
13 sacks (No. 110)
3rd down defense (No. 64)
1st down defense (No. 106)
Team pass efficiency defense (No. 69)
Temple: 23-46 228 yards passing zero INT. 77 yards rushing. 1 sack.
Michigan: 21-33 294 yards 4 TDs, 1 INT, 1 sack, 96 yards rushing 1 TD
Purdue: 25-40 256 yards, 3TDs, 1 sack
MSU: 16-36 135 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT 1 sack
Oklahoma: 23-31 238 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT, 0 sacks
Navy: 331 yards rushing for the whole team, 6-9 88 yards 1 TD, zero INT, 1 sack
Pitt: 22-35, 2 TDs, 1 sacks. 0 turnovers*

Every team except MSU and OU registered it's best stats against us. Two teams have fired their starting quarterback that played against us, PSU, and Temple.


* Pitts offensive line had given up 30 sacks in 8 games, an average of almost four a game, last night, zero!

So the cancer starts in the defense. Now we have to take an offense and turn it into a scoring machine, when without Everett, is definitely not built that way. It could be a time of possession machine, or it could be a comeback machine, but probably not a way-back machine.

So then we are putting Tommy into a position (a kids with the perpensity to win the game on every play because he is a natural born hero, with a giant feeling of inadequacy over his physical short comings, put him in charge of a complex offense that half the players (receivers cannot demonstrate they understand) and expect him to make critical decisions, time and time again at the line.

It is like putting an alcoholic on as driver, in charge of a beer truck delivery route. No offense, but not a good idea.

With the line we have, we cannot put a time control offense into play? Possession seemed to work for Navy.

 

[Buster Bluth]

1. def had the leg, hooked it but hit a 53 yarder just what...a week or 2 ago
2. actually we had the most unpredictable play calling of the season, tj runs, play action, screens---can't blame the coaches on player not catching them--cj, amir
3. could it be that they just didn't execute

my man

 

[Bogtrotter07]

my man

Can you see a situation where they didn't execute and it is the system the coaches have implemented?

Last night play action worked for a fact. Then Pitt made defensive adjustments. What did we do? That was the point where it seemed our play calling got lost. Then we threw two picks and lost a fumble.

 

[palinurus]

That FG attempt was short; the Pitt guy fielded it under the goal posts (though out of bounds); not that I disagreed with the attempt at the time, but as some guys pointed out on the chat, Heinz Field is apparently notoriously a tough FG venue.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Can you see a situation where they didn't execute and it is the system the coaches have implemented?

I wasn't a fan of handing them underneath hooks in return for taking away the deep threat constantly. I hated rolling Tommy but when they rolled the pocket and he actually set his feet good things happen...so is it on Tommy? Who knows.

Overall, it wasn't the playcalling. The defense gave up one consistent drive all game. Did they play well? No. Are they just god awful and worthless and a real weakness....ehhhh, not buying that so much.

Last night play action worked for a fact. Then Pitt made defensive adjustments. What did we do? That was the point where it seemed our play calling got lost. Then we threw two picks and lost a fumble.

Wasn't the fumble before that?

I didn't see anything Pittsburgh did slowing down the offense, it was how awful Notre Dame played.

Tommy wasn't his usual self in the first half, and then while he calmed down in the second half...the two INTs were awful. Even on the last drive, a false start and Niklas slipping were the difference, not Pittsburgh's adjustments.

And I especially didn't agree with every pounding sand and clamoring for Notre Dame to just run it down their throats as if it's a simple choice to do that or not. I thought they should have gone five-wide all game. Needless to say I'm looking forward to seeing what Golson can do with these athletic corp next year, sans TJ.

 

[Emcee77]

Easily the hardest to take loss in some... Still pissed off.

And with that I'm done with this thread.

Yep, pretty much. 4 big mistakes: two INTs, Sheldon and Schmidt failing to fall on that fumble, Farley failing to make the tackle on Street's long TD. Take away any one of those and we likely win; any two and we definitely win. Then there's the B.S. PI penalty on Bennett and the B.S. targeting penalty on Tuitt, both on TD scoring drives. Ugh.

I'm really disappointed in DaVaris's ability to adjust to the ball in the air this season. I can't tell if it's effort or ability to track the ball or what, but he has had numerous chances to make big plays this season and has allowed a defensive player to beat him to the ball. That 4th down play at the end of the game last night ... granted, it was a poor throw by Tommy, behind DaVaris, but I want to see him make an effort to step up out of his route and seize that ball, rather than just let the DB knock it away. Another example, off the top of my head, is Hendrix's long bomb in the USC game. Again, a really crappy throw, but it looked to me like DaVaris could at least have made an effort to break stride and get to it.

Also pretty disappointed in Farley. How many big tackles is he gonna miss? He almost cost us the Navy game by letting Swain squeak past him on that 4th down play. Then he did (combined with others' mistakes) cost us the Pitt game by failing to tackle Devin Street on the long TD. We must get surer tackling from our safeties, period.

Not to blame either of those guys for the loss; as Kelly said in his postgame comments, it's on everybody.

A QB who can protect the football will cover up a lot of mistakes though. I hate to say it because I love Tommy, but he is just too mistake prone to win every game. He'll have a lot of games where he plays great and is the big hero, but he will have games like last night where he makes mistakes down the stretch that cost us the game.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Yep, pretty much. 4 big mistakes: two INTs, Sheldon and Schmidt failing to fall on that fumble, Farley failing to make the tackle on Street's long TD. Take away any one of those and we likely win; any two and we definitely win. Then there's the B.S. PI penalty on Bennett and the B.S. targeting penalty on Tuitt, both on TD scoring drives. Ugh.

I'm really disappointed in DaVaris's ability to adjust to the ball in the air this season. I can't tell if it's effort or ability to track the ball or what, but he has had numerous chances to make big plays this season and has allowed a defensive player to beat him to the ball. That 4th down play at the end of the game last night ... granted, it was a poor throw by Tommy, behind DaVaris, but I want to see him make an effort to step up out of his route and seize that ball, rather than just let the DB knock it away. Another example, off the top of my head, is Hendrix's long bomb in the USC game. Again, a really crappy throw, but it looked to me like DaVaris could at least have made an effort to break stride and get to it.

Also pretty disappointed in Farley. How many big tackles is he gonna miss? He almost cost us the Navy game by letting Swain squeak past him on that 4th down play. Then he did (combined with others' mistakes) cost us the Pitt game by failing to tackle Devin Street on the long TD. We must get surer tackling from our safeties, period.

Not to blame either of those guys for the loss; as Kelly said in his postgame comments, it's on everybody.

A QB who can protect the football will cover up a lot of mistakes though. I hate to say it because I love Tommy, but he is just too mistake prone to win every game. He'll have a lot of games where he plays great and is the big hero, but he will have games like last night where he makes mistakes down the stretch that cost us the game.

When the season began, Farley and Amir were supposed to have a bang-out season. So far, I have not been very impressed with either. I was really hoping to see a lot out of both of them this year.

GO IRISH!!!!!!!
Diz

 

[NDFan4Life]

Look on the bright side, everyone.

At least we're not Wake Forest fans.

 

[phgreek]

1. def had the leg, hooked it but hit a 53 yarder just what...a week or 2 ago
2. actually we had the most unpredictable play calling of the season, tj runs, play action, screens---can't blame the coaches on player not catching them--cj, amir
3. could it be that they just didn't execute

...that has been this team's issue...they do not execute.

Its one thing to criticize play calls when players are getting blown up, or you draw something up in the dirt the kids have never tried to execute before

...its another when the most basic of plays in EVERYONE's playbook since peewee football unfolds and legally blind people can see the green opening up...and our guy throws it like crap or fails to catch it...

...I see a team with ZERO accountability (no leadership)...and it shows most profoundly when its time to take over a game...

yesterday, it caught up with them....again

 

[Junkhead]

This team obviously is lacking leadership. Who will step up next season? I'm hoping Golson for one, but on D.....?

 

[phgreek]

This team obviously is lacking leadership. Who will step up next season? I'm hoping Golson for one, but on D.....?

KR...has already started to show the level of play...notice teams rarely mess with him over the top...his tackling is solid...he seems the best shot to me...

 

[blueNDgold44]

This team obviously is lacking leadership. Who will step up next season? I'm hoping Golson for one, but on D.....?

Jarrett Grace?

 

[tko]

Jarrett Grace?

Defensively i'm liking Russell, Grace(no matter what happens in his rehab) and Jaylon to lead this defense with a vengeance next year. I hope we see Jaylon lead by play in the next 3 games and KR by both play and vocally.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Leaders is one thing. The D-line and the inside linebackers concern me. If you don't have players then who leads them is less significant.