Oct 17 | Louisville

Luckylucci

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I think there were/are two things wrong with the passing game.

1. Gameplan. We simply cannot go into a game with the plan to “get Book going” or “ get the WR’s involved”. Book is simply not good enough to play out of the shotgun/spread offense and dictate terms to the defense. He’s actually been pretty terrible this year doing so. So it’s the fault of the staffs that they once again fell into the trap of Book is getting better or they can/should open up the offense. There should be no preconceived expectations to open up the offense until we have too (score dictates we do so, 2 minute offense, etc.) Anything other than under C and play action is simply trying to force the function. Right now the offense is struggling with something that plagued the defense under BVG, though not nearly as bad. They want to do something, but do not have the personnel, on the field, to do so. Like BVG blitzing Schmidt because that’s what the MLB was supposed to do. Regardless of how good he is at doing so. They stack the box, we spread them out, is the thought process. No, no, and no. You run the ball and play action out of it until they stop it. Which, they probably never would have.

2. Though the gameplan going in is at fault, the actual play calls are not. Knowing what we know, we shouldn’t ask Book to operate out of the shotgun in a traditional spread offense. But, there was, once again, plenty of offense and throws for Book to make. He very simply cannot process information correctly or quickly. They gave him multiple shallow crossers that he didn’t throw and instead took sacks. He was very late on multiple reads that would’ve been completions. He had multiple throws where you can see he pre-determined where he was going as soon as the ball was snapped. Both were wasted plays and not even remotely accurate throws.
 
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TP81989

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Yea, I really can't remember a less dynamic group of starting WRs...

Ben Skowronek??? Looks like a slow skinny TE.

Love Javon, and helluva blocker, but he's not 1st string on any other top tier team. Would love to see him work out of the slot as a bully, but he's just not dynamic enough to be outside.

AD has been moved around so much he has a sticky note on his bathroom mirror that says "WR Today" on it.

Lenzy, Wilkens, and Keys just can't seem to emerge.
The whole group is the Ian Book of WR's.
 

Old Man Mike

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I have no credentials to recommend anything, but I can't help noticing that our best receiving threats are our largest, AND that Ian has trouble seeing the receivers in the mid-field ruck. Hmmm...

Why not go with Tremble and Mayer and Wright almost all the time, and put Lenzy out there to keep the deep areas worried ... I wouldn't care that much if he ever caught a pass, (just run the reverse sweeps now and then), but if the Bigs were open and seeable, I'm happy that Ian would see them.
 

Irishize

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The whole group is the Ian Book of WR's.

Austin just needs reps and he should shine as a playmaker.

Lenzy is injury prone and Keys has battled injury/Covid as well as inconsistency.

I think we all hoped McKinley could at least be a poor man’s Boykin but he’s got to make those plays yesterday especially the 2 pt conversion.
 

Irish YJ

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The whole group is the Ian Book of WR's.

The Ian of late 2019 was pretty good when Tommy started calling plays and he had some decent WRs. I'd like that Ian back. Perhaps Austin getting more reps, and TEs like Tremble and Mayer getting more targets could bring that Ian back.
 

rtrn2glory

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Lack of depth? I personally think this is the deepest team ND has fielded in decades. For whatever reason we aren’t getting production at the buck and wr position. I think we need to run with Kiser at buck and spell him with Liafau every now and then. I don’t know what’s going on at wr, but we can’t seem to get our electric playmakers on the field. Which means our offense is becoming very predictable. We have the weapons. I’m convinced that Clemson would find a way to get Austin, Lenzy, JJ, Keys and Watt more involved. Why we can’t continues to baffle me. I think we could be wasting a year to win the title by not developing these guys at the wr position.

We do not have the depth to compete with Clemson or other elite teams.

That's what I'm referring to
 

NDMontana

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One of the radio guys pointed out yesterday that every team has a game like yesterday’s. It was a crapper. Never in doubt but just a stinker on the scoreboard. Sometimes it’s 12-7 and sometimes it 51-48. It just happens. Last year that game was the UM debacle. Hopefully that was it for this year.
 

Irish#1

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I have no credentials to recommend anything, but I can't help noticing that our best receiving threats are our largest, AND that Ian has trouble seeing the receivers in the mid-field ruck. Hmmm...

Why not go with Tremble and Mayer and Wright almost all the time, and put Lenzy out there to keep the deep areas worried ... I wouldn't care that much if he ever caught a pass, (just run the reverse sweeps now and then), but if the Bigs were open and seeable, I'm happy that Ian would see them.

Agree, I kept watching wondering why the TE's weren't targeted more.
 

FightingIrishLover7

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One of the radio guys pointed out yesterday that every team has a game like yesterday’s. It was a crapper. Never in doubt but just a stinker on the scoreboard. Sometimes it’s 12-7 and sometimes it 51-48. It just happens. Last year that game was the UM debacle. Hopefully that was it for this year.

Um, after that onside recovery (temporarily) I began to have some doubts...Duke/FSU, no doubts. Saturday? Really bad offense. I was worried that we wouldn't have enough series to pull back.
 

FightingIrishLover7

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Agree, I kept watching wondering why the TE's weren't targeted more.

I truly believe (sadly) that Tommy/Kelly are trying to expand Books playbook. Making him play outside of his comfort zone. Not only was the first drive clearly showing that, but it was as if Ian was "only allowed" to target WRs.

5th year senior, trying to give him so practice reps. Yikes.
 

Luckylucci

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Agree, I kept watching wondering why the TE's weren't targeted more.

Book. One of the almost interceptions to Mayer was a late throw, on a wheel route up the sideline, where the ball should’ve been out earlier and given Mayer a chance for a catch and run. On one of the first couple/few drives inside the RZ or close, he had Mayer on a crossing route (8 yard pass plus chance for catch and run) for an easy first down, didn’t see it. On another, Mayer ran a seam route and it would’ve been a tough throw, probably back shoulder away from coverage, but there was space between the LB and S who was a little late getting over. 2 were obvious and the 3rd less so but it illustrates that the opportunities are there. Get the big fella the ball and let him do work. Throw the ball over the LB and away from the S and let him make a play on the ball. We all saw the highlights at the Opening of him dominating the ball in the air. Let him make those contested catches.

So, there were routes and opportunities for the TE. But, Book is gonna Book at times. As I said above, I hated the gameplan of throwing so much in the RZ and trying to get Book going but every RZ appearance had opportunities for more offense. Heck, on the one before half he had Ben for a TD that he never saw and in the very same play could’ve at least checked it down to Tyree to see if he could make something happen (I’d bet he picks up the first), took a sack instead.
 

notredomer23

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I just don't get why we can never make in game adjustments. Book can't read a defense. Rees or Kelly didn't call enough screens to combat their blitz. Once we get to the red zone we seemingly abandon the run. Our pets heads are falling off.
 

IrishLion

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I'd like to think Tommy is holding some things back for a game on November 7... probably a couple of shots down the seam for Tremble/Mayer that they know will be open based on the split-zone/counter that has been so successful. Use that same look on their first play in the redzone, for example, with playaction off of that play. Pull Tremble, fake the handoff to Kyren, and hit a wide open TE for a big TD on your first scoring drive to get the confidence going. It could be Tremble pulling through the hole, faking a block, and then running down the seam, or it could be Mayer delaying on the backside and then releasing down the opposite seam.

I also think they have a third variation of the screen they like to call off of the jet motion that they are saving, and probably a trick play or throwback off of the same jet motion, too. Fake the swing screen, have Book roll and then fake the outlet to Kyren that he usually throws, and then hit Tremble/Lenzy/Davis underneath on the shovel screen that Mahomes ran so effectively two weeks ago against the Ravens. You'll have a defense split between defending the sidelines (the jet side, and the backside where Kyren sits), with hopefully only some big hefties sitting in the middle to try and chase down a TE or a receiver.

The biggest issue to making any of it work, though, is having two weeks to get Austin and Lenzy up to speed. McKinley can obviously make some good things happen, but if he's not going to win the 50/50 balls at the same clip as Boykin and Claypool, then you NEED to force the other receivers in the gameplan against Pitt and GT.

They were obviously giving McKinley and Book a 'tryout' of sorts against Louisville, and the returns didn't justify "Only Involve McKinley as the No. 1 Wideout." He needs to be a supplement on the outside when the defense is forced to focus on Lenzy's speed or Austin as a legit no.1 receiver.
 
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Old Man Mike

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There was little wrong with many of Ian's passes to McKinley that couldn't have been solved by JM catching the @#$# ball.

Maybe we're just spoiled from Kmet, Boykin, Claypool, but still ... catch the @#$@ ball --- it's what today's Big Boy receiver football is all about.
 

Chicago Domer

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McKinley lost every 50/50 ball on Saturday. As a receiver he was horrible. He needs to get some grit and just rip it away from the defenders. That’s not currently happening.
 

NDohio

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My Saturday takeaway is that Louisville played up to its pre-season hype(they were picked to finish fourth in the conference) and Ian Book needs help from his receivers to be a successful game manager and he didn't get it.
 

RDU Irish

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Book. One of the almost interceptions to Mayer was a late throw, on a wheel route up the sideline, where the ball should’ve been out earlier and given Mayer a chance for a catch and run. On one of the first couple/few drives inside the RZ or close, he had Mayer on a crossing route (8 yard pass plus chance for catch and run) for an easy first down, didn’t see it. On another, Mayer ran a seam route and it would’ve been a tough throw, probably back shoulder away from coverage, but there was space between the LB and S who was a little late getting over. 2 were obvious and the 3rd less so but it illustrates that the opportunities are there. Get the big fella the ball and let him do work. Throw the ball over the LB and away from the S and let him make a play on the ball. We all saw the highlights at the Opening of him dominating the ball in the air. Let him make those contested catches.

So, there were routes and opportunities for the TE. But, Book is gonna Book at times. As I said above, I hated the gameplan of throwing so much in the RZ and trying to get Book going but every RZ appearance had opportunities for more offense. Heck, on the one before half he had Ben for a TD that he never saw and in the very same play could’ve at least checked it down to Tyree to see if he could make something happen (I’d bet he picks up the first), took a sack instead.

I thought Book was behind, high or both on most of his throws. Good reason not to trust himself to make those throws to Mayer if we are being honest. Claypool is proving with the Steelers that he should have had about 50% more production last year, and let's not forget Kmet was out there making him look good too. Much like Fuller and Kiser - amazing how an NFL starter quality WR can make a QB looks good.

Plenty of teams do a lot more with a much less talented WR corps. I do not buy they are they problem. Good QBs can throw their WR open and place the ball for easier catches and in stride. Because something could have been caught does not make it a good throw. With our run game, we should have enormous holes opened up for the passing game. Sampson and Rakes groveling over Book (look at his record!) drive me kind of nuts.
 

Luckylucci

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I thought Book was behind, high or both on most of his throws. Good reason not to trust himself to make those throws to Mayer if we are being honest. Claypool is proving with the Steelers that he should have had about 50% more production last year, and let's not forget Kmet was out there making him look good too. Much like Fuller and Kiser - amazing how an NFL starter quality WR can make a QB looks good.

Plenty of teams do a lot more with a much less talented WR corps. I do not buy they are they problem. Good QBs can throw their WR open and place the ball for easier catches and in stride. Because something could have been caught does not make it a good throw. With our run game, we should have enormous holes opened up for the passing game. Sampson and Rakes groveling over Book (look at his record!) drive me kind of nuts.

Yea, and just to be clear, I'm not here complaining about a QB after reasonable results. Against USF and UL (two bad defenses), Book was a combined 23 for 38, 60% comp pct, with 249 yards and 6.55 yds/att. Those are just not good, against anyone. When you factor in the opponent and watch the games it just makes it worse.

If he was even playing at the 2018 level of 68% comp pct. and 8.4 yds/att we're not having these conversations. And, the play calls by Rees give him ample opportunity to do so.

I'll be the first to praise Book when he deserves it, as I did last week. I just don't get what's short circuiting in his head that he cannot carry it over from week to week. And somewhat frustrated that the staff keeps falling for it.
 

Luckylucci

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I always enjoy Jamie U's rewatch notes. Two plays of note, he thinks would've been TD's had Book made the throw on time. Both are ones I highlighted before.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">12 points. Only one TD on four red zone trips (minus the final one where <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NotreDame</a> was in victory formation). That’s the short story of this game. The long one has a lot more nuance <a href="https://t.co/DMsi751q9y">https://t.co/DMsi751q9y</a></p>— Jamie Uyeyama (@jamieuyeyama) <a href="https://twitter.com/jamieuyeyama/status/1318265633101012992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 

NewEnglandGuy

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ian Book was 3-of-11 last week on throws more than five yards beyond the line of scrimmage. Notre Dame’s pass game needs help. <a href="https://t.co/SGERbRSQlS">https://t.co/SGERbRSQlS</a></p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1318255302748274693?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yuck
 

bobbyok1

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Book Is Not the Guy . . . Move on Kelly

Book Is Not the Guy . . . Move on Kelly

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ian Book was 3-of-11 last week on throws more than five yards beyond the line of scrimmage. Notre Dame’s pass game needs help. <a href="https://t.co/SGERbRSQlS">https://t.co/SGERbRSQlS</a></p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1318255302748274693?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yuck

Book is not the guy, period. Never was the guy. Never will be the guy. So dumb not making it work with Jurkovec. Kelly is so fixated on playing guys with seniority/experience at QB. So annoying. I knew we would fall short offensively just like last year with Book at QB. The guy just doesn't have "it."

Can't find the open receiver, consistently overthrows guys. Good defenses shut us down and we lose, because all they have to do is stack the box. This feels like we've been on repeat the past 3 seasons. Oh wait, we've had Book at QB the last 3 seasons with no improvement. Sure hope he comes back next year
 

Cackalacky2.0

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ian Book was 3-of-11 last week on throws more than five yards beyond the line of scrimmage. Notre Dame’s pass game needs help. <a href="https://t.co/SGERbRSQlS">https://t.co/SGERbRSQlS</a></p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1318255302748274693?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Yuck

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! That is gross!
 

Irishcop

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Book is not the guy, period. Never was the guy. Never will be the guy. So dumb not making it work with Jurkovec. Kelly is so fixated on playing guys with seniority/experience at QB. So annoying. I knew we would fall short offensively just like last year with Book at QB. The guy just doesn't have "it."

Can't find the open receiver, consistently overthrows guys. Good defenses shut us down and we lose, because all they have to do is stack the box. This feels like we've been on repeat the past 3 seasons. Oh wait, we've had Book at QB the last 3 seasons with no improvement. Sure hope he comes back next year

While I agree Book is not the guy. I also think ND has an issue developing quarterbacks. Just my opinion. Not sure it would be any better with any of ND’s other quarterbacks. However we will never know if Kelly won’t give them a chance.
 
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Dizzyphil

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I can't justify Book being (bad) in steady 25-30 mph winds with gusts up to 30+.



Accuracy - so far this year, meh.



With that said, the play calling should have been adjusted to the weather which has not been a strong point of the coaching staff (see prior games - ahem; Clemson in a Monsoon).


TE screens/slants/posts, WR Bubble Screens may have murdered Louisville in this game IMO. (4-5) yards a pop to make easier 2nd/3rd down calls. Not to mention the defense was set up to stop Book from leaving the pocket and stopping the run.


The first two drives of the game were basically on point - until the Red Zone which has been a strong point the past two/three years for the Irish (strong WR play). This year, not so much (again WR play).



It's easy to 'arm-chair coach' but, the Irish has always been consistent on second half adjustments ON DEFENSE.... but it seems to me the offense does not make much of the same adjustments as the defense does.


Hopefully the old adage 'Defense wins Championships' will keep the Irish close in a month from now.
 

ResLife Hero

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The thing I saw against Duke and showed up again against Louisville is Rees seems to come in with a goal and doesn't move off that point. Those 2 games its led to a final score that doesn't reflect the game. I get we wanted to challenge their secondary and work on the outside zone, but they were taking big risks with the assumption our line would stick to pure zone principles, and it paid off. I'm not normally a RTDB guy, but I think we left points on the field being stubborn with passing.
 

ResLife Hero

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I'll also add, it's really nice that we're in a position where we can nitpick ugly wins while we're a top 5 team. As a 2010 grad, I'm still happy we can actually pull these out.
 

Dizzyphil

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I'll also add, it's really nice that we're in a position where we can nitpick ugly wins while we're a top 5 team. As a 2010 grad, I'm still happy we can actually pull these out.


Not to be ugly but, Louisville shot themselves in the foot with the onside-kick.



The Irish helped with the fake-FG too.


Jus' Say'n
 
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