Post Game Assumptions(Air Force)...

[Jimmy3Putt]

I see a lot of posts stating Jaylon out of position or confused in the first quarter with the option. Who is his responsibility on that play? It appeared to me that he was the only defender out there and was tasked with both the QB and the RB. Didn't appear there was any help. Russell then made some great plays from CB to shut down the option pitch.

I always thought that the OLB had containment on the option, but he appeared to be the guy playing the quarterback, or forcing the pitch.
The containment issues arose when the corner or safety was being effectively blocked by the receiver.
In the second half, the corner was getting off the block better making tackles and forcing the pitch runner back towards Jaylon.

Navy is really in trouble next week with this team now in the mindset of stopping the triple option.

 

[koonja]

Lol, not going to get into names, but it happens and it's obvious if you pay attention.

It's weird, because if I argue with someone on here, I'll rep them a second later if they say something funny or make a great post. I don't keep a hit list so to speak. IDK, maybe I'm weird but I take every topic/argument separate from one another. If you say something totally stupid or rude one day, but are awesome the next, I acknowledge it.

But there's a half dozen or more posters on here that have had an argument with me in the past, and they never got over it. So to this day, they nit pick every chance they can, and ALWAYS jump on the pile once a 'credible' poster has disagreed with me because then they know they're safe.

I try not to let it bother me though because honestly they don't add much to the site.

I'm all for discussions. I'm no expert on any topic we discuss on here (recruiting, film, opponents, ND admissions, etc). But people get too upset or try to put you down because they have knowledge of something you don't. It's sad.

I want to point out this isn't towards BGIF. It was my response to why I'm always in arguments in general. I feel BGIF is objective in this regard. One day we'll have it out, and the next day he'll rep me if he thinks it's necessary.

 

[Grahambo]

I'll echo the sentiment on GAIII. Kid takes a hit and goes down. He was very frustrating to watch. Carlisle has some moves but please stop sending him up the middle. He gets the benefit of the doubt with being out with injuries for a long time.

This has got to be the Cam Folston Show from here on out.

In addition to the early struggles stopping the option, I'll toss in that it took some time getting acclimated to the ekevarion for the players. There appeared to be too much thinking in the beginning but they all settled down and began reacting with ferocity afterwards.

Smith is just an absolute stud. Kid is a freak. He was all over the place making plays.

KR is a baller. He was making solid hits and positioning was good.

Just an all around beautiful team effort.

Rees was pinpoint accurate in the pocket but had typical on the run troubles. Beautiful WR play all game.

Considering the opponent, they did exactly what was needed.

They also paid their usual respects afterwards which is always awesome. Troy Calhoun stood in the middle of the ND players during it and I thought that was awesome to see. Pure college football at its finest.

 

[arrowryan]

If I remember right, some of you said that the lack of competition led to Rees' stellar night. That's fair, but I was more impressed with his ball placement than his actual stats. All 5 of his touchdowns (I know 2 or 3 of them were wide open) were passes that were placed where only the receiver could catch it. None of his TD throws were bad throws and the receiver just out muscled or out jumped the secondary. Those would've been touchdowns against most teams in the country with that ball placement.

 

[DillonHall]

Merely a question. If you did not watch the game why is it so important that you, and only you, post the post game thread? Would it not be better if someone else who had something more than a stat line provided more insight? Again, merely a question.

You do know that this is an ND site right? It's not abnormal for tradition to trump quality.

 

[kmoose]

Merely a question. If you did not watch the game why is it so important that you, and only you, post the post game thread? Would it not be better if someone else who had something more than a stat line provided more insight? Again, merely a question.

The short answer? It's not.

However...... It has just kind of evolved that way. I mean, you can't have everyone who watches the game posting their own post game thread. There would be dozens of them taking up space on the server, all saying mostly the same thing. It's not important WHO starts it, but it IS important that there is some structure to the board. "Back in the day", there was some collective "group think", I guess, that my post game OPs were preferable to others', so it just kind of evolved that way.

 

[SoIll]

anyone know where I can rewatch the game in full?

 

[CanadalovesND]

anyone know where I can rewatch the game in full?

It'll most likely be uploaded on Youtube in a day or two.

NDFan4Life posts every game in this forum.

 

[yankeeND]

Didn't get to watch yesterday so Ican't give any analysis. I did see the highlights though and Tommy looked good and it is nice to see everybody finally rallying behind him. Fuller and Robinson are going to step up very nicely it looks like in the next year or so. Anyways, glad about the win and glad we will be able to watch the rest of them this season.

 

[Irish2155]

GA III seems like it takes him III days to make a cut. If running backs had to just run straight and fast, he'd be a beast. Unfortunately that isn't the case. He never falls forward either when tackled.

 

[PANDFAN]

rees was untouchable
tj is mr consistent
oline did great on pass plays
folston has great vision
d looked like **** in 1st quarter, settled down and knew what to do
jaylon took a half to understand and then dominated
de's where were they?
fuller was looking real good
robinson should have had a huge catch to start the game but dropped it, he certainly made a hell of a grab later for td
kendal moore- f#ck yeah glad to see the man do well
hendrix besides 1 pass play looked like well last game

this was a great game for me because we had family over and couldn't get into my normal routine so i was glad it wasn't close because i was really pissed on the opening 2 drives and couldn't take the talking over the game on these drives

Everyone is forgetting to mention how well our o line played. Tommy could've made himself a ham and Swiss sandwich back there on some plays.

Back to observations:

- DD, where the hell has he been? After first 4 weeks people were worried he'd declare after this year, now you barely notice him out there.

Tommy seems to throw it about 15 ft over his head everytime...he's tall but not that tall

The young receivers played great as did Mr. Folston, scary good.

Jaylon is the next great Notre Dame linebacker.

Happy for Tommy and Andrew they both played great. Congrats to Tommy on moving up in the record books.

Isaac Rochell is going to be really good, too.

Devin Butler and Cole Luke will be ballers also.

Anthony Rabasa looks ready to contribute, he looked big and fast.

I have to tip my hat to Kendall Moore though, every time I see him play he plays absolutely violently. You can hear pads crack every time he makes a hit. He flies around and is always making plays. I know they say he has holes in his game, apparently coverage, but this guy is a run stopper. He could play on a lot of teams, I am glad he is on ours. He is one of those guys that stays out of trouble, loves his team and plays with passion. I love to watch him play, wish they could put him in on goal line or obvious run situations more.

1/4 is not great in anyone's book, yes it was nice to see him finally get a completed pass but he didn't play anywhere near great

 

[ickythump1225]

It's not a stupid question whether or not the NCAA would count Golson as eligible if he was reinstated by ND and enrolled in classes in January.

Man I've never really gotten into with you but come on it was a stupid question. Common sense pretty much would have gotten you to you to your answer. Instead, in typical you fashion, you continue to agitate and stir the pot. My god you act like some innocent martyr or something but your posts come off as arrogant and condescending. It's like I tell people at work who seem to always have problems playing nice with others, have you ever paused to think that perhaps the whole world isn't wrong and maybe you are the root of the problem? Seriously if you have problems with almost the whole board perhaps we're not the problem?

 

[ickythump1225]

I said it last week, but I soooooooo love this thread when we win. No NDOM, not much IrishPat....Just a bit of conversation and really not much of that.

It makes even better that it was a blowout win. With many of nail biters the doomsayers, Debbie Downers, and trolls come out just as hard as they would during a loss.

 

[koonja]

Man I've never really gotten into with you but come on it was a stupid question. Common sense pretty much would have gotten you to you to your answer. Instead, in typical you fashion, you continue to agitate and stir the pot. My god you act like some innocent martyr or something but your posts come off as arrogant and condescending. It's like I tell people at work who seem to always have problems playing nice with others, have you ever paused to think that perhaps the whole world isn't wrong and maybe you are the root of the problem? Seriously if you have problems with almost the whole board perhaps we're not the problem?

Lol it was not a stupid question. My point was legitimate. If you don't see it then there's nothing really to say. If golson is enrolled in classes, what's to say he's not elegible to play by NCAA rules. I used incoming freshman as an example of players who haven't taken classes towards said-term as an example. In this case, the NCAA allows players to play even though they're yet to take a class. Just because it turns out that it is not allowed does not make the question stupid.

And I already explained why it seems like I get into arguments on here. Some people carry grudges with them and pounce every opportunity they can. It's part of their agenda. It's not my fault that people get upset over differing opinions. That's their problem.

Comparing your coworkers to people on the Internet is comparing apples to Brazilian nuts. The people I'm talking about wouldn't cut it at your place of employment.

And I don't think half of the board had a problem with me. It's just a dozen or so yahoos who like to jump on the pile whenever the can.

And you can call me a martyr trying to look innocent all you want. I call it like I see it and explain my side. I don't insult people at all, even though that's allowed on here. If people disagree, great, let's have a discussion. Maybe well both learn something.

 

[irishpat183]

Not so fast my friend....

The option run game for Air Force is difficult to prepare for. Not shocked they were able to run the ball some success.

No, I was right. LIke I said.....WE don't have a running game. Throw all the saber-metrics you want and come up with excuses.


Tommy played well. D was good (except against the run...but that's what the academies do best)


We did what we are supposed to against inferior opponents. Get off your knees, fellas. This is what it's supposed to look like against garbage teams.

 

[arrowryan]

Congrats to walk-on offensive lineman Kevin Carr for getting his first snaps in a game yesterday

 

[irishpat183]

Back to observations:

- DD, where the hell has he been? After first 4 weeks people were worried he'd declare after this year, now you barely notice him out there.

Thought he was gonna "break all of ND's records" this year (along with Tommy...)


I'd say DD has all the talent...but we don't have the guys around (no TE production to speak of) him and Tommy is only completing about 50% of his passes.

 

[arrowryan]

Our running game isn't bad, I think it's pretty good. Teams are putting 8 in the box and forcing Tommy to beat them with his arm. He is doing just that. Yesterday against AF is a good example. He performed surgery on that secondary as AF tried to stack the box, then in the second half they didn't stack the box as much to defend the pass. When they put 1 or 2 more in the secondary, running lanes were opening up left and right for Folston and Cam.

Aaron Taylor said it best, good offenses take what the defense gives them. Want to stack the box? That's fine but Tommy is a good enough quarterback behind a great o-line that will pick a secondary apart.

 

[IrishFaninTX]

The 1st quarter scared me but then we settled down and owned the rest of the game. With as many rushing yards as AF had, only giving up 10 points is pretty d@mn good. I loved just about everything on offense except GAIII and Carlisle. I watched some of the Oregon game and those RB's burst as soon as they get the ball. They look lightening fast and don't dance around. GAIII gets the ball and it seems like he is running in slow motion, dancing, trying to hit a homerun every time. Cam bursts as soon as he gets the ball and half the time even if he has defenders right in front of him he gets 4-5 extra yards just from that early momentum. GAIII gets stood up in his tracks because he has no momentum. Carlisle tries to get momentum but he is just too small to break through tackles. Folston runs like the Oregon RB's. He is going to be very good. I hope Bryant sticks around because that will be a h#ll of a 1-2 punch in a couple of years. Loved our receivers and Tommy was the man. Other than the OU game, he has really impressed me this season. I am so glad Kelly was smarter than me and didn't start Hendrix this season. Jaylon and Russell were studs today and Kendall Moore really surprised me. Overall, great performance by the blue and gold.

 

[arrowryan]

Thought he was gonna "break all of ND's records" this year (along with Tommy...)


I'd say DD has all the talent...but we don't have the guys around (no TE production to speak of) him and Tommy is only completing about 50% of his passes.

We have a lot more balance this year. I'll take a very solid receiver core of 3-4 receivers over 1 stud and a few marginal at best receivers.

No one is gonna have 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns when 4-5 people to throw the ball to

 

[irishpat183]

We have a lot more balance this year. I'll take a very solid receiver core of 3-4 receivers over 1 stud and a few marginal at best receivers.

No one is gonna have 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns when 4-5 people to throw the ball to

Keep in mind...it was Air Force.


i'm not saying guys didn't play well...but Tommy and the boys SHOULD be doing this to the service academies.

It's not hard to hit your 3rd and 4th receiving options when the 3rd and 4th guys in the AFA secondary are covering them.

We don't have "balance" overall this year. We cant run (8 games in and not even a 500 yard rusher...let that sink in) and we have no production from our TE"s. Tj has been the most consistent...and that's about it.

Robinson and Fuller look to have bright futures....but combined 10 catches this year. So I wouldn't call that "balance".

Thank GOd for TJ...he's been awesome. And he MAY have 10 TD's this year. In fact, I think he will.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Keep in mind...it was Air Force.


i'm not saying guys didn't play well...but Tommy and the boys SHOULD be doing this to the service academies.

It's not hard to hit your 3rd and 4th receiving options when the 3rd and 4th guys in the AFA secondary are covering them.

We don't have "balance" overall this year. We cant run (8 games in and not even a 500 yard rusher...let that sink in) and we have no production from our TE"s. Tj has been the most consistent...and that's about it.

Robinson and Fuller look to have bright futures....but combined 10 catches this year. So I wouldn't call that "balance".

Thank GOd for TJ...he's been awesome. And he MAY have 10 TD's this year. In fact, I think he will.

I'm not disagreeing about running game. But Troy is on pace to break the tight end record at Notre Dame for TD receptions in a season. He has 40 or more receiving yards in five of our 8 games. I'd say that's production.

 

[irishpat183]

I'm not disagreeing about running game. But Troy is on pace to break the tight end record at Notre Dame for TD receptions in a season. He has 40 or more receiving yards in five of our 8 games. I'd say that's production.

Ok...I'll bite. I suppose I"m spoiled with the run of TE's we've had. He's had over 4 catches only once this season. 20 catches in 8 games? I think Troy has done an ok job...but I wouldn't call him a true "threat" like Rudy or Eifert.

Again, maybe I"m just spoiled

 

[arrowryan]

Keep in mind...it was Air Force.


i'm not saying guys didn't play well...but Tommy and the boys SHOULD be doing this to the service academies.

It's not hard to hit your 3rd and 4th receiving options when the 3rd and 4th guys in the AFA secondary are covering them.

We don't have "balance" overall this year. We cant run (8 games in and not even a 500 yard rusher...let that sink in) and we have no production from our TE"s. Tj has been the most consistent...and that's about it.

Robinson and Fuller look to have bright futures....but combined 10 catches this year. So I wouldn't call that "balance".

Thank GOd for TJ...he's been awesome. And he MAY have 10 TD's this year. In fact, I think he will.

I wasn't really expecting to have a 500 yard rusher this year, not even from George. Losing your #1 and #2 leading rushers from a year ago will never be easy to replace. I expected a running game by committee and rely on the back with the "hot hand", so far that's what it has been.

Your bring up that we have had no production from our tight ends, which I think that is rather interesting. A year ago, Troy was used as a blocking tight end and that was about it (he had just 5 receptions for around 70 yards last year). Totally different story this year, 20 catches for 328 yards and 5 touchdowns. That is very good improvement and now is probably one of the best all around tight ends in the country. I know he isn't putting up the same receiving numbers that Tyler did, but Tyler also never had more than 5 touchdowns in one season (Troy already has 5 this year and still has 4 games to go). He isn't putting up huge numbers but he is Tommy's security blanket. I'd say that is pretty good production for a guy that was a linebacker 2 years ago.

 

[fightingirish26]

We have a lot more balance this year. I'll take a very solid receiver core of 3-4 receivers over 1 stud and a few marginal at best receivers.

No one is gonna have 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns when 4-5 people to throw the ball to

I'd say there is a legitimate chance tj has those numbers this year. Including a bowl game, he's on pace for about 1,025 yds and 9.75 tds

 

[Dizzyphil]

I was very happy with the defensive output of the team. This performance was without the anchor Nix in the middle. I believe with Nix, you could knock off about 50 of those yards. Rees had a great game albeit against AF. Next week is Navy, similar team and it really helps the Irish get some freshmen playing as we watched today; add some depth to this team - something we haven't seen in the past 10 years.

GO IRISH!!!!!!!
Diz

 

[stlnd01]

I always thought that the OLB had containment on the option, but he appeared to be the guy playing the quarterback, or forcing the pitch.
The containment issues arose when the corner or safety was being effectively blocked by the receiver.
In the second half, the corner was getting off the block better making tackles and forcing the pitch runner back towards Jaylon.

Navy is really in trouble next week with this team now in the mindset of stopping the triple option.

Yeah. OLB spies the quarterback. Corner has outside contain on the pitchman. For whatever reason on Air Force's first drive or two, our corners weren't in the right place and they were getting outside. Once that changed, they really couldn't do much.

 

[Irish Insanity]

We have a lot more balance this year. I'll take a very solid receiver core of 3-4 receivers over 1 stud and a few marginal at best receivers.

No one is gonna have 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns when 4-5 people to throw the ball to

TJ Jones has 631 yds and 6 TDs. We have 4-5 people to throw the ball to and he could easily surpass 1000 yds and 10 TDs.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Ok...I'll bite. I suppose I"m spoiled with the run of TE's we've had. He's had over 4 catches only once this season. 20 catches in 8 games? I think Troy has done an ok job...but I wouldn't call him a true "threat" like Rudy or Eifert.

Again, maybe I"m just spoiled

I agree with you on the run game (though when you are talking about 8 in the box, AT TIMES I see why we can't run), but you said we are getting "NO production from the TE's"...that has nothing to do with being spoiled, that has everything to do with being flat out wrong. The TD's say we are getting production. When you are almost leading the nation in TDs for tight ends, then you are being productive. And with Koyack's 2 TD's, we are among the leaders in total tight end TD's per team as well. Not Eifert good (but we have better receivers around Eifert), but productive.

 

[Patulski]

O Game Plan: Good plan and execution offensively against team that loaded the box. Total mismatch.
D Game Plan: Took a while to adjust to option, but then dominated
Big Picture: Lots of good game playing experience for guys who will play next year
6-2 headed to 7-2