Post Game Observations (ASU '14)...

[greyhammer90]

1) Will be interested to see if the first pick six will be considered Golson's fault. Looked like the OL allowed the Defender to push himself right into the passing lane.

2) Regardless, both Golson and Kelly need to get some things worked out. I understand that they're both gunslingers but man I would've really hoped that down 14 we would've been playing a little more conservatively just to get our feet under us. BK needs to understand that in his play calling and Golson needs to understand it in his play.

3) This team does not give up.

4) Defense has gotten beaten on edge sweeps all year long, and play action passes near the goal line are consistently open.

5) People who say "if only we had made that field goal" are forgetting that it lead directly to Farley's INT

6) Speaking of Farley, I like him. He comes up big a lot.

7) Brian Vangorder is regressing to the mean. I'm not saying he's bad, but he's certainly not the lord and savior many thought he was. (On the same note, some people owe Diaco an apology.)

8) That being said, he did make fantastic halftime adjustments. I hope everyone who has been calling for us to defer will look at this game as evidence that we want the defense to get the extra possession in the 2nd half.

9) Douche move to run the naked bootleg in that situation by Graham, but his job isn't to stop ASU.

 

[GowerND11]

Essentially spotting a team 21 points in the first half, especially a top 10 team, is almost always going to result in a loss. Their defense, to their credit, basically gave ASU 28 of their 55 points.

Take Golson's interception in the endzone away for a touchdown instead, and add the missed field goal and we have 41 to their 27. That's a pretty good day at the office against an uptempo team.

The defense played relatively well, especially in the 3rd quarter. We shot ourselves in the foot how many times, and still made it a game. How many other teams can say that? I don't care how good a team is, not many would be able to come back like we did.

In the end I'm super upset we blew this chance. There is no way to sugarcoat this loss. It just is inexcusable. Sucks really hard, because this hurts out national perception for more than just a week or two. It'll carry over into next year. Oh well. Onward to next week. Go Irish, beat Wildcats.

 

[dmort]

Golson buried ND in the first 5 minutes of the game and it didnt get any better.Golson is regressing as a QB.At this stage he wouldnt get drafted.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I guess a psychologist would perfectly understand why "true fans" would want to find that their main man wasn't much at fault for this game, but I refuse to see it other than I saw it. Everett completely stunk up the game for so long that we were so far behind that even comeback adjustments and heroism weren't enough. We, mainly due to Everett's semi-panicked quarterbacking, placed ourselves in a "zero defects from now on out" game situation, and that's just asking too much.

We cannot beat good teams with that level of panic. ... or that level of "just following the rules of the play called" when the defense has it covered or you cannot even see over the linemen to how it's covered. I've been waiting nervously for this cluster of ball-security issues to take a game away from us all season... sadly, it did happen. And, I don't really give a damm about statistics. Statistical "wins" are for losers. Bench Everett? No. But Coach may have to completely alter his playbook to try to protect against a QB who is a turnover waiting to happen, particularly in the first half.

On defense --- until Morgan can figure at least a little something out, we're screwed there too. Already Max and Elijah barely have their spots figured out, so our entire middle has plays where they haven't a clue. I don't blame Nyles --- he's being forced onto the field not ready. But anyone who thinks that he was anywhere near the critical point of play on 90% of the first half plays, was watching a different game than I watched.

I cannot see the optimism in this game. This was a badly played game. I believed that we basically controlled every other game we played this year, even while fumbling or giving things away so that our opponents were closer than they should have been. I take heart when a team shows rising improvement across a season. I thought that I saw it in this team. But we lost Joe Schmitt and Cody Riggs, and Jarron Jones played like he was in USNavy game hangover [so sort-of did Rochell, and both were dinged by Navy], and we couldn't cope on defense. ... and Everett ... someone said next year's favorite for the Heisman ... damm, it must be nice to have those sorts of rose-colored glasses......

.... and I don't care much what some might hate about these opinions. Just scroll on by and assume that you didn't read them.

 

[connor_in]

 

[Irishman77]

Golson buried ND in the first 5 minutes of the game and it didnt get any better.Golson is regressing as a QB.At this stage he wouldnt get drafted.

He looks like a heisman winner one series and awful the next series. I want to bring up how slow he looks when running. He is not a dual threat anymore. I can't wait til the Zaire saga begins and we got a qb that can really run!

 

[Cogs]

There is 0 containment from our D ends and OLB's... why not just run a 5 man front? This is where D Coordinators get too "professional" and "cute"- we are not the 49ers. How many big yardage plays do you see us giving up on the 8 and 9 holes... a lot. Despite the turnovers, this killed us and let teams like ASU run all over us.

 

[koonja]

I guess a psychologist would perfectly understand why "true fans" would want to find that their main man wasn't much at fault for this game, but I refuse to see it other than I saw it. Everett completely stunk up the game for so long that we were so far behind that even comeback adjustments and heroism weren't enough. We, mainly due to Everett's semi-panicked quarterbacking, placed ourselves in a "zero defects from now on out" game situation, and that's just asking too much.

We cannot beat good teams with that level of panic. ... or that level of "just following the rules of the play called" when the defense has it covered or you cannot even see over the linemen to how it's covered. I've been waiting nervously for this cluster of ball-security issues to take a game away from us all season... sadly, it did happen. And, I don't really give a damm about statistics. Statistical "wins" are for losers. Bench Everett? No. But Coach may have to completely alter his playbook to try to protect against a QB who is a turnover waiting to happen, particularly in the first half.

On defense --- until Morgan can figure at least a little something out, we're screwed there too. Already Max and Elijah barely have their spots figured out, so our entire middle has plays where they haven't a clue. I don't blame Nyles --- he's being forced onto the field not ready. But anyone who thinks that he was anywhere near the critical point of play on 90% of the first half plays, was watching a different game than I watched.

I cannot see the optimism in this game. This was a badly played game. I believed that we basically controlled every other game we played this year, even while fumbling or giving things away so that our opponents were closer than they should have been. I take heart when a team shows rising improvement across a season. I thought that I saw it in this team. But we lost Joe Schmitt and Cody Riggs, and Jarron Jones played like he was in USNavy game hangover [so sort-of did Rochell, and both were dinged by Navy], and we couldn't cope on defense. ... and Everett ... someone said next year's favorite for the Heisman ... damm, it must be nice to have those sorts of rose-colored glasses......

.... and I don't care much what some might hate about these opinions. Just scroll on by and assume that you didn't read them.

A lot of that 'panic' is a result of the OL stinking it up, particularly Elmer.

 

[GoldenDomer]

Okay guys, I am the king of the overreaction, but time for some perspective. A few months ago, it was homerism to expect this team to go 11-1, now we're on suicide watch after 2 losses. The future is bright, I will be happy with a solid bowl game this year!

 

[Martibhoy]

Golson cost us the game, that's it. Nothing else matters.

 

[Luckylucci]

A lot of that 'panic' is a result of the OL stinking it up, particularly Elmer.

I disagree. Everett had open WR's on a lot of these busted plays. He moved into the pressure on some. I'm not saying that the Oline was good but he made it worse. Keep in mind that when a team blitzes they are trying to out man our blockers bring 6-7 for 5-6 blockers. It's unrealistic to expect us to block two guys with 1 which is what you'd have to do in order to pick up some of those blitzes. It's up to the QB to know where that is coming from and still make good decisions. Also, we could have called a different game to help this.

I can't even remember the last time I was this disappointed in a singular player. I firmly believe that every other guy on this team played well enough to win this game accept for Golson. The only problem is he's the QB and has the most control over the outcome.

 

[House16]

Where do you guys think this puts us for bowl games? If we win out, with 2 losses against top 5 teams but zero wins over top 25 teams, do we go to a selection bowl? At the beginning of the season I would have said 10-2 easily does it.

 

[ickythump1225]

7) Brian Vangorder is regressing to the mean. I'm not saying he's bad, but he's certainly not the lord and savior many thought he was. (On the same note, some people owe Diaco an apology.).

As rough as this defense had looked at times I think it would be worse under Diaco. I was never all that sold on Diaco's scheme. This year I think the scheme is pretty solid but the players are young and inexperienced, we have a lot of losses on defense this year and some players aren't executing for the above mentioned reasons. What we have this year is almost a reverse of what we had under Diaco: solid execution with a poor scheme.

 

[greyhammer90]

Okay guys, I am the king of the overreaction, but time for some perspective. A few months ago, it was homerism to expect this team to go 11-1, now we're on suicide watch after 2 losses. The future is bright, I will be happy with a solid bowl game this year!

To be fair at that time our schedule looked suicidal. Now it looks really really weak. Not saying you're completely wrong but this isn't the gauntlet we all thought the team would need to run.

 

[Rizzophil]

I disagree. Everett had open WR's on a lot of these busted plays. He moved into the pressure on some. I'm not saying that the Oline was good but he made it worse. Keep in mind that when a team blitzes they are trying to out man our blockers bring 6-7 for 5-6 blockers. It's unrealistic to expect us to block two guys with 1 which is what you'd have to do in order to pick up some of those blitzes. It's up to the QB to know where that is coming from and still make good decisions. Also, we could have called a different game to help this.

I can't even remember the last time I was this disappointed in a singular player. I firmly believe that every other guy on this team played well enough to win this game accept for Golson. The only problem is he's the QB and has the most control over the outcome.

I agree. EG played terrible today. Not sure why he wasn't prepared when they didn't do anything new according to BK

 

[ickythump1225]

Where do you guys think this puts us for bowl games? If we win out, with 2 losses against top 5 teams but zero wins over top 25 teams, do we go to a selection bowl? At the beginning of the season I would have said 10-2 easily does it.

Yes. Bowls are essentially cash machines and we would bring a lot of it.

 

[Grahambo]

- Proud of the team for fighting back and not giving in.

- OL has been a disappointment this year. EG is an easy target for TO but quite a few of them aren't his fault. Blitz pickup has been awful and cut blocking is non-

- McGlinchey in for Lombard.

- ND's turn to take a beating. It happens, move on.

- Don't remember seeing so many pick 6's against ND. Both were fluke plays as was another INT.

- #99 needs to be replaced.

- Look, you can cry foul, howl, bitch, moan, and complain all you want but ND just didn't have it today. If you're losing sleep, family time, and other good things over this then look in a mirror because you need to fix problems in your life.

- They don't need wholesale changes. Some tweaks is more like it. Wipe the slate clean and prepare for next week. Finish the year 10-2.

 

[Onemanwolfpack]

Golson cost us the game, that's it. Nothing else matters.

Hard to disagree with the fact that Golson cost us the game. I am deeply troubled by the "pop warner" level of ball security he plays with after this much experience at ND. That combined with an inability to find good passing lanes or step up in the pocket are raise real question marks as to if he will ever be able to overcome these challenges. He is too experienced to not have developed further in some of these basic areas.

Love the fight in the team and the adjustments that were made in the second half on both offense and defense. We have to find a way to make quicker adjustments, but at least the adjustments were effective and allowed us to make a run back into the game.

This is the win we needed so badly, and to lose it on such poor execution (turnovers, muffed fg etc. etc...) makes it extra hard to take. The optimists here will talk about next year for good reason....while the pessimists rightly wonder why we can't win today with superior talent in every game except FSU. I need more beer before I assess which side of the fence I am on. More beer is the only acceptable response for me to today's game.

 

[RallySonsOfND]

I will be very happy with this team and a 10-2 season. Grab a nice bowl win to set up for the 2015 season.

 

[Rocket 94]

Just saw 168 points given up over the last four games is the most in ND history. Yikes. The whole team in general needs to step it up, not just Golson. Also 55 points is the most given up since 1985 and the 58-7 loss to Miami.

 

[TheChosen1]

Just saw 168 points given up over the last four games is the most in ND history. Yikes. The whole team in general needs to step it up, not just Golson. Also 55 points is the most given up since 1985 and the 58-7 loss to Miami.

Golson's fault

 

[NDinTEXAS]

I really wish when we just need a couple of yards we would run with a fullback. I have heard rumor that the coaches were considering using Tyler Luatua in that regard.

 

[Rudy89]

Just as long as we beat USC and win our bowl I'll be happy.

 

[Luckylucci]

Just saw 168 points given up over the last four games is the most in ND history. Yikes. The whole team in general needs to step it up, not just Golson. Also 55 points is the most given up since 1985 and the 58-7 loss to Miami.

Well I wasn't impressed with our D versus Navy and I do think there needs to be some more questions asked there. However that is incredibly misleading of their performance today. 14pts were a direct result of ASU's D and then We gave them the ball on the 23 and 13 yard lines. Their first two TD drives totaled 36 yards, that's a joke that's totally on Golson and the O. To expect the D to come off the field after holding them to a FG then have to go back out almost immediately inside the red zone twice is ridiculous. They held a good offense to 400ish yards is a decent day.

 

[Luckylucci]

I will say this and id like to see or find some stats on this but it seems as though are red zone D is absolutely atrocious. It seems as though teams are scoring TD's on a majority of red zone attempts recently. If anybody has some info I'd greatly appreciate seeing it.

 

[phgreek]

A lot of that 'panic' is a result of the OL stinking it up, particularly Elmer.

AMEN!

Its one thing to stand in there 2-3 times a game and deliver a ball, and take one in the mouth...but the kid was under serious duress all damn day, and is most days. As well, he looks like a guy in his second year at QB...he will beat ok teams by himself. But when he needs a run game or some protection against good teams...he doesn't really get either...he has some things to clean up...but his performance today was enough to win if there is some semblance of protection and a run game...

when you care to get results, and not just bitch, you cure the shit thats causing the fever...its the O-line.

 

[ulukinatme]

Seeing observations that McDaniel's pass protection was outstanding, but we already knew that. Cam still seems to be the most complete back we have, and we've been in closer games as Cam has lost reps since the start of the season. I wonder if Golson's turnovers would have been diminished in some of those games against NC, FSU, etc if Cam was in blocking for him more often.

 

[KPENN]

I will say this and id like to see or find some stats on this but it seems as though are red zone D is absolutely atrocious. It seems as though teams are scoring TD's on a majority of red zone attempts recently. If anybody has some info I'd greatly appreciate seeing it.

Using UND.com. I have been drinking, so math might be off.

Rice: 2-2(1td-1fg)
Michigan:0-0(LOL Michigan)
Purdue: 2-4(2TD)
Syracuse: 2-3(1TD-1FG)
Stanford: 2-2(2TD)
North Carolina: 5-6(4TD-1FG)
Florida State: 5-5(4TD-1FG)
Navy: 4-4(4TD)
Arizona State: 5-5(4TD-1FG)

Total: 27-31(22TD-5FG)

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Using UND.com. I have been drinking, so math might be off.

Rice: 2-2(1td-1fg)
Michigan:0-0(LOL Michigan)
Purdue: 2-4(2TD)
Syracuse: 2-3(1TD-1FG)
Stanford: 2-2(2TD)
North Carolina: 5-6(4TD-1FG)
Florida State: 5-5(4TD-1FG)
Navy: 4-4(4TD)
Arizona State: 5-5(4TD-1FG)

Total: 27-31(22TD-5FG)

22 out of 27 for TDs is ugly alright, no other way to slice that.

 

[greyhammer90]

22 out of 27 for TDs is ugly alright, no other way to slice that.

If I'm reading it right I think it'd be 22 out of 31. Still a hideous stat though.