Post Game Observations (Navy '14)...

[BobD]

It's because Golson is 5'-11" and can't see very well over the 6'-5" line. Either that or he is still very indecisive at times.

 

[ARALOU]

Irish won. Scored 49. Ask South Carolina or Ohio State if they enjoyed playing Navy. We complain about this game every year. It is not going away. Enjoy the game and the win and hope a player doesn't get seriously injured by a cut block. It has been this way for quite some time now. I recall some games coming down to the final tic of the clock. Goal line stands, last second TDs, questionable calls. Its ND v Navy. A tradition, like it or not.

 

[BobD]

4 or 5 plays from being a blow out.

Our D has had to live on the edge all year to survive. Depending on the injuries, we're probably gonna be pretty hobbled for at least a few games.

Luckily we have the answer......score a shitload of points.

 

[Irish#1]

4 or 5 plays from being a blow out.

Our D has had to live on the edge all year to survive. Depending on the injuries, we're probably gonna be pretty hobbled for at least a few games.

Luckily we have the answer......score a shitload of points.

If we don't give the pick and score at the end of the first half, I don't think it would have been close in the second half.

Morgan is a lot quicker and faster than Schmidt. He can be a huge difference maker if he can stay disciplined and make the correct reads.

We come out on the first drive of the second half and run for 8 or 9 then throw to the side? We were gouging them in the first half. Run the damn ball! Let's hope the injuries are minor.

Big game coming up!

 

[Wingman Ray]

I have no idea why everyone is so hell bent on this playoff this year. ND isnt a top 4 team and anyone who says so is kidding themselves. ND has played exactly ONE championship caliber game this year vs FSU and everyone knows it. If we did make the playoffs, ND would get rolled the first game. With that said, FSU isnt going to last more than the first round of the playoffs either.

This is a learning year for ND players with so many fresh faces. You dont win NCs with freshmen and sophomore players all over your starting 11s. Next year is our year. One more year for Golson to clean up his turnover problem and one more year for this defense to grow up some more.

Seriously, do you want to see ND take a 42 to 28 beating by a team like Auburn or Oregon? i for one do not. I have had enough of eating SEC crow thank you after that Bama blow out. The next time we play a top SEC team, I want us to be the bully and not the bullied.

 

[Senoj13]

I have not watched the game on TV yet as I took my 11 year old son to his first Notre Dame game last night. Here are my live observations:

- It looked like the Navy D was trying to bait Golson into a long throw all night. Early looks were that there would be man to man on the outside receivers and they would drop a 2nd safety late in the play clock. He did a good job identifying this

- Koyak was clutch when we need a first down. Knows how to get to the sticks and get open.

- Sheldon Day did a great job at virtually the DE position and contained the QB. However ND still struggles with having someone responsible for the pitch man. It looked like they were running a lot of twins to one side. Jaylon was covering the slot receiver and they were running him off and no one was picking up that space.

- Not sure what Golson saw on that pick at the end of the first half. Safety virtually just sat there waiting for the ball. Carlisle ran a fly route right up the seam and the safety was right there waiting for it. Golson seemed to be yelling at Carlisle as they walked off the field, but not sure why.

- Anyone else sit close to section 119 and hear the guy go on and on about VanGorder and how he can't coach? Kept yelling "hey, SEC coach. No way you coached at Alabama. I didn't have the heart to tell him it was Auburn".

 

[kmoose]

I have no idea why everyone is so hell bent on this playoff this year. ND isnt a top 4 team and anyone who says so is kidding themselves. ND has played exactly ONE championship caliber game this year vs FSU and everyone knows it. If we did make the playoffs, ND would get rolled the first game. With that said, FSU isnt going to last more than the first round of the playoffs either.

This is a learning year for ND players with so many fresh faces. You dont win NCs with freshmen and sophomore players all over your starting 11s. Next year is our year. One more year for Golson to clean up his turnover problem and one more year for this defense to grow up some more.

Seriously, do you want to see ND take a 42 to 28 beating by a team like Auburn or Oregon? i for one do not. I have had enough of eating SEC crow thank you after that Bama blow out. The next time we play a top SEC team, I want us to be the bully and not the bullied.

Oh Ray, Ray, Ray; you poor soul. Or should I call you Thomas? You are correct; we played one championship caliber team this year... and they needed a VERY controversial call to go their way, to keep us from beating them in their own house. So why would you think that we would get rolled by anyone else? I really think this team can play with anyone in the country. Are we a strong, complete team? No, not yet. But we CAN (and have) play with anyone. One of the pillars of ND is a commitment to excellence. In College Football, excellence means making the playoffs. That's why people are focused on them.

 

[Irish Insanity]

One thing that sticks in my head is how in Gods name could our WRs not get open?? It seemed, especially in the second half, Golson was looking and looking only to get flushed because it seemed no one got open.

It's because Golson is 5'-11" and can't see very well over the 6'-5" line. Either that or he is still very indecisive at times.

A few things along these lines. Our oline does a decent job of protecting Golson, but a poor job of creating throwing lanes for him. You rarely see the oline dominate who they are blocking and put them where they want to. But sometimes it's like Golson is reading a short story when going thru his progressions. He thinks to much. He still doesn't trust himself. As opposed to trusting his reads as he quickly goes thru them, he analysis everyone as he goes thru them. Takes twice as long as he should. And I love our WRs, but they don't always attack the ball.

 

[ARALOU]

I thought Van Gorder coached at Georgia?

 

[Senoj13]

I thought Van Gorder coached at Georgia?

He may have. I thought he was also on the Cam Newton Auburn National Title staff as well. I could be wrong.

 

[Grahambo]

I thought Van Gorder coached at Georgia?

He may have. I thought he was also on the Cam Newton Auburn National Title staff as well. I could be wrong.

Both. Won the Broyles Award back in the early 2000's as UGA's DC then struggled in his one year at Auburn although they say it wasn't his fault for that mess.

 

[NDohio]

I thought Van Gorder coached at Georgia?

He may have. I thought he was also on the Cam Newton Auburn National Title staff as well. I could be wrong.

Both correct.

 

[Grahambo]

Navy rarely plays big teams. However, when they do, they really get up for them. In 2009, Ohio State (final rank #5) beat Navy 31-27, escaping through a returned 2 pt conversion on the final play of the game. Navy finished that season off by beating the hell out of SEC powerhouse Missouri 35-13 in the bowl game. In 2011, South Carolina (final rank #9) needed the last TD of the game to win by 3 at home. In 2014, then #5 Ohio State was behind at the half to the very Navy team we just played.

No, Navy aren't world beaters, but they will PLAY THE HELL OUT OF YOU IF YOU DOUBT THEM. No doubt they would have more wins against power five teams if they played them at a greater frequency. Any time you play Navy, you're probably going to look worse than you actually are against the rest of the field. We're hardly the only ones to struggle a bit against the Middies.

Like I said earlier, Navy is going to get their rushing yards most of the time. As has been said, they run the option much better then anyone can stop them. It's not about stopping them, it's about slowing them down.

Maybe some people would feel differently if it was back and forth most of the game but giving up a 28-7 lead is a bit discouraging. Considering who was on the field at times on defense, it really wasn't THAT bad. I mean, Austin Larkin was on the field at one point.

I believe it was noted that at times, the defense had something like 4 sophomores, 3 true freshman and a RS freshman playing at the same time.

On that INT that gave Navy life, BK took the blame for it but there appeared to be a disconnect between EG and Carlisle. EG went to Amir almost immediately after so I assume Amir messed up his route. If it's a timing route then shit happens. On the replay, it looked like Amir was supposed to bend his route inside and instead he kept his route straight. If he bends it inside, I don't think it would've been picked.

 

[ARALOU]

I did not know about the Auburn gig. Van Gorder been around some SEC, Thats good.

 

[Irish#1]

Like I said earlier, Navy is going to get their rushing yards most of the time. As has been said, they run the option much better then anyone can stop them. It's not about stopping them, it's about slowing them down.

Maybe some people would feel differently if it was back and forth most of the game but giving up a 28-7 lead is a bit discouraging. Considering who was on the field at times on defense, it really wasn't THAT bad. I mean, Austin Larkin was on the field at one point.

I believe it was noted that at times, the defense had something like 4 sophomores, 3 true freshman and a RS freshman playing at the same time.

On that INT that gave Navy life, BK took the blame for it but there appeared to be a disconnect between EG and Carlisle. EG went to Amir almost immediately after so I assume Amir messed up his route. If it's a timing route then shit happens. On the replay, it looked like Amir was supposed to bend his route inside and instead he kept his route straight. If he bends it inside, I don't think it would've been picked.

Giving up a big lead was definitely frustrating and you are correct, the INT gave them new life.

After the game Golson mentioned he was expecting Carlisle to cut in front of the safety, but the INT is on EG. If Carlisle doesn't make the right cut, don't throw it to him.

I've seen all the top teams this year. Granted I've haven't seen any of them very much, but I don't see any team that is heads and tails above ND. We can compete with any of them.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Happy to add a win to the record.

But I just poured the high-octane dark green koolaid down the sink. It will be diet light green koolaid from now on. I will be very happy now if we go 10-2 regular season with a bowl win. I would not now be stunned by less than that, and certainly stunned with more.

The team just has not developed as rapidly across the season as I thought it would. Despite the great upgrade in Tarean's game, our fabulous receiving corps, and the wonderful Cornerbacking of Luke and Riggs, the rest of this is still close to what we had on day one --- the OLine is slowly getting better and may still gel, the DLine will be OK if Jones and Day didn't get too dinged, and Everett is Everett --- the most amazing streetballer [leaving out Manziel] since Vick. But just like Manziel and Vick, all Coach can do is call the plays and hope that he runs them most of the time. Everett will win tons of games for ND, but Kelly will have aged a decade. I stand by my earlier comment that the only way that Everett learns is by trial and error, repetitively in actual games.

... and Brindza... God save us.

... and Riggs on punts... Lord have Mercy.

... irrationally, I still have faith that BVG will be a great DC, and learn massively from playing Navy this first time.

 

[irishff1014]

It's because Golson is 5'-11" and can't see very well over the 6'-5" line. Either that or he is still very indecisive at times.

What? that has nothing to do with it. Fullers vs Mich 9-88-1 fuller vs Syracuse 6-119-2
fuller vs Unc 7-133-2 fuller vs Fsu 8-79-1. fuller vs Navy 3-16-1.

Navy corner were nowheres near as good as the other teams. And Fuller when crazy against them then he brings in a 3 catches for 16 yards against Navy really. He is our big time play maker at WR and we only get him the ball 3 times? there is a problem with that.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

This defense is in big trouble without Schmidt. Schematically handicapped without him

 

[Irish Insanity]

This defense is in big trouble without Schmidt. Schematically handicapped without him

We thought we were in big trouble without KVR and AC too.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

We thought we were in big trouble without KVR and AC too.

Those 2 don't quarterback the defense. See the presser? ND had one defensive call without him.

 

[Black Irish]

I have no idea why everyone is so hell bent on this playoff this year. ND isnt a top 4 team and anyone who says so is kidding themselves. ND has played exactly ONE championship caliber game this year vs FSU and everyone knows it. If we did make the playoffs, ND would get rolled the first game. With that said, FSU isnt going to last more than the first round of the playoffs either.

This is a learning year for ND players with so many fresh faces. You dont win NCs with freshmen and sophomore players all over your starting 11s. Next year is our year. One more year for Golson to clean up his turnover problem and one more year for this defense to grow up some more.

Seriously, do you want to see ND take a 42 to 28 beating by a team like Auburn or Oregon? i for one do not. I have had enough of eating SEC crow thank you after that Bama blow out. The next time we play a top SEC team, I want us to be the bully and not the bullied.

As the old maxim goes, "don't let the perfect be the enemy off the good." The Irish aren't perfect; they're young and green in lots of places and they are making plenty of grab-your-chest-and-look-to-the-heavens mistakes. BUT, ND is capable of making great plays on both sides. The offense can pile up points in a hurry when they need to. The defense is hitting hard and getting after ball carriers.

I don't want to wait for this mythical perfect season to come along where the Irish can just roll over everyone and win it all. Sometimes you got to slug it out and win ugly. Would ND get embarrassed in the playoffs this season? Maybe. But I sure as hell wouldn't turn down a chance for them to go. And if the Irish do get crushed in the playoff? You pick yourself up, wipe off the dirt, and make preparations to have another run at it next season.

 

[NDohio]

ND did what ND does. I know we all wanted a blowout last night(me included), but really should we have expected it?

Navy vs UND is usually a tough hard fought game. It often is a nail biter and is always frustrating to the fan base.

UND doesn't blow anybody out. I don't know if it is ND playing down to the opponent or the opponent playing above their usual capabilities. I just need to resign myself that there won't be a game, no matter who the opponent is, that ND will completely destroy them. If it does happen someday, I will take it as an anomaly.

Taking the above into consideration I am not going to get all negative about what the next few weeks are going to bring based on last night's performance. This has been a fun and exciting season already and I feel pretty good about the match-ups that are in front of this team. I see no reason to begin questioning the capabilities of this team to compete the next four weeks.

Now for the game:

I thought the O-line played fairly well. There were a few occasions in pass blocking that I was surprised at the amount of pressure they were able to put on EG, but overall they looked good.

Hated seeing Fuller drop that first half pass for a TD. I thought he was past that.

TF has become my favorite player on this team. I love the way he runs. Very glad to see someone step up and become our featured RB.

Riggs didn't have a good game. I have really loved what he has brought to the team this year, but last night he was off. That surprised me.

Hate it for Joe. Hope it is not season ending, but it was fairly ugly.

On to what has become the biggest game of the year. Go Irish.

 

[Henges24]

Does anyone know where I can find a replay of the game?

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Coach Kelly post game via BGI

Notre Dame suffered a number of injuries along its defense Saturday night against Navy. A quick summary of such:
— Brian Kelly on Joe Schmidt (ankle): “We’ll get a better feel once we get an x-ray. It’s an ankle right now, we just don’t know what the severity is.”
— Kelly on Sheldon Day (shoulder): “Day, more of a celiac plexus. It looked like he got hit in the shoulder. He seemed to be okay.
— Kelly on Jarron Jones (ankle): “He’s been nursing a bit of a ankle, and I think a couple of times that’s what we saw there, a couple of ankles that he was fighting through.”
— Kelly on James Onwualu: "James did not pass his on-field concussion protocol, so he was held out. I don’t have any further information relative to where he is right now. He was up singing the fight song in the locker room. I don’t know if that’s passing the second phase of the concussion tests. He looked pretty good to me, but I’m not a doctor."

 

[kmoose]

After the game Golson mentioned he was expecting Carlisle to cut in front of the safety, but the INT is on EG. If Carlisle doesn't make the right cut, don't throw it to him.

Actually, Kelly kind of put it on Carlisle, as well, saying that Carlisle missed his read and did not break off the route like he should have. As a QB, you can't wait to see if the guy runs the right route. The ball has to be out of your hands before he even makes his cut, many times.

But Kelly did not BLAME Carlisle. Kelly made no bones about the fact that he called a play that required a read that Carlisle was not ready to make, so the blame fell squarely on him.

 

[pumpdog20]

Those 2 don't quarterback the defense. See the presser? ND had one defensive call without him.

Hate to break it to you, but the "mulitple" defensive calls weren't exactly working either.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Those 2 don't quarterback the defense. See the presser? ND had one defensive call without him.

Hate to break it to you, but the "mulitple" defensive calls weren't exactly working either.

AC set up the back end, no?

 

[pumpdog20]

Quite frankly I don't like the quitter attitude some of you are displaying. "not playoff quality", "stop playing navy", etc.

Are we a complete team? No, but we are playoff quality. This game has no determination on that. We just played a bunch of freaking future Navy SEALs. Think about that for a moment. No, really. Relax, get through these injuries and be ready to take on ASU. A team we beat last year with Tommy Rees.

 

[FLDomer]

Giving up a big lead was definitely frustrating and you are correct, the INT gave them new life.

After the game Golson mentioned he was expecting Carlisle to cut in front of the safety, but the INT is on EG. If Carlisle doesn't make the right cut, don't throw it to him.

I've seen all the top teams this year. Granted I've haven't seen any of them very much, but I don't see any team that is heads and tails above ND. We can compete with any of them.

The ball should be thrown before the cut is supposed to be made. Rewatching the play the interaction after I believe it was Carlisle.

 

[kmoose]

Those 2 don't quarterback the defense. See the presser? ND had one defensive call without him.

Actually, that's not true. The Defense did make adjustments, but they were called, and executed, by the safeties. Kelly said he kept to pretty much their base Defense, to make it easier on Morgan. With a whole week of taking reps with the first team, I think Kelly and VanGorder will have Morgan able to run more than just one defensive alignment against ASU.