Post Game observations Purdue '14

[GO IRISH!!!]

The good = we are 3-0 and have outscored opponents thus far 109-31 and we have committed one turnover. On the surface, it looks really good. Without Everett Golson (and Eric Golston) we would be hurtin' for certain.

Defense buckled down in the second half and locked them up which was good to see. I am afraid the injuries will hurt us as the season progresses because we just don't have the elite depth yet. Big drop from the 1's and 2's to the 3's and 4's.

Our Oline needs work. We aren't going to be able to outscore the elite teams yet unless we can really open up the run game.

I am relieved we have a bye week coming up. Its a good night anytime we win and it is that much sweeter when SC loses on the same night.

 

[stlnd01]

BVG seemed to go w/ four man rush most the night. Etling had all day to throw and we made him look like Bob Griese. Can't argue w/ the results in the 2nd half but Purdue's offensive play calling had ND on their heels in the first half.

And then we adjusted and they didn't score another point, despite our losing two starters. That's college football.

I hate watching the true frosh at OU & Tennessee (among other RBs) piling up the yardage while Bryant & Folston are misused or underutilized. I'll be surprised if one of them doesn't transfer.

For Christ's sake, can we quit fretting about transfers. They've both got two years of co-RB1 ahead of them with one of the best offensive lines in the country. Yes the running has been tough the last couple of weeks, but that's largely because we're breaking in a new group of linemen and defenses are stacking the box. Still Folston and Bryant are breaking loose. They'll be fine.

I'm not assuming a win over Syracuse, but I don't think we'll know where this ND team stands until Stanford comes to town. Rice may have won the CUSA last year, but they're horrible. I'm starting to think scUM will be lucky to finish w/ 8 wins & Purdue just played the game of their life (remind me to bet against them next week...they may be favored over an FCS school but they won't cover...they're a joke).

Purdue always plays their best game against us, and we often play down against them. That's life. We won. By more than we have the last few years. On to the next one. But I agree we'll have a much better sense of this team after Stanford.

As far as the five suspended kids? They gone...it's a pipedream to think they're coming back. It is ND we're talking about.

We really have no idea, do we? And when we say "it is ND we're talking about" what exactly are we talking about? Does Notre Dame have some track record of tossing kids on trumped-up cheating charges?

 

[BGIF]

Tomorrow's Top 25 ND #9

Tomorrow's Top 25 ND #9

Jerry Hinnen CBSsports

1. Florida State (1). Seminoles had a bye, which their defensive line can use after last week's controversial meeting with triple-option team the Citadel.

2. Oregon (2). A scoreless first quarter for the Ducks? At home? Against Wyoming? Didn't keep Oregon from winning by 34, of course, but that's still quite the rare sighting.

3. Alabama (3). If we had to choose one word for the Tide's performance against Southern Miss -- its second straight casual stroll past overmatched lowest-rungs-of-the-FBS competition -- it would be "bored." Next week's meeting with Florida can't get here soon enough.

4. Oklahoma (4). The Sooners maaaaaaaybe weren't quite as impressive vs. Tennessee as the 34-10 final score indicates -- the Vols made three trips inside the Sooner 30 in the second half and were outscored 7-3 on those trips thanks to a 100-yard Julian Wilson pick-six -- but as long as Trevor Knight is playing this well and the Sooner defensive line is this utterly dominant, a top-5 ranking is wholly appropriate.

5. Auburn (5). Why did you spot Gus Malzahn in studio during CBS's Saturday pregame coverage? His team had a bye while preparing for Thursday night's trip to Kansas State.

6. Texas A&M* (7). Rice is a step up in competition from last week's scrimmage against Lamar. But not, like, a major step up.

7. Baylor (8). Road game, Friday night, upstate New York, Bryce Petty maybe still not 100 percent ... Bears offense was going to take it at least a little easy, right? Not so much.

8. LSU (10). The Tigers didn't exactly light up the scoreboard in the first half vs. ULM, but it doesn't matter when you've got a defense that can go eight-quarters-plus without giving up a point.

9. Notre Dame (11). Irish had some unusual trouble with Purdue early before pulling away, but then again, the Irish seemingly always have some unusual trouble with Purdue.

10. UCLA (12). If things had been rocky for the Bruins the first two weeks, they might have gotten even rockier with Brett Hundley knocked out in the first half vs. Texas. But two huge second-half TD passes from Jerry Neuheisel led the Bruins to yet another escape.

11. Michigan State (13). Spartans had a bye week to recover from the loss at Oregon and get ready for a visit from, uh, Eastern Michigan.

12. Ole Miss (14). Sure, those five halves have come against a mistake-prone Boise State, a catastrophic Vanderbilt, and a disappointing UL-Lafayette. Still: outscoring any three teams 125-28 since that sloppy first half in Week 1 is impressive.

13. Stanford (15). The Cardinal beat Army in highly Cardinal fashion, winning 35-0.

14. Arizona State* (16). After two blowouts the first two weeks, the Sun Devils can hope to make it 3-for-3 at struggling Colorado.

16. Missouri (20). UCF might not be what they were in 2013, but thumping the Knights in the fashion the Tigers did should still be enough to make Gary Pinkel's still-undefeated team the highest-ranked member of the SEC East.

17. South Carolina (24). Is it fair to rank the Gamecocks behind the Georgia team they just beat? Even given the vivid memory of their pratfall vs. Texas A&M, the guess here is that the AP voters won't think so.

18. Georgia (6). Mike Bobo's offense scored 35 points on the road despite two missed field goals, punted twice in 10 possessions, averaged 6.8 yards a play, and never turned the ball over. And yet all Bulldog fans will remember from his play-calling this game is the screen pass on first-and-goal from the 4.

19. USC (9). The Trojans were ambushed in Chestnut Hill, the thin defensive line getting gashed for a Texas-vs.-BYUesque 464 yards rushing and Steve Sarkisian's offense unable to respond until it was too late. They might not slip behind the SEC East's 2-1 representatives, but Boston College isn't exactly the most forgivable of losses.

19. Wisconsin (18). The Badgers took the week off before welcoming Bowling Green, fresh off its win over Indiana, to Camp Randall.

20. Kansas State (19). Like their Thursday night guests from the Plains, Kansas State also had a bye this week.

21. Ohio State (22). Kent State probably isn't really "lose to Ohio State 66-0" bad, but this was never, ever going to be the right week to play the Buckeyes.

22. Clemson (23). Tigers had a bye as they gear up for next week's trip to Tallahassee.

23. BYU (25). Thursday night weirdness meant the Cougars only defeated Houston by eight, but Taysom Hill and Jamaal Williams look as talented a rushing tandem as there is in the country.

24. Nebraska* (NR). A week after their escape over McNeese State saw them booted out of the top 25 entirely, the Huskers can likely slip back in with a win at Fresno State.

25. Virginia Tech (17). Hokies can't have any complaints if they get the boot after losing at home to East Carolina, but the guess here is that the memory of their win at the Horseshoe will keep them around for at least another week.

Dropped out of projected rankings: Louisville

Also under consideration: North Carolina, Oklahoma State

 

[stlnd01]

9 seems about right. We jump Georgia and USC. Don't think SCar jumps us.

 

[Bluto]

Good for you....bet you made a lot of money on the game

I didn't bet on the game and I'm not sure what your point is.

 

[ickythump1225]

I wouldn't argue with 9 either. Seems about right.

 

[irishfan]

Hard to complain about 3-0 when you see a team like SC poop the bed on the road.

But....

I hate our running game. So many slow developing sweeps. The RB rotation is just stupid. You can't play one guy for a drive and them have him sit on the bench for the next 2 drives. We don't do that at any other position, it makes no sense. Just rotate GB/TF and have Cam as 3rd down back. I cringe when I see us in the shotgun on 1st and goal and have to kick a short FG. There's a lot to be said for being able to pound it out under center for a couple yards.

Our OL has to be better plain and simple. Very underwhelming through 3 games. If we can't run on Purdue/Mich what happens against Stanford and FSU? It's going to be like Bama all over again where we open with 5-wide and hope for the best.

I think we have to take more shots down field. Even if just to open up the run game.

Prosise's ball skills are laughable.

Can't complain about the D. Shutout in the 2nd half. Our weird streak of not allowing points in the 3rd quarter seems to be continuing.

Injuries were rough, but love Butler and Tranquill getting serious PT. Could play dividends down the road.

We're only going as far as Golson takes us. That's pretty clear. Nothing wrong with that, it just is what it is.

Was thinking 10-2 when the year started. Sticking with that. Could be as good as 12-0 or as bad as 8-4.

 

[dublinirish]

Definitely a little concerned about Elmer, speed rushers seem to give him a lot of trouble. McGlinchey should be given a chance to compete for that spot

 

[NDRock]

We are still a long ways away from being an elite team. You can't take us lightly but an elite team would crush us. Still 3-0 is better than 2-1

Agree, although we do have an elite QB which can make up for a lot of our deficiencies.

 

[cody1smith]

m

 

[Grahambo]

- Won by double digits.

- Mayock made note of Purdue using an offense not seen in the first two games. BVG adjusted and shut them down.

- Hard to get sacks against 3-step drops and quick slants.

- Trap game that ND survived.

- Not upset at Max.

- Mayock noted that BVG simplified the defense with so many injuries. Still held them to 14. Forced 3 turnovers. Less then 300 total yards.

- BK was not out schemed. EG was not as sharp. Nor was the OL; not just Elmer. Don't discount the absence of Lombard next to Elmer.

- Too much East/West running.

- +1 to Greg Bryant for his two catches.

- Riggs did not commit PI. Was a helluva catch.

- WR corps is a solid group but without DD and Amir, it's tough. Fuller and Prosise both looked hobbled too.

- Would like to see Smythe.

- Perfect time for a BYE. Shake off the rust vs 'Cuse. Solid schedule job by Jack.

- Take the W and move along. As BK said, a young team. Coming off an emotional game, still a double digit win. Dare I say, maybe we get back some help.

- Would also like to point out the relationship between BK and EG. That was a good job by NBC to capture the conversation they had on the sideline.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Grahambo]

MCL sprains explained:

http://www.rushortho.com/answer_md.cfm?quid=59


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[50milesSE ND]

Well said grahambo

 

[greyhammer90]

Can I just toot my own horn a little and say that I highlighted the Golson BK relationship in the game thread a full quarter before NBC did? I noticed that Golson was yelling back at BK on an early timeout and thought it was good that he was finally at the point that he wasn't just going to be told what's right or wrong by the coach.

 

[BobD]

Thank God we don't play Pitt this year.

 

[Grahambo]

Can I just toot my own horn a little and say that I highlighted the Golson BK relationship in the game thread a full quarter before NBC did? I noticed that Golson was yelling back at BK on an early timeout and thought it was good that he was finally at the point that he wasn't just going to be told what's right or wrong by the coach.

I wasn't in the game thread but toot away Sir. I don't view it so much as yelling back as I do view it as excitement and energy. Not only was it a DISCUSSION, he was animated in showing BK. Kudos to BK for allowing EG to say his full peace too.

It's trust in your QB and trust in your head coach.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fbolt]

Can I just toot my own horn a little and say that I highlighted the Golson BK relationship in the game thread a full quarter before NBC did?

No

 

[Fbolt]

OL looked atrocious. Agree w/ earlier comment on Elmer...he may be better suited at guard.

IMO, Hudson out-schemed Kelly. If not for Everett Golson's play, there would be no offense to speak of. How many sacks did he take...4? Kelly seems averse to running between the tackles. After the first series, the stretch play was negated by PU. When you see a white kid on D run down Folston from behind for no gain you may want to reconsider that play call.

BVG seemed to go w/ four man rush most the night. Etling had all day to throw and we made him look like Bob Griese. Can't argue w/ the results in the 2nd half but Purdue's offensive play calling had ND on their heels in the first half.

I'm coming to the conclusion that Collinsworth & Carlisle are never going to stay healthy. It's too bad, they're both needed.

Did we set the record w/ most penalties committed by WR?

I hate watching the true frosh at OU & Tennessee (among other RBs) piling up the yardage while Bryant & Folston are misused or underutilized. I'll be surprised if one of them doesn't transfer.

I'm not assuming a win over Syracuse, but I don't think we'll know where this ND team stands until Stanford comes to town. Rice may have won the CUSA last year, but they're horrible. I'm starting to think scUM will be lucky to finish w/ 8 wins & Purdue just played the game of their life (remind me to bet against them next week...they may be favored over an FCS school but they won't cover...they're a joke).

As far as the five suspended kids? They gone...it's a pipedream to think they're coming back. It is ND we're talking about. If ND is going to be hamstrung w/ academic suspensions and injuries like this, it's the equivalent of schollie reductions for a team on NCAA probation (granted w/o the disgrace that comes with it).

 

[greyhammer90]

No

Ok... *cue Charlie Brown music*

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

A few things that'll make us look better:

1. Trumbetti back
2. KVR back
3. DD back
4. Lombard back
5. Carlisle back
6. Redfield back
7. Luke back
8. Collinsworth back
9. Put Tranquil on the accelerated learning program
10. Make sure Butler and Watkins get plenty of reps so they are ready when their number is called.
11. Improve blocking - we have the size/strength and quality players so it has to be a fundamentals/effort/mental thing.

Stop being so damn predictable in the run game.

 

[NDohio]

Can I just toot my own horn a little and say that I highlighted the Golson BK relationship in the game thread a full quarter before NBC did? I noticed that Golson was yelling back at BK on an early timeout and thought it was good that he was finally at the point that he wasn't just going to be told what's right or wrong by the coach.

I knew it a month ago...

 

[military_irish]

Open the season with three double digit wins is always nice to see.

 

[Buster Bluth]

If those three FGs were touchdowns, Notre Dame covers the spread. So all things considered, from Vegas' perspective it's just a matter of fulfilling scoring drives.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

The most fitting analogy is ND's offense was a steam engine last night: when it was rolling, it was plowing through everything in its path. Once the emergency brake was pulled, the steam engine took a long time to get rolling again.

The offense needs to be more like a light rail. Quick to start, but quick to start again after coming to a stop.

 

[yankeeND]

Very happy to be 3-0 after last nights game.

My biggest concern is the depth chart right now. Get healthy, maybe we can get some of the 5 back? Idk, we need good news in that department.

OL needs Lombard back desperately. Maybe move Elmer back inside and give Biven and McGlinchey some reps outside. I know they need some work, but maybe trial by fire will motivate one of them. Otherwise go all in and start Nelson for the future.

Bryant and Folston need more designed runs. I completely agree with wizards I this one. Also, Bryant need 5-6 targets per game receiving wise. Loved the screen to Folston.

Fuller is great but he needs DD back to take some relief off of him, Carlisle too. Prosise continues to improve so that is promising. Chris Brown needs to step up big time, we need him. Koyack... Sigh

Lots of work to do, but overall I am so impressed with the defense so far. Suspensions and injuries have decimated the d at times. They still are making shit happen! Love the effort and fire from all of them and Jaylon is the truth!

 

[Irish Insanity]

- Won by double digits.

- Mayock made note of Purdue using an offense not seen in the first two games. BVG adjusted and shut them down.

- Hard to get sacks against 3-step drops and quick slants.

- Trap game that ND survived.

- Not upset at Max.

- Mayock noted that BVG simplified the defense with so many injuries. Still held them to 14. Forced 3 turnovers. Less then 300 total yards.

- BK was not out schemed. EG was not as sharp. Nor was the OL; not just Elmer. Don't discount the absence of Lombard next to Elmer.

- Too much East/West running.

- +1 to Greg Bryant for his two catches.

- Riggs did not commit PI. Was a helluva catch.

- WR corps is a solid group but without DD and Amir, it's tough. Fuller and Prosise both looked hobbled too.

- Would like to see Smythe.

- Perfect time for a BYE. Shake off the rust vs 'Cuse. Solid schedule job by Jack.

- Take the W and move along. As BK said, a young team. Coming off an emotional game, still a double digit win. Dare I say, maybe we get back some help.

- Would also like to point out the relationship between BK and EG. That was a good job by NBC to capture the conversation they had on the sideline.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Spot on. Good analysis

 

[NDOM]

O line is terrible.
Receivers don't seem to be running clean routes and are mistake prone.
Defense was on its heels the first half against a terrible Purdue team but BVG made some good adjustments at halftime.
The score should have been at least 36-14 or maybe more than 36....but an ugly win is better than an ugly loss. I'm curious to see us play NC, Stanford, Florida State and so on. Although I'm not looking past Syracuse either.

......but at the end of the day we are 3-0

And PS......we beat Michigan 37-0!!!! Lmao

 

[texbender]

Wasn't pretty, but it's a win. Bye week coming up at a great time; we desperately need it. Lot of injuries, and a lot to work on.

The depleted defense played great in the 2nd half. The offensive line was junk tonight, for the most part.

I think we'll come out focused and handle Syracuse... Stanford will be a good one.

Just glad we won.

Certainly not pretty, and plenty to improve on. But just enough depth to withstand injuries. Golson seemed uninterested in the game. Hope the Bye Week allows for healing, and that there may finally be a resolution to the missing 5. Also, need to get a consistent running game going.

 

[Old Man Mike]

With hesitation.....

1]. On the OLine: I believe that our troubles were multiple.
---a). Lombard was out. This took a powerful mauler away who can get push on drive blocks. Hegarty does not seem to have the Mauler strength to get this push against powerful DTs.
---b). Neither, in my opinion, does Hanratty. If it's simple straightforward force that you need on a running play [against gorilla opponents], I don't believe that either Matt or Connor are built for it --- they are not Watt, Lombard, nor, even, Elmer.
---c). Coach has said that his theory is that even if the opponent stacks the box, he wants to thump it up in there anyway. He seems to be willing to sacrifice plays with small gains just to keep the opposing DC guessing about the passing game --- which is what Kelly thinks kills opponents. His philosophy is that unless the opponent abandons [relatively speaking] the line of scrimmage, he will not do anything particularly with the run game except set up the pass game. I don't 100% get this but as my brother used to say: "He smarter than I are".
---d). Elmer has elite strength, length, and attitude. What he doesn't have [yet] is the ability to dance. Mayock is correct: at this point he is a mauler, not a dancer. We will see if Coach Harry can find enough nimbleness in his big feet to make Steve better against the speed rushers.
---e). Opposing DCs have so far guessed that stacking the front seven-eight is wisdom against us because they know that if they don't, NDs RBs are good enough to grind it down the field [and not fumble], and that Everett needs [badly] to be kept from running or it's a disaster, and they have not been convinced yet that Golson can achieve enough consistency passing. DCs play a % game. They are shooting for 3 mediocre to poor plays in a row to get off the field. They therefore count on offensive inconsistencies with no home run plays.

All of this adds up to OLine rushing troubles. One needs to get some perspective though and realize that Kelly is scoring at least thirty points a game with this philosophy.

2]. ... and now the hated irritating commentary: I believe that Everett is a phenomenal athlete occupying the QB position. He is so phenomenal an athlete that he wins games, and terrorizes opponents on multiple plays a game. Well, that's pretty good to have. But, being greedy [and hoping for more Peace-of-Mind], I'd like Everett to become a Quarterback who has phenomenal athleticism ... if anyone does not understand this difference, I'm sorry ... hard to briefly explain. I want to see a Golson who comes out of a loose huddle with eyes which say: "How are we going to expose these fools this time." I want to see no more frowns nor big eyes nor worried looks towards Kelly but rather that devilish look of the gunslinger who knows that he's got this and it's going to be fun doing it. I'm waiting for the change. He has so much talent that you have to feel that it's going to come.

But, one might ask, do we even need it? I think so. We're going to run up against some DC or two who are going to be able to put some really confusing arrays and movements out there, and with the speed to operate them. I want Everett to "see" that and half-smile to himself and say, OK it's on, baby. And then walk off the field after the score with that Peyton Manning style "I'm no choirboy afterall am I?" look of a satisfied con artist who's just taken your money.

3]. We're 3-0 and we won each convincingly, and we did this last one vs a team playing hard vs our team SERIOUSLY depleted in manpower. What we did in the second half with an unavailable DBackfield was nearly incomprehensible. Just... wow.

Lots else could be said. We need to get our DB studs back, even though Butler and Tranquill [and Shumate and Farley and, of course Riggs] deserve MUCH credit. And for sure Redfield will be back. Probably Luke. Hopefully Russell. ... Hardy too. But, I'll quit with my irritations and say: Hey, We Good.

 

[koonja]

Did anyone else see Greg Bryant dancing when they were showing Kelly on the sidelines, I think in the 4th quarter? That was awesome.

I'll give 100 million vbucks for a gif of it.