1. Heartbreaking loss. This one really hurts because so much was on the line. But the game played out just about how you would have expected it to. A lot of offense, and one or two defensive plays really made the difference.
2. One thing that I think I noticed about this game........ It looked the coaching staff put the game on Kizer's shoulders, and said "win it or lose it for us". So you saw what you would expect from a very talented young QB; a gutty performance that was almost good enough, but not quite. I think this program is in very good hands for the near future.
3. The Secondary was once again subpar. And it wasn't even their top guys that killed us. Cajuste was their 4th leading receiver. And he just abused whomever the Irish put across from him. Some big plays were mental mistakes, which is infuriating, but part of the game. Other big plays were just mystifying........ How do you let Cajuste run down the middle of the field on that last catch? Should have treated that guy like a gunner on a punt return; line up two guys across from him and beat the living hell out of him off of the line.
4. Terry Jillery played a very good game, I thought. I think he is going to be a very sturdy anchor on the DL for the next couple of seasons. He looks like he is in elite shape. He even had that play in the 4th Q, where he looked like he was shot out of a cannon. If you look at the offense that Kelly has built, and look at the core of the defense....... once the recruiting catches up, I think future defenses will rival the 2012 one.
5. As disappointing as this loss was, let's not lose sight of the fact that this team has won 10 games. And that was a number that this board almost unanimously decreed would be a successful season, back in July and August. We're going to miss the playoffs, but will be in a New Years Day bowl game against a quality opponent. Win that game, and there will be plenty of reason for optimism heading into the Spring.
6. My game ball goes to DeShone Kizer. 13/25, 234, 1TD. 16 carries for 128 yards and 1TD.
Agree with your overall points. Add me 2 cents;
- please recruit DBs that can cover and tackle(hint: they reside in TX, LA, CA, FL)
- where oh where has our TE disappeared to? Not seen for several games, and hardly at all all season
- definitely will take 10-2, especially considering all the injuries. emergence of DK & JA bright lights for future
- disappointing that we really didn't get to Hogan with all the blitzing...had a flashback to Tenuta days
- overall decent job vs McCafferey
- looked like defensive plan was to make Hogan pass to beat us, and he did
- D really never stopped SU when they had to
- while overall good season, still apparent ND not quite at the level needed to win championships...got to strengthen the D in a big way
- hope Irish heal up and play well in bowl game to end on positive note and to slingshot for next year
- need to finish strong with recruiting, especially on defensive side
- already penciled in for next year games to attend: UT and Shamrock(Army) here in Texas, home opener vs Nevada, and probably UM & Stanford
-
