Post Game Observations (Stanford)....

[kmoose]

1. Tough loss tonight. You can really see how close ND is to being able to play with just about anyone. At times, ND clearly had the talent and execution to win this game. At other times, they looked like a middle of road ACC team.

2. Turnovers.............. I'd prefer that everyone use a little class when discussing this point, but Tommy really hurt our chances with two late INTs. But he also hung in to deliver a completion, on many plays in the first 3 quarters, that kept us close.

3. We obviously need to get better in the secondary. Tackling was poor, and coverage was spotty. But, just when you are about to scream about Farley or Jackson, they make an excellent play. Again.......... inconsistency.

4. We played to a draw, I think, on both sides of the line tonight. Neither team really dominated the LOS all night. They dominated in spurts, but not consistently.

5. This team played hard for 4 quarters. No one quit, and I bet that not a one of the starters has anything left in the tank right now. I think they truly left it all out there on the field.

6. Red Zone offense continues to baffle me. I get that we are missing a mobile QB who can make plays with his feet, but can we not find another way to keep the defense honest? Every pass play in the Red Zone goes into the End Zone. Why not run some crossing routes underneath, and try to get a WR running away from a LB or DB? Or how about a swing pass to the RB? Give me something other than a fade or a halfback dive.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Red zone defense was the biggest problem.
Between Farley blowing coverage and a 12 yard draw on 3rd down...

 

[Black Irish]

1. Tough loss tonight. You can really see how close ND is to being able to play with just about anyone. At times, ND clearly had the talent and execution to win this game. At other times, they looked like a middle of road ACC team.

2. Turnovers.............. I'd prefer that everyone use a little class when discussing this point, but Tommy really hurt our chances with two late INTs. But he also hung in to deliver a completion, on many plays in the first 3 quarters, that kept us close.

3. We obviously need to get better in the secondary. Tackling was poor, and coverage was spotty. But, just when you are about to scream about Farley or Jackson, they make an excellent play. Again.......... inconsistency.

4. We played to a draw, I think, on both sides of the line tonight. Neither team really dominated the LOS all night. They dominated in spurts, but not consistently.

5. This team played hard for 4 quarters. No one quit, and I bet that not a one of the starters has anything left in the tank right now. I think they truly left it all out there on the field.

6. Red Zone offense continues to baffle me. I get that we are missing a mobile QB who can make plays with his feet, but can we not find another way to keep the defense honest? Every pass play in the Red Zone goes into the End Zone. Why not run some crossing routes underneath, and try to get a WR running away from a LB or DB? Or how about a swing pass to the RB? Give me something other than a fade or a halfback dive.

Yes. Point number 6 gnaws at me about as much as our D getting cut up with underneath throws or Tommy forcing throws when he doesn't have to. the Irish can march like studs for 60-70 yards, but when it gets to the red zone they wilt way too often. They can knock on the door a lot, but don't kick it in nearly enough.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Farley and Rees are still terrible.

The D holding them in the 2nd half was impressive. Great performance by Romeo Is Burning, and Jackson's pick was huge.

At least this game is essentially meaningless and doesn't affect the bowl at all. Pinstripe Bowl against a mediocre AAC team here we come!

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Also, if we don't have a mobile QB, the empty backfield is stupid. Give Rees all the space in the world and he still won't scramble. Why limit ourselves to that?

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

It just felt like one of those games where everything was 10x harder for us than them. They make running the football look so damn easy....

8-4 is pretty damn good with the injuries and no Golson. Just a few plays here and there from going 10-2 or 11-1 and that is what makes it so frustrating.

 

[ACamp1900]

Moving forward it would be nice to see less shots down field... Anyway, losing to Stanford, even though I'm growing to really dislike Shaw, never phases me too much...

It's not like ND lost to some semi pro team like SC or Bama... Good for Stanford.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Jarron Jones might end up an all american one of these days.

tough loss, but we were not better than them. maybe healthy with golson we are, but it is what it is. hope we can end the season with a win and a lil momentum into the offseason.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

It just felt like one of those games where everything was 10x harder for us than them. They make running the football look so damn easy....

8-4 is pretty damn good with the injuries and no Golson. Just a few plays here and there from going 10-2 or 11-1 and that is what makes it so frustrating.

We were closer to 5-7 than 10-2. We were on the better end of most "a few plays here and there".

 

[Irishman77]

Team played their hearts out minus Farley.

Coaches did an amazing job with what they had

Injuries this year is beyond belief

This next month of practice will be great for our young guys next year

If the last two years isn't enough to start over sign recruits we are doomed every November

I anticipate some major shake out with our roster this offseason.

Fuller and golson will light it up next year big time

Stanford manhandled us and we did not back down one inch

 

[ACamp1900]

Bring on Rutgers... I like our chances.

 

[tadman95]

Originally Posted by kmoose View Post

4. We played to a draw, I think, on both sides of the line tonight. Neither team really dominated the LOS all night. They dominated in spurts, but not consistently.

I really thought their o-line controlled the game. Kept us on our heels most of the game, lots of 2nd and 4 or 5's.

I thought we played them pretty tough, especially with our injuries.

 

[BGIF]

Our best Red Zone Offense seems to be avoiding the Red Zone by scoring from the 30+.

This has been a problem every season in the Kelly Era regardless of QB. Last season with a mobile QB was no better.

I don't understand how with so many big receivers we can't work a play to get a man open.


Despite the loss (where we were supposed to get run off the field) ND played tenaciously with a lot of backups playing in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

Gaffney still would have had a big night but not 189 yds with a healthy Nix on the field.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

If we can get a proper left tackle to replace Z-Mart, then this offense next year will be deadly if the coaches can call good plays. Golson at QB with Zaire as an emergency backup, Folston, McDaniel, and Bryant as the three-headed monster at RB, and a plethora of wide receivers and tight ends. Not to mention another year of development for Elmer and Stanley, two very promising linemen.

 

[GoIrish41]

Also, if we don't have a mobile QB, the empty backfield is stupid. Give Rees all the space in the world and he still won't scramble. Why limit ourselves to that?

I agree. I find myself thinking this after every game. It just doesn't make any sense at all. After 12 games, it is absolutely infuriating to watch them come out without a RB on the field. Especially when we need less than 5 yards. Make them play the run.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

We were closer to 5-7 than 10-2. We were on the better end of most "a few plays here and there".

That's fair. We beat two teams we probably shouldn't have, but that doesn't change the fact that we had opportunities to win a couple more.

 

[kmoose]

Fuller and golson will light it up next year big time

It appears, at this point, that Corey Robinson will have something to say about how many targets Fuller gets. And that's a good thing. Both of them look like they can be outstanding DI-A WRs. Davaris Daniels should be back, as well. We might have 3 outstanding wideouts, next year.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Our best Red Zone Offense seems to be avoiding the Red Zone by scoring from the 30+.

This has been a problem every season in the Kelly Era regardless of QB. Last season with a mobile QB was no better.

I don't understand how with so many big receivers we can't work a play to get a man open.


Despite the loss (where we were supposed to get run off the field) ND played tenaciously with a lot of backups playing in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

Gaffney still would have had a big night but not 189 yds with a healthy Nix on the field.

We don't throw to our big men in the red zone. It's baffling, but Niklas and Robinson never get redzone targets. That's one thing that needs to be fixed somehow.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Did we run a RB screen all year?

 

[phillyirish]

Moving forward it would be nice to see less shots down field... Anyway, losing to Stanford, even though I'm growing to really dislike Shaw, never phases me too much...

It's not like ND lost to some semi pro team like SC or Bama... Good for Stanford.

Except Stanford is probably our most important rival. Not out biggest, and certainly not the most disliked but they are our biggest threat. Just not a lot of room in the College football world for the type of kids who are talented and want to play at tough and respect academic institution.

Regardless it was a tolerable performance. A win in the bowl game would make me feel a lot better of the year, but if not I can still accept that with this years reasonable expectation.

 

[4irishnation]

1. Tough loss tonight. You can really see how close ND is to being able to play with just about anyone. At times, ND clearly had the talent and execution to win this game. At other times, they looked like a middle of road ACC team.

2. Turnovers.............. I'd prefer that everyone use a little class when discussing this point, but Tommy really hurt our chances with two late INTs. But he also hung in to deliver a completion, on many plays in the first 3 quarters, that kept us close.

3. We obviously need to get better in the secondary. Tackling was poor, and coverage was spotty. But, just when you are about to scream about Farley or Jackson, they make an excellent play. Again.......... inconsistency.

4. We played to a draw, I think, on both sides of the line tonight. Neither team really dominated the LOS all night. They dominated in spurts, but not consistently.

5. This team played hard for 4 quarters. No one quit, and I bet that not a one of the starters has anything left in the tank right now. I think they truly left it all out there on the field.

6. Red Zone offense continues to baffle me. I get that we are missing a mobile QB who can make plays with his feet, but can we not find another way to keep the defense honest? Every pass play in the Red Zone goes into the End Zone. Why not run some crossing routes underneath, and try to get a WR running away from a LB or DB? Or how about a swing pass to the RB? Give me something other than a fade or a halfback dive.

 

[returnofthemack]

I predicted 8-4 when I knew Golson was out, and that's what happened. We played well, especially for having a backup QB and no Nix, Shumate, Hardy, and all the D-line reinforcements. Rees is a little too confident in his arm for my taste (I don't see what has reinforced that view for him), but Farley was atrocious AGAIN. Completely screwed up on the first Stanford TD, in fact the only good play he had was catching Hogan's feet on the run. You're telling me Redfield can't do that? Farley is not setting up the D, Fox was. I don't understand why Max doesn't play.

 

[returnofthemack]

Also, Martin was great again. It would be a travesty if he's not drafted on the first day. That's the third or fourth All-American defensive player he's shut down.

 

[notredomer23]

Did we run a RB screen all year?

A what???

 

[IrishYYC]

Proud of the team tonight. They really played hard for 4 quarters. It's just unfortunate that the same things come back to bite us in the ass ie. Tommy throwing to the wrong team, poor tackling etc.

I'm looking forward to next season. The offense should be explosive and the defense, barring any injuries in fall camp, should be much improved.

8-4 seems about right considering the circumstances. Lets just win our bowl game and head into the off season with a win.

 

[notredomer23]

I will always support Tommy. He is simply limited in his abilities and I do not think the play calling did him any favors tonight.

Kind of fitting end to the Tommy Rees era. I feel like the word to describe would be "almost". Almost beat USF. Almost beat Michigan x2. Almost beat USC in 2011. Almost beat FSU. Almost beat Pitt.

 

[woolybug25]

What I haven't seen mentioned much is the fact that we dearly missed Nix this game. Gaffney killed us and mostly right up the middle. There was no pressure up the middle to force him to bounce into single covered Tuitt/Day. Instead, they doubled whichever side of the center they wanted to run to while our linebackers consistently let him slip into the third level.

This is why not having anyone to replace Nix matters. I hope we move to a 4-3.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

The D made some plays and they gave up some things, the two 3rd and long runs in the 1st half come to mind. They stepped up when they needed too, and with a bunch of guys who weren't in the two deep to start the year.

Offense is the same as always. I question some play calls, I wonder why we take so long to get plays in and waste time outs, and of course, as in our all of our losses, there were turnovers. The last turnover was obviously under thrown but why are we taking a shot with a burner there? Martin knows Tommy's limitations and he called a high risk play on first down.

Very proud of how the team competed and I'm excited by the progress of Jones and Okwara in the recent weeks.

We were 8-5 in 2011 and went to the Naty the following year with a mobile QB. Here's hoping for 9-4 in 2013 and a title in 2014

 

[returnofthemack]

What I haven't seen mentioned much is the fact that we dearly missed Nix this game. Gaffney killed us and mostly right up the middle. There was no pressure up the middle to force him to bounce into single covered Tuitt/Day. Instead, they doubled whichever side of the center they wanted to run to while our linebackers consistently let him slip into the third level.

This is why not having anyone to replace Nix matters. I hope we move to a 4-3.

So true. I facepalmed loud enough to be heard throughout the Caribbean when Fox smacked the fullback and Gaffney just trotted through a gigantic hole up the middle for 15. Nix would have made the difference in this game, regardless of offensive miscues. They were consistently able to hand off to Gaffney for an automatic 6 yards.

 

[rtrn2glory]

What I haven't seen mentioned much is the fact that we dearly missed Nix this game. Gaffney killed us and mostly right up the middle. There was no pressure up the middle to force him to bounce into single covered Tuitt/Day. Instead, they doubled whichever side of the center they wanted to run to while our linebackers consistently let him slip into the third level.

This is why not having anyone to replace Nix matters. I hope we move to a 4-3.

i'd like to see us in a 4-3 as well, but i thought jones played pretty decent tonight he was in a good number of plays