Post Game Observations - Texas ('15)...

[GoldenToTheGrave]

ND looked phenomenal and I've eaten a lot of crow since Sat.

I'll start with play calling. For the most part it was fantastic. I still get sick to my stomach watching them run a zone/stretch to the short side of the field though. Texas handled the zone read pretty well but I think that was done by forcing MZ to make the incorrect read. That pistol TE power stack is an animal, and has so many uses. I'd love to see ND run a couple counters out of that similar to when Malik ran away from the stack and picked up a couple. Sucks about Folston, but it would appear as if we now have 2 backs with that "homerun gear" that we haven't witnessed from an RB at ND in quite some time.

Fuller and CBreezy were running free all day. MZ's intermediate throws are a little funky but that throw to the sidelines and the deep ball were impressive. His progressions looked sharp and without panic.

I have nothing to add about the line play. It's been well covered already.

I'm still uneasy on the defensive side of the ball. BVG's aggression looks great against average to below average offenses, and Texas was just down right terrible. I will say everyone looked less confused about their presnap alignments though. I'm glad Jaylon Smith is finally playing "FIND BALL, KILL BALL" instead of that assignment bullshit they had him doing last year. Also glad to see Sheldon Day not dropping into flat coverage. Tillery will play on Sundays, they wanted no part of him. Trumbetti was overshadowed but if you rewatch the game and focus on him, he's another spectacular DL.

On the back end, Shumate had a great game. Seemed like his number was around the pile on every play. I didn't like seeing Russell get cooked but it looked like the safety got sucked in. Not to mention the WR is one of the faster players in the country I believe. Great recovery I suppose.

I'm a lot less concerned about that season now. I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and remind themselves to stay grounded. This team can be very, very good but that Texas team looked to me, like a team that might not win 4 games this year.

Wish I had more time for analysis but I'll leave you with this.

PISTOL POWER STACK JET SWEEP... lol love this formation.

I wrote a post on this exact subject in the LSU game

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/not...film-breakdown-music-city-bowl-nd-vs-lsu.html

I also love the formation, and neither Texas nor LSU had an answer for it. There's a whole variety of directions it can go, and with a true dual threat at QB it's incredibly effective.

 

[ARALOU]

Thing of beauty.

 

[Praytorian]

Sorry tldr but did the blow out help with recruitment much ? Been working a lot and haven't been able to keep up.

 

[gkIrish]

We beat them so bad they are starting over LOL

After lopsided loss Texas Longhorns elevate receivers coach Jay Norvell to playcaller

 

[Cackalacky]

They absolutely had to do something. I mean they had a whole off season to script that game. 163 yards is turrible.

 

[vmgsf]

Was Bevo at the game? Bevo is not too happy.

 

[wizards8507]

Was Bevo at the game? Bevo is not too happy.

Live animal mascots are not allowed in Notre Dame stadium as a matter of policy. Lame, I know.

 

[aubeirish]

Live animal mascots are not allowed in Notre Dame stadium as a matter of policy. Lame, I know.

So there is a policy against live animals at ND stadium. How the heck are USC fans getting in then?

Edit: And Michigan fans.

 

[wizards8507]

SIAP

After lopsided loss Texas Longhorns elevate receivers coach Jay Norvell to playcaller

 

[NorthDakota]

Live animal mascots are not allowed in Notre Dame stadium as a matter of policy. Lame, I know.

Okay I'm just going to go ahead and say it that policy is stupid. I'm not an alumnus so I need those of you who are to step up and get the ball rolling on an email campaign.

 

[ProdiGOL5ON]

Very happy with the result, but I am not all aboard the hype train yet, although I do think there is some magic coming into this season. However, Texas just looks like they have too many problems and that is why we won so convincingly.

1. Our secondary looked to get beat a few times and were saved by dropped balls or misthrown balls. We were saved by a combo of bad pass block and a bad qb. No turnovers forced against one of the worst offenses I have seen ND play in a while.

2. Our D-Line looked good against the pass, but I think this had more to do with bad O-Line play. I mean, look at the PoSU v. Temple game. Temple sacked Hackenberg 10 times, and I don't know that Texas' Oline is supposed to be much better.

3. Special Teams seemed ok. Yoon looked good, even the one he missed wasn't off by much. But Newsome's punting was nothing special. CJ Sanders was playing a dangerous game on the PR and always seemed to be back tracking and in peril. Newsome's Kickoffs were neither deep nor had long hang-times. A decent Kick return team would have been able to get more yards or even break loose for a TD.

4. Zaire is still an unknown for me. Yes, this was a great performance against a solid offense. But the flip side is Texas did not have too much tape on him or this new offense. Additionally, he didn't have to make too many difficult decisions where the defense was able to both cover well and pressure the QB. Many balls were thrown behind receivers, which stopped them from continuing to run forward for extra yards. I think some of it was 1st game jitters, but he has been known to struggle on intermediate throws. Many 10-20 yard throws would have gone for more if MZ had better placed it. But overall, he played extremely well, in large part thanks to the O-line for giving him time, and WRs for getting open.

I understand it is week 1, and not everything is pretty yet, but these items concerned me. Hopefully someone here can speak to them and why I shouldn't be concerned. And hopefully I am wrong/everything will be corrected.

 

[ClausentoTate]

As much as I want to watch a game with a bigass steer with enormous horns within 5 yards of the endzone, I'm gonna have to say it's a good policy lol

 

[stlnd01]

Okay I'm just going to go ahead and say it that policy is stupid. I'm not an alumnus so I need those of you who are to step up and get the ball rolling on an email campaign.

Does Texas normally fly a giant cow 1,000 miles across the country for a football game? Where is Notre Dame supposed to put him up overnight? It all seems rather unnecessary.
For that matter, beyond the really big ones - like Bevo or Colorado's buffalo - I never got the appeal of animal mascots. Does some fat old dog really get anybody worked all that worked up?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Does Texas normally fly a giant cow 1,000 miles across the country for a football game? Where is Notre Dame supposed to put him up overnight? It all seems rather unnecessary.
For that matter, beyond the really big ones - like Bevo or Colorado's buffalo - I never got the appeal of animal mascots. Does some fat old dog really get anybody worked all that worked up?

Shhhh! Certain IE brothers really get upset when you bring up their old ladies. Oh, wait! What?

 

[wizards8507]

Does Texas normally fly a giant cow 1,000 miles across the country for a football game? Where is Notre Dame supposed to put him up overnight? It all seems rather unnecessary.

He has a trailer, obviously.

For that matter, beyond the really big ones - like Bevo or Colorado's buffalo - I never got the appeal of animal mascots. Does some fat old dog really get anybody worked all that worked up?

We have a skinny undergrad in a green tuxedo, so...

Yes, live animal mascots are awesome compared to human and/or foam mascots.

 

[connor_in]

He has a trailer, obviously.


We have a skinny undergrad in a green tuxedo, so...

Yes, live animal mascots are awesome compared to human and/or foam mascots.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9JwkIDRpp5s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[stlnd01]

He has a trailer, obviously.


We have a skinny undergrad in a green tuxedo, so...

Yes, live animal mascots are awesome compared to human and/or foam mascots.

So they drive him? Makes sense going to, say, A&M. But on a longer trip...
And the Leprechaun is essentially a cheerleader. Unlike most mascots - even the foam ones - he speaks. That helps.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not some PETA person. I really couldn't care less. But I don't think we're missing much by not allowing visiting teams to bring their animal mascots. As long as Purdue Pete and Stanford's tree keep showing up...

 

[wizards8507]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not some PETA person. I really couldn't care less. But I don't think we're missing much by not allowing visiting teams to bring their animal mascots. As long as Purdue Pete and Stanford's tree keep showing up...

Oh I agree, it's absolutely not a big deal. I think it would be kewler if they were allowed, but I'm not especially upset that they aren't.

 

[dublinirish]

So they drive him? Makes sense going to, say, A&M. But on a longer trip...
.

they generally only bring him to games around Texas

Ralphie actually travels more, she was brought to Georgia a few years ago

 

[GowerND11]

PISTOL POWER STACK JET SWEEP... lol love this formation.

Watching that GIF, there are two key blocks that really helped. The first is by McGlinchey getting to the second level and cutting off the backside backer. The second was by Smythe when he is able to cut the playside backer. They both do their jobs and that gives Josh enough space at the second level to make his move and not worry about backside pursuit.

 

[theclassickiller]

they generally only bring him to games around Texas

Ralphie actually travels more, she was brought to Georgia a few years ago

I sure hope that's the Lone Star Texas edition Ram...


"The Ram Lone Star was the first pickup truck designed specifically for Texans. We drew inspiration from the rough terrain of our home state, and the grit of the people who live here."

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Texas' offense has a new boss, but the solutions still aren't the clearest <a href="http://t.co/WlCHi0uqfT">http://t.co/WlCHi0uqfT</a> <a href="http://t.co/as12pzyxDC">pic.twitter.com/as12pzyxDC</a></p>— SB✯Nation CFB (@SBNationCFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBNationCFB/status/641641231500468225">September 9, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ACamp1900]

I hope they get it turned around... there are certain programs that make cfb better when they are good (Notre Dame anyone?)... Texas is one of those imo...

 

[IrishLion]

1. Our secondary looked to get beat a few times and were saved by dropped balls or misthrown balls. We were saved by a combo of bad pass block and a bad qb. No turnovers forced against one of the worst offenses I have seen ND play in a while.

Even if the QB has time to throw/can make good throws, ND seemed to be set and in the correct positions most of the night. Even if Texas is able to make some of those plays, they still would have had to sustain long drives to be successful, and that means the defense was doing its part. As for not forcing any turnovers, I think a lot of that was because Texas was not only bad, but very conservative. They didn't answer our defense with any complexities of their own, and so there were no risk/reward situations on the table for our D to take advantage/cause turnovers.

2. Our D-Line looked good against the pass, but I think this had more to do with bad O-Line play. I mean, look at the PoSU v. Temple game. Temple sacked Hackenberg 10 times, and I don't know that Texas' Oline is supposed to be much better.

This is one that we won't know more about until we see the D-line operate against Clemson and USC. I am encouraged that our 4-down linemen were able to consistently generate pressure even when the Texas OL got their hands on our guys. We will see I guess.

3. Special Teams seemed ok. Yoon looked good, even the one he missed wasn't off by much. But Newsome's punting was nothing special. CJ Sanders was playing a dangerous game on the PR and always seemed to be back tracking and in peril. Newsome's Kickoffs were neither deep nor had long hang-times. A decent Kick return team would have been able to get more yards or even break loose for a TD.

Agree on Yoon. I thought Newsome's punting was a bit better than you give him credit for. Good hang-time and a respectable net average. His kickoffs weren't what we're used to, but Brindza had a cannon leg so we were fairly spoiled. I wouldn't go so far as to say that a decent team would have been able to break one, because even with the short kickoffs, the coverage units were keeping their lanes and making life difficult on the Longhorns. Not sure why it's just assumed that Texas' return units are that bad... the kicks were short, but the coverage made up for it, so I don't see the complaint/worry. They just need to stay on their game all year. Also, CJ needs to set up deeper if we are actually setting up returns on punts. He was too far up almost every time, and killed any chance at building momentum on the two or three chances he had at returns.

4. Zaire is still an unknown for me. Yes, this was a great performance against a solid offense. But the flip side is Texas did not have too much tape on him or this new offense. Additionally, he didn't have to make too many difficult decisions where the defense was able to both cover well and pressure the QB. Many balls were thrown behind receivers, which stopped them from continuing to run forward for extra yards. I think some of it was 1st game jitters, but he has been known to struggle on intermediate throws. Many 10-20 yard throws would have gone for more if MZ had better placed it. But overall, he played extremely well, in large part thanks to the O-line for giving him time, and WRs for getting open.

The guy only had one true incomplete pass (two dropped passes), so regardless of what Texas was ready for, he played a great game. He wasn't *perfect* on a couple of his throws in terms of setting up his receivers for YAC, but he took full advantage of Texas' youth and zone schemes. AND, most importantly, he never looked out-of-control or like he was in a panic, which Golson seemed to be every time he had to scramble around. I honestly don't know how you weren't encouraged, especially with the way Zaire went through his progressions and stood in the pocket rather than bouncing out immediately. Regardless of the level of the competition, those are great things to see.

I understand it is week 1, and not everything is pretty yet, but these items concerned me. Hopefully someone here can speak to them and why I shouldn't be concerned. And hopefully I am wrong/everything will be corrected.

Not saying you're wrong, just telling you where my thoughts are at in terms of the issues you brought up. Texas was bad, but that doesn't mean ND's success on Saturday was meaningless.

 

[Luckylucci]

On the DL; that was, collectively as a group, the best performance I can remember seeing in recent memory. I'm interested to see if that was because we are that good or Texas OL was that bad. I'm assuming it was a combination of both.

 

[Huntr]

I hope they get it turned around... there are certain programs that make cfb better when they are good (Notre Dame anyone?)... Texas is one of those imo...

I kinda don't care if they're ever good for as long as that money-grubbing asshole of an AD is there.

AaronDickens (Aaron Dickens)

Learned that Texas is charging #TexasTech's Goin' Band for tickets - $100 per. UT and TTU hadn't charged each other for band tix before now.

0:22 PM Sep 9th via TweetDeck
https://twitter.com/AaronDickens/status/641647973701566464

 

[GrangerIrish24]

On the DL; that was, collectively as a group, the best performance I can remember seeing in recent memory. I'm interested to see if that was because we are that good or Texas OL was that bad. I'm assuming it was a combination of both.

Im hoping its that Gillmore is a home run hire in terms of developing players.

 

[ACamp1900]

Is he the same guy from ASU a few years back??

 

[Huntr]

Is he the same guy from ASU a few years back??

Ayup.

 

[Luckylucci]

Im hoping its that Gillmore is a home run hire in terms of developing players.

It was very apparent that the DL was getting more vertical/upfield as they come off the ball and doing so faster. Some of the penetration was most definitely due to weak OL play but some was by design/technique. I also think it was fairly apparent they had a more aggressive demeanor about them.