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

[NOLAIrish]

As to the so-called Russell Bust on their one long pass: It was my intuition that this was a safety bust not a corner bust. We had no safety anywhere in the field of vision on that play --- it's POSSIBLE that such a "no safety at all" scheme would be played I guess, but frankly I can't imagine one without at least a deep linebacker drop [no linebacker in the field of vision either].

My intuition is that we had our semi-regular [last year] safety bust, and BOTH of our great instinctive corners hustled their butts over to defend the play. Rather than getting on Russell, I say All Hail!

I can't tell who had deep responsibility on the play. Shumate starts very shallow and appears to be responsible for the center-middle of the field. Redfield starts deep, but comes down and doubles the man Shumate is covering. Luke bails almost immediately as if he has deep responsibility on the play, which makes me wonder if he just didn't have the speed to get deep in time to cover a speedster running a skinny post on the far side of the field. It looks like there were two possibilities on the play:

1) The play call had the corners in deep zone coverage and it simply got called against the wrong offensive play. In that case, I think Russell and Luke get a little bit of blame for not having the speed to keep up with the wideout, but it's primarily just an unlucky call.

2) Max had deep responsibility, missed Burt, and instead came down to help Shumate. In that case, Russell gets a little blame for not having the juice to stick to Burt, but it's primarily on Max for selling out to double the in route.

Given how decisive Luke is at the start of the play, I tend to think it was the former.

While I'm here, a few other observations from the game:

1) The best part of Malik's game yesterday was it looked to me like he's still nowhere near his ceiling. His footwork is a bit sloppy, which results in him throwing off of his back foot at times. One particular play stands out -- he tossed one off of his back foot and hit Fuller on the sideline for about 20. If he steps into that one, Fuller scores pretty easily.

2) Malik showed incredibly more touch this game than I ever remember seeing from him. I remember him trying to drill everything through his receivers. It could just be a sign of him settling down now that he's not trying to win a job, but I thought he did a fantastic job of throwing catchable balls this week.

3) I never could put my finger on why, but even before the turnover plague started with Golson, every pass gave me a slight panic: "Oh, God, please let there be a Notre Dame player on the other end of this one." Never once had that feeling with Malik.

4) When I saw Josh Adams' tape, I thought for sure he would have to convert to WR. His frame is way too narrow to be an effective power back and he's too tall to be shifty. I still think both of those things are true, but he looks like he has much better speed than I realized and his vision was excellent. He's got a lot more upside than I gave him credit for.

5) Okwara had a great edge rush last night. He had several pressures that aren't listed on the state sheet. Haven't gone back to look at the level of his competition, but he stood out watching the game live.

 

[Crazy Balki]

I'm honestly not too concerned with Adams. He actually looks pretty big, but he's just not going to be that traditional power back that gets to 230 pounds and is grinding interior defenders into dust. That's honestly not the best way to maximize his potential. I think he's more along the lines of TJ Yeldon, very similar running styles and are about the same size (Adams: 6'2 212 to Yeldon: 6'2 218). We just need to see more of what Adams is like with more traditional handoffs. What I saw in his limited reps were very promising. I expect he'll take advantage of his extended time on the field. If your backs are talented enough and they want it, it really doesn't matter how young they are, because they're naturally bred to produce at a high level from the word go. That's just the nature of the running back. Hasn't affected Alabama, hasn't affected Oregon, sure as hell hasn't affected Georgia.

 

[blueNDgold44]

Don't like to nitpick after such a good showing but I still really don't like the playcalling. 3rd and a quarter of an inch and we lineup in shotgun and put 7 guys in motion and then false start. Also would like to see the plays come in faster, defense has the advantage of just taking off, with no threat of a hard count, whenever the play clock is anywhere below 10 and could have a big impact against a better team/in a closer game.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Don't like to nitpick after such a good showing but I still really don't like the playcalling. 3rd and a quarter of an inch and we lineup in shotgun and put 7 guys in motion and then false start. Also would like to see the plays come in faster, defense has the advantage of just taking off, with no threat of a hard count, whenever the play clock is anywhere below 10 and could have a big impact against a better team/in a closer game.

When it comes to tempo, I just don't think Kelly was pushing it that game. I think there will be others where tempo will be a bigger part of the gameplan, but it's Malik's first game. I think they wanted to just ease him in. There were still a couple times I was chanting them to snap the damn ball, but it's a FAR cry from last year where I was about to throw the remote at the TV.

I do agree that there was a few times where I was baffled by the play call. We have 3rd and short and we go lateral. I know this was to take advantage of our superior perimeter athletes, while also avoiding a rather good Texas interior, but we were having success doing that anyways, so let's establish an inside run game while we can.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I just thought he looked awkward, not bad. I'm pretty sure I remember one run where he stopped almost right in the middle of the hole, as if he was looking to see which way to cut. He looks much more decisive and fluid on the jet sweeps.

The point wasn't that we shouldn't be high on him, but just a reminder that he is playing out of position, kind of. So his success there is an incredibly nice bonus for us.

I noticed the same thing, same play. I wonder how much had to do with his recovery from his hip flexor injury. Could that have played into it? Time will tell.

Postscript :

• Texas was sending linebackers through gaps formed by the down linemen on odd man fronts trying to engage our o-linemen. I suspect now that some of the pressure was caused by Malik Jefferson abandoning his responsibilities and having the motor and wheels to make the play. Also, the actual oddest thing was how little the Texas defense did some things, like crowding the box.
  
• I think CJ is a ways away from full recovery from his hip flexor injury. Still he would have had over 100 yards without that one big negative play, which was okay as a loss because he showed such ball security.
  
• I think that when you want to gage how deep this team is, they have had a worse impact with injuries this year than they did last year with the Frozen Five. But this team has the ability to fill without loosing much of the spring in their step.
  
• Sorry I didn't mention this before, but part of the success of bringing in Coach Gilmore, was moving Mike Elston to linebacker coach, where I think he belongs. Win-win if you will. The linebackers looked outstanding as a unit last night.
  
• The whole defense was off the charts! What like 24 players recorded tackles, and 19 had two or more. with a very even distribution among the starters. Bodes well!
  
• Whatever the collaboration is between Kelly, Denbrock, and Sanford, it really works! I think there is probably more to it that we know, but whatever they are doing, I hope they keep it up. Interesting that our running versus throwing ratio has changed so significantly. Kind of like what you would see at, say, Boise State, isn't it?

 

[FDNYIrish1]

Had an amazing time at the game despite all of the Texas fans!
Agree with a lot that's been posted obviously, defense played awesome. Jaylon has some sick closing speed and was a sure tackler. Was impressed with the whole front four being disruptive all game, great upfield pressure. Sheldon gets off the line quick as anything and artillery is going to be awesome. I know it was garbage time, but Bonner caught my eye in the fourth. Made a couple of good plays in a row. Was hoping to see Morgan play more, I think that kids a phenomenal athlete who's going to be a monster.
Offensively obviously loved Malik. My only complaint with play calling is as much as I like the read option, I think we have the horses to just blow people off the ball and hit the hole quicker. Just my opinion obviously, but sometimes play takes too long to develop. One other nit picky point would be to catch the ball cleanly.
Had a blast at the game. Team speed is insane, guys played aggressive. Great opening game against a blue blood opponent.

 

[dublinirish]

Hot take from Texas' sbnation site (from sunday morning):
The SMO: Your Sunday morning optimist - Burnt Orange Nation

 

[kmoose]

Don't like to nitpick after such a good showing but I still really don't like the playcalling. 3rd and a quarter of an inch and we lineup in shotgun and put 7 guys in motion and then false start. Also would like to see the plays come in faster, defense has the advantage of just taking off, with no threat of a hard count, whenever the play clock is anywhere below 10 and could have a big impact against a better team/in a closer game.

I get what you are saying, but, in defense of the play calling:

ND had 5 drives end in Touchdowns.
ND had 4 drives end in punts.

The play calling appeared to work pretty well, even if it was at times unorthodox.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I get what you are saying, but, in defense of the play calling:

ND had 5 drives end in Touchdowns.
ND had 4 drives end in punts.

The play calling appeared to work pretty well, even if it was at times unorthodox.

Reps, sir!

The only thing to add is how long has it been since ND has had two 90 + yard drives result in touchdowns?

Oh, yeah and ND had seven 20 plus yard plays to six different players. Five players ran the ball, and seven players had receptions out of a distribution that included ten receivers with attempts.

 

[wizards8507]

Updated FPI has Notre Dame with 8% chance of winning out, behind only Ohio State and TCU/Baylor.

 

[ARALOU]

Based on what I saw Saturday, there are only a handful (maybe 8) teams, that are in the playoff conversation. The lrish being one. The o-line is probably the best or one of the best in the country. Georgia's offense is scary. They are very much like the Irish.

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the game Saturday. I thought the Irish looked great and look forward to a great season. I hope injury doesn't happen to anyone else. I feel bad for Folston.

Does anyone else think the D lineman Tillery (I think is his name) is a beast also? If he plays more snaps this season there are a half dozen play makers on the field. He is freaky fast.

 

[wizards8507]

Does anyone else think the D lineman Tillery (I think is his name) is a beast also? If he plays more snaps this season there are a half dozen play makers on the field. He is freaky fast.

He's going to be an all-American before he graduates. True freshman and already in the defensive line rotation. We'll need depth at that position and he's providing it already.

 

[JughedJones]

He's going to be an all-American before he graduates. True freshman and already in the defensive line rotation. We'll need depth at that position and he's providing it already.

Word

 

[ThePiombino]

Based on what I saw Saturday, there are only a handful (maybe 8) teams, that are in the playoff conversation. The lrish being one. The o-line is probably the best or one of the best in the country. Georgia's offense is scary. They are very much like the Irish.

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the game Saturday. I thought the Irish looked great and look forward to a great season. I hope injury doesn't happen to anyone else. I feel bad for Folston.

Does anyone else think the D lineman Tillery (I think is his name) is a beast also? If he plays more snaps this season there are a half dozen play makers on the field. He is freaky fast.

No doubt he's a beast, but he is still a true frosh, so there's going to be a learning curve. I think it's definitely a matter of when with him, not if. He CAN have a major impact this season.

 

[dublinirish]

Anyone else get excited when Jaylon was in a three point stance rushing the passer those times?? Danggg

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Anyone else get excited when Jaylon was in a three point stance rushing the passer those times?? Danggg

I started getting excited about that very thing his senior year in high school when his team came to town to play Whitmer. I can't remember if that is the year they won, or came in second in the Ohio 'bigs' division. So they had athletes.

Watching him in that game, it was apparent that he scared and intimidated the Whitmer quarterback with his closing speed. I know that qb had never seen anything like it, and I never have at the high school level either!

Kid can motor at light speed can't he? I think he was so fast Saturday night that the offense tackle couldn't see him, let alone get a hand on him!

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Updated FPI has Notre Dame with 8% chance of winning out, behind only Ohio State and TCU/Baylor.

ESPN bias.

 

[wizards8507]

ESPN bias.

In all seriousness, if it wasn't for the fool preseason rankings we'd be top 5 when tomorrow's polls come out.

 

[GoIrish41]

I started getting excited about that very thing his senior year in high school when his team came to town to play Whitmer. I can't remember if that is the year they won, or came in second in the Ohio 'bigs' division. So they had athletes.

Watching him in that game, it was apparent that he scared and intimidated the Whitmer quarterback with his closing speed. I know that qb had never seen anything like it, and I never have at the high school level either!

Kid can motor at light speed can't he? I think he was so fast Saturday night that the offense tackle couldn't see him, let alone get a hand on him!

What's amazing to me is not only how fast he is but how fluid he is at breaking down into good position to deliver a blow. A guy moving that fast should not be able to maintain perfect tackling form, but he not only gets there but is a sure tackler when he gets there.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

What's amazing to me is not only how fast he is but how fluid he is at breaking down into good position to deliver a blow. A guy moving that fast should not be able to maintain perfect tackling form, but he not only gets there but is a sure tackler when he gets there.

Kind of like an alien presence, no? The Predator!


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[IrishJayhawk]

In all seriousness, if it wasn't for the fool preseason rankings we'd be top 5 when tomorrow's polls come out.

I'm firmly in the camp that polls shouldn't come out until week 5.

 

[NDRock]

I'm firmly in the camp that polls shouldn't come out until week 5.

With the new playoff committee rankings, that's essentially what happens. Nothing really means anything until their poll is released. The preseason polls are good for ratings as the game seems more exciting when two "ranked" teams are playing (I assume this is partly why they do it).

 

[IrishJayhawk]

With the new playoff committee rankings, that's essentially what happens. Nothing really means anything until their poll is released. The preseason polls are good for ratings as the game seems more exciting when two "ranked" teams are playing (I assume this is partly why they do it).

It's all marketing. And I understand that they'll never stop doing it. But I do think it affects the polls later on to a certain extent. It would just be nice to see what teams do on the field before creating the first ranking.

 

[ThePiombino]

It's all marketing. And I understand that they'll never stop doing it. But I do think it affects the polls later on to a certain extent. It would just be nice to see what teams do on the field before creating the first ranking.

Agreed. It's human nature to be influenced by what we see and hear.

 

[tadman95]

Kizer - In one of the earlier press conferences Kelly said Kizer was fully able to execute the offense. Maybe that's true but he looked a little un-nerved in the game. That's to be expected in his first game action in 2 years I guess.

I think Kelly has to try to get him more game reps. If Zaire gets banged up, I din't have a feeling that Kizer can step right in and run anything but a basic plan. He needs some completions.

 

[ThePiombino]

Kizer - In one of the earlier press conferences Kelly said Kizer was fully able to execute the offense. Maybe that's true but he looked a little un-nerved in the game. That's to be expected in his first game action in 2 years I guess.

I think Kelly has to try to get him more game reps. If Zaire gets banged up, I din't have a feeling that Kizer can step right in and run anything but a basic plan. He needs some completions.

I'm definitely a lot lower on Kizer than most here. I know he had/s personal stuff going on with his gf's illness and all, but I was very concerned with how he looked in the spring game. Yesterday didn't ease those concerns. Maybe it's just a matter of reps - reps Golson stole from him this spring (but I digress...) - or maybe he'll never get it. I think we should consider ourselves lucky if he can do enough to preserve Wimbush's RS this year. Anything more than that, IMO, and it'll be a bonus. I just don't ever see him being THE guy here.

 

[dublinirish]

Kizer - In one of the earlier press conferences Kelly said Kizer was fully able to execute the offense. Maybe that's true but he looked a little un-nerved in the game. That's to be expected in his first game action in 2 years I guess.

I think Kelly has to try to get him more game reps. If Zaire gets banged up, I din't have a feeling that Kizer can step right in and run anything but a basic plan. He needs some completions.

backups aren't gonna get many reps once camp is done though. I would expect he would have been alot crisper if he was the starter

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Kizer - In one of the earlier press conferences Kelly said Kizer was fully able to execute the offense. Maybe that's true but he looked a little un-nerved in the game. That's to be expected in his first game action in 2 years I guess.

I think Kelly has to try to get him more game reps. If Zaire gets banged up, I din't have a feeling that Kizer can step right in and run anything but a basic plan. He needs some completions.

He didn't look great, but it's impossible to know much from that game. He was pretty much handing the ball off and we weren't giving him an opportunity to run the full playbook. His one throw was ugly, but that could easily be chalked up to first-game jitters.

I love that we had a lead enough to give him some reps. That hasn't happened much in the past few years. Injuries are easier to handle when your backups have played a bunch of snaps, even if it's just during garbage time.

ETA: We were also starting to pull our OL while Texas was playing their first team guys. I see Mustipher and Bivin in during Kizer's first drive. You can also see Kelly yelling "SLOW DOWN" to Kizer (at 1:53:38 or so). Probably a combination of trying to run clock and Kizer being a bit amped up.

 

[ickythump1225]

I'm not sold one way or the other on Kizer. He looked nervous but then again he hasn't seen the field in real play in a long time. I don't know if he'll ever be the man though and be the full time starter after MZ leaves.

 

[dublinirish]

I did like when Kizer went after that dipshit backup LB Texas put in at the end who was talking trash after making a tackle.