Post Game Observations USC

[TheSunIsRising]

Ok. If a QB wants to throw it to the knees of our tallest player while he is running a crossing route, something is radically wrong.

First of all, a ball at your tallest or shortest receiver is in relatively the same position for them unless they have unusually long or short arms. What does height have to do with it??

Secondly, re-watch that play and honestly say that Niklas should not have caught that ball; he had no one near him. Even watching the recording of the game, Mayock called it a drop

Again, not saying Hendrix played well, as he did not.

 

[kmoose]

I don't think my post inferred that he played 'well', or that his body of work wasn't bad over the time he was in there (the two bad throws were very bad). My point was only that all 4 of his pass attempts weren't as bad as the two short hops. I was responding more pointedly to the comment that the half-back option might have been a better choice for passing plays.

He was 0-4. Do you really think that the halfbacks would have been worse?

by the way........ I know that tone of voice doesn't translate over the internet, but when I mentioned it to my buddy, I was speaking tongue in cheek.

 

[FearTheBeard]

Is there anywhere i can see some of the highlights from the game besides on the irish connection video? The game is a large blur to me but im guessing theres probly not any other videos yet

 

[Ironman8]

Is there anywhere i can see some of the highlights from the game besides on the irish connection video? The game is a large blur to me but im guessing theres probly not any other videos yet

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/smCwwgmeYjA?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[ulukinatme]

I don't think my post inferred that he played 'well', or that his body of work wasn't bad over the time he was in there (the two bad throws were very bad). My point was only that all 4 of his pass attempts weren't as bad as the two short hops. I was responding more pointedly to the comment that the half-back option might have been a better choice for passing plays.

Can't miss open receivers on short throws, those should be gimmes. They weren't even close.

 

[arrowryan]

Is that Robby Toma talking to KVR and Eifert talking to Schmit(sp) at the end?

 

[IrishLion]

I was at the game sitting in section 113. I scored some tickets that USC returned I guess, because there were quite a few Trojan fans around me, though the actual USC section seemed to be one section to my left.

I was a bit disappointed in my section. It was pretty quiet all around me during the game until the fourth quarter. The rest of the stadium seemed amped, and it got LOUD in the fourth, but I felt like I was the only one trying to get loud in my section at times.

As for actual observations:

Is it possible that KeiVarae is THE Trojan Killer on ND's roster right now? He played well last year, saved a TD with hustle, and committed two of the smartest PIs of all time. This year, it seemed like he had his side of the field locked down the entire game, and of course had the huge hit at the end (and LEGAL hit lol). If I'm mistaken, just let me know since I didn't have the benefit of replay or internet service in the stadium.

Devin Butler got quite a bit of PT at safety. Have his reps all been at safety this season? I know he was in a goalline package against Oklahoma (he was called for offsides I believe), but I couldn't tell if he was deep or defending the slot. Also, I was surprised he played so many more reps than Max. Perhaps he's just better at communicating at this point.

I believe that ND would've blown the second half wide open if Tommy doesn't get knocked out of the game. Part of that is because USC clearly got gassed late in the game and I think their secondary would've struggled to keep running in coverage, but the other part is the fact that Tommy is so much more effective than what people give him credit for (which has been discussed plenty already, but I wanted to get my ticket for Tommy Appreciation Week too).

Two things I would love to see: set up an actual punt return, and throw the ball deep down the middle to Onwualu or Prosise when they are on the field.

 

[arrowryan]

I always thought BK's speech before the MSU game last year was good. But wow, that USC pregame and halftime speech were out of this world

 

[ickythump1225]

WatchND.tv

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CBK gets me fired up! Makes me want to strap'em up and hit somebody. Love the passion that he exhibits. I love a fiery and passionate leader over cool coaches. The Vikings coach, Leslie Frazier is way too laid back and seems to be asleep half the game. Reminds me of Ty Willingham.

 

[ickythump1225]

I always thought BK's speech before the MSU game last year was good. But wow, that USC pregame and halftime speech were out of this world

You could tell he was ready for the Trojans haha. I think the bye week made him restless...at some point I thought he was going to strap on a helmet and go out there.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Do you really believe that if AG or AC would have been given the ball 18 times they would have gained less then Cam?

Look I am glad we won. As I previously stated, I really hate SC. But I read some of these posts and I really wonder if we are watching the same game. Not you in particular because I saw the same thing about the SC o-line seemingly holding significantly more then what was called, but if I didn't watch the game I would have thought that Cam ran for 10 ypc and Rees was unstoppable.

Cam ran 18 times for 92 yds and a 5.1 average. Better than any other RB we had. And with the eye test he looked better than any other running back.

Rees was in for a half and was 14/21 for 166 and 2 TDs. I love our WRs and especially TJ, but I find it ridiculous to believe that half of his catches are just because he's good and Rees got lucky. 1st round draft picks get that claim, not 3rd rounders.

Both played great games.

I think your right, I don't think we are watching the same games.

 

[clashmore_mike]

Is that Robby Toma talking to KVR and Eifert talking to Schmit(sp) at the end?

Toma with Kei and Danny Spond wih Schmidt.

 

[kmoose]

First off if we had a legit D1 quarterback ...

First off, please stop right there. If you are insinuating that Rees is not a legit D1 quarterback, then just stop; before you open your mouth and remove all doubt.

 

[PANDFAN]

i couldn't post as i had to crawl up the stairs to bed and fell asleep on the bathroom floor last night

but now here it is:

STOP with the damn baseball **** in this thread...it's ****ing football season...take it to another thread

I don't care what you want to say about tommy, but that's my QB...and for all of u haters can now see hendrix sucks! and that's why tommy is the starter...and he played well

the wr's and troy caught everything throw last night!!! great job
won't make any highlights but chris brown had some solid blocking downfield
the db's played great although as someone said, bjax needs to sure up his tackling...i did see he injured his shoulder in 2nd quarter so this could have added towards that

tuitt and nix had HUGE pass deflections

punt coverage sucked and led to their scoring drive, yes nelson is good but it was terrible

troy.tj and cam had great games!!!

BURN malik's redshirt, because i trust my 7 year old son more than hendrix out there..it was pitiful

last thing **** USC

 

[Irish Insanity]

I don't care what you want to say about tommy, but that's my QB...and for all of u haters can now see hendrix sucks! and that's why tommy is the starter...and he played well

Terrell Owens Crying! - YouTube

 

[cody1smith]

My post game analysis:

I got told to sit down twice when USC was huddling up for a 3rd down. I understand that it was the 2nd quarter, but that doesn't fvcking matter. On of my buddies sensed how livid I was and took me to the student section where we could actually 'cheer' for the team without getting scolded.

I hate, hate, hate our stadium atmosphere.

I stood the entire game along with everyone around me.

 

[cody1smith]

I was in Section 18, and stood for at least 3/4 of the game. No one said a word. In fact, we all celebrated the big plays together. I think that the atmosphere that you experienced is limited to a small percentage of the stadium.

Now, my observations:

1. Kelly played A TON of guys. I bet he played 10 WRs. He was rotating at least two groups, and more rarely, a 3rd group of guys into there. I also saw a lot of guys getting in on D. And this was a rivalry game that was VERY close. Kelly showed a lot of trust in these guys, letting them get some "real" time in this game. I'd say that this means that there are quite a few guys who are picking up the schemes, and working hard in practice. That's a good sign. If Kelly can continue to recruit the talent he has been, and get them to put the effort in, then very good things are in Notre Dame Football's future.

2. From about the middle of the 2nd quarter on, the defense looked REALLY GOOD. Previous to that, they looked pretty porous. Crossing routes were killing us, early on. Overall, though, the defense gets some pretty serious props.

3. USC helped us out a lot, with penalties. They were holding all night long, and the worst of them got called. This helped us put them in some really tough down and distances, and effectively killed some of their drives.

4. Andrew Hendrix............. wow! I don't want to be critical of the kid, as he has been a class act. But after the first series with Hendrix, USC was putting 9 guys in the box. Even on 3rd and 6. It was so bad, that I thought our best chance on 3rd down might have been to throw a halfback pass. Cam McDaniel, George Atkinson, or even one of the freshmen, could not have thrown a worst pass than what Hendrix was slinging out there. It was really bad!!

5. The stadium was rocking pretty good. I only get to go to a game a year or so, so I by no means an expert on the average decibel level of Notre Dame Stadium, but it seemed to be plenty loud, the whole game.

6. What a great weekend! The weather was good, the football was great, and spending time with family just brought it all together.

I was in 16 same exact thing

 

[Wild Bill]

The offensive line really does a great job all the time. They gobbled up Sutton and Leonard, two of the best DTs in football, in consecutive weeks. Tommy has had a great pocket all year and had more of the same in the first half. TJ is a boss.

The defense was great. Tuitt was the catalyst and they played inspired. Just nitpicking but safety needs to be upgraded. Collinsworth got burned by Soma Vainuku...a fullback who is a biscuit or two away from being a guard.

 

[ulukinatme]

Is that Robby Toma talking to KVR and Eifert talking to Schmit(sp) at the end?

It was definitely Eifert. It was probably Toma too, he was in the Bend according to Twitter

 

[BleedBlueGold]

My two cents:

Not much to complain about when you beat SC. I loved how the team came out in up-tempo to start the game. Where has that been all season?! I hated the play call on 4th and goal on the first series. Granted someone missed a block, but still, everyone in the building knew the run was coming. Why not play-action pass? Hind site and we won regardless so it's moot. The defense played amazing in the second half. Wow. The DL absolutely destroyed their OL (hence the butthurt comments about the officials). In all, great game. Great atmosphere. Great weather. Great seats.

Bring on AF. God help us if Hendrix has to play.

 

[dublinirish]

It was definitely Eifert. It was probably Toma too, he was in the Bend according to Twitter

yeah it was Toma he was on the sidelines. Would Eifert have been there the night before an NFL game?

 

[NDohio]

yeah it was Toma he was on the sidelines. Would Eifert have been there the night before an NFL game?

Now I know why he didn't get me many fantasy points!

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

OK who was the dude with the big dreads and orange pants that helped Cam up on the sideline after his long run? Btw if you look closely Zbi and Shark were standing right there as well.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Also I love that moment at the end between Schmidt and Fox. "You just won the game." "I just won the game." "Give me a hug."

 

[Grahambo]

Also I love that moment at the end between Schmidt and Fox. "You just won the game." "I just won the game." "Give me a hug."

Bro hugs for everyone!!

It was awesome. The passion for the game was beautiful to see. You can see how much he wanted it, not for himself, but for his team. They wanted it for each other and they did whatever they had to. Its beautiful to see.

 

[PANDFAN]

Now I know why he didn't get me many fantasy points!

He caught his first td

 

[NDohio]

He caught his first td

True, he outperformed his projection, but he was my lowest point producer.

 

[Irish#1]

Sorry guys, no time to read everyone's thoughts.

1. Hendrix looked like a deer in the headlights. I think this was due to the fact this was the first time he played where the game was on his shoulders. Let's hope TR is well enough to play Saturday.
2. I don't know what the changes were at the half, but the defense looked like the D of last year in the second half. Tuitt, Shembo and Nix were great at getting pressure.
3. I still don't know why we don't go under center when running the ball inside the 10 yard line. The pistol takes too long for the RB to get to the hole and the run blitz got us.
4. This team has fight and character.

 

[#1rish]

Score if TR hadn't gotten injured? 21-10? 27-10?

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Score if TR hadn't gotten injured? 21-10? 27-10?

28-17, you have to bank on at least one pick six