Post Game Observations USC

[EuropeanDomer]

- Stephon Tuitt just dominated the second half.

- Redfield does not play even with Shumate out and Collingsworth and Farley looking terrible. But hey, he is getting closer and closer every week. Okay.

- Anyone noticed about Jaylon's stance before the snap? I never seen that before and does not look very smooth. He is such a beast though.

- Butler and Luke looking good.

- What happened to Folston? He did not get any carry after his great run against Oklahoma. I'm not so high on Mcdaniel as everyone here. He had two beautiful runs but other than that i'm not impressed with him.

- Calabrase lived in the USC backfield but he missed a lot of TFL, a shame because he is recognizing plays and shooting the gaps very well. Despite the feeling here, i think he is a great player.

- Okwara making progress every week. I think he will be a good one next year replacing Prince Shembo.

 

[Fbolt]

Wow-what a win. I'll take the W.

I liked the D.

 

[RuntheBall]

- Stephon Tuitt just dominated the second half.

- Redfield does not play even with Shumate out and Collingsworth and Farley looking terrible. But hey, he is getting closer and closer every week. Okay.

- Anyone noticed about Jaylon's stance before the snap? I never seen that before and does not look very smooth. He is such a beast though.

- Butler and Luke looking good.

- What happened to Folston? He did not get any carry after his great run against Oklahoma. I'm not so high on Mcdaniel as everyone here. He had two beautiful runs but other than that i'm not impressed with him.

- Calabrase lived in the USC backfield but he missed a lot of TFL, a shame because he is recognizing plays and shooting the gaps very well. Despite the feeling here, i think he is a great player.

- Okwara making progress every week. I think he will be a good one next year replacing Prince Shembo.

Yeah I first noticed it vs. ASU, then again last night. I made sure everyone I watching the game with saw it as well. Seems a bit strange, but most of the time I don't think it matters as he has to pause a moment to react to the TE/RB or whomever is coming his way. It does look weird though. Almost like a single leg squat before each play. Maybe he is working on his glutes? I think getting the sketchers shape up would be easier though.

 

[DillonHall]

Yeah I first noticed it vs. ASU, then again last night. I made sure everyone I watching the game with saw it as well. Seems a bit strange, but most of the time I don't think it matters as he has to pause a moment to react to the TE/RB or whomever is coming his way. It does look weird though. Almost like a single leg squat before each play. Maybe he is working on his glutes? I think getting the sketchers shape up would be easier though.

That's how he lined up even back in HS

 

[arrowryan]

Yeah I first noticed it vs. ASU, then again last night. I made sure everyone I watching the game with saw it as well. Seems a bit strange, but most of the time I don't think it matters as he has to pause a moment to react to the TE/RB or whomever is coming his way. It does look weird though. Almost like a single leg squat before each play. Maybe he is working on his glutes? I think getting the sketchers shape up would be easier though.

That's how he lined up even back in HS

I guess when you're a freak athlete and a physical specimen, you can line up in funky positions like that

 

[kzoondfi]

- I'm as critical as anyone of Rees, but last night humbled me. If Hendrix starts any of the next games we have legit concerns about losing to bad teams.
- Was hoping to see Redfield, especially early on when our safeties were struggling, luckily they got better, the other freshmen played well back there.
- Jaylon, Tuitt, Calabrese and KVR balled out
- Impressed KVR laid that hit on Agholor with his shoulder and no helmet. AGHOLOR IS ALREADY A STUD. WISH WE WOULD HAVE WON HIS RECRUITMENT.
- Continued disappointment by Carlisle (catch the ball when you get your opportunities)
- We finally were getting good pressure on the QB in the second half, a lot of which led to holding and false start penalties which helped a lot.
- Not pretty, but we got a W
- Please be healthy Tommy, I'm sorry for all of the bad things I've said about you, the grass is not always greener on the other side, I can't watch Hendrix throw grounders all game

 

[NDinL.A.]

- Stephon Tuitt just dominated the second half.

- Redfield does not play even with Shumate out and Collingsworth and Farley looking terrible. But hey, he is getting closer and closer every week. Okay.

- Anyone noticed about Jaylon's stance before the snap? I never seen that before and does not look very smooth. He is such a beast though.

- Butler and Luke looking good.

- What happened to Folston? He did not get any carry after his great run against Oklahoma. I'm not so high on Mcdaniel as everyone here. He had two beautiful runs but other than that i'm not impressed with him.

- Calabrase lived in the USC backfield but he missed a lot of TFL, a shame because he is recognizing plays and shooting the gaps very well. Despite the feeling here, i think he is a great player.

- Okwara making progress every week. I think he will be a good one next year replacing Prince Shembo.

I saw Redfield out there for a few plays in the 2nd half.

 

[RuntheBall]

Quick question. How many passes were completed on KVR? I don't remember seeing him at all until he came up big on the last play.

 

[EddytoNow]

Defense played their best game of the year. The lack of offensive production after the Rees injury, placed our defense in a hole time after time. USC self-destructed. Without multiple drive-ending penalties and two missed field goals we would be looking at a different outcome. If we are going to win games and not wait for the other team to lose the game, then we have to get more out of our offense with or without Rees.

I have been one who had a wait and see attitude on Hendrix feeling he had yet to be given a fair opportunity. Well, last night he had his opportunity against an average defense at best and failed miserably. It's pretty obvious that Zaire needs more snaps in practice to get him ready. Next year Golson (hopefully?), Zaire, and Kizer. I see no reason to give Hendrix a fifth year.

 

[kzoondfi]

Not sure, but I don't think any were completed on KVR, but I also don't remember them throwing at him unless it was early while Lee was still out there. He tackles very well, or just well in comparison to Bjax

 

[ickythump1225]

Any see how dominant FSU is? I don't think Bama or Oregon could beat them!

 

[ickythump1225]

I don't think Missouri will win out.

Mizzou won't have to win out they're two games up on the field. The pivotal game is USCe next week. If they beat them then they've pretty much wrapped up the east but even if they lose they'll still be up a game on UGA, Florida, and USCe. UGA and Florida play TWLOCP Nov. 2nd and Florida and USCe still play so while these teams are beating up on each other Mizzou will be playing Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ole Miss. If they beat USCe all they need is to win two of their last 4, (their last game being TAMU) and if they lose to USCe they need to win 3 of 4.

In other words...Mizzou is in the catbird seat and are real close to punching their ticket to Atlanta.

 

[RuntheBall]

Mizzou won't have to win out they're two games up on the field. The pivotal game is USCe next week. If they beat them then they've pretty much wrapped up the east but even if they lose they'll still be up a game on UGA, Florida, and USCe. UGA and Florida play TWLOCP Nov. 2nd and Florida and USCe still play so while these teams are beating up on each other Mizzou will be playing Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ole Miss. If they beat USCe all they need is to win two of their last 4, (their last game being TAMU) and if they lose to USCe they need to win 3 of 4.

In other words...Mizzou is in the catbird seat and are real close to punching their ticket to Atlanta.

Which means all Alabama has to due is beat LSU... and they just lost to an Ole Maid or something.
[Alright they do have games vs. Auburn, Miss. State, and a super threatening Chattanooga]

 

[Rizzophil]

Make me want Massa to start against Air Force if Rees is out

 

[ickythump1225]

Yes, we do. We've played our backup all year. His name is Tommy Rees. Hendrix is our 3rd string QB. And despite being smart and what seems to be an all around good guy, he is arguably the worst QB I've ever seen at the major college level. Tonights performance was against a baaad defense.

I don't mean to dog on him. It is what it is.

Really if you think about Hendrix was our 4th string QB because I'm sure Kiel would have been ahead of him on the depth chart.

 

[texbender]

Observation #1. We all now know exactly why Tommy is the unequivocal starter.

Observation #2. Our D stepped up so huge in the second half... I don't even know how to describe it. That was unbelievable. Salute to Diaco, all the defensive assistants, and most of all the players for putting forth an insane effort.

Observation #3. Kelly is 3-1 against USC and I'm hoping we get some kids popping soon.

+1. Tommy was off to a nice start, and the offense was moving well. Really disappointed in what I saw with Hendrix. Hope it was just a blip, but total ineptness with the passing game. D saved that game. Not sure of Rees' status going forward, hope AH can step it up quickly.

 

[yankeeND]

All I know is that when Tommy gets back, I never want to see an empty set ever again. Put 2 RB's back there if you have to. This can not happen the rest of the season.

 

[RuntheBall]

For reference Rees led the following drives (7 total, 6 if you take out the one right before the half):

1st Drive:
We go 74 yards to the goal-line and get stoned because we run pistol at the goal line. A very good drive by Rees. He was efficient. Given USC was playing very soft, but still.

2nd Drive:
10 Plays, 71 yards for a Touchdown to Niklas to end the first quarter. Ties the game at 7's. Obvious another great drive bby Rees, who is 2/2 on drives so far.

3rd Drive:
3 and out with 4 yards. A Stanley false start turns 3rd and 2 to 3rd and 7 and ends the drive.

4th Drive:

4 Plays, 20 yards. Rees hits Niklas for 30 yards if the ball was thrown 3-6 inches shorter Niklas doesn't lose his balance and can pick up 10 more yards. Which probably would have resulted in 3 points. But the drive comes to a halt with the intentional grounding/sack on 3rd and five from the USC 34. say its 4th and 5 [Rees throws the ball away earlier]. Do we go for it? Kick a FG? Would have been interesting. Brinzda had a great punt to the USC 5 yard line after the intentional grounding. Anyway I think we lost out on a couple of potential points here.

5th Drive:
5 Plays 91 yards, for a TD to TJ Jones. Great performance by Cam. Rees was solid as well. Puts us up 14-10 for good.

6th drive:
End of Half (2 plays)

7th (and final full Drive):
Off of the Jaylon INT,
5 plays, 22 yards for a punt. Amir dropped a big pass and a potential 1st down on 3rd and 3. Wel**** has a nice punt to pin USC deep. Forcing them to punt from their own five after a nice stop by the D.

3 of Rees's 6 drives should have ended in points (if not TD's). Potentially 4 (if we could salvage a FG out of the intentional grounding drive).

Either way that combined with USC's lack of depth and I think Rees's 1st half performance could have translated to 35-ish points for the whole game.

 

[Irish93]

All I know is that when Tommy gets back, I never want to see an empty set ever again. Put 2 RB's back there if you have to. This can not happen the rest of the season.

+10000. I cringe everytime I see an empty set. Tommy simply doesn't have the mobility or strength to escape if the OL blocking goes bad.

 

[koonja]

Post Game Analysis Part 2

- Others mentioned, but Kaivare must have had a good game because he was never talked about. With that theory he's having a great year too.

- Tommy was slinging in the first half. Only thing I didn't like is that he threw too many off of his back foot, but he was getting pressure so I don't think it's something to worry about. We need him more than any player on this team.

- TJ - Man child. He will not go 1st round, but he'll be a great pick for someone. If everyone played as hard as this kid, we'd be 7-0.

- Jaylon, I don't love his kung fu stance, but what a baller. He is one of the best players on our team.

- Cam ran like a boss. Great cuts, ran with passion.

- Disappointed we didn't see Folston, but his time is coming.

- Can the OL get some love? Man, great holes all night and USC blitzed the hell out of us and they picked it up every time. Amazing night.

- DD, where are you?

- Nilkas was great. He may not have great ball skills, but his hands are as good as anyone's.

- DL was invisible in the 1st half, then played the best 2nd half we've seen all year. Tuitt really turned it on, and won us the game.

- Ishaq quietly had not a great game but a really good game. His penetration caused two huge holding calls. That does not show up in the stats, but those are Shembo-like plays.

- I'm speechless when it comes to Hendrix. This is his 4th year with the same system and same coach. IDK what it is, but if he's going to ever have a permanent role they must allow him to throw. I know it is scary, but you have to trust him. We know what happens when we're one dimensional.

- Stadium Music: A-. Very good mix, they even added in 'Kayne Power' and one other 'party song' that I cannot remember. Would have liked them to play Kanye more, but that's just me.

- Bennett Jackson needs to step up or step down. Cole Luke and Devin Butler were more impressive last night IMO.

- Redfield needs to start taking snaps from Farley. There were a couple of plays where if USC had a QB, we were toast because Farley was late on coverage.

- Can we stop saying stars don't matter? Su Cravens, Agholor, Jaylon Smith, my Lord. All so young and absolute play makers.

- Would LOVE to have had Agholor, but if an ND player walked off of the field laughing after a loss, I'd tell him to get lost.


Go Irish!

**** USC!

 

[ShamrockOnHelmet]

I think people are being extraordinarily hard on Hendrix. Look, he isn't giving himself a scholarship. He can't train himself. Should he be improving on his own, yes, of course, but I really blame two others much more.

Brian Kelly is REALLY on the hook here. Hendrix has been in the program for what, 4 years now? Kelly should be developing the guy, or should have switched his position by now. If he's REALLY that bad, and you are working your *** off develop him but nothing is working, then you just can't keep him as a scholarship QB, one snap away from starting. Something is wrong with what I'm seeing, and I lay it at Kelly's feet.

The other person responsible for this predicament is Golson. His supremely selfish act is really hurting the program, his teammates. I realize he's paying the price, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't recognize his fault here.

Lets stop killing Hendrix. He's doing the best he can, but apparently his best isn't the caliber we need, and for THAT, others are responsible.

 

[yankeeND]

I think people are being extraordinarily hard on Hendrix. Look, he isn't giving himself a scholarship. He can't train himself. Should he be improving on his own, yes, of course, but I really blame two others much more.

Brian Kelly is REALLY on the hook here. Hendrix has been in the program for what, 4 years now? Kelly should be developing the guy, or should have switched his position by now. If he's REALLY that bad, and you are working your *** off develop him but nothing is working, then you just can't keep him as a scholarship QB, one snap away from starting. Something is wrong with what I'm seeing, and I lay it at Kelly's feet.

The other person responsible for this predicament is Golson. His supremely selfish act is really hurting the program, his teammates. I realize he's paying the price, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't recognize his fault here.

Lets stop killing Hendrix. He's doing the best he can, but apparently his best isn't the caliber we need, and for THAT, others are responsible.

I actually agree with you but, remember when Hendrix came in two years ago vs Stanford and played actually pretty well? How did he regress that much? For me it's just that I know he can do better than what he did last night. That's what disappointed me. Anyways we won and that made the season for me so I will not really complain about it anymore. Just feel like he is better than what he showed is all. On the positive side the outside run he had where he punished that DB was nice!

 

[Grahambo]

I think people are being extraordinarily hard on Hendrix. Look, he isn't giving himself a scholarship. He can't train himself. Should he be improving on his own, yes, of course, but I really blame two others much more.

Brian Kelly is REALLY on the hook here. Hendrix has been in the program for what, 4 years now? Kelly should be developing the guy, or should have switched his position by now. If he's REALLY that bad, and you are working your *** off develop him but nothing is working, then you just can't keep him as a scholarship QB, one snap away from starting. Something is wrong with what I'm seeing, and I lay it at Kelly's feet.

The other person responsible for this predicament is Golson. His supremely selfish act is really hurting the program, his teammates. I realize he's paying the price, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't recognize his fault here.

Lets stop killing Hendrix. He's doing the best he can, but apparently his best isn't the caliber we need, and for THAT, others are responsible.

I'm not sure how its BK's fault that Hendrix couldn't accurately throw 7 yards. He literally showed BK that he isn't ready. All of his throws were beyond horrible and his body language showed 0 confidence. Can't hold his hand forever.

 

[blackirish]

Nice win and this is a momentum win for us I think. Our defense is looking better and better and our offense was clicking when Rees was in.

Really ? USC is garbage but I'll take the win for sure. The defense looked better but is USC really a quality opponent ?

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I'm not sure how its BK's fault that Hendrix couldn't accurately throw 7 yards. He literally showed BK that he isn't ready. All of his throws were beyond horrible and his body language showed 0 confidence. Can't hold his hand forever.

Yeah, that's clearly a guy with the yips one-hopping short throws. I'm not sure what a staff can do about that. There is no way to simulate that kind of game environment.

I'm sure Andrew is much better than that. In fact, I thought his sideline throw to DD was in the proper spot: between the WR and the sideline but DD seemed surprised by the ball location. I womder what happened there?

 

[koonja]

.

 

[irish1958]

I'm not sure how its BK's fault that Hendrix couldn't accurately throw 7 yards. He literally showed BK that he isn't ready. All of his throws were beyond horrible and his body language showed 0 confidence. Can't hold his hand forever.

I don't agree.
Hendrix was put into an impossible situation. We had the lead and his task was to do nothing to loose the game, not to win it. With rain, cold and a slippery ball, a nine man pass rush and an Irish-temper coach coupled with his superior intelligence (ever try to play division 1 football AND major in pre-med at a very competitive and excellent school?) he had to be ultra-conservative. Did you ever try to play any sport against very good competition while being forced to be ultra-conservative? If you are stupid, thoughtless, reckless and an extremely gifted athlete you could pull it off I guess.
As an aside, I think this also was Dayne Crist's problem.

 

[Irish Insanity]

So as of this morning, Rees doesn't suck anymore.

Our D isn't pathetic.

We are now OK that GB is getting more carries.

It only took half the season for some to arrive at these conclusions.

 

[Grahambo]

(ever try to play division 1 football AND major in pre-med at a very competitive and excellent school?)

You don't agree, that's cool. Never have a problem with someone disagreeing but before you call someone out like you did above, try learning a little about them, you'd be surprised.

 

[mgriff]

What in the actual ****. Brian Kelly is a better coach than I because I would've put Zaire in there at some point after half. That was terrible to watch. My friend who has been screaming for Hendrix at the bar all year finally got his slice of humble pie, as the big man was actually hoping for Tommy by the end. Every game is terrifying and I have to drink much more than I otherwise would! Just happy to be 5-2. We are getting no love though, hopefully we can get back in the Top 25 and start our climb. I still think we lose one more game, but are a virtual lock for a BCS spot if we run the table.