Post Game Observations....

[kmoose]

1. Congrats to Charlie and the boys on a very good win. Now forget about it, and get ready for Michigan.

2. Hooray for pass protection!! I thought the Oline played fairly well, today. The pass protection was very good, and there were many more seams and holes for the tailbacks, than in any game last year. I will wait and see how they handle Michigan, before I am convinced that this offense line is much improved.

3. I'm still concerned about stopping the inside run. Nevada seemed to run very successfully (it always appeared to be about 4-5-6 yards a pop) up the middle. This needs to get fixed.

4. The blitzes seemed to be effective in pressuring the QB. He escaped contain a few times, but this kid is not your average drop back passer, either. I thought the D did a good job of getting into his face.

5. Michael Floyd is a stud. Enough said on that one.

6. If ND wants to be a BCS contender, the running game has to improve. Don't get me wrong........it wasn't that it was bad. It's that it was just good. And good against defenses like Nevada's will probably equate to piss-poor against defenses like USC's, or any other D the Irish might see in a BCS bowl.

Overall, I was pretty pleased with the outcome of the game. A special congrats to the defense, on the first shutout by ND in 7 years.

On an unrelated note: WTF was Tressel thinking, going for it on 4th down? If you go up by three scores, with 6 or so minutes left, the game is over. KICK THE FIELD GOAL!!

 

[Riddickulous]

- Jimmy Clausen is great. He made great reads, great decisions, and made some great throws out there.

- Offensive line has really improved. We actually had some decent running room. Clausen was basically untouched, save for a play or two. No sacks. We really held those two good defensive ends to nothing.

- Screens, screens, screens. Why throw all of them to Kyle Rudolph? I didn't understand those calls.

- Michael Floyd is a beast.

- Golden Tate had a nice game, considering he only had three passes thrown his way.

- The defensive line is definitely a weak point. Nevada had a very easy time running up the middle.

- Linebackers are great. We got pressure on just about every play. Matt Barkley is gonna have a rough day on October 17th.

- Defensive backs, great job! Good coverage.

- THEO!

 

[irishfan]

So should we be concerned with the success Nevada had running the ball up the middle, or was that due to the fact that we were maybe trying to just contain Kaepernick and were more focused on limiting his runs around the edge then runs up the middle?

 

[phork]

I guess we'll find out against Michigan. Great game overall, but the listed points above are of concern.
Secondly Clausen needs to either time his throws better or throw it longer. Good thing Floyd is a freak and makes the adjustments look easy.
OMG wrap up! How many more sacks could they have had?
My last concern was the drives Nevada had into ND territory. ND cannot rely on missed FGs and fumbles everytime the opposite team is inside the 20.

Great game overall, I am very excited about this year.

 

[kmoose]

So should we be concerned with the success Nevada had running the ball up the middle, or was that due to the fact that we were maybe trying to just contain Kaepernick and were more focused on limiting his runs around the edge then runs up the middle?

I think we should be very concerned. I guess maybe I saw, today, the difference between 3 and 4 star linebackers, and the 5 star guys. Tenuta brought the inside backer fairly often. Most of the time that Nevada ran up the middle, with the LB blitzing, the back ran right by the LB. I'm betting that the guys who are rated 5 stars, are rated 5 stars because they can simultaneously blitz, and stuff the run the run while doing it. I'm kind of nitpicking here, but seriously..........this was Nevada. I don't care how great an offense they had last year........they aren't anywhere near the same level as USC or most of the other teams that we might see in a BCS game. If Nevada was successful, imagine what those teams will do?

The good news is..........the coaches have a few weeks to figure it out.

 

[irishtrain]

post game

post game

Not that I'm a 'd-coordinator but you give a little playing this Pistol to keep passing and QB contained, could be the reason such large gaps were there inside the backers. Still I'm sure Mich will try it too. Such talent on both sides of the ball hasnt been seen in awhile at ND. They'll be tested next week by a better team than we thought and 100,000 people. Nevada will win more games than people think after this one and the schedule is not going to be EASY. Funny how Navy is all of a sudden a 'quailty' opponent but we we play them all we hear is we're after the Commander and Chief Trophy. How about T'eo throwing his body around like that-freshman baby.

 

[Irishlew]

Get Te'o on the F'in field more!!!

 

[ojo_223]

Great game! Love the goosegg, Floyd has got to be the best receiver in the country, Heisman candidate?

 

[sportallyr]

Get Te'o on the F'in field more!!!

I agree. Maybe they limited his minutes since he is coming off a minor injury, but what I saw was an uber fast linebacker who hits like a mack truck. I'm pumped to have this kid on our team. He will be starting within a few weeks. Toryan Smith had a few decent plays, but he looked slow and lost when Nevada was running the ball.

 

[KeepItCatholic]

I was at the game. First time in my 19 years of life that I had the chance, and boy was it amazing. The life and spirit of that campus on game day, people flowing throughout the entire campus, the walk from the chapel to the field with the people cheering, the band playing on the steps of Bond Hall. These are all things I had heard of and thought were cool, but seeing it was very inspiring.

I felt good about the game. The line seemed to open up some holes and give good protection ( i know it was against Nevada but any confidence being built is a good thing) the running backs ran hard, I was impressed with Theo the freshman in his few carries, Jonas Grey got a TD taken from him on a hard run that he deserved. I want to love Armando but i can't get over the fact that he is electric fast but seems to fall at the slightest shoe string tackle, hopefully he explodes this year, im feeling a good year for him. Michael Floyd is a beast!!!!!!! and Golden Tate had that nice 30 yard catch that he had to make a play to get to.

JC is lucky to have such a talented receiving core to throw to this year. I noticed a few of his throws were off mark. ie. the overthrow to Rudolph in the middle of the feild, dude is 6'7" you have to work to miss him... Floyd had his corner beat by 4 steps and had to come back for that long ball (then shove the corner off and run for 50 yards!!) the long ball to tate was alright, but Tate was actually covered well and had to make a good play to haul it in. I might be a little over analytical here, but I am just saying throws like those against a top level team won't be good, high passes over the middle and balls thrown short are picked easy.

Now back to the positive. Te'o has gotta get on the field more!! ha. I focused in on him almost every play he was in. One play he was backside, a lineman came out to block him, he easily avoided him (OL fell on his face) then he pursued the play but realized it was about to be over, so he leveled another Olineman that was running towards the ending play, the man just wants to hit people, and I love that!!! I am real excited about this year, I hope we come out inspired when we play at the big house next game. I know JC's accuracy will sharpen up, and even if it doesn't Floyd Tate Rudolph are good enough to compensate and go get the ball. (btw Crist was like 3/3 haha so if JC can't hack it!!)

 

[NDgettysburg]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Paragraphs, dude....Paragraphs!

Anyway....they need to fix the tackling issues going forward. Horrible tackling, just horrible. Other than the run defense which has already been noted, I'm pretty happy with the game.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Fixed the paragraph thing for you Getty.

Some thoughts:

* I disagree with you kmoose. You said the running game wasn't bad, that it was only good. I'll say it for you...it was only decent. I still didn't see the holes that we should've been opening up consistently with all those experienced starters. However, Verducci's imprint can already be seen, as the running game still was better than last year, and their pass protection was almost impeccable. I agree with you kmoose, in the sense that we ain't beating USC with that kind of running game. 3.8-4.1 yds per carry is good in the pros, not in college.

* Still not sold on Allen. Then again, I just said his holes weren't very big, so maybe that's it. But I just don't see that FL speed we all thought he had. Hopefully he'll prove me wrong.

* KeepitCatholic, glad you had such a great time at your first game. Amazing place isn't it? Anyways, yes, I think you were being very nitpicky on Clausen, and very wrong as well. He went 15-18 for Christ's sake. That's disgusting. Yes, he overthrew Rudolph ONE
time, and he underthrew Floyd on the bomb. 2 bad throws and you complain about his accuracy? Did you see the lasers he threw to Rudolph and Floyd for the TD's up the seems? And on Floyd's underthrown bomb, the worst thing you can do is overthrow the guy. You let the best receiver in football (yeah, I went there) go up against a smurf and get the ball. You saw the results. Doubt JC did it on purpose, but the throw wasn't as bad as people are saying. C'mon man, 15-18, plus 20-24 last game, 8 TD's and no picks, and we're worried about his accuracy? That's the last thing I'm worried about bro.

* Because of the QB's mobility, we had to keep contain, and that left us more vulnerable up the middle. On B. Smith's 2 sacks, he held contain. When the backup QB came in, without any mobility, we stuffed the run. But still, I agree with you guys it's something to watch out for.

 

[KajuNM]

KeepitCatholic, I think you were being very nitpicky on Clausen, and very wrong as well. He went 15-18 for Christ's sake.

I agree with NDinLA. JC only missed 3 passes. It's the 1st game of the year. Hey if he misses 3 passes every game that would still be good. What is he suppose to do hit 100% every game, come on give him the credit he deserves........ Or maybe some of you would be happy if his completions would be 10 for 20 or 10 for 25......... Give me a freakin break........

 

[NDgettysburg]

Fixed the paragraph thing for you Getty.

Thanks man...much easier to read now.

* KeepitCatholic, glad you had such a great time at your first game. Amazing place isn't it? Anyways, yes, I think you were being very nitpicky on Clausen, and very wrong as well. He went 15-18 for Christ's sake. That's disgusting. Yes, he overthrew Rudolph ONE time, and he underthrew Floyd on the bomb. 2 bad throws and you complain about his accuracy? Did you see the lasers he threw to Rudolph and Floyd for the TD's up the seems? And on Floyd's underthrown bomb, the worst thing you can do is overthrow the guy. You let the best receiver in football (yeah, I went there) go up against a smurf and get the ball. You saw the results. Doubt JC did it on purpose, but the throw wasn't as bad as people are saying. C'mon man, 15-18, plus 20-24 last game, 8 TD's and no picks, and we're worried about his accuracy? That's the last thing I'm worried about bro.

I'm not a big JC fan but I don't have any complaints about his game yesterday....that said, he had LOADS of time yesterday to pass and while I give credit to the OL, you gotta realize it was Nevada's defense. We'll have a tougher time against the bigger programs and then we'll see how JC handles it with less time to throw. It might not be worrisome now but could very well be in a week or 2.

 

[kmoose]

Fixed the paragraph thing for you Getty.

Some thoughts:

* I disagree with you kmoose. You said the running game wasn't bad, that it was only good. I'll say it for you...it was only decent. I still didn't see the holes that we should've been opening up consistently with all those experienced starters. However, Verducci's imprint can already be seen, as the running game still was better than last year, and their pass protection was almost impeccable. I agree with you kmoose, in the sense that we ain't beating USC with that kind of running game. 3.8-4.1 yds per carry is good in the pros, not in college.

I'm trying to become a kinder, gentler, more optimistic Moose.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

One of my favorite moments of the game yesterday was seeing Sam Young bend down and yell at a d-lineman on the ground. Haven't seen that kind of fire and emotion out of him is possibly all of his 38 previous starts. NDinL.A. is very correct, you can already see the impact of Verducci.

This was the first game guys! It should have been much sloppier than it was. The boys looked poised and disciplined which is something we have not seen in an opener in a long time. I am a little amazed people are so down on certain parts of the game. Does anyone remember SDSU and how terrible that game was? We are lightyears from where we were last year at this time.

I was as skeptical as anyone about which team was going to show up yesterday and I was ecstatic to see THIS team! No turnovers, virtually no penalties (even the holding penalty against Berger was BS), a shutout against a very potent offense, Clausen nearly flawless, one sack against two very good defensive ends...I could go on an on. I think this sent the statement we needed to send.

We do have some things to address. Our running game was just decent. I am content with 4.3 average per carry, but I was not blown away. If Jimmy didn't put on a clinic, it would have been much tougher.

The bright spots in the running game for me was James Aldridge - I am rooting for that kid in his senior year big time. Also Jonas Gray looked fast and strong. Really wanted him to have that TD. Last, Allen's showed a little ability to stay up after first contact - something he didn't do last year.

I am stoked with how the game went. Just a continuation of the Hawaii Bowl. Team looked solid and posting the shutout was awesome. Didn't see many other goose eggs on the board yesterday. I hope they have a great week of practice after a great win and then go in to the Big House and shutup a few more critics.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

One more thing - I really liked Coach Weis' substitutions. Got some guys (like Crist) in for some meaningul minutes and reps and let them do their thing. Glad to see Shaq in there too. I like that we can go three and four deep in many positions. We haven't had that for a long, long time.

 

[Riddickulous]

I am terrified of the run defense. Did anyone else notice Nevada was getting 10-15 yards every time that running back went up the middle?

 

[kmoose]

Just to interject some cautious optimism in here:

This was Nevada. We all knew, coming into the game, that Nevada's offense was potent. But their defense last year was just the opposite. Look it up... Nevada put up about 37 points per game last year...........and went 7-6.

No doubt, the Irish offense looked great. But it was obviously against a pretty poor defense. Regardless of Michigan's record last year, you know that Michigan is putting a competitive defense on the field. Even if their defense isn't strong, you know that they have 11 DI-A athletes on the field. We'll know more about this offense, and the team, a week from today. Let's hope we are as happy, then, as we are now.

GO IRISH!!!

 

[Master Guns]

Victory over Hawai'i was only the start.

Victory over Hawai'i was only the start.

Very few mental mistakes if any. And those plagued the team last year. I'd say one of the best executed ND games in years.

As I said a couple of weeks ago, the Hawai'i game was a tell-tale sign of where the Irish are at as a team; players and coaches alike.

 

[TDHeysus]

One of my favorite moments of the game yesterday was seeing Sam Young bend down and yell at a d-lineman on the ground. Haven't seen that kind of fire and emotion out of him is possibly all of his 38 previous starts....

I noticed Sam Young's play as well. Dare I say, he looked good out there. He attitude was great, his play was really good. He was very vocal on the field. They ran behind him when they needed short yardage(and got it), I was impressed with the big guy yesterday.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

So now that we know we can dominate the WAC, let's show the world (credit to Brian Smith) that it ain't no fluke.

Enough is enough. Knock the shoes off of "Shoelaces" next week. They are not back yet. We are. Next Saturday you hear the echoes in Whore-ville.

 

[Riddickulous]

So now that we know we can dominate the WAC, let's show the world (credit to Brian Smith) that it ain't no fluke.

Enough is enough. Knock the shoes off of "Shoelaces" next week. They are not back yet. We are. Next Saturday you hear the echoes in Whore-ville.

Huzzah!

 

[KeepItCatholic]

I agree with NDinLA. JC only missed 3 passes. It's the 1st game of the year. Hey if he misses 3 passes every game that would still be good. What is he suppose to do hit 100% every game, come on give him the credit he deserves........ Or maybe some of you would be happy if his completions would be 10 for 20 or 10 for 25......... Give me a freakin break........

I am just saying, the over throw across the middle, against a team like USC (Which we all so badly want to beat, and may have a shot at this year) will either murder Rudolph or pick the pass, or both. Under throw that ball to Floyd against a very good corner...well.. its most likely still caught by floyd because he is a beast!! ha. and the deep ball to Tate was a good play but dangerous. Clausen is looking good, but we need perfection and good decisions to take down USC. Yeah they were only 3 passes, but three mistakes could be devastating if result in TO's

He did have a great game though, and I am almost a member of the JC fan club, but I am still not completely sold. I know and I'm sorry, I know he can't be perfect, but he will have to be as close to perfect as possible to take on Southern Cal.

 

[BGIF]

I am just saying, the over throw across the middle, against a team like USC (Which we all so badly want to beat, and may have a shot at this year) will either murder Rudolph or pick the pass, or both. Under throw that ball to Floyd against a very good corner...well.. its most likely still caught by floyd because he is a beast!! ha. and the deep ball to Tate was a good play but dangerous. Clausen is looking good, but we need perfection and good decisions to take down USC. Yeah they were only 3 passes, but three mistakes could be devastating if result in TO's

He did have a great game though, and I am almost a member of the JC fan club, but I am still not completely sold. I know and I'm sorry, I know he can't be perfect, but he will have to be as close to perfect as possible to take on Southern Cal.

Nit!

Nit!

Nit!

No, he wasn't perfect. He only hit 83% of his passes.

No, it wasn't Southern Cal. It wasn't Syracuse either.

He underthrew Floyd who had "4 steps on the defender". A little hyperbole, no?

If I recall that play correctly Floyd caught the ball 45 yds downfield from where Clausen threw it. 45 yds and your upset because Clausen didn't hit him in full stride.

 

[BGIF]

I am terrified of the run defense. Did anyone else notice Nevada was getting 10-15 yards every time that running back went up the middle?

Did anyone notice NV had 2 - 1000 yard rushers on the field at the same time and had a Team Total of 154 yds rushing?

154 Meaning Yards!


The Game Plan was for Brian Smith to shadow their most dangerous threat QB Colin Kaepernick who ran and passed for over 4000 yds and had 40 TDs last season AND to take away the outside - Contain.

The Game Plan worked!

Kaepernick passed for 149 yds, NO TDs, 2 INTS, and ran 67 yds but had 28 yds in losses for a net of 39 yds, a turnover in the Red Zone, and NO TDs.

Taua ran for 117 yds but was tackled twice for losses for a net of 114 yds, a turnover in the Red Zone, and NO TDs.


As for Taua's runs:

1Q
1st-10 +17 yds
1-10 +11
1-10 +5
Total 1Q 36 yds

(ND leads 7-0)

2Q
1-10 +6
1-10 +16
*3-4 +3 (stopped 1 yd short)
*4-1 -1 (TFL forcing a punt)
Total 2Q 24 yds

(Halftime Score ND 28 NV 0)

3Q
1-10 +9
2-1 +18
1-10 0 (as in NO GAIN)

(This is where ND took a 35-0 lead)

1-10 +1
1-10 +9
2-1 +4
2-2 +10
* 1st & Goal at the ND 6 +1
* 2nd & Goal at the ND 5 -2 (FUMBLE, TURNOVER!)
Total 3Q 50 yds, 2 carries inside the 6 for a total of -1 yd AND a Red Zone TURNOVER

4Q
1-10 +4
Total 4Q 4 yds

 

[notredomer23]

While I agree our running game wasn't great, i wouldnt call it decent it either. I would say our running game was good. Our 3 primary backs(Armando, Gray, and Aldridge) rushed for 135 yards on 27 carries. thats exactly 5 yards a carry. Tell me the last time we averaged 5 yards a carry in a game? Probably 06 vs LSU. If our primary backs average atleast 5 yards a carry every game, we will be very successful. And one more thing of note. While Nevada's pass defense does suck, its run defense does not. They have the two best DE's in the WAC, and they combined for 21 sacks last year. Running for 178 yards, and only allowing one sack is pretty damn good.

 

[notredomer23]

Oh yeah, and our run defense would bend but not break. It seemed every drive, Nevada would have one or two big runs, and then we would just shut them down with a big play(stop of 1 yard, sack the QB). Like BGIF said, last year they had one of the most prolific offenses in the country. We held them to HALF their usual rushing total. We are not going to face a team as good as running the ball besides maybe USC this year.

 

[BGIF]

And keep in mind ND was essentially playing a 3-3-5 Defense with one LB assigned to the QB.

 

[BGIF]

While we're lamenting that Allen doesn't remind anyone of Bettis, Denson, Jones, Walker, and company, did anyone notice who carried the mail when ND was pinned down inside their own 1 yd line?

It was in the 3rd Q, Hughes NCAA suspension had expired and he was available to play.

Yet Charlie called Allen's number on 1st and 10 and the guy that "goes down with the first hit" bulled his way out to the ND 5 for some breathing room.

On 2nd and 6 Charlie called Allen's number - again and the guy that "goes down with the first hit" fought for 5 more yards to the 9.

On 3rd and 1, Charlie called Allen yet again and the guy that "goes down with the first hit" scratched out the FIRST DOWN. ... IF only Ashwapp could have gotten tough yards like that.

After 3 straight runs by Allen to get out of the hole, Charlie called the swing pass to Floyd for 6 points.

Everybody buzzed about the 88 yard run. Tate's block.


But without Allen's 3 tough runs to pick up the 1st down, Floyd would have gotten to watch Maust punt rather then get his name in the records book.