Post Game Observations....

[fightinirish68]

how many penalties can we really have?

 

[phgreek]

First off........congratulations to the team on an incredibly hard fought victory. There were at least a half dozen points tonight, that they could have quit. But they didn't. So here is what I am taking away from the game.....

1. Jimmy Clausen has these guys believing. Brady Quinn's former teammates have continually said that, when Brady was in the game, they always believed that they were going to go down the field and score. I think this comeback win is another step up the mountain, for Clausen and company.

2. The defense..... oh, the defense. Going into the fourth quarter, I was debating giving a game ball to the defense. They tackled horribly, overall, tonight. However, they also got Purdue's offense off of the field, in more than a couple of key drives. Then, the 4th quarter rolled around........... and the defense reverted to their former identity. Really bad.

3. Weis, despite some local controversy about the 4th down decisions, put together a very good game plan for Purdue. The offense really caught them off guard, in the first half.

4. I hate to say this, because I would disagree with the decision, but I am feeling more and more like Weis is going to be somewhere else, next season. I don't support the move, but we have to face the fact that the buck stops at his desk. USC is likely going to roll this team, and I can't imagine that they have what it takes to beat both BC and Pitt. Maybe one of the two, but both? I just can't see it happening. We no longer have the high octane offense to outscore opponents with. And the defense, while it plays well in spots, is still a long way off from being a good unit.

5. Sam Young is collecting penalties like a crazy old lady collects cats.

I think this program is headed in the right direction. They have improved, across the board, from last year. But I just don't think we are anywhere near being "back".

I agree with most of what you said...I'll take the W.

I'm concerned about the guys (besides clausen) who should be leaders...down the stretch we made some HORRIFIC plays...Sam Young is driving me nuts with penalties, Hayseed on the Punt, somebody on Clausens blind side was DISMAL blocking straight up rush, He got whacked twice in key situations, and it didn't appear to be anything other than a rush...no blitz...no stunt...just out quicked and out muslced. Long snaps when Jimmy was in the gun were not good...McCarthy tackled like a girl tonight...as well, the last Purdue TD was all on him, and Ethan Johnson had a hit or two but really blew alot of chances for tackles for loss...not just where he completely whiffed, but where he had a guy, and didn't wrap...Kamara...not once...but twice on procedure calls...then he ran shitty routes, and dropped balls...(say what you will about Paris....but he runs pretty sharp routes...and he's made some grabs)...I'll give J.Gray a pass on some things, he's not yet considered a leader...but he did a spotty job at protection...

I don't know...we just seem to implode from an execution perspective...

This is probably going to insite some hate, but we won because Purdue executed worse than we did for most of the game...they woke up in the fourth quarter...but they failed to convert on a number of 3rd downs, not because we schemed them, or made a great play, but rather because they dropped the ball, or the QB made a bad throw, or penalties, etc.

still much to do for this team to be able to compete against top teams...but indeed they again "fought there asses off"...gotta be proud of that

 

[irishtrain]

post game

post game

First of all Charlie put together a pretty sound game plan but he cant tackle for these guys. I really believe he thought the 'D' would handle the Purdue 'O' better and so he planned that way. Tackling had better get better. Clausen is a stud. Young backs looked great in my opinion. O line is really doing tremendous work. Tate along with Jim Clausen should be in New York for Heisman attention. My one bad is that there is no idenity yet on defense-they have got to figure out who needs to play, its almost like they dont know what to do with the talent they have. Remember they just held a good running back to something like 68 yards but left the door open to an average passing game to hurt them. This game tonight was like playing with one arm tied behind your back and yet they still won. Lets not forget we lost these type of games when these guys were young. Just get by next week and buckle you seat belts for SC-I still think they are going to beat SC.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

I would give the game ball to Tate. He busted his ass all day.

Saw LBs in parallel pursuit a few times and stopped the play. Nice.

 

[BeatSC]

Pro's and Cons

Pro's and Cons

Some of the good things I saw out there tonight were as follows:

- Some nice plays by Riddick, Gray and Hughes
- The D-line played better but not as good as we need them to
- Kudos to Fleming, Williams, Moore
- The kickoffs and FG's are looking good
- Some new wrinkles in the offense with more Wildcat
- JC is clutch and so is Rudolph
- Team is learning to win close games for a change

Cons
- Defense on third downs
- Defense is also not well coached or prepared
- If you can't count on McCarthy who can we count on?
- Punting game sucked
- Kamara is done, good size but can't count on him
- No one else showing up at WR
- We had the ball almost 13 minutes in the third quarter with no points
- Lame 4th and one call
- should have attempted FG's 4 times instead of once
- Still looking to take these leads and build on them. As soon as we get up by 2 scores we take a dump
- No second half points until the last 2 minutes
- -

 

[jason_h537]

I think it's about time Roby Toma got to play a down.

We were playing wildcat for 3/4ths of the game. Not sure we want the smallest WR (plus a freshman) out there blocking

Thought it was interesting that in the last series (last 20 seconds) where Purdue had the ball, they let Te'o go - and he got. Wasn't about worrying whether he's mature enough to stay in his position - and when he got, he also TACKLED. The scheme in place more often than not - they just missed tackles.

Yeah but that was a designed blitz and a jailbreak at that. Te'o also missed a bick tackle on 3rd and 6 earlier that lead to a Purdue TD. He will be good but physical abilities will only take you so far at the next level.

 

[jason_h537]

Darius Fleming stepped up big and KLM is getting better every week. these are good signs from the young guys

Welcome back Robert HUGGHHHHHHES. Played great when we needed him. Played hard nosed broke tackles and showed some good speed as well. Hope he keeps it up, could make for a solid 1-2 punch.

 

[Riddickulous]

We were playing wildcat for 3/4ths of the game. Not sure we want the smallest WR (plus a freshman) out there blocking

I'd like to see him on passing downs.

 

[jason_h537]

I'd like to see him on passing downs.

Still not seeing it. Have him ahead of who? Rudolph, Golden, Shaq, Deion?

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Deception.

 

[Brown]

Toma was suited up at the game on the sidelines.

 

[jason_h537]

yes he was. Wood, Stockton and Newman were not. I suspect Wood is redshirting now

 

[NDOM]

First off........congratulations to the team on an incredibly hard fought victory. There were at least a half dozen points tonight, that they could have quit. But they didn't. So here is what I am taking away from the game.....

1. Jimmy Clausen has these guys believing. Brady Quinn's former teammates have continually said that, when Brady was in the game, they always believed that they were going to go down the field and score. I think this comeback win is another step up the mountain, for Clausen and company.

2. The defense..... oh, the defense. Going into the fourth quarter, I was debating giving a game ball to the defense. They tackled horribly, overall, tonight. However, they also got Purdue's offense off of the field, in more than a couple of key drives. Then, the 4th quarter rolled around........... and the defense reverted to their former identity. Really bad.

3. Weis, despite some local controversy about the 4th down decisions, put together a very good game plan for Purdue. The offense really caught them off guard, in the first half.

4. I hate to say this, because I would disagree with the decision, but I am feeling more and more like Weis is going to be somewhere else, next season. I don't support the move, but we have to face the fact that the buck stops at his desk. USC is likely going to roll this team, and I can't imagine that they have what it takes to beat both BC and Pitt. Maybe one of the two, but both? I just can't see it happening. We no longer have the high octane offense to outscore opponents with. And the defense, while it plays well in spots, is still a long way off from being a good unit.

5. Sam Young is collecting penalties like a crazy old lady collects cats.

I think this program is headed in the right direction. They have improved, across the board, from last year. But I just don't think we are anywhere near being "back".

Couldnt agree more dude. Got to give you major reps for that.

 

[Riddickulous]

Toma was suited up at the game on the sidelines.

I saw him celebrating after some big play.

 

[Catsudon]

Like to add one more thing, I was not as anxious or PO'd watching most of the game as the last 2 games. Except for the last few minutes, I actually enjoyed most of it. The officiating was not as atrocious as the last two.

But Like I said before, if we can have some consistency in the second half as the first, Then I'll change from a realistic fan to a blinded fan again.