Post Game Observations....

[ARALOU]

One other thing I noticed was a little attitude after the whistle. MSU offensive linemen seemed to push around a little after the whistle only to get pushed back. Saw Teo and one of the d-linemen get in the face of #67. He finally appeared to back down. I think the defense is developing into a nasty unit. Minus the late game debacles of course. But, if you really think about it, the coverage in the Michigan game, on the last TD was good if he looks back for the ball and knocks it down. Even a TD that SF got on a pass, Calabrese was in coverage like a glove and just didn't play on the ball. They knock those two balls down and ND is 3-0. We are 2 pass breakups away from being in the top 12 in my opinion. We are better than everyone we have played so far. Even with all the turnovers we were in those games.

 

[irishff1014]

It was a good win but far from great. We still turned the ball over. I have said it man times that Goodman shouldn't be on the field and i will keep on saying it. Our secondary Played ok other then Blanton. Fox is another player that needs more bench time he isn't that great of a player.

 

[BGIF]

One other thing I noticed was a little attitude after the whistle. MSU offensive linemen seemed to push around a little after the whistle only to get pushed back. Saw Teo and one of the d-linemen get in the face of #67. He finally appeared to back down. I think the defense is developing into a nasty unit. Minus the late game debacles of course. But, if you really think about it, the coverage in the Michigan game, on the last TD was good if he looks back for the ball and knocks it down. Even a TD that SF got on a pass, Calabrese was in coverage like a glove and just didn't play on the ball. They knock those two balls down and ND is 3-0. We are 2 pass breakups away from being in the top 12 in my opinion. We are better than everyone we have played so far. Even with all the turnovers we were in those games.

During the game thread I commented on Te'O and a Spartan going helmet to helmet and jawing after a play. Turned out it was the MSU fullback. I noticed him getting chippy with Te'O on least one other play as well as one of our DLs. A lot of posturing but no blows.

 

[BeatSC]

Punting

Punting

HAte to disagree with BGIF but the 41 yard average had more to do with 3 bouncing punts that had no air time and were kicekd about 5 yards. I would let Turk punt from the 50 on in other than that I don't care how great he kicks in practice as far as I'm concerned he gets one more week and that's it. HE has been given enough punts to get this right.

 

[pkt77242]

HAte to disagree with BGIF but the 41 yard average had more to do with 3 bouncing punts that had no air time and were kicekd about 5 yards. I would let Turk punt from the 50 on in other than that I don't care how great he kicks in practice as far as I'm concerned he gets one more week and that's it. HE has been given enough punts to get this right.

Who cares if they are bouncing punts. the key is they weren't able to return them and the avg was decent. No he isn't a great punter but yesterday he was servicable (well besides the first punt).

 

[BeatSC]

Who cares if they are bouncing punts. the key is they weren't able to return them and the avg was decent. No he isn't a great punter but yesterday he was servicable (well besides the first punt).

I'll take the lucky bounces but eventually they will star playing up on these 27 yard punts with no ang time and we will have a net of 15 yards. Can't count on tis as part of the weekly ame plan. He's got one more week.

 

[pkt77242]

I'll take the lucky bounces but eventually they will star playing up on these 27 yard punts with no ang time and we will have a net of 15 yards. Can't count on tis as part of the weekly ame plan. He's got one more week.

True, but those rugby style punts are hard to handle in comparison to a normal punt, it doesn't give the return man much time to get lined up with the ball and they can bounce just about any which way (and yes sometimes they bounce the wrong direction back towards the line of scrimmage). Having said that I would love to see what Brindza can do as our punter.

 

[Pohaku]

It baffles me when people say the linebackers (including Fox) are not playing well. Are they not part of the front seven that shut down the run? Seems to me that the front seven are performing the best as a unit.

 

[BeatSC]

It baffles me when people say the linebackers (including Fox) are not playing well. Are they not part of the front seven that shut down the run? Seems to me that the front seven are performing the best as a unit.

Watch the gane a second time especially the pass coverage. He looks lost out there. Carlo is way better on the run and even when he got beat at USF he was on the TE but a god pass and his head turned the wrong way. Look for Fox on the sidelines next week. The hair isn't impressing anyone. We also missed Shembo. Where was Spond?

 

[pkt77242]

Watch the gane a second time especially the pass coverage. He looks lost out there. Carlo is way better on the run and even when he got beat at USF he was on the TE but a god pass and his head turned the wrong way. Look for Fox on the sidelines next week. The hair isn't impressing anyone. We also missed Shembo. Where was Spond?

Spond is injured.

 

[BGIF]

HAte to disagree with BGIF but the 41 yard average had more to do with 3 bouncing punts that had no air time and were kicekd about 5 yards. I would let Turk punt from the 50 on in other than that I don't care how great he kicks in practice as far as I'm concerned he gets one more week and that's it. HE has been given enough punts to get this right.

The 3 bouncing punts were running rugby kicks. They're intended to be low and "bounding" kicks which get roll and minimize return. One kick when to the one. He had another inside the 20. MSU returned 0 kicks for 0 yds yesterday. I'd say they were effective.

Turk had a 30 yard shank then went to the rugby kicks as he did last year when he was struggling with inconsistency.

Turk averaged 41 yds/punt as a HS Jr. In college he's averaging 38 yds/punt. About 10% of his kicks are 50+. About a 1/3 of his kicks are inside the 20 where a kicker gives up yardage to avoid touchbacks. Turk has been recognized by Weis and Kelly for that.

No argument he shanks punts. He's done so for 3 years. Weis struggled with Turk's inconsistency as well. When Kelly finds a better punter he'll put him in.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Watch the gane a second time especially the pass coverage. He looks lost out there. Carlo is way better on the run and even when he got beat at USF he was on the TE but a god pass and his head turned the wrong way. Look for Fox on the sidelines next week. The hair isn't impressing anyone. We also missed Shembo. Where was Spond?

I think we need more from the ILBs too, but no, Fox will not be on the sideline next week. Very little will change there. He and Carlo will still be playing a lot. And I was at the game when Carlo got beat on the TD; he didn't turn the wrong way, he just didn't turn.

Man, I'd hate to see you after a loss.

 

[gkautz10]

Now, for a more productive chat, sack/fumble on Rees could have been prevented if he threw it sooner but really was the OL fault. Hard to fault him on that.

Interception was definitely his fault but that had 7 game starter written all over it. He is still young. Must take the bumps along the way.

Rees is still trying to get on the same page with the offense. That much was evident by guys stopping and him throwing deep or vice versa. Not saying it's his fault but you can see the disconnect.

Outside of the 4th quarter against Michigan, the D has been amazing. Interestingly (or not) enough, when Lynch and Tuitt get reps, things happen defensively for the better.

I agree, Rees is the man and we need to realize he is a true sophomore!! Like you mentioned he has only started 6 or 7 games and he is still learning. The offense looked a lot better IMO today. They threw a few different looks out as far as formation and what not. The motion, misdirections, and draw plays give the offense another dimension. Although the QB situation is settled for this year i think, next year will be interesting (Golson vs. Hendrix vs. Tommy and I know a little early, but I cant wait!!!). As far as the defense, they played great, and as everyone has said, LYNCH IS A MAN!! Tuitt looked a little timid out there at the end of the game did anyone else have an opinion on him? Yes 3 turnovers is to many still, it is progress!! I can finally wear my ND clothes again (because my mom sent me money to do laundry) not bc I was embarrased lol.

 

[gkautz10]

Who cares if they are bouncing punts. the key is they weren't able to return them and the avg was decent. No he isn't a great punter but yesterday he was servicable (well besides the first punt).

Agreed. i dont care how the punts get 40-50 yards down field, I just want them more than 30 yards.

 

[BeatSC]

Man, I'd hate to see you after a loss.

You got that right! I am one depressed SOB wen we lose. I still pick ND to win every week, keep the flag up and will keep doing so.

 

[Pohaku]

Watch the gane a second time especially the pass coverage. He looks lost out there. Carlo is way better on the run and even when he got beat at USF he was on the TE but a god pass and his head turned the wrong way. Look for Fox on the sidelines next week. The hair isn't impressing anyone. We also missed Shembo. Where was Spond?

I watched it 3 times already. We held the Spartans to 29 yards rushing. I don't expect ILB's to play perfect pass coverage in a no-crease def, especially against a team with a good run game. I even think Diaco rotating McDonald in with Fox on some of the third downs worked well. So yeah I disagree and will take the 18 point win.