Post Game Observations

[ShamrockOnHelmet]

Champs sports bowl here we come.

Er...
Yeah, about that.
I wouldn't book my flight yet if I were you.

Sh!t suddenly looks pretty daunting with a definite loss to Stanford, and now very possible losses to Maryland, Navy and Wake...

 

[Anchorman]

Agree with what the OP said, and:

-Eifert continues to deliver.

-Turk had a better game

-Discipline still an issue (Calabrese)

 

[Green Goblin]

The real reasons we lost:

1. Dayne Crist fumble. I truly believe if we had punched that in, we'd have gone on to win this game. That was devastating to the psyche of this team in such a close game.

2. The first quarter. Both sides of the ball came out flat. I suspect that not playing and playing some soft teams the last couple of weeks had ND unfamiliar with athletes on their level. ND looked like they were moving in slow motion in the first quarter.

3. Playcalling. Tommy running the option? Hendrix to throw it on 2nd and long? Didn't like that.

Crist's fumble was really a backbreaker though...

 

[Green Goblin]

-Discipline still an issue (Calabrese)

BS! That happens in EVERY game and it never gets called...

 

[Grahambo]

I'm not sure if there is a single person in the game of football I feel worse for then I do for Dayne Crist.

 

[irishtrinity]

Plays of the Game
1. Kelly calling Rees on the option
2. Carlo Calabrese idiotic 15-yard penalty
3. Dayne Crist's fumble
4. Kelly's stupid play call on 2nd-and-goal of sending Hendrix in
5. Rees missing Eifert for an easy TD late in the 2nd quarter
6. Shembo getting faked out by Barkley on 4th down in the first half

You nailed it.. we had this game right when we just about tie the game another 90 yrd fumble... IF we had played clean and scored we win the game...

Those were the keys to the game.....

hats off to Trogans..... Irish get it right guys i still love you and can't wait to see us bulldozer navy.... Go Irish........ Beat turnovers............

 

[Grahambo]

Am I the only one that doesn't thing Slaughter should have been flagged for targeting above the head either?

 

[Irish Beaver]

-What is the endgame at QB? I'm tired of using the crutch that Rees can't run to say that the offense isn't at its full potential. Kelly obviously wants a running QB but as long as Rees plays well given his capabilities how do you rationalize starting Hendrix/Golson full time?

-Dayne Crist... so much and so little to say all at once. So so so much talent that you immediately notice when he threw that first pass. So so so little composure. I feel bad for him and blame him all at the same time. It's almost to the point that you treat him like we think of freshmen where you don't put him in those situations (which I fear are all situations). I can't help but think that he will be a career backup QB in the NFL because he has all the talent but can't handle any pressure.

-Lane Kiffin outcoached Brian Kelly?!?!?!?! Lo Wood guarding Robert Woods? Out schemed the entire 1st quarter in every facet. So many thoughts to list about this...

 

[Carlyle Javar Holiday]

Agree with everything but the Linebacker comment. When your DLine is getting pushed five yards back every play, there isn't much you can do. We need a HUGE pair of OLBs to step up.

Yeah, just our best LB was out of position the whole time. Curtis McNeal also laid the wood on him. So disappointing. I thought Flemming played a hell of a game.

 

[ACamp1900]

well, in honest speak if I may..... the season has now "lost the initiative"....

NOTHING this program can do now can 'gain ground' into the future in a national front... which in cfb is all that matters... they can only 'hold ground' or ' lose ground'.......

and they sure as hell can lose ground by doing what I think they are going to do.... losing to someone before Stanford... In reality, it is now all about building for next year and not hurting the future until then....


time will tell....

above all... Get a freakin quarter back.... priority one imo... Not confident in any of them... screw the Tommy/Danye/whoever debate... You can't make a living with "good enough" at QB

 

[enrico514]

Am I the only one that doesn't thing Slaughter should have been flagged for targeting above the head either?

Well one of the NBC commentator strongly disagreed with you. I, on the other hand, agree!

 

[CanadianIrishFan306]

Am I the only one that doesn't thing Slaughter should have been flagged for targeting above the head either?

i feel like both players lowered their heads and knocked each other but should have been no penalty

 

[AKRowdy]

Er...
Yeah, about that.
I wouldn't book my flight yet if I were you.

Sh!t suddenly looks pretty daunting with a definite loss to Stanford, and now very possible losses to Maryland, Navy and Wake...

Calling out losses already! I mean yes I am as heartbroken as the next diehard Notre Dame fan, but really, how can one be a fan when they are doubting the team. I still think we have an opportunity to win out (maybe it's just my love for this team/school so much that I have blinders).

 

[Irish_bean]

Come on get it together people. We are gonna kill
Navy, Maryland and Wake...Stanford...uhhh if we lay off the Tommy Resse option attack and do what we do well (run it to set up the pass) we might not get smashed.

 

[BGIF]

Bench Rees. He is not the long term answer. Play Hendrix and take your lumps.

Defensive line got man handled.

Our linebackers are not good in pass coverage AT ALL!

Playcalling was atrocious. Option with Rees? Seriously?

Coaching lost this game. Plain and simple. Lo Wood on Robert Woods? How do you get outcoached by Lane freaking Kiffin?

Yo armchair guy. In the post game conference Kelly noted Wood was in because Motta was out with a concussion. Wood was the "next man" in.

Robert Woods is a talented receiver with a talented QB. He would have scored on any DB with that pass and that speed.


Option with Rees? I wouldn't have called it but then Holtz ran options with Powlus who Rees could outrun with Forrest Gump's leg braces on.

And Rees didn't make the read on that option before he pitched, did he?

 

[Irish_bean]

Oh yeah...don't put Lo Wood in 1 on 1 either. Lol.

 

[BGIF]

Come on get it together people. We are gonna kill
Navy, Maryland and Wake...Stanford...uhhh if we lay off the Tommy Resse option attack and do what we do well (run it to set up the pass) we might not get smashed.

Learn how to spell the players name or your stay will be short.

 

[Irish_bean]

Wood was playing corner from what I saw.

 

[BGIF]

Oh yeah...don't put Lo Wood in 1 on 1 either. Lol.

Read the post before yours. Then take your foot out of your mouth.

 

[BGIF]

Am I the only one that doesn't thing Slaughter should have been flagged for targeting above the head either?

I think it's a tough call. The ball carrier was going down and was putting his head down. But like Myock noted when the defender lowers his head he's going to get called.

 

[bert2834]

Did they stop teacking reading comprehension in school?

I said to bench Rees because he is not the QB for the future. Not because he lost the game for us. I think Brian Kelly lost the game.

Dayne was rolling, then you take him out, then put him back in.

Plus he completely abandoned the run. BK panics way to early.

I love this team, I think Tommy gives us our best chance to win this year, but this year is scrapped and we need to start thinking about next year.

 

[Grahambo]

I think it's a tough call. The ball carrier was going down and was putting his head down. But like Myock noted when the defender lowers his head he's going to get called.

Yeah I heard him say that but still disagree. Everything is happening so fast and the ref had to make a judgment call but Slaughter, to me, appeared to be in control and just went for the hit.

Easier for me to second guess it during a replay.

 

[bert2834]

Yo armchair guy. In the post game conference Kelly noted Wood was in because Motta was out with a concussion. Wood was the "next man" in.

Robert Woods is a talented receiver with a talented QB. He would have scored on any DB with that pass and that speed.


Option with Rees? I wouldn't have called it but then Holtz ran options with Powlus who Rees could outrun with Forrest Gump's leg braces on.

And Rees didn't make the read on that option before he pitched, did he?

Then give Lo safety help. Tht seems to effectively take Floyd out of the game.

 

[Grahambo]

Let's not forget, Lou Holtz went 8-4 in year two before winning it all in year three!

 

[GoIrish41]

- I can't help but think that he will be a career backup QB in the NFL because he has all the talent but can't handle any pressure.
QUOTE]

You must be kidding if you think Dayne will ever sniff the NFL. Indeed, he should never, ever be allowed to step on the field again at ND. I have never seen a more comically terrible play in my life as the fumble he had on the 1. Has anyone ever seen a blown snap that turned into a 99 yard TD for the defense ... I mean like EVER? He is absolutely terrible. I'm sure he is a stand-up, nice guy, but he has no business playing quarterback at ND. That play absolutely cost ND the game -- a 14 point swing on one horrific play. Instead of being tied heading into the fourth quarter, we are behind by 14. The center/QB exchange is among the most fundamental plays in football and it was too big for Crist. If only they would have left Hendrix in for a second play on the goal line, run the same play, we probably would have scored and entered the 4th with all the momentum.

We obviously didn't lose the game because of Rees, but he clearly didn't light it up either. The "lateral" was a terrible throw -- he zipped it at Woods' head from 10 yards away instead of leading him with the ball (which would have kept it from being a lateral). With 9 minutes left, I still thought we had a shot to win the game, but the lateral play took all the air out of the team. With 6 minutes, Tommy threw the fatal interception that served as the final nail in the coffin. So we didn't lose because of Rees, but he didn't do anything to help us win either.

I am in agreement with those who say put Hendrix in moving forward and get him experience so he can take the helm next season. Rees's experience from last year is the only thing that earned him the starting nod this year (that at Crist's inept play).

 

[phork]

Can't run, can't stop the run. Over 100 yards in the first half for USC? Its almost an automatic loss.

Secondly I am tired of people saying how great a player R. Wood is. Floyd is just as good, but the excuse is he was double/triple teamed? If so, then why wasn't R. Wood?

This was just a bad game all around. Looked flat, unprepared. Something to be said for running a prostyle attack w/ true play action. We bit all over it all night long.

 

[BGIF]

well, in honest speak if I may..... the season has now "lost the initiative"....

NOTHING this program can do now can 'gain ground' into the future in a national front... which in cfb is all that matters... they can only 'hold ground' or ' lose ground'.......

and they sure as hell can lose ground by doing what I think they are going to do.... losing to someone before Stanford... In reality, it is now all about building for next year and not hurting the future until then....


time will tell....

above all... Get a freakin quarter back.... priority one imo... Not confident in any of them... screw the Tommy/Danye/whoever debate... You can't make a living with "good enough" at QB

You're right ACamp, piority one! ND should suspend their season and forfeit the rest of the schedule until they "get a freakin quarter back" (sic). No reason to play the remaining games as

the season has now "lost the initiative"

There are some truly inane posts that show up after losses.

 

[Rudy89]

im never going to cheer for another team but the wind is totally out of the sails. I dunno fellas. Im not as upset right now because tommorow I will get to see my fiance which is going to be awesome. Football wise tho....i dunno

 

[Grahambo]

im never going to cheer for another team but the wind is totally out of the sails. I dunno fellas. Im not as upset right now because tommorow I will get to see my fiance which is going to be awesome. Football wise tho....i dunno

It is a shock to some but life does go on after this.

 

[Irish_bean]

Uhhh sorry....Tommy Rees. I was not a math major in college or maybe I was watching a Reese Witherspoon movie recently. Anyhow, lay off the Tommy Rees option attack BK until u get the RKG 's to execute the x's and o's!