Post Game Observations........

[EifertPower]

By the way, was anyone else praying that GAIII would just take it to the house to avoid a QB controversy?

My thoughts exactly!

 

[Whiskeyjack]

What a haughty reply...whatever.

The guy who claims he could coach better than Kelly calls someone else "haughty"?

 

[NYMIKE6]

We ran the ball almost 30 times

 

[NDinMich]

We're playing not to lose again.....just like the past two years under Kelly. Need to open up that playbook and let the kids play. Don't we have some sort of trick plays to give opponents different looks on offense. Well, at least we're 2-0. Go Irish!

Like against Tulsa two years ago...?

 

[IrishinTN]

Some of you are acting like they lost. They were down guys due to injury and suspension before it even started and got wworse as the game went on. Yet they toughest it out and found a way to win.

Sure, they have some things to work out, but overall a win is a win. If Nichols can come back next week, then Martin moves back to the position he is use to which should help a lot. And hopefully they work with the young guys on that hit and wrap, thing.

 

[NDinL.A.]

What a haughty reply...whatever.

Dude, when you say things like, "If I were coach, we would have won by 2 touchdowns," how they hell do you expect people to react? How do you expect people to take anything you say seriously? And then you called Golson Notre Dame's best player LOL.

People react that way to people that either don't know the game or are full of themselves or full of ish...

 

[Junkhead]

Also a big thanks to the MOD that banned RallySon. Thank you.

No prob. He crossed the line.

 

[NDTH91]

Reading IE always helps to calm me down. I'll admit that there were points today/tonight that I was nearing meltdown mode. I'm not proud of it, but the team had me scared for a while... what can you do?

I just wanted to thank all of the reasonable people on here that help calm the ones who are freaking out and throwing fits. You guys help keep me sane.

I also have to admit that I did boo Tommy Rees when he came onto the field, and immediately regretted it after it came out of my mouth. No matter what he's done on or off the field, he A) is a player on MY (OUR) team and B) has shown that he is a tremendous teammate. So for letting my emotions get the best of me, I apologize.

I am letting the fact that we won and are 2-0 sink in tonight, and I'll hit the game film and start analyzing every tiny little detail tomorrow.

We're undefeated!!! Go Irish.

Oh, and did anyone see some of the moves from Theo today? He's a bad, bad man.

 

[irish88]

Cierre Wood would have been a huge help today in pass protection. I'm sure this is why GAIII didn't play much.

Also, wow what a ballsy call by Kelly to put Rees in. I have to admit, initially I was flipping out about about the decision, but hey it worked out. Major props to Kelly and Rees. They would have been eviscerated if this hadn't worked out.

I go back and forth wondering how much of the decision to play Rees had to do with Golson's alleged injury.

 

[phgreek]

1. Kelly said, before the game, that ND would throw all over the place if Purdue showed a bunch of 8 man fronts. For those who are not aware, that's Football 101. Yet, how many people were apoplectic that Kelly favored the pass, in the face of a bunch of 8 man fronts.

2. I know we tend to look at what we didn't do, but Purdue's D-line is pretty damn talented. Give them credit for making running inside very difficult today.

3. The secondary is still a little scary, but looked much better with a normal (non triple option) alignment. They definitely have to tackle in space MUCH better, though.

4. Everett Golson had an excellent game: 21/31, 289 yards, 1TD, 0 INT. He did have the big fumble, but the TEAM bailed him out. That's what teammates do. However, Golson is a good, but not great, runner. He may never be a great runner, but he certainly looks like a legitimate D-IA starting QB.

5. Tommy Rees was quoted, after the game, as saying, "All you arseholes that booed me can suck it!"

6. There are still too many penalties. Let's hope that the coaching staff gets this straightened out.

Agree...nothing analytical to add...

feel like its football season again when I log in and see your post game...whatever the warts, I look at this team and this record, and I'm glad to have a 2-0 start. The Boilers are gonna catch some folks...

 

[peoriairish]

I may be on crack, but I think I heard BK say something after the Navy game saying the reason that Cam and Theo got some touches was cause GAIII was a little banged up. Maybe that carried over into this game [I know he had 1 carry and the Kick returns].

In regards to the rushing thing. ND ran 36 times and passed 39. 16 attempts were Golsons sacks, scrambles or the few QB designed runs. Lets say there were 25 designed rushes. Of the 75 plays from scrimmage, 25 were scripted runs, or 33%. That is enough against a team that was putting 8 in the box, playing man outside, and who had >600 lbs of NFL caliber DL stuffing the middle and shoving a few of our OL around. So N_D_Fighting_Irish, kindly shut your mouth.

 

[West Coast Domer]

I thought Mike Golic JR got beat bad today.. I know its early but as the season goes on and Tate Nichols is healthy i would like to see him at tackle and Lombard at guard

 

[stlnd01]

Also, wow what a ballsy call by Kelly to put Rees in. I have to admit, initially I was flipping out about about the decision, but hey it worked out. Major props to Kelly and Rees. They would have been eviscerated if this hadn't worked out.

I go back and forth wondering how much of the decision to play Rees had to do with Golson's alleged injury.

Yeah. Who knows about Golson's hand. I do think, though, the "Kelly put his job on the line with that call" comments are a little over the top. It's not like Golson had been lighting it up in the fourth quarter, and without your two best receivers, you run a more conservative offense, which fits with Tommy's strengths. I was dubious, but I can see the logic.
And the funny thing is, Rees didn't even look that good. He only went 3 for 8, one of which was that duck that Goodman somehow caught. It was good enough, though. Which is all you need. Good for him. But the first three and a half quarters of this game were a clinic in why Golson's the better choice to run our offense full-time.

 

[pkt77242]

I thought Mike Golic JR got beat bad today.. I know its early but as the season goes on and Tate Nichols is healthy i would like to see him at tackle and Lombard at guard

I would like to see Nick Martin or Hanratty at guard or even Hegarty. Keep Lombard at tackle.

 

[IrishLax]

I typed up a really long post and the server ate it.... so here's the abbreviated version:

-Mike Golic cannot block NFL caliber players and if he isn't replaced his ineptitude will eventually cost us one or more games. The rush up the center all day was completely unacceptable.

-Tuitt played a really nice game. And our secondary really impressed me on the whole considering the youth/inexperience.

-F*ck injuries. This is getting ridiculous.

-Carlo Calabrese 1v1 with a WR is insanity and I better never see that again.

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

Dude, when you say things like, "If I were coach, we would have won by 2 touchdowns," how they hell do you expect people to react? How do you expect people to take anything you say seriously? And then you called Golson Notre Dame's best player LOL.

People react that way to people that either don't know the game or are full of themselves or full of ish...

If you ask me a question, I answer.

Golson is the best player on the offensive side of the ball. No doubt in my mind.

There are plenty here who are full of themselves. My comments are just football...nothing personal.

 

[West Coast Domer]

I typed up a really long post and the server ate it.... so here's the abbreviated version:

-Mike Golic cannot block NFL caliber players and if he isn't replaced his ineptitude will eventually cost us one or more games. The rush up the center all day was completely unacceptable.

-Tuitt played a really nice game. And our secondary really impressed me on the whole considering the youth/inexperience.

-F*ck injuries. This is getting ridiculous.

-Carlo Calabrese 1v1 with a WR is insanity and I better never see that again.

Carlo had some missed tackles that were pretty bad as well.

 

[pkt77242]

If you ask me a question, I answer.

Golson is the best player on the offensive side of the ball. No doubt in my mind.

There are plenty here who are full of themselves. My comments are just football...nothing personal.

Over Eifert? I would say that is a definite no. I would take Martin, Wood, Cave and maybe Riddick over Golson.

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

I may be on crack, but I think I heard BK say something after the Navy game saying the reason that Cam and Theo got some touches was cause GAIII was a little banged up. Maybe that carried over into this game [I know he had 1 carry and the Kick returns].

In regards to the rushing thing. ND ran 36 times and passed 39. 16 attempts were Golsons sacks, scrambles or the few QB designed runs. Lets say there were 25 designed rushes. Of the 75 plays from scrimmage, 25 were scripted runs, or 33%. That is enough against a team that was putting 8 in the box, playing man outside, and who had >600 lbs of NFL caliber DL stuffing the middle and shoving a few of our OL around. So N_D_Fighting_Irish, kindly shut your mouth.

There are lies, damn lies, and then there are stats. How many of those running plays came from the shotgun formation? It is one thing to say this is Kelly's offense. Get used to it. But it is another to state that Kelly is doing some thing (trying to run the ball), when reality says otherwise.

 

[IrishMoore1]

Kelly's impressions:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/v6KKu9lknGA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

Over Eifert? I would say that is a definite no. I would take Martin, Wood, Cave and maybe Riddick over Golson.

If we are going to play the offensive style that Kelly is going to call like he did today, Golson is the best player on the offensive side of the ball. He was today. If we were playing a more balanced style of offense, I would share your line of thinking.

 

[peoriairish]

There are lies, damn lies, and then there are stats. How many of those running plays came from the shotgun formation? It is one thing to say this is Kelly's offense. Get used to it. But it is another to state that Kelly is doing some thing (trying to run the ball), when reality says otherwise.

Nope, not lies. Purdue Boilermakers vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Box Score - September 08, 2012 - ESPN

And just because a run is from the shotgun does not mean it is not a run. He did run the ball. I'm done.

 

[Riddickulous]

The one thing I didn't understand is that Atkinson appeared to be healthy and we didn't use him at all, not even on the perimeter runs.

 

[tadman95]

1- I'll take the win. A good slap may help in the future games. Everybody has a plan 'til they get punched in the face, we took a good punch.

2- Purdue is no cup cake.

3- Golson played very well in only his 2nd collegiate game. I liked Kelly's confidence in putting the ball in the air.

4- Injuries hurt the offense in the 4th qtr.

5- The defense really stepped up but let's not kid ourselves, Purdue is no offensive juggernaut.

6- Cierre will be welcomed back.

7- Why can't we block on punts?

8- Michigan State at night?! We'd better have a good week.

 

[irishfanjho15]

Listen this really isnt to anyone in particular but people complaining about the hard count then looking to sideline for a play is quite a common variation used when running the spread. Especially when you are trying to ball control to help keep our defense rested. I'm not trying to be an a$$ but some people around here don't know as much about football, let alone the spread attack. Having played in a spread offense in college i as a receiver and one that was trusted to diagnose coverages help deceipher blitzs and to help to call protections. I have intimate knowledge of soread tendencies and strategy. What Kelly did today was what good spread coaches do when they have a defense that can win them a game. Eat clock protect the ball, read defense from line, call best play. Im sure some people will think I'm just trying to show off but I would love to disciss the spread at length with anyone. And I think everyone around here knows Im just giving perspective from my experience.

BTW was at game my section was hype whole game. You couldn't talk to person beside you it was so loud. Will post pics later. Go Irish. And p.s. two years ago we poop down our legs and give this one away.

 

[BobD]

Awesome win with 2 minutes to go! WOW!

Tommy Rees gets in there and drives the field, go figure. Who woulda thunk it.

Purdue played their butts off and that will make us better.

Definetely a game we woulda lost last year.

GO IRISH!!

 

[Jerry]

This is a game we would have lost within the last 5 years. This way ugly but I'll take a 2-0 start against a pretty good Purdue team.

Thats exactly what I texted my cousin, who's a purdue grad, as I was walking out of the stadium.

 

[CarrollVermin]

This game scared the guts out of me when the schedule first came out. We got the win which is what matters most.

I do see a difference in the way that EG handles the offense and the way that Tommy did. I am not saying one is better than the other, they just look like different offenses all together. Would be interested in getting your thoughts.

Here is to the guys for pulling it out today...Cheers and Go Irish!

 

[aaronb]

Haha, I screamed at my TV at the people who were booing him. That is just completely inexcusable on all levels to boo a player on your own team. Let alone someone who is coming in fresh and attempting to run a 2 minute drill with no timeouts to win the game. F**k them! It infuriates me just thinking about it.

Completely agree,

Booing a college kid is straight garbage anyway. Especially a kid who has given his heart and soul to this program.

 

[Junkhead]

Kelly's impressions:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/v6KKu9lknGA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Whoa. Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn? What was this, College Football Crashers?