Post Game Observations........

[Anchorman]

The Good: The Defense is amazing. Nuff said. The dread I felt last season whenever crunch time came around is gone.

The Bad: I dont know Im up in the air with bringing in Rees. The growing pains Golson is suffering through will be helped with more GAME EXPERIENCE. The red zone int deserved a sit down, but idk about the rest of the game. He could have handed off the ball just like TR did the rest of the game...

Golson was 3-8, 2 picks.

Rees was 8-11, no turnovers.

There's a level of getting over growing pains, but not at the expense of an important win. Golson had a worse game than Denard. As the ESPN recap said, the difference in this game is that ND found a QB who didn't turn it over.

 

[NDPhilly]

I will give Mattison a ton of credit for Confusing Golson. With 2 weeks off I'm fairly confident Everett wil be ready for a poor Miami Defense.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

no way Golson had a worse game than DRob... Golson was a freshman is his first big Mich game, Drob is an upperclassman that has horrible QB instincts. Can run like crazy, but that is about it.


Plus, would it hurt for Kelly to help him out a little... throw a screen or maybe i dont know... a play action pass

 

[Anchorman]

no way Golson had a worse game than DRob...

Through 20 minutes:
3-8, 38 yards, 2 INT, 0 rush yards.
Extrapolate to 60:
9-24, 114 yards, 6 INT.

Denard:
13-24, 138 yards, 4 INT, 1 Fum, 90 Rush Yards

 

[NDinFL]

I will give Mattison a ton of credit for Confusing Golson. With 2 weeks off I'm fairly confident Everett wil be ready for a poor Miami Defense.

Absolutely.

Buster also mentioned this before the game (reps for both of you)

It wasn't just that Golson was incompetent, Mattison was messing with his head big time, so to keep the Irish in control we relied on Tommy and our incredible D.

Give BK some time with Golson, and once they get on the same page, watch out.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Through 20 minutes:
3-8, 38 yards, 2 INT, 0 rush yards.
Extrapolate to 60:
9-24, 114 yards, 6 INT.

Denard:
13-24, 138 yards, 4 INT, 1 Fum, 90 Rush Yards

are you serious...

 

[Redbar]

I am thrilled with this win, loved how the D especially Motta, Day, and the Manti showed up. I love the way Tommy has come in and managed things in some rough spots. I agree we probably are 2-2 without him, but I think in a huge game on your first possession you have to let a young kid either hand it off, throw a little swing pass or just throw it as far as he can to one of the speedy receivers. You shouldn't risk losing a young talent's confidence for the game or even longer. It may have just been a bad day for EG but backed up on the nine first offensive play, even a QB keeper, some guys just need to be hit or take a snap before they get locked in. Either way he has to learn to let a bad play go. I know it is a lot easier said than done.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

are you serious...

Of course he's serious...and don't call him Shirley...

 

[Patulski]

A wins a win. That's what counts. Still, lots of improvement needed to become a true Top 10 team. We were fortunate that the luck changed our way and Michigan handed us this game instead of us handing it to them.

 

[irishtrain]

I said I would confess at the alter of IrishEnvy if I was wrong-I WAS wrong-how happy it is to be wrong. These guys played a nice game. Man its great to be wrong. What a defense led by a linebacker that should be in the Heisman talk. I mentioned that a few years ago saying that it would need a Notre Dame team on a roll-well it may be here. Teo needs to be invited to New York if this level of play is maintained. Kelly is running this QB thing the right way-Golson is the guy (we all know that) but you cant make those mistakes and if you do bring in the righty from the bullpen. I say keep starting Golson-he's going to be great. Tommy R is perfect as the reliever and a great team guy. It says alot about his character. 3-0 against the big ten and as for me they have done their business and from here out whatever they do is gravy. The key is this-keep getting better, keep enjoying this ride, and go for it by playing fast and loose. My only negative is how bad the NBC presentation is-its almost like they dont want this to happen. I thought they were really poor tonight and missed a chance to pump the Notre Dame mystic. You dont have to tell us that your not a Notre Dame homer-we all knew that.

 

[NDinFL]

I said I would confess at the alter of IrishEnvy if I was wrong-I WAS wrong-how happy it is to be wrong. These guys played a nice game. Man its great to be wrong. What a defense led by a linebacker that should be in the Heisman talk. I mentioned that a few years ago saying that it would need a Notre Dame team on a roll-well it may be here. Teo needs to be invited to New York if this level of play is maintained. Kelly is running this QB thing the right way-Golson is the guy (we all know that) but you cant make those mistakes and if you do bring in the righty from the bullpen. I say keep starting Golson-he's going to be great. Tommy R is perfect as the reliever and a great team guy. It says alot about his character. 3-0 against the big ten and as for me they have done their business and from here out whatever they do is gravy. The key is this-keep getting better, keep enjoying this ride, and go for it by playing fast and loose. My only negative is how bad the NBC presentation is-its almost like they dont want this to happen. I thought they were really poor tonight and missed a chance to pump the Notre Dame mystic. You dont have to tell us that your not a Notre Dame homer-we all knew that.

Finally...

Nice post train, glad you're back.

Great points on everything

 

[TheChosen1]

I will give Mattison a ton of credit for Confusing Golson. With 2 weeks off I'm fairly confident Everett wil be ready for a poor Miami Defense.

+1

 

[JoeyGetherall]

1. Tommy Rees called, he said all of you haters can "SUCK IT!"

2. This is a HUGE monkey off of the team's back. They finally slew the dragon that had been Denard Robinson.

3. Our front 7 got pushed around pretty good, tonight. I'm going to venture to say that they are damned good, but probably not as good as we all hoped they were.

4. Theo Riddick! Excellent game!

#3... they were on the field A LOT. T.O.P. was way in UofM's favor. They had to tired but when it counted they still made plays. All you can ask for.

 

[JoeyGetherall]

Not convinced we are a top 10 team. Need a ton of work on Offense. Almost felt like we took a step back in this game.

Did you happen to catch any of the Auburn vs. LSU game?

Top ten isn't what you think it is.

 

[connor_in]

Through 20 minutes:
3-8, 38 yards, 2 INT, 0 rush yards.
Extrapolate to 60:
9-24, 114 yards, 6 INT.

Denard:
13-24, 138 yards, 4 INT, 1 Fum, 90 Rush Yards

This is not really fair...extrapolate DRobs full game from just his 1st half stats

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

It's been 2 weeks and haven't heard word one from ReturnoftheMack..... I'm lonely. Where are you, son??? Tommy wants to say, Hi!!!

 

[Rudy89]

As a Tommy fan Im glad he can get a big win like this under his belt, bu I do hope this doesnt hurt Golsons confidence and he continues to improve. I dunno if Rees can get us where we want but maybe with some experience Golson can. Also heart still goes out to Manti I'm glad he got this win before he graduated if we beat Stanford then he wouldve been part of a team that's beaten all of our major rivals at least once.

Oh and I have to post this props to anyone who gets this but when they won tonight this was my reaction

<a href="http://s105.photobucket.com/albums/m220/Panther_57/?action=view&current=yesyesyes_zps28f0c11c.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m220/Panther_57/yesyesyes_zps28f0c11c.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Patulski]

The defense is one angry animal.
Our RB's are, as a group, some of the best in the nation.
If we had a way to mold Rees and Gholson into one person, we'd be a very strong NC contender (as is, we're at least a wild card for it).
Now that Clemson and especially OU lost, we should be inside the Top Ten next poll. How nice of a feeling is that?!

Our offensive line is not the good enough for us to be considered title contenders. That Michigan defense got completely shredded by Alabama yielding 41 points and 431 total tards, but they made us look average. limiting us to 230 yards and one touchdown on a 48 yard drive.

If our offensive line was as badass as our defensive line, we'd be title contenders. It just isn't so at this time.

 

[charlyp123]

3. Our front 7 got pushed around pretty good, tonight. I'm going to venture to say that they are damned good, but probably not as good as we all hoped they were.

I think what you were seeing here is the the fact that they were rushing Denard. They had to stay in their lanes and throttle down sometimes, instead of just picking a point in the backfield and meeting the quarterback there. Defense is legit. Offense wasn't on the field that much. That first drive in the 2nd half on offense really sucked. They went 3 and out and didn't get the ball back for ever.

 

[The Polish Irishman]

My Michigan Gameday:

Wake up in Seymour, IN a little fuzzy eyed.

Drive to South Bend. Go to College Football HOF.

Go Back to Hotel. Meet a couple of recruits. Get out of evelator, run into Manti. Tell me I am sorry. Then realize it was Manti. Walk 2 feet and run into David Robinson. Tell him he is awesome. Look up and the entire ND team is suit and tie on the floor above me. Yell out a huge GO Irish! and Springman gives me a holler back.

Game:

Totally different atmosphere then past years. The stadium believes. Motta, Jackson, Rees, Manti, Day, Tuitt, Wood, Cave deserve a game ball. Great Day. Worth the 12 hour drive. 4-0 baby!

 

[NDinFL]

Our offensive line is not the good enough for us to be considered title contenders. That Michigan defense got completely shredded by Alabama yielding 41 points and 431 total tards, but they made us look average. limiting us to 230 yards and one touchdown on a 48 yard drive.

If our offensive line was as badass as our defensive line, we'd be title contenders. It just isn't so at this time.

I think that is partially true.

I also think that our play calling was a bit predictable/weak.

We should have thrown a few more short completions to get Golson settled in, then thrown in some play action to take the top off...

Oh well, just my 2 cents. A win is a win!

 

[GUknights75]

For those of you who think our o-line is terrible or pathetic, I think your overreacting a bit. It was not a dominant performance by any means, but they didn't give up a sack and scUM only had 2 TFL's. Overall I would give the o-line a B-, not bad but not great

 

[Junkhead]

D has only given up 36 pts in 4 games. Let that soak in after the Weis and Willingham years.

 

[TheChosen1]

I think that is partially true.

I also think that our play calling was a bit predictable/weak.

We should have thrown a few more short completions to get Golson settled in, then thrown in some play action to take the top off...

Oh well, just my 2 cents. A win is a win!

ND would lose this game a few years ago....BK I believe

 

[aubeirish]

The boys are finding ways to win. Me likey.

 

[NDinFL]

ND would lose this game a few years ago....BK I believe

Under Chuckles Weis? Not a doubt in my mind they would.

BK has this program heading the right way

 

[rtrn2glory]

congrats polish...sounds like a great day with alot of great memories. party hard tonight!!!

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Those on the live chat think I love Tommy. I don't necessarily love him, but we probably won this game because of him. Young quarterbacks have growing pains. This is the first year I think Tommy is a veteran. He was a true sophomore last year...that was part of the reason for his turnovers.

Maybe, just maybe, this arrangement will work out. EG gets the start and they give him opportunities to succeed. I think they can give him better early throws to work in. But, if he's not doing it, Tommy has 20 starts under his belt and doesn't get rattled.

I don't know if it will work. But, Brian Kelly knows more about football than I do.

 

[JoeyGetherall]

Those on the live chat think I love Tommy. I don't necessarily love him, but we probably won this game because of him. Young quarterbacks have growing pains. This is the first year I think Tommy is a veteran. He was a true sophomore last year...that was part of the reason for his turnovers.

Maybe, just maybe, this arrangement will work out. EG gets the start and they give him opportunities to succeed. I think they can give him better early throws to work in. But, if he's not doing it, Tommy has 20 starts under his belt and doesn't get rattled.

I don't know if it will work. But, Brian Kelly knows more about football than I do.

haha I think we should all have this come to Jesus moment.

 

[aubeirish]

Tommy is a cool customer in there. Probably the best backup in the country. Let's not give up on Everett just yet. He had a bad performance, but it's only normal. He's so young still. I liked what Kelly did personally. You are playing to win right now, not next year.