Post Game Observations........

[JughedJones]

Cmon friend!! Have a few shots and enjoy the W tonight!! We have a whole 2 weeks to pick apart this team!! Do you feel that warmness of 4-0? Let it wash over you! The kool-aid is fuuuucking amazing! Will you have some? It's grape flavor.... I swear!

Ecto-cooler (cuz it's green and delicious!)


http://www.foodiggity.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ecto-cooler-slimer-hi-c.jpg

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Instead of putting it on the D though, I think the focus-and the problem- is with the offense. We simply must get more consistency, We were 3-9 on 3rd downs and lost the TOP by 7 minutes. It's simply not good enough. Kelly must find a way get the offense going to score more points and get the D off the field.

Agreed, and I suspect that a lot of the issues currently being blamed on our OL (particularly Golic and Lombard) may partly be attributable to play-calling.

Michigan stacked the box to take away our rushing attack for most of the game, yet Martin and Kelly kept calling Inside Zone with Riddick. Where was the pass to Eifert streaking down a seam? The crossing route to Toma? The sprint out to GA III? Michigan's tackling on the edges has been suspect all season, but we didn't attack the perimeter nearly enough.

I understand the philosophy behind conservative play-calling with a lead, but repeatedly running straight into a stacked box is just silly.

Before anyone jumps on me, I'm deliriously happy to have beaten the Fighting Denards. My heart couldn't take a 4th consecutive loss.

But let's look back at our collective response to the first four games: (1) Navy - "Awesome new look offense! Lots of 12 and 13 personnel, heavy reliance on the running game, and we'll ease Everett into things. Footbaw!" (2) Purdue - "I thought we'd have more success running the ball, but Purdue's got a great DL and they stacked the box. Probably a fluke." (3) State - "Geez, another great DL that stacked the box. But watch out Michigan! We're gonna run it down your throat." (4) Michigan - "They don't have a great DL, but they still stacked the box and stopped our running game entirely. WTF?"

 

[pkt77242]

Cmon friend!! Have a few shots and enjoy the W tonight!! We have a whole 2 weeks to pick apart this team!! Do you feel that warmness of 4-0? Let it wash over you! The kool-aid is fuuuucking amazing! Will you have some? It's grape flavor.... I swear!

Shots that is for girls. Pour some nice whisky in a good glass and sip on it and enjoy. I am working through some Jameson's Gold Reserve, Bushmills 1608 400th anniversary, Redbreast 15yo and Redbreast 12yo CS right now. That is how I roll. Sip and enjoy

 

[kmoose]

Cmon friend!! Have a few shots and enjoy the W tonight!! We have a whole 2 weeks to pick apart this team!! Do you feel that warmness of 4-0? Let it wash over you! The kool-aid is fuuuucking amazing! Will you have some? It's grape flavor.... I swear!

I am enjoying the Win. But that doesn't make me blind to the areas of concern.

 

[Patulski]

Apologies for reading into your words too much. Being a "voice of reason" is fine. Doing it at 2:30 in the morning immediately after the game about a 4-0 team that just beat two huge rivals back-to-back to move into the top ten is being a dick.

I think everybody''s happy we won. I'm glad we beat MSU and UM, but I don't think either team is particularly good. The good thing is that we've got a great schedule. We'll find out where we are playing OU and USC. We all want to be completely back, which means having a complete team. I don't think we're there yet, but we're definitely making progress. And if Kelly is right in saying that his first focus was building a championship defense, he deserves credit for a helluva front 7. Now, he's got to build a championship offense. If he keeps the defense at this level while the secondary matures-and builds a great offense- we'll be back to being ND. That would be sweet.

 

[JughedJones]

I think everybody''s happy we won. I'm glad we beat MSU and UM, but I don't think either team is particularly good. The good thing is that we've got a great schedule. We'll find out where we are playing OU and USC. We all want to be completely back, which means having a complete team. I don't think we're there yet, but we're definitely making progress. And if Kelly is right in saying that his first focus was building a championship defense, he deserves credit for a helluva front 7. Now, he's got to build a championship offense. If he keeps the defense at this level while the secondary matures-and builds a great offense- we'll be back to being ND. That would be sweet.

Don't go to sleep on Miami and Stanford.

Miami still has athletes, and Stanford.... beat USC.

We have a long way to go, but we're 4 and fugging O.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's a little funk to keep you on point.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Gd31cGlQjsg?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[TheRealLynch51]

Shots that is for girls. Pour some nice whisky in a good glass and sip on it and enjoy. I am working through some Jameson's Gold Reserve, Bushmills 1608 400th anniversary, Redbreast 15yo and Redbreast 12yo CS right now. That is how I roll. Sip and enjoy

You calling me a girl!? Haha

 

[arrowryan]

So we saying that we took a step back in this game? Hold up now.

Last year, our defense gave up 35 points, Denard threw for 338 yards and 4 touchdowns, and the defense gave up 28 in the 4th quarter.

Tonight, we gave up 6 points, forced 6 turnovers, and Denard didn't dmoinate the game.

Yes, our offense was not good tonight but neither was LSU's tonight. The offense is VERY young, you have to keep that in mind.

Our bye week came at a perfect time

 

[Patulski]

Agreed, and I suspect that a lot of the issues currently being blamed on our OL (particularly Golic and Lombard) may partly be attributable to play-calling.

Michigan stacked the box to take away our rushing attack for most of the game, yet Martin and Kelly kept calling Inside Zone with Riddick. Where was the pass to Eifert streaking down a seam? The crossing route to Toma? The sprint out to GA III? Michigan's tackling on the edges has been suspect all season, but we didn't attack the perimeter nearly enough.

I understand the philosophy behind conservative play-calling with a lead, but repeatedly running straight into a stacked box is just silly.

Before anyone jumps on me, I'm deliriously happy to have beaten the Fighting Denards. My heart couldn't take a 4th consecutive loss.

But let's look back at our collective response to the first four games: (1) Navy - "Awesome new look offense! Lots of 12 and 13 personnel, heavy reliance on the running game, and we'll ease Everett into things. Footbaw!" (2) Purdue - "I thought we'd have more success running the ball, but Purdue's got a great DL and they stacked the box. Probably a fluke." (3) State - "Geez, another great DL that stacked the box. But watch out Michigan! We're gonna run it down your throat." (4) Michigan - "They don't have a great DL, but they still stacked the box and stopped our running game entirely. WTF?"

Good points. I think its clear that the focus on making sure that QB turnovers didn't lose games is working. The downside is that it has made the offense risk averse. It's worked so far. There will come a time when the QB is going to have to take more risks. I will be surprised if its not Rees taking the risks, due to the offense that Kelly wants to run, which is essentially a read-oriented passing offense imo.

 

[BGIF]

...

But let's look back at our collective response to the first four games: (1) Navy - "Awesome new look offense! Lots of 12 and 13 personnel, heavy reliance on the running game, and we'll ease Everett into things. Footbaw!" (2) Purdue - "I thought we'd have more success running the ball, but Purdue's got a great DL and they stacked the box. Probably a fluke." (3) State - "Geez, another great DL that stacked the box. But watch out Michigan! We're gonna run it down your throat." (4) Michigan - "They don't have a great DL, but they still stacked the box and stopped our running game entirely. WTF?"

I started to post the offensive production from the first 4 games but your commentary recap covers it.

 

[Patulski]

Don't go to sleep on Miami and Stanford.

Miami still has athletes, and Stanford.... beat USC.

We have a long way to go, but we're 4 and fugging O.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's a little funk to keep you on point.

Yeah, I forgot about Stanford.

I think we'll handle Miami.

5-0

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[Patulski]

I, for one, can't wait for Stanford.. who beat USC. We will dominate their horse-**** pro-style crap.

Oklahoma? How'd they do against K-state? Landry isn't nearly as good as advertised, and our secondary is much better than people think.

USC? They lost to Stanford.

Do I think we beat all of them? No. But I think we fight crazy hard against each of them.


2 and 1. Count it right now.

There were Michigan receivers open tonight that Robinson could not hit due to his limitations as a passer. I don't know what USC's line is like, but if Barkley gets time he's going to do some damage.

 

[Martibhoy]

Being in Britain, I can't see the game, but have read all the comments. How can 4-0 not be immense. None of my clan in the states predicted 4-0 by now, nor would many on here have.

Enjoy the victory, enjoy your Whisky, enjoy your beers, enjoy your kool-ade!!! Hail Hail

 

[JT_IRISH]

Most. Conservative. Offense. Ever... But..... We won the game and our Defense is better than advertised. And BK did say he wants to build a championship D and the offense will work itself out over time....

A+++ to the program and we are 4-0!!!

Go Irish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cny#1fan]

Im new to the forum. I would like to first say whats up to my fellow domers!!!!!!!!! Last nights game was the definition of a grind out type of game. Few years ago the irish would have lost a game like this one, but this defense shows incrdible determination and the offense besides everett played turnover free football. I"m just glad we beat that team can't stand that helemet and i'm so fregin glad we limited the big plays by robinson. Great win for the team and for us fans that have been craving a W against michigan. Now lets get healthy figure out the offense and kick some butt on october the 6 against the Canes. Go Irish

 

[irishtrooper]

The original point that I made was that getting pushed around for even one quarter is an indication, to me, that this defense is damned good, but perhaps not as good as people were hoping it was. DAMNED GOOD is what I think this defense is. Yet, some people tried to tell me that I had no idea what I was talking about. I'm just supporting my position.

Respectfully, I strongly disagree with your assessment.

 

[JughedJones]

There were Michigan receivers open tonight that Robinson could not hit due to his limitations as a passer. I don't know what USC's line is like, but if Barkley gets time he's going to do some damage.

Blah Blah Blah.

We were looking out for the fastest QB in college football and had to respect his run.

Bring Barkley On. D-boys will crush the pocket and rush the pass.... our secondary is good enough.

Bring.... It .... On.....

 

[irishtrooper]

Agreed, I think most would agree that the strongest part of this team is the front 7 by far. Whether or not they got DOMINATED, caved in 5 yards or simply outplayed for 1 quarter. We will only go as far as this unit carries us this year. It has and will continue to cover for some weaker areas. We really need them to continue to stuff the run and create pressure.

 

[cny#1fan]

i"M New whats up everybody fellow domers Great win Cant wait for october 6 go irish beat hurricanes

I thought our D played great and our offense played grind it out type of football, and a cluth kick to seal the game!!!!!!!!!! I feel really good about this team because of the defense it's definatley a force!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PANDFAN]

Wasnt pretty on offense but that's going to happen w a first year qb...was the play calling the best...no but I think the breaks got pumped right off the bat on the 1st int...this was a rivalry game which you can throw stats out the window....this team has found a way to win thus far in years before we found ways to lose.....u don't get style points added onto your record....look at lsu last year...made the bcs game ....correct? 4-0 bitches!! And that meatchicken monkey is off our back and we gave denard a 22nd bday gift he will live w the rest of his life! Much like he has our former/current players have had to endure...me he have nightmares of this

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

You know what kind of coach would play aggressive with Golson choking and Tommy Rees in? One who is looking to lose. We couldn't afford any turnovers so we played it safe. The offense is bad, no question, but being aggressive would kill us.

 

[BurningRiver]

You know what kind of coach would play aggressive with Golson choking and Tommy Rees in? One who is looking to lose. We couldn't afford any turnovers so we played it safe. The offense is bad, no question, but being aggressive would kill us.

Yeah seriously. One of the biggest improvements I've seen from Kelly this year is that he better knows his team's and players' limitations.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

I'm not getting on either QB's "bandwagon". Rees did what he had to but is obviously limited, and Golson played very terrible. I'm not going to align my faith with either QBs. Hopefully Golson comes out and does well for the rest of the season because all this change at QB doesn't do good for the future. However, it was necessary to win tonight.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I'm not getting on either QB's "bandwagon". Rees did what he had to but is obviously limited, and Golson played very terrible. I'm not going to align my faith with either QBs. Hopefully Golson comes out and does well for the rest of the season because all this change at QB doesn't do good for the future. However, it was necessary to win tonight.

I think that's all correct. EG made lots of "big stage" mistakes last night. We shouldn't be surprised by that. It would be more incredible if he, as a 19 year old (?) true sophomore (RS freshman) didn't turn the ball over. But, we needed some stability in order to win THIS game. That's what happened....W.

I maintain that Tommy made a few throws (the one thrown behind TJ down the left sideline and the crossing route intentionally thrown behind the receiver to avoid the DB) that were brilliantly placed, but that people immediately criticized for being "ducks." Had Golson made those throws, I think some of those same people would have praised his "touch."

 

[notredomer23]

No clue how we "took a step back" tonight. The past two weeks have been two of the most dominating defensive performances I have witnessed by an Irish team. Our offense played poorly, but it still scored enough points to win, which is all that matters.

oh, and we are 4-0. Haven't been there since 2002. We finally have had breaks go our way this year.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

From ESPN's Matt Fortuna, who covers the Irish blog.

This defense is for real. That is now back-to-back games without surrendering a touchdown, against Michigan State and Michigan, no less. Notre Dame has given up nine points per game through four games. As IrishIllustrated's Pete Sampson points out, last year that would trail only national champion Alabama's mark, and by just 0.85 points per game.

Notre Dame Football Blog - ESPN

 

[IrishJayhawk]

I've read a lot here, but I haven't seen any explanation of why Cierre wasn't playing much. Rumor of Alford lighting into him at one point...

Can anyone help or link me to something on the topic?

 

[irishff1014]

From ESPN's Matt Fortuna, who covers the Irish blog.

This defense is for real. That is now back-to-back games without surrendering a touchdown, against Michigan State and Michigan, no less. Notre Dame has given up nine points per game through four games. As IrishIllustrated's Pete Sampson points out, last year that would trail only national champion Alabama's mark, and by just 0.85 points per game.

Notre Dame Football Blog - ESPN

Nice find

 

[mrmiller8]

1. Bob Diaco....thats the man as an Irish fan we all need to thank. Anyone that thinks the front seven got pushed around is an absolute moron. Nd Defenders had free runs directly at Robinson and broke down to contain him and make him throw. You don't run right at him, thats where he will kill you. Diaco had an awesome gameplan and that defense is great and only getting better as the secondary grows up a little every game.

2. Tommy Rees. I haven't really been a fan but it takes a lot cojones to do what he has done this year and keep his head up. That guy is a team player and im starting to believe he is the best asset this team has. A calm backup to a young guy who didn't make great decisions last night is a great plan B and he executed plan B pretty damn good.

3. Te'o for heisman.....Thoughts?

 

[IrishJayhawk]

1. Bob Diaco....thats the man as an Irish fan we all need to thank. Anyone that thinks the front seven got pushed around is an absolute moron. Nd Defenders had free runs directly at Robinson and broke down to contain him and make him throw. You don't run right at him, thats where he will kill you. Diaco had an awesome gameplan and that defense is great and only getting better as the secondary grows up a little every game.

2. Tommy Rees. I haven't really been a fan but it takes a lot cojones to do what he has done this year and keep his head up. That guy is a team player and im starting to believe he is the best asset this team has. A calm backup to a young guy who didn't make great decisions last night is a great plan B and he executed plan B pretty damn good.

3. Te'o for heisman.....Thoughts?

IF he keeps up his current pace AND the team goes a very long way, then we might start to talk about it. Otherwise, the whole thing is stacked against defenders getting a sniff at the award.

But, I love him. And he's really good at football.