Post Game Observations........

[mrmiller8]

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.

I was listening to a podcast and I think either Ivan Maisel or Todd McShay picked him in their Heisman eliminator challenge or something...I think if he keeps it up he could at least break into the top five and possibly be invited to have a seat in new york...I know it sounds crazy but this dude is that good.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Honestly, the Heisman is about name recognition. ESPN picks the Heisman. Last year they decided RGIII was the star of college football and he won. This year you have someone who a) chose to come back instead of being a first round pick b) plays for a big name school c) is the best player at his position by far d) has persevered through personal troubles and e) is putting up great stats. If ESPN gets on the hype-mobile Te'o could easily be in New York.

 

[NDinFL]

Honestly, the Heisman is about name recognition. ESPN picks the Heisman. Last year they decided RGIII was the star of college football and he won. This year you have someone who a) chose to come back instead of being a first round pick b) plays for a big name school c) is the best player at his position by far d) has persevered through personal troubles and e) is putting up great stats. If ESPN gets on the hype-mobile Te'o could easily be in New York.

All of these things are 100% true

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

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[NDinL.A.]

2. Kelly needs to get the play in quicker. We can't waste timeouts and penalties...ridiculous.

This happens MUCH more with Tommy in the game because TR tries to get the offense in the right set and he takes so much more time. Happens far less with Golson the last couple of games. So for me, that's a Tommy thing.

3. STAY WITH GOLSON. WE DON'T NEED REES. This whole QB situation is just draining Golson's confidence. 2 man QB systems do NOT work. Rees has hit his ceiling, there's no more improving for him athletically. The only way to cure Golson's inexperience is to give him more playing time. Plain and simple.

So.....you'd rather lose? I wanted to see Golson back in the game, big-time. The dude sitting next to me in the game thought the same thing. But in the end, BK made the right move. Golson just didn't have it, and played scared. You keep starting him though, which is what BK says he will do.

6. We can beat every team on this schedule. Odds are it won't happen, but it isn't unlikely.

I think it is unlikely. Games aren't played in a vacuum - they are played one after the other and it will be tought o beat all these teams back to back, especially since OK and USC are on the road, Stanford is as good as I thought they'd be, and Miami is suddenly playing well. But we're still in a great place!

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 offense actually isn't that young at all. We start 4 seniors on the offensive line (hopefully 2 of them use their 5th years to come back; if not, we lose 4/5 of the O-line), plus Eifert, Theo and Wood are seniors and I wouldn't be surprised if Eifert and Cierre went pro.

Add to that, Toma is a senior and TJ and Daniel Smith are juniors with only one year of eligibility left each.

So out of the normal starters, 8 out of the 12 (RBs I'll count as 2 b/c both are basically starters) are seniors. Not that young at all. There are lots of young players in the 2 deep, but the offensive starters are veterans for the most part and need to raise their game.

That said, I'm extremely happy with the win and the start to the year...

 

[phgreek]

This happens MUCH more with Tommy in the game because TR tries to get the offense in the right set and he takes so much more time. Happens far less with Golson the last couple of games. So for me, that's a Tommy thing.

at least last night, It seemed to me he was bleeding the clock this time. Tommy may take more time, but he seemed to move rapidly against Sparty except for the throw to Goody...I need to go back and look...Against skunkbear I think he was trying to eat clock, or at least had a motivation to do so for a good part of the seconfd half.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

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?

I think its because he is too hesitant and not hitting the holes full speed. On a couple plays he had space but went the wrong way and was pulled right after each play.

 

[pkt77242]

I think its because he is too hesitant and not hitting the holes full speed. On a couple plays he had space but went the wrong way and was pulled right after each play.

Sometimes it looks like Cierre is audtioning for dancing with the stars with all the dancing he does.

Having said that, I would like for him to have gotten more carries.

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

If this same game was played last year or the year before, we lose. Hands down. This team is learning how to win these kinds of games. We are winning these ugly, close games now and I think that is a true mark of a team that is turning the corner. We haven't cleared the corner yet, but we are making the turn.

Also, Irish are undefeated with NDinL.A. as a South Bend resident. Coincidence? Just sayin...

 

[ErieIrish13]

TJ Jones! This kid hasn't dropped a pass yet. He has arrived

 

[Rudy89]

Our offense actually isn't that young at all. We start 4 seniors on the offensive line (hopefully 2 of them use their 5th years to come back; if not, we lose 4/5 of the O-line), plus Eifert, Theo and Wood are seniors and I wouldn't be surprised if Eifert and Cierre went pro. ...

I think Eifert is gone but how likely do you think it will be that Cierre will go? I love the guy but do you think he could be a 1st or 2nd rounder and it be worth it to leave after this year? Or is it too early to tell, ya think?

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Our backside pursuit was solid in the game.

 

[BroMontana]

My observation of the night:

When was the last time we had a QB go out there and play like a man? Not like a teenage HS football player but like a man... I would often marvel at USC's revolving door of grown man QB's (Palmer, Leinart, Sanchez, Barkley) guys who play like men out of the gate...and the common factor in play with them is they had YEARS on the bench. They were developed BEFORE they hit the field and it made a world of difference. These kids were not any more talented than our QBs...They damn near attend the same schools and play the same competition. Have been equally decorated on the HS level. It's the development that made the difference. I say all that to say that I enjoyed seeing the difference in Tommy Rees last night. He's poised, and plays with confidence. Maybe our first grown man QB since Quinn (Clausen suffered from being put out there too early). I know the upside that Golson possess, but having to hold his hand and bring him along makes no sense. Let him play like a young Tebow to Rees Chris Leak as he finds himself as the ND QB. Let him emerge as a grown man QB in his Junior year and start a new trend of game ready mature guys at this position. We definitely recruit good enough for it at this point. 2 yrs of golson followed by 2 yrs of Kiel and 2 of Zaire (all matured and ready) would be amazing.
It was apparent last night and against Purdue that we could be starting Golson too early.

 

[Chamellion]

I think Eifert is gone but how likely do you think it will be that Cierre will go? I love the guy but do you think he could be a 1st or 2nd rounder and it be worth it to leave after this year? Or is it too early to tell, ya think?

He's not playing like it right now. He needs to have some good games before we can talk about 3rd, let alone 2nd or 1st. I'd say if he went right now he'd be 5th rounder.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

He's not playing like it right now. He needs to have some good games before we can talk about 3rd, let alone 2nd or 1st. I'd say if he went right now he'd be 5th rounder.

Idk about this. The Ds are all over him and both Qbs have missed him when he is open. Besides I'm sure NFL teams are looking at how he blocks because we all know he has great ball skills.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

BJAX played a heck of a game.

 

[BeatSC]

Random thoughts

Random thoughts

These are going to be all over the place:

Hard to criticize Kelly too much for getting us to a win but here are a myriad of observations.

-prevent offense, we talk about Golson's upside but we haven't run the read option and it looked like it was there every time he handed off the ball. Quit treating him like a franchise QB/china doll nd turn those legs loose. It is all about giving the D a lot of different looks to keep t.them off balance.

-don't mind bringing Tommy in off the bench as he is better in that spark type of George Blanda role

- if we are going to play a prevent offense why don't we throw in the wildcat with riddick?

- toma, TJ, Daniels, eifffert, hercules, etc. You can't tell me we can't throw some quick slants or
quick outs to these guys.

- Turk needs the same short leash we have on Golson.

- Kick return coverage looked like a JV HS team.

- think the D put conservative pressure keeping in their lanes and not stunting so they could
contain DR.
- our offense has not been asked to do much or come from behind and that is reflected in the
play calling.
- I think Hendrix should get a chance as the change of pace running QB.
- tempting to burn Gunnar's redshift if EG doesn't pull it together.
- if we forget the number of starts in our secondary I would say this years group has looked
better than last years. Denard was pulling the same hail Mary crap at the end of this game with
zero results. He shot his wad with lucky bounces last year.
- with 2 weeks to prepare Kelly owes this team a game plan that will put some pints on the board
And bring some momentum as he had advertised when he got here.
- looking at KU and Dayne's and Charlie I t looks like Kelly knew what he was doing last
year keeping Dayne on the bench.
- Spond looked great and we looked fine without jamoris. Our guys will be that much more
experienced for next year. Didn't see a lot from shumate this week. Looks like spring man is the #2
- the misdirection play to GAIII would have worked but was run super sloppy by Tommy.
- I truly believe if Kelly wanted to push his luck a bit and be more aggressive we could have done
a lot more on offense. He has a ton of confidence in this defense.

I think we can win every game but focus and better execution will be needed. No gimmes out there.

 

[irishog77]

My observation of the night:

When was the last time we had a QB go out there and play like a man? Not like a teenage HS football player but like a man... I would often marvel at USC's revolving door of grown man QB's (Palmer, Leinart, Sanchez, Barkley) guys who play like men out of the gate...and the common factor in play with them is they had YEARS on the bench. They were developed BEFORE they hit the field and it made a world of difference. These kids were not any more talented than our QBs...They damn near attend the same schools and play the same competition. Have been equally decorated on the HS level. It's the development that made the difference. I say all that to say that I enjoyed seeing the difference in Tommy Rees last night. He's poised, and plays with confidence. Maybe our first grown man QB since Quinn (Clausen suffered from being put out there too early). I know the upside that Golson possess, but having to hold his hand and bring him along makes no sense. Let him play like a young Tebow to Rees Chris Leak as he finds himself as the ND QB. Let him emerge as a grown man QB in his Junior year and start a new trend of game ready mature guys at this position. We definitely recruit good enough for it at this point. 2 yrs of golson followed by 2 yrs of Kiel and 2 of Zaire (all matured and ready) would be amazing.
It was apparent last night and against Purdue that we could be starting Golson too early.

Started as a true freshman...not years on the bench.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

tempting to burn Gunnar's redshift if EG doesn't pull it together.

why would you replace a freshman qb with another freshamn qb?

 

[HawaiianIrish]

WHAT A GREAT AWESOME WIN BOYS!!!!

D BOYS DOMINATED!!!!!

Special teams was solid..

Let's go BIG O.... We need you to wake up!!!!

FINALLY we beat SCUM!!!!!!!

Cheeeeeeeeee huuuuuuuuuuuuu GO IRISH!!!!!!

 

[Irish#1]

1. Our defense is outstanding. They were on the field almost the entire ****ing game and had as many turnovers as points allowed.

2. Our offensive line is pathetic.

3. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Not sure pathetic is quite right, but what was supposed to be the biggest strength has certainly become a reason for concern.

 

[West Coast Domer]

I had been impressed with Ben turk so far this season until last night ...he didn't show up last night. We have talent at the WR we just need a QB that will get them the ball

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I think our offense will be more effective after this buy week. The buy week could not come at a better time. Golson isn't the only one who seems to be a little confused, its a great oppurtunity to evaluate and make some strides forward with the offense. I think Golson will come out much more relaxed and alert of whats going on with what he see's during the game.

 

[NDhoosier]

I had been impressed with Ben turk so far this season until last night ...he didn't show up last night. We have talent at the WR we just need a QB that will get them the ball

I am glad some one noticed that... I am very pleased with our WR corp... but I am sure some may be looking at the stats and say they are not very good, but look at the QB play this last game, it was not very good and the WRs still made some big 3rd down plays.

 

[A2forND]

Any thoughts on why we didn't see more of C.Wood last night, particularly in the second half???

 

[gkIrish]

Why doesnt hoke use a headset?

 

[Chamellion]

Because he coaches the lines. Lets his coordinators do the nitty gritty of playcalling.

 

[NDinFL]

Why doesnt hoke use a headset?

He doesn't know how to use those "new fangled contraptions"

 

[Seanthornton]

Props to Tommy Rees. W/o him we are 2-2 IMO.

I agree 100% with that statement.


I was there at the game like alot of you. Golson couldn't throw a screen pass. I dont know what the love is with him. I dont see it.

Teo !!!! Golic had some great blocks. Sheldon clutch ! Shembo !! Fox !!! There are some that I have missed im sure. The only thing more I would have liked to have seen was a chunk of ND turf stuck in Robinson's facemask and that my have happend. I was in the stands and didnt see it.

Tommy.................Say what you want. Got the job done. UM 's corners did a pretty good job covering our recievers. Kelly's play calling was very conservative and Tommy didnt throw the ball away. He made good choces. Like it or not , he is maturing as a QB. If rees had started. we would have scored more points.

The stadium was on fire lastnight !!! great fans !!! A memorable experience for my older brother's first ND home game.


OK !!! BEAT ON ME LIKE YA DID LAST WEEK. I CAN TAKE IT.



KEEP THE FAITH !!!!

GO IRISH !!!!

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

I agree 100% with that statement.


I was there at the game like alot of you. Golson couldn't throw a screen pass. I dont know what the love is with him. I dont see it.

Teo !!!! Golic had some great blocks. Sheldon clutch ! Shembo !! Fox !!! There are some that I have missed im sure. The onlt thing more I would have liked to have seen was a chunk of ND turf stuck in Robinson's facemask.

Tommy.................Say what you want. Got the job done. UM 's corners did a pretty good job covering our recievers. Kelly's play calling was very conservative and Tommy didnt throw the ball away. He made good choces. Like it or not , he is maturing as a QB. If rees had started. we would have scored more points.

The stadium was on fire lastnight !!! great fans !!! A memorable experience for my older brother's first ND home game.


OK !!! BEAT ON ME LIKE YA DID LAST WEEK. I CAN TAKE IT.



KEEP THE FAITH !!!!

GO IRISH !!!!

When did they run a screen play with Golson at QB? If the job was run the clock out and let the D win the game then yes TR did a god job other than that idk. How can we blame Golson for making mistakes when TR is still making mistakes as a JR????