Post Game Observations........

[Patulski]

Our Tempo is way to slow.

I am guessing, but it may be to rest a defense that has played tons of snaps this year. And even with the tempo being slow, all we had to do is execute and it would have been 35-6 or more. But when you have two fumbles in a game that you're (at the time) dominating in the trenches, you're shooting yourself in the foot. The last thing is that it was obvious in the 4th quarter that BC was still fighting hard. Our defense stepped up to the challenge, our offensive line didn't.

 

[arrowryan]

Correct, when we get to the point where we can run BK's O at a pace even semi-close to Oregon's, watch the eff out!

Our offense isn't even relatively built like Oregon's offense. Kelly's plan coming into Notre Dame was to have an Oregon type offense but I think he threw that plan in the trash.

 

[Patulski]

1. Special Teams returns was really subpar...especially kickoff and punt returns. We're going to need to get something from that area some time over the next 2 games

This is where all the injuries in the secondary, particularly at safety have hurt. We have three walkons playing regularly in special teams. Walk ons are an essential part of a football team, but there is a big difference between Matthias Farley -who probably would have been playing special teams if Collinsworth had not gotten hurt- and a 5-8 170 lb kid from Marian High School in Mishawaka.

 

[EifertPower]

Lou holtz got pretty fire up on college football final. Mark may insists there will be a Sec team in championship game.

Mark May will be correct it pains me to say. All this talk the past 2 weeks are who are the best two undefeated teams in the nation. In 3 weeks from now, it will be who are the best 1-loss teams in the nation and that will certainly include an SEC team.

 

[Patulski]

Our offense isn't even relatively built like Oregon's offense. Kelly's plan coming into Notre Dame was to have an Oregon type offense but I think he threw that plan in the trash.

And trashing it is the reason we're 10-0 imo. We do not have the skill position speed and depth to run that offense. We do not have quickness on the offensive line to run that offense. So, Kelly saw that his strength was defense and went to a ball control O to compliment it. I really commend Kelly for doing it. However, if you are running a ball control offense, you cannot fumble the ball and have sloppy penalties. We can beat anybody with our defense, but we must execute well offensively at USC and the bowl game to win.

 

[EifertPower]

Look, it all goes to show what we already know. You must hang on to the football. Turnovers either cost you points for or cost you points against, depending on where and when they occur. The two turnovers may have cost us 14 points. If we win 35-6 probably no one is fussing. The game plan was the right game plan we moved the ball up and down the field. The outcome in my mind was never in question. But 2 turnovers hurt the ending score. We could have played better I agree. We have more work to do. It might be a blessing in disguise, it gives the players and coaches something to focus on.

THIS. I too was disappointed it wasn't more of a rout...but we had only 8 possessions on offense the whole game and two of those we fumbled the ball when we probably would've at least gotten field goals. So if you factor this in, and factor in the fact we get nothing from our special teams, and our defense didn't create any turnovers until halfway through the 4th quarter, it's not surprising we had 21 points.

And if the refs had made the correct call on Ishaq's fumble return, then the game would have spiraled out of control for BC and it would have been a rout.

 

[Patulski]

I don't see how our offense struggled at all?

One nit. We only had 38 yards in the 4th quarter. That should be money time for a dominating offensive line that has ground down the opponent.

 

[kmoose]

One nit. We only had 38 yards in the 4th quarter. That should be money time for a dominating offensive line that has ground down the opponent.

That's a fair criticism, but ND turned that 38 yards into ~7:00 of TOP, which is what really matters. Up by more than 2 TDs for the entire quarter, the offense played conservative and ensured a win.

 

[BGIF]

One nit. We only had 38 yards in the 4th quarter. That should be money time for a dominating offensive line that has ground down the opponent.

^

Actually after the ND's opening TD Drive of the 3rd Q ND's offense went to sleep. BC had the ball for 17 of the last 26 minutes. They ran 42 plays to ND's 19 including the Victory formation.

ND had 3TD's on 4 drives, one of which was killed by a fumble. After the 3rd Q TD, ND never had a drive of more than 6 plays nor more than 22 yds. As good as the ND Offense looked through the first 4 drives they broke down for the last 26 minutes leaving the D on the field way too long.

Was DeVaris Daniels that crucial to the O?

 

[BGIF]

That's a fair criticism, but ND turned that 38 yards into ~7:00 of TOP, which is what really matters. Up by more than 2 TDs for the entire quarter, the offense played conservative and ensured a win.

Conservative is one thing but ND did not move the ball for the last 26 minutes enabling BC and the crowd to stay in the game.

We've been lamenting FG attempts instead of Red Zone TD's in recent weeks. ND didn't get close enough to try a 3 to close it out.

 

[WaveDomer]

In regards to ND's tempo, eating clock on drives and putting it in the endzone is how they will beat a team like Oregon. Keep their O off the field, keep ND's D off the field and fresh, eat the clock and score.

 

[kmoose]

Conservative is one thing but ND did not move the ball for the last 26 minutes enabling BC and the crowd to stay in the game.

We've been lamenting FG attempts instead of Red Zone TD's in recent weeks. ND didn't get close enough to try a 3 to close it out.

But they were already up by more than 2 TDs. They didn't need more points. They closed it out by chewing up clock, not by putting points on the board. I, like you, would prefer that they close it out by putting more daggers in the opponents' hearts, but in the end: a slowly choked corpse is just as dead. Maybe Kelly is trying to show NFL owners that he can play the NFL game?

 

[Patulski]

^

Actually after the ND's opening TD Drive of the 3rd Q ND's offense went to sleep. BC had the ball for 17 of the last 26 minutes. They ran 42 plays to ND's 19 including the Victory formation.

Good points. It was crucial that we look decisively superior against a 2-7 football team by consistent offensive line play and we didn't get it. I hope its an aberration, as we've closed pretty well all year long.

 

[phgreek]

1. 10-0. I didn't think it would happen. This season has been a fairy tale season already. But who would have believed that it would be possible for ND to go 10-3 this year, and have it be a HUGE disappointment?

2. This team is YOUNG..... There are underclassmen starting all over the place. There are some really important positions, though, that are senior *****. ILB, Tailback, and the Oline being some.

3. BC took advantage of our LBs, early in the game. They threw a lot of screens behind the D-Line, and a lot of quick hitters to the outside. It was a great game plan, until the D settled down and adjusted. That's something this team is doing SO much better than the Weis teams............ in game adjustments.

4. You know how we always say that the first BCS poll shouldn't come out until after about the 4th or 5th week? Well, some of you in the game day chat should STFU, until about the end of the 3rd, start of the 4th quarter. The defense was getting gashed a bit, in the first half. Especially in the 1st quarter. But they made the adjustments, settled down, and did not allow BC into the end zone. They gave up right at 300 yards, and only 6 points.

5. Having said that...... one could make an argument that starting off that slow against a team like, say, maybe........ Oregon........ might put you into a hole so deep that you can't get out of it. And there's a valid point to be made there. I hope that the coaching staff preaching this, every day.

6. Golson continues to just get better. But he still has a lot of work to do, to be great. He still throws one or two balls, every game, that I just cringe and wonder how the he!! the defender did NOT intercept that. But you can see the growth in him. He's playing very well, for a sophomore.

Mostly agree here...and where I don't...too small to matter. I will ad this...When you miss a week, I notice. I say this not to disparage anyone else who posts a post game analysis. Rather I totally agree or not with your analysis...I tend to see the game coming down to the things you identify in these posts more or less.

I am, by IE standards an old dog...so your post game is like my internet recliner and slipppers...keep it up!

 

[Patulski]

But they were already up by more than 2 TDs. They didn't need more points. They closed it out by chewing up clock, not by putting points on the board. I, like you, would prefer that they close it out by putting more daggers in the opponents' hearts, but in the end: a slowly choked corpse is just as dead. Maybe Kelly is trying to show NFL owners that he can play the NFL game?

C'mon now. This isn't the NFL. It is college football where style points matter. If we get left out of the big dance because of our inability to impressively put away weak teams away by grinding to TD's, we'll have only ourselves to blame. It was obvious that BC was fighting hard all game long. Our D-line rose to the challenge. Our O-line didn't. We need a 4 quarter effort against Wake.

 

[Opus]

I apologize if this has already been discussed. I searched the BC thread and this one and have not seen any mention of this:

3rd Quarter with approximately 7:50 left BC has a 1st down on ND's 45 yard line. Rettig drops back, scrambles and throws deep down the middle over everyone's head. During the play the WR for BC is injured and the network goes to commercial. When the game resumes it's 1st and 10 from ND's 35yd line instead of 2nd and 10 from the 45. Now I assume that a defensive penalty was called but watching the replay, no mention of any penalty is made once the game comes back from commercial. Ole Mushmouth just states that it's 1st and 10 for BC from the 35yd line. I realize it's not a big thing but I was just curious as to what the penalty was and which ND player is was against. Anyone ????????????

 

[Kak7304]

Our Tempo is way to slow.

Nah, we don't need to score the way Oregon does. Going slow limits the number of possessions and plays for the opponent and caters to our defensive strengths. Also keeps the D rested.

 

[jimmymac]

I apologize if this has already been discussed. I searched the BC thread and this one and have not seen any mention of this:

3rd Quarter with approximately 7:50 left BC has a 1st down on ND's 45 yard line. Rettig drops back, scrambles and throws deep down the middle over everyone's head. During the play the WR for BC is injured and the network goes to commercial. When the game resumes it's 1st and 10 from ND's 35yd line instead of 2nd and 10 from the 45. Now I assume that a defensive penalty was called but watching the replay, no mention of any penalty is made once the game comes back from commercial. Ole Mushmouth just states that it's 1st and 10 for BC from the 35yd line. I realize it's not a big thing but I was just curious as to what the penalty was and which ND player is was against. Anyone ????????????

Holding on the defense.

 

[BGIF]

Nah, we don't need to score the way Oregon does. Going slow limits the number of possessions and plays for the opponent and caters to our defensive strengths. Also keeps the D rested.

So how come our D spent 17 of the last 29 minutes on the field?

ND milked the clock so effectively with that molasses tempo that BC ran 42 plays to ND 19 keeping BC and their crowd in the game. The only limited was ND's offense which couldn't put more than 6 plays or 22 yds together in the last 26 minutes.

 

[kmoose]

C'mon now. This isn't the NFL. It is college football where style points matter. If we get left out of the big dance because of our inability to impressively put away weak teams away by grinding to TD's, we'll have only ourselves to blame. It was obvious that BC was fighting hard all game long. Our D-line rose to the challenge. Our O-line didn't. We need a 4 quarter effort against Wake.

That's easy for us to say, sitting behind our computers. But, seriously, try to put yourself in Kelly's shoes: Wins and Losses are by far the biggest metrics by which you are evaluated. So you play to win, period. Maybe if you have a talented team full of seniors you take your shots and try to impress. But this team is way too young to be taking unnecessary risks, just to impress some sportswriters. Taking risks to win a big game is one thing.... taking risks to win a game big is another, entirely.

 

[Patulski]

That's easy for us to say, sitting behind our computers. But, seriously, try to put yourself in Kelly's shoes: Wins and Losses are by far the biggest metrics by which you are evaluated. So you play to win, period. Maybe if you have a talented team full of seniors you take your shots and try to impress. But this team is way too young to be taking unnecessary risks, just to impress some sportswriters. Taking risks to win a big game is one thing.... taking risks to win a game big is another, entirely.

Show me where I advocated taking unnecessary risks.

We did not impress because we did not execute. Had we done so, we would have won with style points.

 

[kmoose]

Show me where I advocated taking unnecessary risks.

We did not impress because we did not execute. Had we done so, we would have won with style points.

Well, you posted about style points, in response to my post about Kelly playing it conservative in the second half. It wasn't a big stretch for me to interpret that as you disagreeing with the conservative play calling, and advocating for taking chances, to try to score style points.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

10-0 was such a far cry in August and it's amazing ND has it now. But that game was ugly last night.

 

[Patulski]

Well, you posted about style points, in response to my post about Kelly playing it conservative in the second half. It wasn't a big stretch for me to interpret that as you disagreeing with the conservative play calling, and advocating for taking chances, to try to score style points.

Yeah, I posted about style points by writing "If we get left out of the big dance because of our inability to impressively put away weak teams away by grinding to TD's, we'll have only ourselves to blame." So, it was a big stretch for you to interpret I was disagreeing with the conservative play calling, unless you interpret "grinding to TD's" differently than me.

I don't see why its hard to see that we could have had style points in this game playing conservative football. That wasn't a good BC front 7 out there last night. We just didn't get the job done.

Still, its a win.

Go Irish!

 

[kmoose]

Yeah, I posted about style points by writing "If we get left out of the big dance because of our inability to impressively put away weak teams away by grinding to TD's, we'll have only ourselves to blame." So, it was a big stretch for you to interpret I was disagreeing with the conservative play calling, unless you interpret "grinding to TD's" differently than me.

I don't see why its hard to see that we could have had style points in this game playing conservative football. That wasn't a good BC front 7 out there last night. We just didn't get the job done.

Still, its a win.

Go Irish!

It's not hard to see it all. I completely agree that ND left a lot of points on the field, and I think BK would say that, too. I was just saying that you can understand the conservative play calling in the second half, if you look at it from the perspective that you are the head coach, and your job (and lifestyle, and millions of dollars) depends on you getting the WIN, with or without style points.

 

[NDTH91]

10-0 was such a far cry in August and it's amazing ND has it now. But that game was ugly last night.

We're complaining that a 21-6 win (over rival Boston College on the road where our redshirt freshman quarterback had a great game) was ugly.

I like where we are

 

[Downinthebend]

We're complaining that a 21-6 win (over ____ Boston College on the road where our redshirt freshman quarterback had a great game) was ugly.

I like where we are

fixed.

 

[RallySonsOfND]

fixed.

Yeah. We are rivals according to them, not to us.

 

[NDTH91]

Yeah. We are rivals according to them, not to us.

Holy War (Boston College vs. Notre Dame) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In my mind, BC is a rival.

The only two Catholic schools => rivalry.
What they did to us in 93 and 02 => rivalry.
We've played them 18 times in the last 20 years => rivalry.

Maybe they aren't usc or michigan (or even michigan st.), but I would still consider them a rival.

 

[Downinthebend]

Notre Dame Fighting Irish football rivalries - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If these are all rivalries I don't know what a rivalry is.