Post Game Thoughts Temple

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

And two were false starts by a true freshman RT who could still be in HS.

And one of the offsides was by a frosh DT.

 

[vinnymac2402]

Sound system? They literally just installed a brand new sound system/speakers this past offseason; the music is much louder now and the bass is much more noticeable IMO. The music choice was fine to me. I don't think they'll really ever play that much music during breaks because they'd rather have the band play or they are paying tribute to a professor, former player, or something.

I meant what they play and when they play it sorry for the confusion.

 

[Irishize]

Going into the game i wanted to see if D could hold Temple to under 20 pts.

Mission accomplished. Theyre far from elite but i think they can be solid enough to keep the Irish un games. Temple QB did a nice job w/ the quick screens. I'm sure opponents will take note.

While we can all nitpick about the D, i think if u told me ND would win 49-16 before the game...i'd gladly take it.

The most glaring thing that frustrated me was allowing Temple to convert thise third & longs. The D would get a huge TFL on 2nd down to set up 3rd & long...but Temple convertedthem.

All in all...a great day.

 

[Irishize]

And one of the offsides was by a frosh DT.

Great point. Even BK expected Wimbush to have some miscures in his first collegiate start & he's a JR.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Surprisingly, at least to me, Martini really struggled. Coney looked much better when given the chance. I'll be interested to see if/when he passes him up. It was pretty obvious yesterday.

Coney and Martini are in an OR situation now. I think out of respect for Martini it will stay that way for the remainder of the year. But, we will be seeing Coney more and Martini will be a situational player.



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[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

Hate to be a party pooper, but we are an average team.

Defense:

Our defensive front seven lacks the size and speed. Our tackling is still piss poor. Claiming it was better than last year doesn't say much. Our defensive scheme seem less predictable..which is an improvement, but our inability to adjust to the wide receiver screen was perplexing. Temple was able to run on us; and if their QB was semi adequate, the game would have been a shoot out.

Offense:

We were just more talented and athletic than Temple's defense. Long's patience with the run and play calling was the only notable take on our offense. Wimbush played like an athletic freshman QB. He better grow up fast next week. Dancing around the pocket will get him killed against Georgia. Aliza isn't ready and doesn't deserve the playing time he got. Play someone else like Claypool. RBs played ok, but, aside from Adams, they noticeable lacked speed. OL needs to play a lot better against Georgia.

Next week, Georgia is going to stop the run and is going to force Wimbush to beat them with his arm. They will run the ball and will wear us down...limiting our possessions. Tough tough matchup for us.

 

[JohnnyJasper]

Agree with a lot of the feedback on here. One thing I think some people need to take their foot off the gas on was Macks performance. It's his first live action in over a year. We know what he brings to the table athletically. He's going to be fine. Wouldn't be surprised if he caught 5 balls next week with a TD.


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[twig21]

Hate to be a party pooper, but we are an average team.

Defense:

Our defensive front seven lacks the size and speed. Our tackling is still piss poor. Claiming it was better than last year doesn't say much. Our defensive scheme seem less predictable..which is an improvement, but our inability to adjust to the wide receiver screen was perplexing. Temple was able to run on us; and if their QB was semi adequate, the game would have been a shoot out.

Offense:

We were just more talented and athletic than Temple's defense. Long's patience with the run and play calling was the only notable take on our offense. Wimbush played like an athletic freshman QB. He better grow up fast next week. Dancing around the pocket will get him killed against Georgia. Aliza isn't ready and doesn't deserve the playing time he got. Play someone else like Claypool. RBs played ok, but, aside from Adams, they noticeable lacked speed. OL needs to play a lot better against Georgia.

Next week, Georgia is going to stop the run and is going to force Wimbush to beat them with his arm. They will run the ball and will wear us down...limiting our possessions. Tough tough matchup for us.

Don't understand the Temple was able to run on us. They had 85 yards rushing and only 2.3 yards per rush. The run defense was noticeably improved.

 

[BobbyMac]

Hate to be a party pooper, but we are an average team.

Defense:

Our defensive front seven lacks the size and speed. Our tackling is still piss poor. Claiming it was better than last year doesn't say much. Our defensive scheme seem less predictable..which is an improvement, but our inability to adjust to the wide receiver screen was perplexing. Temple was able to run on us; and if their QB was semi adequate, the game would have been a shoot out.

Offense:

We were just more talented and athletic than Temple's defense. Long's patience with the run and play calling was the only notable take on our offense. Wimbush played like an athletic freshman QB. He better grow up fast next week. Dancing around the pocket will get him killed against Georgia. Aliza isn't ready and doesn't deserve the playing time he got. Play someone else like Claypool. RBs played ok, but, aside from Adams, they noticeable lacked speed. OL needs to play a lot better against Georgia.

Next week, Georgia is going to stop the run and is going to force Wimbush to beat them with his arm. They will run the ball and will wear us down...limiting our possessions. Tough tough matchup for us.

1. No they are not.

2. Overly pessimistic but you do point out some things. Your take on RB is not one of them. Dex's speed is immediate. Just because he doesn't have great top end doesn't mean he isn't very good at what he does.

 

[arrowryan]

Hate to be a party pooper, but we are an average team.

Defense:

Our defensive front seven lacks the size and speed. Our tackling is still piss poor. Claiming it was better than last year doesn't say much. Our defensive scheme seem less predictable..which is an improvement, but our inability to adjust to the wide receiver screen was perplexing. Temple was able to run on us; and if their QB was semi adequate, the game would have been a shoot out.

Offense:

We were just more talented and athletic than Temple's defense. Long's patience with the run and play calling was the only notable take on our offense. Wimbush played like an athletic freshman QB. He better grow up fast next week. Dancing around the pocket will get him killed against Georgia. Aliza isn't ready and doesn't deserve the playing time he got. Play someone else like Claypool. RBs played ok, but, aside from Adams, they noticeable lacked speed. OL needs to play a lot better against Georgia.

Next week, Georgia is going to stop the run and is going to force Wimbush to beat them with his arm. They will run the ball and will wear us down...limiting our possessions. Tough tough matchup for us.

A few questions/comments that I have...

-If 37 carries for 85 yards (average of just over 2 yards a carry) is considered "getting ran on", then I'm not sure what you were expecting yesterday. There were some times yesterday that Temple got more yards than I would've liked, but they did a pretty good job overall. Especially in the second half.

-The screens looked like they were called the same time Elko was bringing pressure. I'm sure that is something that can be fixed when they review tape and in practice this week.

-The running backs were just "ok" even though they rushed for 304 yards and 4 touchdowns? If that's just "ok", I cant even imagine what would be considered good.

-I disagree that the o-line needs to play a lot better against UGA. Do they need to do some things better? Yeah. But they were far better than average/decent.

-If UGA wants to stack the box and force Wimbush to beat them with his arm, go right ahead. Temple tried to do that and they still gashed their asses for over 400 yards rushing. That'll create 1 on 1 matchups for ESB, who will have a better than average chance at winning those matchups, and tight ends to run in the flats.

 

[edgesofsanity]

Hate to be a party pooper, but we are an average team.

Defense:

Our defensive front seven lacks the size and speed. Our tackling is still piss poor. Claiming it was better than last year doesn't say much. Our defensive scheme seem less predictable..which is an improvement, but our inability to adjust to the wide receiver screen was perplexing. Temple was able to run on us; and if their QB was semi adequate, the game would have been a shoot out.

Offense:

We were just more talented and athletic than Temple's defense. Long's patience with the run and play calling was the only notable take on our offense. Wimbush played like an athletic freshman QB. He better grow up fast next week. Dancing around the pocket will get him killed against Georgia. Aliza isn't ready and doesn't deserve the playing time he got. Play someone else like Claypool. RBs played ok, but, aside from Adams, they noticeable lacked speed. OL needs to play a lot better against Georgia.

Next week, Georgia is going to stop the run and is going to force Wimbush to beat them with his arm. They will run the ball and will wear us down...limiting our possessions. Tough tough matchup for us.

Just trying to clarify - you think that Temple will have a below average defense this year?

 

[ACamp1900]

I think it's possible, they lost a lot didn't they? New staff...

 

[Irishize]

Hate to be a party pooper, but we are an average team.

Defense:

Our defensive front seven lacks the size and speed. Our tackling is still piss poor. Claiming it was better than last year doesn't say much. Our defensive scheme seem less predictable..which is an improvement, but our inability to adjust to the wide receiver screen was perplexing. Temple was able to run on us; and if their QB was semi adequate, the game would have been a shoot out.

Offense:

We were just more talented and athletic than Temple's defense. Long's patience with the run and play calling was the only notable take on our offense. Wimbush played like an athletic freshman QB. He better grow up fast next week. Dancing around the pocket will get him killed against Georgia. Aliza isn't ready and doesn't deserve the playing time he got. Play someone else like Claypool. RBs played ok, but, aside from Adams, they noticeable lacked speed. OL needs to play a lot better against Georgia.

Next week, Georgia is going to stop the run and is going to force Wimbush to beat them with his arm. They will run the ball and will wear us down...limiting our possessions. Tough tough matchup for us.

Sounds like u had some pretty high expectations going into game one. Did you notice all the "premier" Playoff contenders that came out flat &/or sloppy in their opener?

Washington, USC, tOSU, FSU offense. They all three played like crap yet are still in the Playoff hunt.

Nebraska squeaked by Ark St of the Sun Belt. Texas got knocked off at home by Maryland. Mizzou gave up 42 to Missouri St.

Did you think that all the new coordinators would instantly turn a 4-8 team into a Playoff contender?

I still think ND is a 4-5 loss team but I was very pleased with yesterdays performance.

 

[Riddickulous]

Just trying to clarify - you think that Temple will have a below average defense this year?

IMO this Temple team has mediocre written all over it. Rhule did a stellar job building them up, but the experience is gone. They're in rebuilding mode.

The fact that we housed a team like that is encouraging. This is a team we should beat easily. Generally the teams that have had dominant openers like this have done well under Kelly.

 

[irish o'phile]

This board amazes me with the negativity. For the past 3-4 years, these kinds of teams always seem to play ND to the end or beat them when they shouldn't have a chance..This time ND handled business by running and playing D. These are the things we always whine for after the Dukes of the world beat ND. I think this team is solid and watchable and they will likely improve. Sure, they had some trouble with screens and running up the middle at times, but I'll take it compared to the last few years of terrible fundamentals.

 

[Redbar]

As so many teams across the country learned this weekend, week 1's are a little different than other games. I think your goals should be these:

1. Execute your game plan. ND did that
2. Play clean football. ND did that
3. Try to avoid injuries, turnovers, deer in headlights situations. ND did that
4. Play enough people so that you can begin to see what you have going forward. ND did that
5. As far as outcomes, Beat teams you are supposed to beat. Hopefully fairly easily. ND did that

IMO hugely successful week 1. They say the biggest improvements of the year come between week 1 and week 2, for us to beat Georgia this will have to be true for us. I saw no reason to think we do not have a solid base on which to build. No team is ready to play in the postseason except for maybe BAMA and they almost dont count.

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

1. No they are not.

2. Overly pessimistic but you do point out some things. Your take on RB is not one of them. Dex's speed is immediate. Just because he doesn't have great top end doesn't mean he isn't very good at what he does.

If we were playing pro style running offense, ala Michigan, they would be perfect, but we don't. Looking back at the RBs we have had and the style offense we play, our offense prefers and produces with a RB with top end speed: Jonas Gray, Procise.

 

[irishandy]

My postgame observations:
1. The renovations to the stadium are impressive, I like the newness, but there is still the feel of the tradition.
2. ND averaged 8.2 yards per play-- when was the last time they averaged that much?
3. Wimbush had a nice start to the season, but he needs to learn to slide and not take as many hits.
4. I liked the long runs by the running back's and I am glad Dex got a score.
5. Nice to see the tight ends be involved. I am not going to criticize Mack's performance, but for all those who think he is NFL bound after this season, let's save that talk for December.
6. Nice tribute that Daelin Hayes did for Jaylon Smith!
7. Gimme more Coney and less Martini...Martini is good against the option.
8. I felt the defense bent a little yesterday, but didn't break...need to play better as a whole against Georgia next week. Ryquell Armstrong is a good back for for Temple, but with Eason's status next week Georgia will rely on Nick Chubb and Sonny Michel, and our D will need to be ready.
9. The punt coverage on special teams looked good.
10. Yoon is going to need to get better with field goals, those are going to be needed at some point in the season.

Go Irish!!

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

A few questions/comments that I have...

-If 37 carries for 85 yards (average of just over 2 yards a carry) is considered "getting ran on", then I'm not sure what you were expecting yesterday. There were some times yesterday that Temple got more yards than I would've liked, but they did a pretty good job overall. Especially in the second half.

-The screens looked like they were called the same time Elko was bringing pressure. I'm sure that is something that can be fixed when they review tape and in practice this week.

-The running backs were just "ok" even though they rushed for 304 yards and 4 touchdowns? If that's just "ok", I cant even imagine what would be considered good.

-I disagree that the o-line needs to play a lot better against UGA. Do they need to do some things better? Yeah. But they were far better than average/decent.

-If UGA wants to stack the box and force Wimbush to beat them with his arm, go right ahead. Temple tried to do that and they still gashed their asses for over 400 yards rushing. That'll create 1 on 1 matchups for ESB, who will have a better than average chance at winning those matchups, and tight ends to run in the flats.

Stats can be misleading. I noticed a lot of tackles from the safety position. This is against Temple. LBs were unable to fill holes and too often Temple OL were able to handle the DL and then move to the second level to block our slow to react LBs. There were a plethora of running lanes for Temple RBs. We were fortunate that their QB was horrible. They had no other options.

Stats are meaningful only when you consider the level of competition. Next week will give us a much better picture of this team. UGA may not have to stack the box. They have the athleticism where they might not need to, because their front seven may be the most athletic we will face this year. We will have to or should force them to stack the box, because it will alleviate the pressure on Wimbush. Otherwise, it will be a long day. It will be a long day regardless if our DL and LB play doesn't pick up. Georgia will run us over.

 

[Crazy Balki]

Stats can be misleading. I noticed a lot of tackles from the safety position. This is against Temple. LBs were unable to fill holes and too often Temple OL were able to handle the DL and then move to the second level to block our slow to react LBs. There were a plethora of running lanes for Temple RBs. We were fortunate that their QB was horrible. They had no other options.

Stats are meaningful only when you consider the level of competition. Next week will give us a much better picture of this team. UGA may not have to stack the box. They have the athleticism where they might not need to, because their front seven may be the most athletic we will face this year. We will have to or should force them to stack the box, because it will alleviate the pressure on Wimbush. Otherwise, it will be a long day. It will be a long day regardless if our DL and LB play doesn't pick up. Georgia will run us over.

I think you're vastly underestimating how good Temple is on offense. This group has a solid offensive line, some quality draft-worthy receivers and a stout RB in Armstead.

You also say that Temple's OL handled our DL, which I didn't see at all. ND had 3 sacks and 11 TFL's. Also held them to 2.3 ypc. And yes, this is Temple. Temple has a quality running back with some solid run blockers. They weren't demolishing them up front, but ND wasn't getting pushed around in the slightest. I don't see how you can put up those numbers while being beat up front unless your LB's and DB's are just REEEEAAALLLY good at evading blocks. You make it sound like Temple will be just some slack FCS school, which they aren't. You need to get that idea out of your head.

It wasn't picture perfect, but there were moments where guys like Tranquill, Morgan and Martini need to finish. They were in position to make the play and whiffed a few times. But silver lining is that we know those guys can make the plays more often than not, it's just about shaking off the rust with them. As for the safeties, that wasn't so apparent and we now know we've got some pretty stout tacklers back there.

 

[Irish YJ]

Most everything already covered, but a few comments. Soooooo happy football is back.

Overall - we did what we were suppose to do at home and against a mediocre team with inferior talent. The score I thought was better that the performance, but it was the first game of the season.... Mixed bag of pleasant surprises, good and bad performances, and head scratchers. UGA will tell us a lot more.

Temple - yes they have won 10 games the previous 2 years, but they are rebuilding. Gone was their 4 year starting QB and coach. Talent wise, I think they have like one 4 star player on their roster, with a large portion of their roster made up of 2 star kids. They over achieved the last 2 years IMHO, but will be middle of the pack this year. This was a good tune up game, but nothing to get overly optimistic about.

The O - Happy with the focus on running and TEs. Outside of ESB, a little curious about decisions on WR use. The left side of the OL was great. A little curious still about playing a true Frosh at RT, but time will tell there.

The D - Definitely better looking than last year, but that's not saying much. Less predictable was nice to see. DL was better than I thought but against Temple I'm not going to put a lot of stock there right now. Very happy to see sacks. LB play was not the strength I thought it would be. DB as expected was a mixed bag.

Special teams - Not enough really to judge the return game yet, but Sanders should heat up IMO. Coverage looked good. Hope Yoon can turn the page and get back on track.

Coaching and conditioning - Happy so far. Team looked sharp and clean. Most of the penalties can be tagged to age/inexperience. Outside of a few head scratchers around playing time, I'm very optimistic about all the new additions (coaches) and the schemes they are running. I liked what I saw of BK yesterday but will it continue? Conditioning looked great. And NO significant injuries. Kids looked to be having fun.

Individuals

Weishar - great game. Happy he's getting a chance to use those hands we've all been hearing about.

Mack - bad game but I think the tide will turn quickly.

D Hayes - could be a monster. Nice to have a pass rush.

Wimbush - He performed well for his first game. Fast start, stutter, then settled down. Hated seeing him get bounced around so much. I'm sure he'll hear enough on that topic.

Bonner - better than expected, but expectations were not high to begin with. Hoping he blossoms.

Morgan - thought we'd see more from him, but nothing to worry about IMO.

Martini/Coney - will be interesting how things pan out here. Coney definitely made a case for being a starter and/or picking up more PT. We'll likely see strong doses of both for the rest of the year, but I think next week's performance will cement some things. I think UGA will be a better match for Martini, but we'll see.

 

[Dizzyphil]

I'll take this game 100/100 times. Plenty of room for improvement, but they went out and clobbered an inferior team right off the bat. Bring on next week.

Catching some flak from some other guys on a social forum that they stated, "Typical ND to catch fire early then flame-out"..

But, if you look at plays in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, the play-calling was a few Heavy Jumbo looks, Pro-set with dual RBs, and a few running/passing plays that I haven't seen before thrown in.

I haven't seen a single post (that I have read) in negativity of play-calling -- on either side of the ball.

Hopefully these are signs that the Irish are actually building in a different direction.

 

[ickythump1225]

I'll echo the sentiment that week ones are different than other weeks. Quite honestly the game couldn't have gone much better (other than Yoon hitting those two FG's) for a week one against an opponent, that while is not a world beater, is not a push over.

Either way I read nothing too positive or negative from this game. I'm ready for UGA.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Random data:
Because the board seems to want to rash TommyK and Martini, and their play on watching it live didn't seem to justify that, I thought that I'd re-watch the game using the pause clicker. I got through the first quarter (four series for each team.) Here's what I saw FWIW:

Offense: Heistand alternated Kraemer and Hainsey.

1). Kraemer in for the two play score --- good on both plays. We scored 7.
2). Hainsey in for a passing oriented series --- to my eye he made mediocre plays twice and helped force a punt.
3). Kraemer in for an almost pure running series. We mauled Temple on this and scored. His blocking was all good.
4). Hainsey in for a combination run and pass series --- all blocks good. We scored.

So, first quarter: Kraemer very effective (even the confusion run by Wimbush had Kraemer (properly) running the speed rusher around the back of Wimbush while Bars held the block to make a huge gap.) Hainsey had two busts or at least not effective blocks on series two; otherwise just fine.

Defense: Watched Martini and Coney (plus Morgan nearby) for Temple's four possessions.

1). Martini in. He filled gaps properly every play. He did not get bullied backwards, though Morgan did. Temple did not score.
2). Martini in. Same as series one. Temple did not score. Martini had at least one tackle in these series.
3). Coney in. Coney played his position well, just like Martini had. Temple however DID score a field goal.
4). Coney AND Martini in (Morgan out.) I thought that the defense looked good and Temple did not threaten.

Those were the first four drives. By then the second quarter had started and we were up 21-3. If I survey the rest of the game, and find out more along these lines, I'll write about it. Since I lack expertise, people will take it properly with salt.

 

[texbender]

- inability to hit 40-45 yd FGs will cost us games
- good start by Wimbush, but room to improve
- thought DL was able to stuff plays consistently, unlike previous years
- thought refs missed several penalties throughout the game on both teams
- great game day atmosphere
- poor game by Alize
- D backfield will get lit up by good QBs
- didn't notice too many injuries. Did Smythe recover?

 

[arrowryan]

- inability to hit 40-45 yd FGs will cost us games
- good start by Wimbush, but room to improve
- thought DL was able to stuff plays consistently, unlike previous years
- thought refs missed several penalties throughout the game on both teams
- great game day atmosphere
- poor game by Alize
- D backfield will get lit up by good QBs
- didn't notice too many injuries. Did Smythe recover?

Smythe did recover. He's good to go for practice tomorrow. MDT will be back for Georgia as well.

Interested to know why you think the secondary will get "lit up" by good QBs? I can think of 1, maybe 2, instance where it was a busted coverage. That was when the receiver got behind Elliot in the endzone but dropped it. Overall, I thought coverage was pretty good all game.

 

[calvegas04]

Can't wait till I can jump on the Wimbush train, hopefully he kills it against georgia and I can finally jump on board

 

[Old Man Mike]

Decided to monitor the second quarter before calling it quits.

Only five series this quarter instead of eight. ND had three series; Temple two.

Offense:
1). Kraemer in. Combination Pass and Run drive. Kraemer was very good. ND marched down the field and scored again.
2). Hainsey in. Hainsey had two busts. One was a blocking misfire and the other a pre-snap twitch. These were the major cause of a three and out.
3). Kraemer for the first part of the last minute drive, and Hainsey for the second part. Both of them blocked their assignments just fine, but the offense stalled and Yoon careened the 44 yard field goal off the post --- physically that is a two or three inch miss and is hard to criticize.

Halftime "grades": Kraemer near 100%. Hainsey more like 85%. Both good.

Defense: only two drives by Temple.

1). Martini in. Martini filled his gaps. Most plays went to Morgan's side. DLine not keeping people off the LBs very well, and Temple moved the ball. Martini's play had nothing to do with that.
2). Coney in, at least for part of this. He had almost nothing that he could do about any of the plays --- plays were run towards Morgan's side, or were passed. Coney was taken out for the five DB defenses with Tranquil still in (and playing great.)

"Grades?" Martini 95%. Coney 95% these guys were where they were asked to be. Morgan 80% (got bullied backwards a few times.) Just because Martini and Coney were not making spectacular tackles doesn't mean they weren't doing their assignments. Game basically ran away from their position. Their drops both seemed good to OK --- at least one Martini drop and one Coney drop definitely put up a stop sign to the Temple QB in that direction.

 

[Irish#1]

As so many teams across the country learned this weekend, week 1's are a little different than other games. I think your goals should be these:

1. Execute your game plan. ND did that
2. Play clean football. ND did that
3. Try to avoid injuries, turnovers, deer in headlights situations. ND did that
4. Play enough people so that you can begin to see what you have going forward. ND did that
5. As far as outcomes, Beat teams you are supposed to beat. Hopefully fairly easily. ND did that

Give this man a cigar. He hit the nails on the head.

#4 is why so many played. Give everyone as many reps as possible to get a good evaluation on everyone, then see how that translates in practice. Next week we may see a difference in how the plays are divided up.

Overall, Temple looked very average to me. We got up big, got a little lax in the second quarter and let them have a little momentum, but the start of the second half BK had them ready to go again. That's the mark of a team that is listening to their coach.

 

[greyhammer90]

Random data:
Because the board seems to want to rash TommyK and Martini, and their play on watching it live didn't seem to justify that, I thought that I'd re-watch the game using the pause clicker. I got through the first quarter (four series for each team.) Here's what I saw FWIW:

Offense: Heistand alternated Kraemer and Hainsey.

1). Kraemer in for the two play score --- good on both plays. We scored 7.
2). Hainsey in for a passing oriented series --- to my eye he made mediocre plays twice and helped force a punt.
3). Kraemer in for an almost pure running series. We mauled Temple on this and scored. His blocking was all good.
4). Hainsey in for a combination run and pass series --- all blocks good. We scored.

So, first quarter: Kraemer very effective (even the confusion run by Wimbush had Kraemer (properly) running the speed rusher around the back of Wimbush while Bars held the block to make a huge gap.) Hainsey had two busts or at least not effective blocks on series two; otherwise just fine.

Defense: Watched Martini and Coney (plus Morgan nearby) for Temple's four possessions.

1). Martini in. He filled gaps properly every play. He did not get bullied backwards, though Morgan did. Temple did not score.
2). Martini in. Same as series one. Temple did not score. Martini had at least one tackle in these series.
3). Coney in. Coney played his position well, just like Martini had. Temple however DID score a field goal.
4). Coney AND Martini in (Morgan out.) I thought that the defense looked good and Temple did not threaten.

Those were the first four drives. By then the second quarter had started and we were up 21-3. If I survey the rest of the game, and find out more along these lines, I'll write about it. Since I lack expertise, people will take it properly with salt.

Decided to monitor the second quarter before calling it quits.

Only five series this quarter instead of eight. ND had three series; Temple two.

Offense:
1). Kraemer in. Combination Pass and Run drive. Kraemer was very good. ND marched down the field and scored again.
2). Hainsey in. Hainsey had two busts. One was a blocking misfire and the other a pre-snap twitch. These were the major cause of a three and out.
3). Kraemer for the first part of the last minute drive, and Hainsey for the second part. Both of them blocked their assignments just fine, but the offense stalled and Yoon careened the 44 yard field goal off the post --- physically that is a two or three inch miss and is hard to criticize.

Halftime "grades": Kraemer near 100%. Hainsey more like 85%. Both good.

Defense: only two drives by Temple.

1). Martini in. Martini filled his gaps. Most plays went to Morgan's side. DLine not keeping people off the LBs very well, and Temple moved the ball. Martini's play had nothing to do with that.
2). Coney in, at least for part of this. He had almost nothing that he could do about any of the plays --- plays were run towards Morgan's side, or were passed. Coney was taken out for the five DB defenses with Tranquil still in (and playing great.)

"Grades?" Martini 95%. Coney 95% these guys were where they were asked to be. Morgan 80% (got bullied backwards a few times.) Just because Martini and Coney were not making spectacular tackles doesn't mean they weren't doing their assignments. Game basically ran away from their position. Their drops both seemed good to OK --- at least one Martini drop and one Coney drop definitely put up a stop sign to the Temple QB in that direction.

This is very high quality posting OMM. Reps.