Post game

[jakerbluegold]

Couldn't catch the game. Wifey and I are in KC for our anniversary. Going to the Chiefs game tomorrow. Thanks for all the excellent coverage fellas!

 

[phgreek]

You don't learn much about your team when your opponent is so weak. But a win's a win.

I kinda am left thinking the same thing...

Some nice production on O...some good play from a beat up D.

however, my ultra picky complaint was that we let them hang around a little bit...we drove right down the field on the first drive and scored then we kill the next few drives with drops and a penalty. We then seize control at 17-0 only to let them score because of a penalty...we then curb stomped them thereafter

...I see some things that have haunted this team all year...those mistakes seem less impactfull when the competition isn't there...but our inability to focus from start to finish is still there...inconsistency.

Hoping the team really focuses on ...well, being focused and executing against BC.

All-in-all a fun game to watch...some nice plays on both sides of the ball...pretty solid effort.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

You don't learn much about your team when your opponent is so weak. But a win's a win.

I'm learning that we're not losing to weak opponents nearly as much anymore.

 

[phgreek]

I'm learning that we're not losing to weak opponents nearly as much anymore.

...ok, I got to admit it was nice to see Edsal in a less than triumphant hand shake...I did enjoy that...probably a little too much

and its true how soon we forget losing to Uconn and Syracuse, and whatever bottom dweller we ran across in November...

Back then I'd have taken an inconsistant looking win...supose I should enjoy it now...Damned expectations...

 

[mpkennedy3]

I kinda am left thinking the same thing...

Some nice production on O...some good play from a beat up D.

however, my ultra picky complaint was that we let them hang around a little bit...we drove right down the field on the first drive and scored then we kill the next few drives with drops and a penalty. We then seize control at 17-0 only to let them score because of a penalty...we then curb stomped them thereafter

...I see some things that have haunted this team all year...those mistakes seem less impactfull when the competition isn't there...but our inability to focus from start to finish is still there...inconsistency.

Hoping the team really focuses on ...well, being focused and executing against BC.

All-in-all a fun game to watch...some nice plays on both sides of the ball...pretty solid effort.

Ultra Picky is the right words for it. Listen, This is the forth game where the result was never in doubt. I can remember the last time we have been able to have this many games in a season where we could play our younger players and get them experience without having to worry about winning the game. I love it, we can actually complain about Kelly leaving Rees in to long vs. needing Clausen to lead a game winning drive against an average at best Purdue or insert some other average team on our schedule here. While I am disappointed overall with the 7-3 record this year (hoping for BCS), I still think we are defiantly moving in the right direction. I love that we can be Ultra Picky about something versus previous years when we were just b&#ching about how we blew another game. Kelly knows what he is doing, and I believe he is set the Irish up to become a top ten team year in and year out. Including the uniforms which the kids seem to love.

Also.....

Ben Turk has learned how to punt

C. Woods - best block all year

Ree's - good game management.

NO TURNOVERS!!!!!

Maryland is Godawful, but We never let them in the game

Jonas Gray is showing us why he was heavily recruited

Let's keep the big mo' and roll BC next week

 

[JoeyGetherall]

Tommy made a great play with his feet tonight too. Made me smile and think of all the haters. And yes let take away your ammo, I know Maryland is awful.

 

[returnofthemack]

What's unfortunate is that I can already feel myself getting hyped up for Stanford.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

According the telecast we just ran up and down the field on the greatest dt/ng to ever play college football lol.

Good game from everyone. The freshmen are coming into their own, and its fun to see jonas become the back that was rated higher than mr. Trent richardson coming out of high school.

Props to my boy Toma. I know people have this love for theo, but damn...toma made SLOT wr plays tonight. Kids needs more pt and more balls thrown his way.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

According the telecast we just ran up and down the field on the greatest dt/ng to ever play college football lol.

Good game from everyone. The freshmen are coming into their own, and its fun to see jonas become the back that was rated higher than mr. Trent richardson coming out of high school.

Props to my boy Toma. I know people have this love for theo, but damn...toma made SLOT wr plays tonight. Kids needs more pt and more balls thrown his way.

I think I would actually prefer Theo in lineup playing outside, and Toma in the slot. Aside from the porous blocking, something just isnt there for me with TJ. He doesnt have elite speed, isnt super shifty, is a supposed excellent route runner, but struggles to get open a lot and disappears for long stretches too often. He's young and has a long ways to go yet, but I think right now Toma brings more to the offense.

Nice overall team effort tonight. The stadium was dead, but the game was exciting. Really wish BK would get some of the young guys more burn. It was nice to see Bennett and Lo Wood get some snaps while the game was still semi competitive, but I agree with the previous poster that BK could probably get young guys a few more series than he does in a game like this.

 

[kmoose]

Drove 900 miles on Friday, 900 miles today, and have another 650 or so to go, tomorrow. Missed the entire game. Thank God for the NBC contract and the full game replays online!!

 

[mango4]

I'll echo Mayock: Toma needs more reps. He catches everything and always puts up good YAC.

I'll echo this as well. Even though I'm relatively new here, I've thought Toma has looked good in the reps he's gotten. He's a good slot guy.

 

[IrishInFl]

I fell asleep before the game even started

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

First of all--Maryland isn't a very good team at all. Very weak team. Much weaker than I expected. The way they played earlier I thought they were better.

Saying that, we did exactly what we are suppose to against weaker teams--Dominate them. And we did. Offense, defense, etc.

It was nice seeing Tommy look much better tonight. Floyd did drop two passes, but then again he caught a really high pass that most average height receivers couldn't have caught. As well as a pass that was behind him on a screen. And then one more thrown to Eifert into double coverage that was richoceted and batted away by a defender. Overall, it was a really, really good game for Tommy.

And our backs, fantastic!!! I can't be more impressed with Teo and Lynch playing through injuries to their ankles.

Man this one felt good, and as a guy who has been really hard on Tommy. I am glad he rose up and played good today.

Go Irish! Man, Wood and Gray were fuuuuunnnn to watch. Great job O-line. And Golic!

 

[BGIF]

According the telecast we just ran up and down the field on the greatest dt/ng to ever play college football lol.

Good game from everyone. The freshmen are coming into their own, and its fun to see jonas become the back that was rated higher than mr. Trent richardson coming out of high school.

Props to my boy Toma. I know people have this love for theo, but damn...toma made SLOT wr plays tonight. Kids needs more pt and more balls thrown his way.

Toma made me think of Wally Pipp. Get better Theo, in a hurry. Somebody wants your job and showing they can take it.

 

[Domer4ever]

ND handled business like they should against a lesser talented opponent. Some random observations:

- I hate the horizontal passing game. I know they run a lot of this to keep defense's honest, but the question is do they really have to? The WR's rarely make the blocks to spring the bubble screens and it seems like these plays are just a blink away from disaster like we have seen on multiple occasions this year.

- Toma looks good and I am starting to wonder if he isnt a better option for the offense over Riddick. While he may be less spectacular, he looks more consistant.

- The first long run ripped off by Meggett was the perfect example of why I hate the 3-4 defense. Too many gaps up front and Manti gets taken out by guard getting out on him clean. It looked like the USC game all over again. Diaco is doing a better job of mixing up his fronts though and going with different looks, but to me the 3-4 is largely ineffective.

- More Kendell Moore and less Dan Fox please.

- Really nice to see Lo Wood get that INT for a TD. As Kelly stated after the game, they are going to need him next year and it was hopefuly a nice confidence booster.

 

[NDOM]

Toma made me think of Wally Pipp. Get better Theo, in a hurry. Somebody wants your job and showing they can take it.

WOW! Really? You went there? Wally Pipp? Don't get Pipped bro. You (And me I guess) have to be somewhat on the older side to know about Wally Pipp. LOL

I did some remodel work for his son that lives only 5 miles from me. He showed me old baseball cards and pictures and memorabilia to me while I was there. AND yes he told me the whole story. It was rather cool. Nice guy.

His (Wally Pipp) son owned (Before he sold it) Pipp Mobile Storage company and made Millions and Millions. But he sold the company around 2-3 years ago and made even more money. lol. You should see his house. That was a nice fat paycheck for me, not to mention the guy gave me a $500.00 tip. lol

 

[phork]

First of all--Maryland isn't a very good team at all. Very weak team. Much weaker than I expected. The way they played earlier I thought they were better.

Saying that, we did exactly what we are suppose to against weaker teams--Dominate them. And we did. Offense, defense, etc.

Defense gave up 364 yards to a **** poor Maryland team. That is not domination.

 

[notredomer23]

Defense gave up 364 yards to a **** poor Maryland team. That is not domination.

The starters gave up about 100 yards less than that and 14 points. Not to mention a pick six. Not domination, but very good.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Post-game upbeat observations: given the complexities of real football, rather than fantasy, essentially everything about our team, its performance, the coaching staff.

Post-game downbeat observation: the continuing unwillingness of about half the board's comments to do much but b!tch about minor irrelevancies or give at best faint praise.

Fortunately, the upbeat side is the real Notre Dame football experience, and for that I thank the Great Maker and His Mom. [Giving us Coach Kelly was not bad either].

 

[BobD]

Great win!! Go Irish!!

Offense looked pretty sharp. What a block by Wood!

Defense looked good, but shouldn't have given up 21, EVEN if its the 4th quarter, EVEN if the games well in hand.

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

I think I would actually prefer Theo in lineup playing outside, and Toma in the slot. Aside from the porous blocking, something just isnt there for me with TJ. He doesnt have elite speed, isnt super shifty, is a supposed excellent route runner, but struggles to get open a lot and disappears for long stretches too often. He's young and has a long ways to go yet, but I think right now Toma brings more to the offense.

Nice overall team effort tonight. The stadium was dead, but the game was exciting. Really wish BK would get some of the young guys more burn. It was nice to see Bennett and Lo Wood get some snaps while the game was still semi competitive, but I agree with the previous poster that BK could probably get young guys a few more series than he does in a game like this.

Theo is a running back..more scat back. He isn't a WR...doesn't have the speed or WR quickness. He is shifty and his instincts are those of a RB; and considering his size, he is strong. He should be playing as our change of pace back. Toma is the better option.

A lot of people are writing off TJ. You have to look at the QB. Rees is a one read QB(Floyd). If it ain't there, then it is either hopefully Eifert, or incomp/sack. TJ has to have a play called where he is the first option, because Rees doesn't have the arm strength to get the ball to the sometimes second and definitely not the third, or fourth option. TJ is for most part the third and fourth option every play. It doesn't matter if he is open and he has been a number of times. TJ has serious skills and speed (He is definitely faster than Theo). We don't see it because Rees can't get him the ball.

Kelly's decision to play Rees throughout another blowout...well if that doesn't tell you that Rees is going to start next year. I don't know what does.

 

[dre1919]

Loved the offensive tempo.

Running game, and the offense in general, was quite good.

Defense did an "ok" job.

Uniforms were horrible. Greens and golds didn't match, whole uni was distracting.

Good game from Rees.

Nice block, Cierre!

Jonas Grey, still a beast.

 

[Grahambo]

Defense gave up 364 yards to a **** poor Maryland team. That is not domination.

Maryland beat Miami and put up 45 points on Clemson this year.

This is the drive chart for Maryland, I highlight the one drive that really did something against the defense. The last drive was against the backups and the drive that is italicized was the only other big drive against the starters. Other then that, 7 punts, an interception, and a forced fumble is a pretty good day at the office. Lest we also forget that on the two scoring drives against the starting defense, they were aided by two 15 yard penalties. They held Maryland to 4.1 yards a carry and 219 yards passing. Our scoring defense actually improved to 27th in the nation. I suppose I apologize for us not having the defense of Alabama.

START QTR POSS. YARD PLAYS YARDS RESULT
15:00 1 01:02 MD 17 3 3 Punt
11:25 1 03:03 MD 25 5 35 Punt
06:45 1 01:19 MD 41 3 2 Punt
02:47 1 02:06 MD 25 3 8 Punt
12:30 2 01:30 MD 20 4 25 Punt
08:29 2 03:11 MD 39 9 61 Passing Touchdown
00:29 2 00:29 MD 21 4 30 End of Half
08:48 3 01:30 MD 29 5 27 Interception
07:18 3 01:01 MD 20 3 8 Punt
02:18 3 03:16 MD 3 10 97 Rushing Touchdown
11:03 4 02:09 MD 7 4 21 Punt
05:31 4 04:54 MD 32 13 67 Rushing Touchdown

 

[GowerND11]

Maryland beat Miami and put up 45 points on Clemson this year.

This is the drive chart for Maryland, I highlight the one drive that really did something against the defense. The last drive was against the backups and the drive that is italicized was the only other big drive against the starters. Other then that, 7 punts, an interception, and a forced fumble is a pretty good day at the office. Lest we also forget that on the two scoring drives against the starting defense, they were aided by two 15 yard penalties. They held Maryland to 4.1 yards a carry and 219 yards passing. Our scoring defense actually improved to 27th in the nation. I suppose I apologize for us not having the defense of Alabama.

START QTR POSS. YARD PLAYS YARDS RESULT
15:00 1 01:02 MD 17 3 3 Punt
11:25 1 03:03 MD 25 5 35 Punt
06:45 1 01:19 MD 41 3 2 Punt
02:47 1 02:06 MD 25 3 8 Punt
12:30 2 01:30 MD 20 4 25 Punt
08:29 2 03:11 MD 39 9 61 Passing Touchdown
00:29 2 00:29 MD 21 4 30 End of Half
08:48 3 01:30 MD 29 5 27 Interception
07:18 3 01:01 MD 20 3 8 Punt
02:18 3 03:16 MD 3 10 97 Rushing Touchdown
11:03 4 02:09 MD 7 4 21 Punt
05:31 4 04:54 MD 32 13 67 Rushing Touchdown

You know what I like after looking at those drive charts? We never gave them great field position, other than once at their 41, but we made them go 3 and out there. That shows the offense, obviously, did not turn it over, and we were able to generate drives ourselves. Very happy with the win.

 

[Patulski]

Agree completely. And Kelly was rewarded by that TD pass to Eifert, which Rees could not have done last year. Bought time in the pocket, found the open man, hit him in stride. That, combined with his 30-38-0 performance (with a couple of drops), must have made Kelly very happy with Rees's play.

 

[military_irish]

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[obi wan mahoney]

First of all--Maryland isn't a very good team at all. Very weak team. Much weaker than I expected. The way they played earlier I thought they were better.

Saying that, we did exactly what we are suppose to against weaker teams--Dominate them. And we did. Offense, defense, etc.

It was nice seeing Tommy look much better tonight. Floyd did drop two passes, but then again he caught a really high pass that most average height receivers couldn't have caught. As well as a pass that was behind him on a screen. And then one more thrown to Eifert into double coverage that was richoceted and batted away by a defender. Overall, it was a really, really good game for Tommy.

And our backs, fantastic!!! I can't be more impressed with Teo and Lynch playing through injuries to their ankles.

Man this one felt good, and as a guy who has been really hard on Tommy. I am glad he rose up and played good today.

Go Irish! Man, Wood and Gray were fuuuuunnnn to watch. Great job O-line. And Golic!

Amen. Here's to a clean win and beating weaker opponents instead of making tons of mistakes and being stunned by a loss. Tulsa,USF, and Syracuse are names that come to mind

 

[irish1958]

Rees 30 of 38, with three drops; very good. Perhaps Kelly knows something after all. 33 of 38=87% ain't bad.
No turnovers, but we put the ball on the turf twice and had one that should (could) have been intercepted.
I still think we will beat Stanford. My prediction of 12-0 appears a bit unlikely at this point, however.

 

[DillonHall]

How can anyone learn anything from beating a 2-8 team?

 

[Rudy89]

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thank you for posting that good sir!