UMass Postgame Thoughts

[GoldenDomer]

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[GoIrish41]

Prosise is on pace for 1800 yards and 20 TDs. He does that and he'd be foolish not to go. I like what we have returning too, but we would miss his home run threat every time he touches the ball. Adams has broken a couple so maybe he fills that role. I hope I'm wrong and he stays, but that seems unrealistic.

 

[greyhammer90]

Wimbush... Holy sh*t. QB position is going to be very interesting in the next few years with the 3 guys we have coming back

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

I hope Prosise comes back for next year but if he gets 1500+ yards, 12+ TD, on 7.0 ypc (These Projections are conservative even) then he probably should declare. But IF he does stay our 2016 depth:

Prosise
Folston
Dex
Adams

Jesus christ

I'll say that looks awesome! Jesus is 5th on our depth chart! I don't care what you say, Jesus is a starter on any other team.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

The wheels are already spinning in BK's head after seeing Wimbush's mobility in live action.

Prepare to see Frankenquarterback in the near future.

 

[Riddickulous]

I say this every week, but I want CJ Sanders to get some offensive touches. Some jet sweeps, some screens, something to get him in space and see what he can do.

 

[Irish YJ]

NO ONE LEFT WITH A SEASON ENDING INJURY!!!11!!!!

Do we have word back about Stanley? just a small tweak?

 

[Section20Row27]

Great win Irish!!

* Hats off to UMASS. They started the game with a lot of intensity, and were very creative with their play calling.

* We came out expecting to win this game, and our play showed it. Very good halftime adjustments.

* Kizer is starting to get comfortable. I hope he stops staring down receivers...

* CJ is THE MAN. Josh Adams is a great combination of strength and speed. Dexter Williams has vision and is SO illusive...he will be the future.

* We have a ton of talent. We have a ton of young talent. I enjoyed watching the 2nd/3rd team as much as our starters.

* Our size and strength wore UMASS down.. on both sides of the ball.

* Confirmed: Jaylon is an alien. As bogs told me - Predator!

* Great to see Isaac Rochelle really stepping up.

* Tevon Coney and Nyles Morgan are studs. Glad to see they got some playing tine today.

* Concerned with our starting cb play. They need to stop talking about being shutdown corners and start playing like shutdown corners.

* We have not scored 60+ plus since 1996. We have not have a rushing output since... Autry Denson was wearing a uniform.... Coincidence???...NOT!


GO IRISH!! BEAT CLEMSON!!

 

[irishfanjho15]

Anybody locate Whipple's post game press conference?

 

[Irish YJ]

Anybody locate Whipple's post game press conference?

 

[irishfan]

Prosise will be the top RB taken in the draft.

 

[Luckylucci]

Prosise will be the top RB taken in the draft.

For him I sure hope so, but I give it zero chance. Not even remotely realistic at this point.

 

[IrishinSyria]

Best part is that our leading rusher, Prosise, is averaging 8.1 yards per carry. I used to remember watching Bama, Florida, and USC always have their backs have ridiculous average ypc like that and wonder how it was possible to sustain that. Its all about that dominant oline.

And that downfield blocking...love the fight from our receivers.

 

[ThePiombino]

Not much to add that hasn't already been said, but I will say this: Kizer needs to get his shit together with the easy intermediate routes - seems to especially struggle with the out/hook patterns. WAY too many balls in the dirt, sailed, or behind receivers. We can get away with that against UMASS, but Clemson and SC will eat us alive if he plays like that.

VERY happy to see the young guys not only get time, but play well. Not only does the present look good, but so does the immediate future. Very good time to be an Irish fan!

 

[irishnd31]

I hate the way Hammond says Carlisle. He really emphasises the Isle.

Glad I'm not the only one. That drove me nuts.

 

[Junkhead]

ND is #12 in rushing ypg. I never thought we'd see that again. And #15 in total offense.

 

[ThePiombino]

ND is #12 in rushing ypg. I never thought we'd see that again. And #15 in total offense.

Despite the ever-looming black cloud that surrounds this team via injury and transfer, but let's revisit BK... Amirite?

 

[MNIrishman]

Despite the ever-looming black cloud that surrounds this team via injury and transfer, but let's revisit BK... Amirite?

That guy sucks. No ability to make halftime adjustments.

 

[Cackalacky]

I am not gonna back down on my criticisms of BK. There is a formula to winning in CFB and it starts with dominating lines and running the football. For.five years BK refused to go run heavy and continued to air the ball out with turnover prone QBs. That is his style.... fine... but outside of one year we have been a five loss team. By run heavy I don't mean 55-45, I mean 60-40 or more and it needs to be effective gaining yardage.

The last three games finally show he is willing to do it. It looks like it's effective. I am also giving credit to Sanders as he seems to have made magic with the QBs and Denson who apparently has three RBs ready to go. This is something that has never happened for BK at ND.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

I was at the game and will share my thoughts.
1. The refs were god awful. On the play where we had UMass backed up near their end zone on 3rd down, their o-line guy was clearly holding right in front of the ref wearing (R) the ref had to see it and chose not to call anything.
2. Offense. The team played great but Kizer looked awful on a few easy throws. Throws that Wimbush came in and mad easily. I know it is only umass but you can tell Wimbush is the real deal I truly believe with the weapons we have he is good enough to help us won now and needs to be mixed into the game more. Carile played a hell of a game. Kelly needs to get sanders more involved in the offense. Give him a few hand offs or screen plays a game. Tori hunter jr. Needs to play more. We only throw to him 1-2 times a game and he has caught everything. Since st. Browns redshirt is already burned this kid needs to be playing and a lot. He is special and can help us cause mis matches as well.
3. Justin Brent and Corey Holmes? Does anyone know what the deal is? Are they redshirting? They can't be that bad where they aren't playing at all. I think brent could help us win now.
4. Where are all these exotic blitz packed That BVG was known to have? The lack of a pass rush is concerning.
5. The DB's looked awful at times again yesterday and one interception in 4 games is a concern. I think part of the problem is guys have thei backs turned to the ball and aren't playing the ball at all. If they played the ball they could of had another 2 int yesterday.

 

[kmoose]

1. I'm not sure that I get all of the talk about ND struggling in the first half? CJ Prosise had 100+ yards rushing in the 1st Q alone. That hardly seems like a struggle. The Defense gave up 20 first half points, but they really only gave up 2 big plays, and one drive. But here is the thing about this defense; if ND can make you one-dimensional, this defense can shut you down. But they will give up yardage and points, if you can stay balanced.

2. Speaking of success against the defense; one of the things that we saw today was that you can somewhat negate ND's pass rush (remember when someone suggested that ND had NO pass rush with Kolin Hill transferring?) by getting the ball out quickly. That could actually turn into a positive for ND's defense. Even some of the more highly rated college QBs struggle to make good decisions quickly. They just don't have enough experience yet, nor can they devote 20 hours a day to prepping for the team they face on Saturday. So, if teams decide to game plan that way, the defense might be the recipient of some timely unforced errors(QB throwing a ball right to a DB) along the way.

3. It was great to see all of the young guys get some time, and really do well. But it WAS UMass. This is only their 4th season at the FBS level, and they haven't fared well. Charlie Molnar went 2-22 in 2 years, and then went 3-9 last year. Cautious optimism should be the phrase of the day.

4. I'm still not sure just how good this team is. I know it is GOOD, just not HOW good. Is it a playoff caliber team? I think so. But let's face it; our opponents have not exactly been a murderer's row. Texas is 1-3, and Ga Tech just got housed by Duke. But we certainly looked like a competent team, at worst.

5. Not sure if anyone noted this, already, but Kelly revealed (in his post game presser) that Corey Robinson sprained a knee during pregame warmups and was held out of the game because he "didn't feel right".

6. Tevon Coney was in on goal line defense. I thought that was interesting, that the coaches trust him enough to make him part of such an important unit.

There were so many outstanding performances yesterday......... my game ball goes to the coaching staff. A lot of people were questioning the staff in the last few weeks, but I think yesterday's performance should ease a lot of concerns about them.

 

[Irish#1]

Prosise will be the top RB taken in the draft.

I think Chubb or Fournette will go higher if they are in the same draft. CJ needs to drop his pad level a little, but that will come with practice. I can't recall a more natural runner for his first year running the ball. He has good vision and lets the play develop before picking his hole or making a cut. As I've said before, reminds me of Vegas Ferguson.

Kizer needs to get the out route down. To many balls in the dirt. He's a natural at finding the open guy when he has to scramble.

 

[kmoose]

2. Offense. The team played great but Kizer looked awful on a few easy throws. Throws that Wimbush came in and mad easily. I know it is only umass but you can tell Wimbush is the real deal I truly believe with the weapons we have he is good enough to help us won now and needs to be mixed into the game more. Carile played a hell of a game. Kelly needs to get sanders more involved in the offense. Give him a few hand offs or screen plays a game. Tori hunter jr. Needs to play more. We only throw to him 1-2 times a game and he has caught everything. Since st. Browns redshirt is already burned this kid needs to be playing and a lot. He is special and can help us cause mis matches as well.

We just played a game where we scored 60+ points, and FOUR true freshmen(Sanders, Wimbush, Adams, Williams) scored touchdowns, and people are calling for more PT for the backups? Our current starters are inexperienced enough. They are the ones who need more real reps before Clemson and USC.

3. Justin Brent and Corey Holmes? Does anyone know what the deal is? Are they redshirting? They can't be that bad where they aren't playing at all. I think brent could help us win now.

Robinson sprained a knee during pregame warmups. Kelly said it was nothing serious, but he held Robinson out because his knee "didn't feel right". What about Justin Brent not being able to even get on the field makes you think that Justin Brent could help us win now?

4. Where are all these exotic blitz packed That BVG was known to have? The lack of a pass rush is concerning.

I'm not sure what games you have been watching, but ND's pass rush has been VERY good this season. Yesterday, UMass was able to beat the rush by getting the ball out of the QB's hands very quickly. I realize you were at the game, so you would not have seen this; but NBC did a graphic, a couple of times, on how fast Hassenpfeffer was getting the ball out, and it was pretty crazy how fast he was getting rid of it.

5. The DB's looked awful at times again yesterday and one interception in 4 games is a concern. I think part of the problem is guys have their backs turned to the ball and aren't playing the ball at all. If they played the ball they could of had another 2 int yesterday.

I don't know about awful, but I agree that the DBs are a concern for this team. As to their position......... if you are playing man coverage, you are going to have your back to the ball. You have to know where your man is at all times. When your teammates yell "ball", then you have to be in position to turn and look for the ball. If your man is 5 yards behind you, you are not going to slow down to get your head around only to watch the ball sail over your head to the WR who is now 8 yards behind you, catching the ball on his way to a 70+ yard TD.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

We have 1100+ rushing yards through 4 games.

You know why? My vote, Mike Sanford! He does that everywhere he goes.

My favorite article so far is really worth reading, from und.com :

Irish Extra: Freshmen Steal The Brandon Wimbush, Josh Adams and Dexter Williams combine for 273 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
By Curt Rallo/special correspondent

Sept. 26, 2015

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Freshman quarterback Brandon Wimbush tried to make his mark for the University of Notre Dame football team during summer camp.

Wimbush broke into the open, and faced Fighting Irish All-American linebacker Jaylon Smith.

“I had the leverage … he tried to shake-and-bake … I made the play,” Smith remember about teaching the freshman a lesson.

On Saturday, in his first action for the Fighting Irish, Wimbush faked a handoff late in the third quarter against Massachusetts. He pulled off one juke, evaded the grasp of a would-be tackler, and sprinted 58 yards for a touchdown.

Lesson learned. (1)

No. 6/8 Notre Dame crushed Massachusetts, 62-27, the most points the Irish have scored since 1996. (2)

Notre Dame scored nine touchdowns, and on four of the touchdowns, the ball was in the hands of a freshman.

Punter returner C.J. Sanders started an Irish breakaway with a 50-yard punt return for a touchdown as the Irish pulled away from a UMass team that closed to 21-20 midway through the second quarter.

Running back Dexter Williams slashed through the Minutemen for a 14-yard TD run in the third quarter, capping a flurry of 27 Irish points in 9:58, as the Irish pulled ahead 48-20.

Wimbush, subbing in for starting quarterback DeShone Kizer, worked his magic on the 58-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter.

Notre Dame’s final lightning bolt was a 70-yard scoring run by Josh Adams. (3)

Wimbush loved the immediate impact that the freshmen were able to make when they got their chance.

“That was a surreal moment for me,” Wimbush said of the 58-yard touchdown run. “You have 80,000 people screaming … what else could you wish for as an 18-year old?

“Last week, they had this run implemented in the offense for me, as one of my package plays. I had the dream and vision of scoring on this exact play.” (4)

Wimbush said that the Irish freshman arrived on the Notre Dame campus as a close group.

“We got here on June 12th, and right from then, we bonded as a freshman class,” Wimbush said. “We had memories from previous summers, at these camps, and we always got in extra work. We knew we were going to be special, and it’s playing out now. (5)

“When we’re off the football field, I think we’re even closer. We want to do community service together. There’s so much that Notre Dame offers, and we try to get each other involved in all of these different activities on campus. I think our togetherness will make us very successful in the future.”

Adams said that the Notre Dame coaches have built a family feeling for the freshmen to step into when they arrive on campus. That has been a huge factor in helping the freshmen feel at home, and facilitating success. Williams said that he looks at his fellow freshmen like brothers, knowing that they have his back, and he has theirs. (6)

Wimbush feels that social media helped the freshmen create bonds before they put on the golden helmet.

“Through social media, we were able to meet each other and start building bonds, even though we were from different parts of the country,” Wimbush said. “I would probably never meet Equanimeous St. Brown before we came here if it weren’t for social media, him being from California, me being from New Jersey. All the freshmen were doing group chats before we got here.” (7)

Notre Dame’s coaching staff has played a key role in helping the freshmen develop into students of the game. Different teaching techniques have helped the freshmen pick up the college game quickly. (8)

“Coach (Brian) Kelly, coach (Mike) Sanford, coach (Mike) Denbrock have done a great job of preparing me,” Wimbush said. “I was probably as comfortable as ever when I came out onto the field. No jitters.”

Notre Dame’s upperclassmen have also helped the freshmen transition to the college game, and light up the scoreboard.

“The older players have been great about helping us,” Williams said. “They play a big part in taking their time to work with us, and walk us through things step-by-step.”

Adams said that the freshmen had a great day thanks to the older players. (9)

“We’re just trying to do our job and step up,” Adams said. “We’re looking at the examples that have been set before us, and try to achieve what our coaches and teammates believe we can do. We just look to the older guys and try to learn from them and take it to the next level. That’s the great thing about this team, the older players look out for us and take care of us.”

Smith knows that the freshmen have a chance to carve out a special legacy in an Irish uniform.

“We’re going to be in good hands in the future with those guys,” said Smith. “Will Fuller and I were talking about it toward the end of the game. There is so much potential with this class. Time will tell, but I definitely see the potential. I understand what they’re capable of. I get to go against them and see them every day. They can be very special.” (10)

This article points to all the ingredients for the success that the Irish are having this year, much of which is beyond Kelly's past coaching repertoire. This is clear proof of the program growing past the skills of any one coach, or man for that matter : Without belaboring any point, each one of my numeric notes indicates to me, (at least), significant growth in the program. From creating team oriented bonds among young player, to protecting them from the ravages of the first summer away from home, introduction of the new players to the program is much more smoothly integrated than in the past.

Expectations for success are set from the very first day. The players are taught to have high expectations for themselves from everything and everyone in their environment. Social media is uses as a positive, to help with bonding by creating a feeling of familiarity. Different learning methods are used depending on personality type, (think MMPI, etc.,) Each player is constantly evaluated (obviously) and given to bite off what he can chew. The offense (at the very least) is structured around the skills the player possesses, as opposed to the other way around. Fewer square pegs are attempted to be placed in round holes.

And everyone is enrolled in the process, and shows a good deal of love for his brothers, as well!

I have something to say about those Doug Flutie boo-birds, but that will have to wait until later.

 

[Irishman77]

Nic and Chase played very well. We really can run over anyone

 

[NDohio]

I was at the game and will share my thoughts.
1. The refs were god awful. On the play where we had UMass backed up near their end zone on 3rd down, their o-line guy was clearly holding right in front of the ref wearing (R) the ref had to see it and chose not to call anything.
2. Offense. The team played great but Kizer looked awful on a few easy throws. Throws that Wimbush came in and mad easily. I know it is only umass but you can tell Wimbush is the real deal I truly believe with the weapons we have he is good enough to help us won now and needs to be mixed into the game more. Carile played a hell of a game. Kelly needs to get sanders more involved in the offense. Give him a few hand offs or screen plays a game. Tori hunter jr. Needs to play more. We only throw to him 1-2 times a game and he has caught everything. Since st. Browns redshirt is already burned this kid needs to be playing and a lot. He is special and can help us cause mis matches as well.
3. Justin Brent and Corey Holmes? Does anyone know what the deal is? Are they redshirting? They can't be that bad where they aren't playing at all. I think brent could help us win now.
4. Where are all these exotic blitz packed That BVG was known to have? The lack of a pass rush is concerning.
5. The DB's looked awful at times again yesterday and one interception in 4 games is a concern. I think part of the problem is guys have thei backs turned to the ball and aren't playing the ball at all. If they played the ball they could of had another 2 int yesterday.

There is only one football. Who are you going to take touches away from to get these players the ball?

 

[ThePiombino]

I was at the game and will share my thoughts.
1. The refs were god awful. On the play where we had UMass backed up near their end zone on 3rd down, their o-line guy was clearly holding right in front of the ref wearing (R) the ref had to see it and chose not to call anything.
2. Offense. The team played great but Kizer looked awful on a few easy throws. Throws that Wimbush came in and mad easily. I know it is only umass but you can tell Wimbush is the real deal I truly believe with the weapons we have he is good enough to help us won now and needs to be mixed into the game more. Carile played a hell of a game. Kelly needs to get sanders more involved in the offense. Give him a few hand offs or screen plays a game. Tori hunter jr. Needs to play more. We only throw to him 1-2 times a game and he has caught everything. Since st. Browns redshirt is already burned this kid needs to be playing and a lot. He is special and can help us cause mis matches as well.
3. Justin Brent and Corey Holmes? Does anyone know what the deal is? Are they redshirting? They can't be that bad where they aren't playing at all. I think brent could help us win now.
4. Where are all these exotic blitz packed That BVG was known to have? The lack of a pass rush is concerning.
5. The DB's looked awful at times again yesterday and one interception in 4 games is a concern. I think part of the problem is guys have thei backs turned to the ball and aren't playing the ball at all. If they played the ball they could of had another 2 int yesterday.

It has been pretty well documented that the plan is to RS Brent, and I can't say I disagree with the move. Give him a year, if even on the scout team, to learn the position a little better. The frosh are doing damn well and I wouldn't replace either of them with a converted WR not named Prosise at this point.

Not sure what's up with Holmes other than the fact that he's BURRIED in an extremely talented WR corps.

 

[ickythump1225]

I am not gonna back down on my criticisms of BK. There is a formula to winning in CFB and it starts with dominating lines and running the football. For.five years BK refused to go run heavy and continued to air the ball out with turnover prone QBs. That is his style.... fine... but outside of one year we have been a five loss team. By run heavy I don't mean 55-45, I mean 60-40 or more and it needs to be effective gaining yardage.

The last three games finally show he is willing to do it. It looks like it's effective. I am also giving credit to Sanders as he seems to have made magic with the QBs and Denson who apparently has three RBs ready to go. This is something that has never happened for BK at ND.

I still stand behind my critiques of BK as well. Yeah we're 4-0 but we don't have to go very far back into our history to know that starting 4-0 or even 6-0 doesn't really count for much if you don't finish strong. If we finish strong and get to a desirable postseason destination I'll reconsider. Though considering I didn't want BK fired and I don't want him to leave I don't really think my critiques are overly harsh anyway.

 

[Irish YJ]

Not much to add that hasn't already been said, but I will say this: Kizer needs to get his shit together with the easy intermediate routes - seems to especially struggle with the out/hook patterns. WAY too many balls in the dirt, sailed, or behind receivers. We can get away with that against UMASS, but Clemson and SC will eat us alive if he plays like that.

VERY happy to see the young guys not only get time, but play well. Not only does the present look good, but so does the immediate future. Very good time to be an Irish fan!

Regarding Kizer.
The Wiz would not agree.
I however do. I'm glad he's making good decisions though and pleasantly surprised with his mobility.

 

[wizards8507]

Regarding Kizer.
The Wiz would not agree.
I however do. I'm glad he's making good decisions though and pleasantly surprised with his mobility.

I agree with you. The criticisms I objected to in the gameday thread were to someone who said he had no business running the ball and to someone who identified him as the primary reason why we were failing to pull away. He absolutely needs to improve the out/dig route to the field side.