Comments on: Irish Smother Hapless Heels

By: Atlantadomer

Atlantadomer — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 16:51:37 +0000

Notes from 8 rows back behind the lads on the 50 in Chapel Hill.
1. A very, very large ND contingent on hand for the game. 30-40% Irish fans.
2. We dominated both lines of scrimmage, it wasn’t close. The only critique I have of the O-Line was you just can’t jump off-sides with a backup QB making his first start. He needs all the help he can get.
3. After the first three series, Book settled in. Kelly and Rees did a good job of getting him to visualize what was happening and the O-Line started really mashing them and opening holes for the backs.
4. The rain got ND fired up and UNC really didn’t want to be there at that point.
5. If Book has to come in again, watch out – he’s going to be good. He was just late on a few of his throws that resulted in incompletions. Film room and practice will clean that up. You can’t simulate game speed… now he knows what it’s like.
6. We could have hung 50 on them – but the “grind out” at the end was really impressive and we may need it against NC State or Miami.
7. MVP – the strength and conditioning coach. When I say it was humid and warm for October, that would be an understatement. But these kids were just as punishing on the line in the 4th as they were in the 1st. Seriously, halfway through the 3rd, the UNC kids wanted to be anywhere but on that field.

Let’s beat USC and then the Wolfpack, who has it cooking right now. Don’t worry about da U, Mark Richt is gonna Mark Richt at some point. It may as well be against us. Go IRISH!!!

By: Bernie

Bernie — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 15:20:47 +0000

I hope they beat SC but if they lose look out they have a very tough schedule – no easy games like NC. Adams is good but he is no workhorse he is always hurt.

By: IrishGreen

IrishGreen — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 14:18:43 +0000

Any win on the road with your back up QB is a good win! I like the aggressiveness of the defense and think our D coordinator is maximizing his talent which is great to see. Remember the corners aren’t that good and will be exposed at times. As for Ian Book, I wasn’t nearly as impressed as others on here. I thought he looked pretty bad overall. More then his INT’s, he failed to put the ball in the end zone despite the defense creating TO’s and dominating most of the game. Overall great to win and give Wimbush almost 3 weeks of rest.

By: Avon Domer

Avon Domer — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 13:56:55 +0000

In reply to 2017. Just a thought, but I can't help but wonder if one of the reasons we're throwing so much is to give the running backs a bit of a break. Our top RBs have all been banged up and missed some playing time, so perhaps Kelly is trying to protect them and get our QBs more experience managing the passing game in preparation for the more difficult portion of the schedule that starts Oct. 21 vs. USC.

By: Avon Domer

Avon Domer — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 13:51:01 +0000

In reply to Aaron. Regarding Red Zone ineptness, going into the UNC game, Notre Dame was ranked No. 1 in the country (or close to it) in red zone efficiency, I believe kicking only two field goals with the rest being touchdowns. ND ended last season ranked 72nd in Red Zone efficiency, so it appears we've seen some improvement in this area.

By: Tom D.

Tom D. — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 03:49:19 +0000

In reply to Johnny U. Totally agree. Halfway through the end zone and Watkins won't turn around to look for the ball. When does he think it might be coming?

By: Fitz

Fitz — Sun, 08 Oct 2017 22:20:12 +0000

A good win over a bad team and I’ll take it, as last year (and some other years) that was anything but a guarantee. With a back up QB too. Defense Dominated! But i too am itching to see us full strength go up against some big boys. I know we lost to Georgia by 1 point but damn Georgia is good this year and looks legit top 5. If that is any sort of indication we will be just as, if not more, competitive with every team that remains on the schedule. Incidentally Michigan St whom we creamed at their own stadium beat a top ten Michigan on the road. Our strength of schedule is pretty sound. Here’s hoping we live up! Go Irish!

By: 2017

2017 — Sun, 08 Oct 2017 22:13:11 +0000

Next few games will show what they have. Georgia and Michigan State both look decent, which is promising in that the loss was to a good team (by one point) and won the other. Still, there are many head scratching moments. Offside’s penalties to start. Kelly still throwing in a rain storms. Rookie QBs throwing 30+ times a game. Rushing for 300+ yards, and yet are in spread offense in red zone. Running hurry up when up by 16. Going for it on fourth down on the 50 yard line. Don’t mind being aggressive, but really need to play smart. Oh yeah, give me 11 Shawn Crawfords any day.

By: Tim Cerce

Tim Cerce — Sun, 08 Oct 2017 19:54:40 +0000

In reply to John Vannie. Michigan State may not quite be at ND's talent level, but they are apparently a decent team, as evidenced by their victory in the Big House last night. And we whipped them pretty good (score-wise, if not in the yardage comparison). So that's one respectable win this season. But I agree that the record against the four teams you mentioned will tell the tale of this season.

By: AlumniDawg97

AlumniDawg97 — Sun, 08 Oct 2017 18:23:21 +0000

In reply to GOND88. Sure hope so ND88. As mentioned above, the coming weeks after the bye will give these Irish plenty of chances to prove their legitimacy. At the halfway point, I have already enjoyed this season more than ALL of last season! GO IRISH BEAT TROJANS!!!