Clemson Game & Season Thoughts

[ZORO50]

I will say--- I like that Brian Kelly stuck with the running game in this game.

Not having Luatua hurt when you are trying to run into 7-8 man fronts.

Just an observation:
I like Kizer a lot but it seems like his weakest throw is out to his left.

He threw a few really high balls that way.

It seemed like Fuller was mostly lined up to his left.

Why can't we move Fuller around if he is having trouble getting him the ball?
Line him up left, right and in the sltot---- Toss him a reverse play.

I was not at the game but did we throw any screens to slow their rush down?
or misdirection?

It seemed like the passing routes were to long and once we decided to run shallow crossing routes- we had success-
what took so long?

I can't stand going for 2pts unless it's needed at the end----- 3 mins is forever in college football--- we had 15 minutes. We came from like 30 down at ASU last year.
It ended up burning us again.
Kelly needed to burn his two point chart after the Northwestern game last year. I guess he didn't.

The two point play giving the QB the option at the line to call "pass or run"- I don't get that.
Call a rollout pass play and run it, if there is an opening.

ND was well conditioned and Clemson was dog tired at the end of that game--- maybe emotions running so high. They were shot--- we weren't--- It's a real shame it didn't go to OT

I like the team and do not want to be critical of the players but Russell is going to have to step up his game
if we are going to have any shot of playing USC well at home. This guy was being talked about as an all-American and 1st round draft pick. It's time to start playing.

The defense played really well in the game overall.
I'd like to see a hard hit from someone on defense to cause a fumble---- The tackling is ok--- the grabbing to try and force a fumble isn't getting it done. Can someone force a fumble on a hard hit?

Overall, I'd say Carlisle & Shumate played their best games---- They had great games.

I don't want to hear any garbage about Navy or having a spread team or pro passing team in USC after Navy or the Midterm week excuse. No excuses in that USC game--- they could have scored 60 on us last year. Their has to be emotion to play great in that game.

Crush Navy and win or lose vs USC but play a great game.

Go Irish.

 

[Irish Grandeur]

You make good points, Z. My guess is that BK was hesitant to put the game on the shoulders of DK in his first road start. Once BK trusted DK to be a gamer (really had no choice being down that late), DK rose to the occasion. This game will serve BK as well as DK as a measuring stick for just how good DK can be as ND's QB, IMO.

 

[The tigerdoc]

Certainly ND is well conditioned, but Clemson is as well. We have no depth currently at DE & LB. We had a DE dismissed from the team during the summer, while Rogers, Register, and Yeargin all are injured. At LB, we had a player give up football during fall practice, and 2 others are out injured. Also, another DE(Bryant) was injured early and did not return. When you're down 5 DEs and 3 LBs, it makes it tough. ND has had more than its share of injuries, but CU has suffered injuries and attrition too. If you look at the post spring depth chart, CU played the game against ND without our projected L tackle and center. We lost our best WR on the first series on the first game. We are without the projected # 1 DT, 5 DEs and 3 LBs. That really hurts your depth.

 

[twalsh]

I will say---

I was not at the game but did we throw any screens to slow their rush down?
or misdirection? Go Irish.

Our pass protection was excellent, even when the opponent knew we were throwing in the fourth quarter. Run blocking in the first half was the challenge.

 

[mmboys07]

I will say--- I like that Brian Kelly stuck with the running game in this game.

Not having Luatua hurt when you are trying to run into 7-8 man fronts.

Just an observation:
I like Kizer a lot but it seems like his weakest throw is out to his left.

He threw a few really high balls that way.

It seemed like Fuller was mostly lined up to his left.

Why can't we move Fuller around if he is having trouble getting him the ball?
Line him up left, right and in the sltot---- Toss him a reverse play.

I was not at the game but did we throw any screens to slow their rush down?
or misdirection?

It seemed like the passing routes were to long and once we decided to run shallow crossing routes- we had success-
what took so long?

I can't stand going for 2pts unless it's needed at the end----- 3 mins is forever in college football--- we had 15 minutes. We came from like 30 down at ASU last year.
It ended up burning us again.
Kelly needed to burn his two point chart after the Northwestern game last year. I guess he didn't.

The two point play giving the QB the option at the line to call "pass or run"- I don't get that.
Call a rollout pass play and run it, if there is an opening.

ND was well conditioned and Clemson was dog tired at the end of that game--- maybe emotions running so high. They were shot--- we weren't--- It's a real shame it didn't go to OT

I like the team and do not want to be critical of the players but Russell is going to have to step up his game
if we are going to have any shot of playing USC well at home. This guy was being talked about as an all-American and 1st round draft pick. It's time to start playing.

The defense played really well in the game overall.
I'd like to see a hard hit from someone on defense to cause a fumble---- The tackling is ok--- the grabbing to try and force a fumble isn't getting it done. Can someone force a fumble on a hard hit?

Overall, I'd say Carlisle & Shumate played their best games---- They had great games.

I don't want to hear any garbage about Navy or having a spread team or pro passing team in USC after Navy or the Midterm week excuse. No excuses in that USC game--- they could have scored 60 on us last year. Their has to be emotion to play great in that game.

Crush Navy and win or lose vs USC but play a great game.

Go Irish.

Heard Kelly talk about the first two point try. I couldn't believe when he said he consulted with a graduate assistant who had the 2 pt. try chart. The chart said go for it, and they both agreed to follow the Chart. Gee, why not just call a friend; maybe Rudy would have know what to do.

 

[NDCap]

Heard Kelly talk about the first two point try. I couldn't believe when he said he consulted with a graduate assistant who had the 2 pt. try chart. The chart said go for it, and they both agreed to follow the Chart. Gee, why not just call a friend; maybe Rudy would have know what to do.

awesome. so true

 

[Toby Smart]

ND needed to win this game. Despite the weather. Despite the key injuries. Despite Clemson having over two weeks to prepare. Despite a rookie QB (MZ wasn't exactly a seasoned veteran either). ND needs to win these big away games. This was supposed to be the year. NFL talent. A defense that could stop a locomotive. A big time OL. That's what we were told. It will be a major big time hurdle to get back in it. Winning every game is not good enough. They have to bring attention to themselves by winning big in games they should. Key players let this team down. A coma induced first half was not what anyone expected but somehow not surprising. There have been red flags this season but miracle finishes and a huge second half against an inferior opponent were disregarded because of the Ws. Navy has won eight in a row. Navy could beat Clemson. They could beat ND.

 

[bizzybecknd]

Of course ND could lose to Navy, guessing that's why the Midshipmen will lineup on Saturday. If the Irish lose, they lose. Not much you can do about it.

 

[Toby Smart]

The point went completely over your head. The point being Navy is really really good. They could beat Clemson or ND. This game has to be taken seriously. Thanks for your contribution to the topic.

 

[bizzybecknd]

We were supposed to be unstoppable, offense a locomotive, that's what they told me! Haha! You haven't ever been on a playing field with your previous post. They told you wrong, games get played on the field Jack

 

[Syd4ND]

Certainly ND is well conditioned, but Clemson is as well. We have no depth currently at DE & LB. We had a DE dismissed from the team during the summer, while Rogers, Register, and Yeargin all are injured. At LB, we had a player give up football during fall practice, and 2 others are out injured. Also, another DE(Bryant) was injured early and did not return. When you're down 5 DEs and 3 LBs, it makes it tough. ND has had more than its share of injuries, but CU has suffered injuries and attrition too. If you look at the post spring depth chart, CU played the game against ND without our projected L tackle and center. We lost our best WR on the first series on the first game. We are without the projected # 1 DT, 5 DEs and 3 LBs. That really hurts your depth.

From what your saying Sounds like Clemson was down to about 40 players. Looks like this will be your last hurrah! Must be the greatest team to ever play the game with so little depth yet so much success. Yes it's decided the 2015 Clemson team is the greatest ever because they have all these guys out and are playing with the towel boy and team manager and a bunch of walk-ons as backups and they are 4-0.

 

[Toby Smart]

We were supposed to be unstoppable, offense a locomotive, that's what they told me! Haha! You haven't ever been on a playing field with your previous post. They told you wrong, games get played on the field Jack

If you are going to reply, reply to what I actually said. I said the defense could stop a locomotive. I never said one thing about the offense being a locomotive. I never said "that's what they told me". Those are your words, not mine. In reality, most media publications, analysts, commentators and folks on the inside said that this was the year and the Irish could make a move to the play-offs. Aaron Taylor said it. Allen Pinkett said it. They both "have been on a playing field" a time or two. Read, comprehend, and feel free to respond like an adult.

 

[HRC08]

I will say--- I like that Brian Kelly stuck with the running game in this game.

Not having Luatua hurt when you are trying to run into 7-8 man fronts.

Just an observation:
I like Kizer a lot but it seems like his weakest throw is out to his left. Most right handed QB's are weakest when throwing to the left.

He threw a few really high balls that way.

It seemed like Fuller was mostly lined up to his left.

Why can't we move Fuller around if he is having trouble getting him the ball?
Line him up left, right and in the sltot---- Toss him a reverse play. Running horizontal on a wet field might not be the best idea. It's probably why we didn't see Procise running many sweeps and why we didn't see any WR's Jet Sweeps.

I was not at the game but did we throw any screens to slow their rush down?
or misdirection? Fuller nearly scored on one in the 4th Qrt.

It seemed like the passing routes were to long and once we decided to run shallow crossing routes- we had success-
what took so long? You do realize that Clemson also is allowed to scheme?

I can't stand going for 2pts unless it's needed at the end----- 3 mins is forever in college football--- we had 15 minutes. We came from like 30 down at ASU last year.
It ended up burning us again.
Kelly needed to burn his two point chart after the Northwestern game last year. I guess he didn't.
At that point, with the conditions and how well CU's defense was playing, I had no 2nd thoughts about going for 2. The play was schemed very well and should have resulted in a conversion.

The two point play giving the QB the option at the line to call "pass or run"- I don't get that.
Call a rollout pass play and run it, if there is an opening. I hated that last 2pt play. Zero room for error there. There was an opening but blocks weren't sustained and Kizer wasn't nearly fast enough to hit that small of a hole.

ND was well conditioned and Clemson was dog tired at the end of that game--- maybe emotions running so high. They were shot--- we weren't--- It's a real shame it didn't go to OT I agree.

I like the team and do not want to be critical of the players but Russell is going to have to step up his game
if we are going to have any shot of playing USC well at home. This guy was being talked about as an all-American and 1st round draft pick. It's time to start playing. Totally agree. He's played very spotty all year. Either very good or very bad.

The defense played really well in the game overall.
I'd like to see a hard hit from someone on defense to cause a fumble---- The tackling is ok--- the grabbing to try and force a fumble isn't getting it done. Can someone force a fumble on a hard hit? Like Shumate tried to do at the Goal Line on CU's 2nd TD? I'm fine with simply wrapping up!

Overall, I'd say Carlisle & Shumate played their best games---- They had great games. Carlise? Do you mean Chris Brown?

I don't want to hear any garbage about Navy or having a spread team or pro passing team in USC after Navy or the Midterm week excuse. No excuses in that USC game--- they could have scored 60 on us last year. Their has to be emotion to play great in that game. I agree. Like Bama v. Georgia.... ND needs to blow out of the locker room and take Navy apart, piece by piece.

Crush Navy and win or lose vs USC but play a great game. 6-1 is the only acceptable outcome after the USC game is finished. Anything else is unacceptable for these players and coaching staff. They've exhausted their "flat game" cache, imo.

Go Irish.

 

[perseverare]

why is it necessary for posters who are unknown to make statements regarding another posters 'having ever played a particular sport'; one thing I know having been involved with each major sport is the commonality to the competitive nature and the common physical requirements among sports along with and very important the athletic mindset in competition.

 

[BGI User 348]

ZORO....agree with your points.

No Excuses---GET BETTER!!!