Have you ever gone to a fireworks show where the pacing is kind of slow at first? The explosions are fine when they happen, but it just feels a little...off? Then the Grand Finale comes along and it turns out they had just held on to the bulk of the fireworks for an absolute stunner of a finish. That was the USC game thread. Some nice ones here and there to create some "oohs" and "aahs"--like @BGI User 3340 calling @Patrick Engel a dickhead (since deleted, for shame) for having the gall to provide updates within the game thread--but truthfully the game was actually handled well by everyone. At 19 pages long, this one was pretty light, which I think speaks to the fact that there really wasn't nearly as much to complain about this week with the offense, and while the defense struggled at times, 3pts. thru 3 quarters is still pretty damn impressive. Hell, even @lucio and his tongue-in-cheek prediction of ND by 21 would have been right if not for BK's sportsmanship.
Anyways, then the 4th quarter happened, and it was all worth the wait. The usual suspects had just been holding out on us the whole time for a great finish. Thanks to a defense struggling to close out another game--a trend that is admittedly a bit disconcerting--we got some great contributions. Of course, it turned out ND's offense had a great finish in store for us, too, with a game clinching drive on the back of Kyren Williams. In fact, I'm pretty sure Brian Kelly himself launched this firework from the sidelines for all the naysayers:
6-1 with the 2nd largest margin of victory over USC in the past 20 years, inching closer to the top 10 thanks to some more upsets yesterday, an improving offense with a solid defense...lots to be happy with, folks. Lots to improve still, but lots to be happy with. On to the posts!
Opening kickoff:
Kevin Austin Drop
I was under the impression it was our 3 turnovers, 2 of which gave UC the ball in the red zone and 1 that took at least 3pts. off the board for us. Oh, and there's this:
He really does need to stop dropping the ball, though. Bright side: He comes back next season for additional experience in our WR corp.
Kyle Hamilton Misdiagnoses:
General Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth
Coan INT--Here Come The Fireworks!
Anyways, then the 4th quarter happened, and it was all worth the wait. The usual suspects had just been holding out on us the whole time for a great finish. Thanks to a defense struggling to close out another game--a trend that is admittedly a bit disconcerting--we got some great contributions. Of course, it turned out ND's offense had a great finish in store for us, too, with a game clinching drive on the back of Kyren Williams. In fact, I'm pretty sure Brian Kelly himself launched this firework from the sidelines for all the naysayers:
6-1 with the 2nd largest margin of victory over USC in the past 20 years, inching closer to the top 10 thanks to some more upsets yesterday, an improving offense with a solid defense...lots to be happy with, folks. Lots to improve still, but lots to be happy with. On to the posts!
Opening kickoff:
^laughed at this one, then I cried because it's accurate.
Kevin Austin Drop
I was under the impression it was our 3 turnovers, 2 of which gave UC the ball in the red zone and 1 that took at least 3pts. off the board for us. Oh, and there's this:
He really does need to stop dropping the ball, though. Bright side: He comes back next season for additional experience in our WR corp.
Kyle Hamilton Misdiagnoses:
Kyle's knee and its miraculous comeback after being left for dead by these folks:
Needed to call this one out because it's hilarious. Good work.
General Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth
Don't most good players rip up anyone they play? It's why they're good.
Is the trend you're referring to winning? Because he's doing a lot of winning.
^Quote of the game. Hilariously unnecessary but hey, if you're gonna drop some napalm, then drop it. I like to think of @Patrick Engel doing this in response:
^really doesn't like Kelly
I repeat: 2nd largest margin of victory for ND vs. USC in the last 20 years.
^really, REALLY doesn't like Kelly. All this winning, too much to handle.
^love this one. "I know we scored a TD, but damnit I didn't like how we did it!"
^D held USC to 2 TDs less than their season scoring average, 3.9yds./carry (for all the complaining about how we got "gashed"), 2 TOs, 3 sacks...TOO SOFT!!
Coan INT--Here Come The Fireworks!
WHAT THE HELL DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?!
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