I had the pleasure of watching the game last weekend. Here's a few thoughts/observations:
#1) The slow start seemed to be because the veterans knew they were getting a day off. It was the young guys who came in and played with energy, sparking the dramatic uptick in production.
#2) Those young guys can flat out play. Seeing Wimbush overthrow Fuller was a thing of beauty. I've heard people talk about it, but the video didn't do it justice. It was an absolute rocket. Fuller was right in front of us where the ball came down. On offense Williams, Adams, Sanders, Wimbush, and EQSB really stand out -- even without the ball. On defense, Morgan, Martini, Coney and Fertitta were very noticeable too. They were bringing the heat.
#3) The QB depth chart and resulting controversy in 2016 is going to be a great problem to have.
#3b) The RB depth chart in 2016 is going to be a great problem to have.
#3c) The WR depth chart in 2016 is going to be a great problem to have.
#4) The stadium construction is mammoth. I was in school when they added on last time and this project makes that one look like a DIY job. I don't know about the ribbon boards, but I don't have a problem with the jumbotron. It would be nice to see replays. The plan seems sound and I think most people either want it or are neutral.
#5) We got to witness the farewell of a legend! Officer McCarthy of the Indiana State Police gave his last pun -- a repeat of the first one he did a long time ago.
#6) Had the pleasure of meeting Tony Rice. He's a class act and physically looks like he could still play the game.
#7) Our safety play scares me. The one long TD pass was in single man coverage with the UMASS WR giving a veteran push off right before the ball got there. It made the coverage look worse than it was, so I won't pin that one on the safety. However, the long TD run and the trick play they ran made it look like our safeties were on the sideline getting a drink of water.
Exciting times though! Go Irish!
#1) The slow start seemed to be because the veterans knew they were getting a day off. It was the young guys who came in and played with energy, sparking the dramatic uptick in production.
#2) Those young guys can flat out play. Seeing Wimbush overthrow Fuller was a thing of beauty. I've heard people talk about it, but the video didn't do it justice. It was an absolute rocket. Fuller was right in front of us where the ball came down. On offense Williams, Adams, Sanders, Wimbush, and EQSB really stand out -- even without the ball. On defense, Morgan, Martini, Coney and Fertitta were very noticeable too. They were bringing the heat.
#3) The QB depth chart and resulting controversy in 2016 is going to be a great problem to have.
#3b) The RB depth chart in 2016 is going to be a great problem to have.
#3c) The WR depth chart in 2016 is going to be a great problem to have.
#4) The stadium construction is mammoth. I was in school when they added on last time and this project makes that one look like a DIY job. I don't know about the ribbon boards, but I don't have a problem with the jumbotron. It would be nice to see replays. The plan seems sound and I think most people either want it or are neutral.
#5) We got to witness the farewell of a legend! Officer McCarthy of the Indiana State Police gave his last pun -- a repeat of the first one he did a long time ago.
#6) Had the pleasure of meeting Tony Rice. He's a class act and physically looks like he could still play the game.
#7) Our safety play scares me. The one long TD pass was in single man coverage with the UMASS WR giving a veteran push off right before the ball got there. It made the coverage look worse than it was, so I won't pin that one on the safety. However, the long TD run and the trick play they ran made it look like our safeties were on the sideline getting a drink of water.
Exciting times though! Go Irish!
