| 03 November 2009
Alright friends, here is your Washington State Hangover. It will be short and simple, kind of like the game Saturday night.
There were a lot of great stats from the Fighting Irish Saturday night, but today I am going to look past them... a little bit. Most of you read the sports page, watch ESPN, know how to use the Internet (well, not you Elvis), and watched the game already. These Hangover posts, which have been skipped a few time this season, try to provide a different kind of look.
But, yes. I will have stats fro you to chew on like a sweet wad of Levi Garrett.
The Hangover...
What the hell was that? The game was a bit odd. Not the actual play, which was what most people expected, but the premise itself. Notre Dame traveling to San Antonio Texas to play Washington State in prime-time on NBC.
Seriously? You know it! By all definitions the game was a success. It was a "bowl like atmosphere" which still makes me chuckle saying it out loud. Because really, it was what it was supposed to be. A few bulletpoints should do the trick...
- What other team could travel halfway across the country, to play a really bad team that also has to travel across the country, and have an attendance of over 53,000? No one. There is not one team in the country in ANY sport at ANY level that could do that.
- They even painted the field the way we like it. Nothing but the slanted lines in the endzone.
- I don't recall how many recruits were there to see the game, but it does remind me of something that Beano Cook always says. He says that the NBC broadcast is like a 4 hour infomercial for recruits to come to ND. Now, anyone that watches these games knows that Hammond and Hayden often root blatantly for the other team, but this game was kind of like that. A recruiting seminar in Texas. Where was Joel Osteen?
I thought Clausen was in the Heisman race? I can't wrap my head around the fact that Jimmy didn't have like 413 yards and 4 TD's. What he did do was complete 22-27 for 268 yards and 2 TD's (STAT) in 3 quarters of play. Excellent numbers for sure, but in a year where the race for the stiff arm trophy is tight, and ND has no chance for playing for a national title- I would have like to have seen a bit more.
Since the U$C game, opposing teams are following the same pattern that the Trojans used against Clausen. Basically, it's a soft zone that takes away the deep ball and forces throws to be underneath coverage. With the way the Notre Dame offense works, this is effective because it keeps big plays to a minimum. However, Clausen shows how accurate he is and chips away nicely in these zones. Add that to a good run game, and the Irish control the clock and the game. Will the remaining teams play this way? I believe so, but it will be a lot more difficult to handle once Floyd returns to the lineup. Fuck, we're scary good on offense now and ranked #5 in total offense in the country. Ouch.
Oh yeah... the obligatory
Bobby Hughes is a runaway freight train. With Armando Allen out for the game, Notre Dame showed how well it has been recruiting at running back in the last few years. Most Irish fans already know this, but sometimes the results on the field are not quite up to par. Hughes had a dominating performance with 24 carries for 131 yards and 1 TD (STAT). It wasn't just his yardage, it was the way he got the yards. Yes, there were huge holes to run through, but when Hughes met the defenders trying to take him down- he was like a bulldozer.
But, another STAT that may be even more interesting was his 4 receptions fro 51 yards. That is something that Armando Allen is supposed to do, not our big back. This is what is encouraging for Irish fans. The depth at running back. Hughes is capable of this every game- as is Armando Allen. We definitely weren't able to say that in 2005 and 2006 with the depth chart looking like a decent list of should have been MAC runners. No disrespect intended, but you know it's the truth.
And one more thing, Theo Riddick had 9 carries for 51 yards while Golden Tate had 4 carries for 61 yards and a TD (STATS!).
Speaking of the Chosen One... Golden Tate is making his own statement for the Heisman. Seriously. There may not be a bigger playmaker in the country than Golden Tate. I could sit here and tell you about his 4 receptions fro 80 yards and a TD (STAT), and list his rushing stats again- but I have a bone to pick with young Golden. More like a request... please try to return more punts. As big a playmaker as Golden is, he will only truly reach Heisman worthiness as a WR with his already great stats and a return for TD or two.
I'm just saying. Wouldn't it be sweet to see both Jimmy and Golden in New York for the Heisman presentation? I thought so.
Really, that's all I got on Tate. He's pretty good.
"I'm the shit, Jimmy!"
The Limping Irish. There were a few players that ended the game a bit banged up. Jimmy Clausen, Trevor Robinson, and Dayne Crist all left the game with what looked like serious injuries.
- Jimmy is still suffering from his turf toe, so you know he's going to be alright. Warrior.
- Trevor Robinson has a low ankle sprain and probably won't play against Navy.
- Still no official word on the exact status for Crist, but it doesn't sound like we will see him in the next few weeks.
- BTW- the word on Floyd will be released today or tonight. WORD!
You're so cute when you're mad. Coach Weis showed an inordinate amount of emotion when he blasted his offense on the sidelines in the second half. Weis wasn't happy with their effort and wanted to kick them in the ass a bit.
That's cool, but I would really like to see more of this in games that really matter. I don't think he needs to be a 24/7 asshole, but certainly this team does need a kick in the ass on a few occasions in just about every game.
In defense of the Alamo. So the defense has been very quiet in this Hangover, which is becoming the norm, unless they are really screwing up. Here are a few thoughts from the game on the defense that will most certainly include STAT...
- Kapron Lewis-Moore gave a nice show for his homecoming with a team leading 5 tackles with one of those being a TFL.
- The tackle numbers were even and low across the board. Top 3 tacklers were Lewis-Moore, Slaughter, and McCarthy.
- The defense was so sound, that it helped give the Irish a 40:54 time of possession advantage.
- It looked like the defense was in a bit more of a base/zone coverage. Lot's of stunts and slants on the defensive line.
- The defense accounted for 10 TFL's with 5 sacks.
- The combination of Fleming and Filer on the edge looks strong. It gives ND a lot of speed rushing the passer.
- Fleming in particular looked very good along the line.
Last bit of bulletpoints...
- The hustle by Mike Ragone to chase down the ball carrier after the blocked PAT was outstanding. It was truly amazing to see not just Ragone track the player from behind, but to see Rudolph right there as well. Those were the tight ends out running everyone. Fucking awesome.
- Congratulations to Duval Kamara who caught his first TD pass since the Michigan game- in 2008. Oh, how long it's been buddy. Notre Dame would really love for Kamara to continue to improve and produce especially with the return of Floyd.
- The Irish are now bowl eligible at 6-2 and with 4 games remaining are ranked #19 in the AP poll and #22 in the BCS.
Here is a highlight video. I just wish someone would hear my plea for a different kind of music for these things.
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