While much of Irish Nation is euphoric (or something akin to that) after the first win of the Kelly Era, I’m a little more subdued. It’s not that it was a bad performance by Notre Dame or that I didn’t see any improvement, it’s just that I still see some worrisome trends. So, like a healthy dose of urine in your Corn Flakes, here’s how I saw the game:
While most have lauded the performance of the defense (and there were things to like), keep in mind ND’s defense pitched a shut-out in last year’s season opener and went on to be awful the rest of the year. I remember watching that Nevada game and feeling, while the Wolf Pack were unable to score, a lot of that was due to unforced errors on their part, rather than anything the Irish defense actually did. This week felt somewhat similar. A few odds and ends:
-
The push from the defensive line was better and the secondary did a good job keeping things in front of them most of the day, BUT, the tackling still left a lot to be desired (except by Darrin Walls and, especially, Gary Gray) and, too often Marve, while under duress, was able to make completions. - This defense has got to figure out a way to contain the QB option prior to Michigan’s arrival next week.
- I can’t shake the feeling that, were Purdue playing with a more experienced QB and line (to say nothing of Ralph Bolden), this game could have been much different.
- The problem, as I see it, is the defense was only sporadically dominating. Now, maybe that’s partly scheme, but it’s also what good defenses are consistently. Yes, there were moments when the defense looked very good, but can anyone point to anything beyond a series here or there, where they felt this defense had totally disrupted Purdue? That they were stifling Purdue? I can’t. This has to change and become the rule, rather than the exception.
- Weird statistic of the day: CB Darrin Walls – 3 career interceptions, NT Ian Williams: 2 career interceptions
My assessment of things on the offensive side of the ball are not dissimilar to my thoughts on defense – areas of improvement, but not sold on the whole enterprise just yet.
- Crist did a nice job managing the game, but definitely missed opportunities to hit open men (particularly in the red zone) against a very bad and inexperienced secondary (he also nearly had two passes picked off, including his first of the day). It was his first game and, generally, he played well, but as the season progresses and the defenses improve, he needs to start seeing the field better.
- The running game looked much better than at any point last season and I think Cierre Wood is going to be phenomenal.
- The line, too, did a nice job in spite of starting three new players. The (lack of) blocking on the safety of Allen in the fourth quarter, however, was abominable. Particularly when you’re near your own goaline, you need to be doing better than that. Inexcusable.
- The coaches are going to need to work on ball-handling this week. Crist was stripped in the first half, Allen fumbled and got it back (he also lost the ball as he was going out of bounds on his great punt return) , Floyd had his big gaffe and Cierre Wood fumbled on his kickoff return in the fourth quarter. The Irish were lucky this wasn’t something that hurt them too badly this week, but it needs to be addressed before it becomes a major issue.
So, there it is. Not all sunshine and lollipops, but a few things on which ND can hang its hat. My expectation is that, come November, so many of these shortcomings will be memories. The good news for Notre Dame is, these are all matters of technique and football fundamentals which can be corrected with good coaching. With a coach like Kelly at the helm, these shouldn’t be problems for long.
