Great Shane of Subway Domer video fame decided to sit down and simulate the 2012 Football Season on NCAA Football 2013. He took notes as he watched the Notre Dame games unfold. Dear god, he's going to die at a young age…
Next up: Boston College
Week 11: Notre Dame vs. Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA)
So we’re heading into the final quarter of the season, and coming off of that ridiculously shitty loss to Pitt last week, we get to head off to Boston College to face our Catholic counterparts in the east coast snow. Boston College comes in at 5-4, which many could argue is a surprise considering they were expected to finish somewhere closer to 2-10. Notre Dame is preparing to finish out the home stretch and really can’t afford any more “we should have beat them” type of losses if they have any hope of improving from last season. This season has been weird as fuck. Just to put this into perspective, Iowa is #2 and Tulsa is ranked #4 in the country, both being undefeated…so yea. Hopefully we can actually put something together this week and dominate as we should. Here we go!
Notre Dame wins the toss and elects to defer, giving Backup College the ball to start the game…I mean Boston College…Boston College takes the kickoff and downs it in the end zone for a touchback.
On 1st down BC comes out at tries to run it around the outside and manages to gain about 4 yards. On 2nd down the QB launches one over the middle and it hits Zeke Motta right in the hands but he drops the pick and it falls incomplete as NDNation.com readers begin to drink Kool-Aid laced with arsenic out of pure disappointment. On 3rd down and 6 they pass over the middle to the back who manages to get right to the first down marker and gain a new set of downs. On 1st down the QB tries to roll out to his left only to look up and see Kapron Lewis Moore sacking him for a loss of 9 monstrous yards. On 2nd down they try to run and gain 0 yards as Louis Nix III takes the back down at the line of scrimmage. On 3rd down they pass it to the right boundary and the receiver takes it down for a gain of about 12 before getting taken down by Zeke Motta bringing up 4th and 6 and the Eagles are forced to punt it away. Theo Riddick lines up to return it and brings it up to the Notre Dame 32 yard line where they’ll go to work on offense.
From the get go, the Irish line up with 5 wide outs and on 1st down Golson fakes a scramble and tosses it to John Goodman who takes it to the 41 for a gain of 9. On 2nd and 1 Golson runs it up the middle and manages to get the 1st down himself. On 1st down, Golson tosses it to TJ Jones for a short gain of about 3. On 2nd down Golson tucks it and runs it himself for a gain of 9 yards to the BC 45 and another Irish 1st down. On 1st Golson hands off to Robby Toma who ends up losing about 1 yard being taken down in the backfield. On 2nd Golson once again decides to tuck it and run it himself and this time takes the rock all the way down to the BC 27 for a pickup of about 19 yards and another Irish first down. The Irish go no huddle now and on 1st down Golson hits Goodman for a gain of 8. On 2nd down Cierre Wood runs it outside for a pickup of about 3 and another first down for Notre Dame. On 1st down Golson tries to run it but only picks up about a yard before getting taken down. On 2nd down Golson hands it off to Wood on a delay and after initial contact, Wood stumbles forward and reached the ball out to the BC 3 yard line to make it 1st and goal. On 1st down Notre Dame gets called for a false start and it backs the line up to the 8 yard line for 1st a goal again, where the Irish hand off to Wood who tries to take it outside but can’t find a lane and he ends up going down for no gain on the play. On 2nd and goal Golson drops back and looks to pass but he gets sacked on the play for a loss of 7 to the 15. Golson comes up shaken up on the play and has to come off the field so Hendrix comes in on 3rd and goal from the 15 hoping to make something happen. On 3rd down Brian Kelly appears to play it safe and calls a draw play to Cierre Wood who goes absolutely nowhere and gets taken down for a loss on the play. On 4th down Notre Dame elects to send in the kicker and he puts up the FG to make it 3-0 Notre Dame.
**Doctors evaluate Everett Golson and determine that he has a slightly bruised sternum and will likely be right back in the game on the next series.
On the kick off BC takes it out to the 25 where they’ll try to put something together this time.
On 1st down the Q drops back and tries a pass over the middle but it gets knocked down by Ishaq Williams incomplete. On 2nd down they try to run it and HOLY FUCK MANTI TE’O WRECKS THE BACK ON THE PLAY for a loss of 2 (pictured below). This brings the 1st quarter to a close and it’s still 3-0 Irish.
Ouch.
On 3rd and 12, starting off the 2nd quarter, BC calls a pass play on a crossing patter which picks up about 9 yards before Zeke Motta comes in and crashes that party making it 4th and 3, forcing BC to punt it away. Theo Riddick returns the punt to the Notre Dame 45 for a solid return.
Golson is indeed back in at QB and on 1st down he finds John Goodman on the left sideline over a couple of defenders down at the BC 48 for a 1st down. On 1st again, they try to run the option but BC sniffs it out and it ends up being a loss of about 4 yards. On 2nd down Golson tries to hit DaVaris Daniels but he can’t make the diving catch and it’s dropped incomplete. On 3rd and 14 Golson drops back and targets Robby Toma who is open downfield and throws the pass, but it sails on him a little bit and Toma can’t catch up to the pass as it falls incomplete to bring up 4th down. The punt team comes on and Ben Turk hits it into the end zone for a touchback.
BC comes out with the ball at their own 20 and on 1st down they run for a gain of about 3 yards. On 2nd they try to run again to the opposite side and end up getting shut down for no gain. On 3rd down the QB looks for his back who seems to run the wrong route and the ball falls incomplete forcing BC to punt once again. Theo Riddick takes the punt up to the ND 43.
On 1st down Golson rolls out to his right and finds John Goodman right at the 1st down marker for a first down right at the BC 46. On 1st again, Golson finds Wood over the middle for a pickup of about 7 and for good measure, Golson hands it off to Wood on 2nd down who gets the last 3 yards plus one more for another 1st down at the BC 36. On 1st down Golson tosses it to Tyler Eifert who’s all alone on the near sideline and he turns it up field for a gain of about 8 to bring up 2nd and 2. On 2nd down, Golson throws to TJ Jones who manages to get separation downfield and makes the catch at the BC 5 for a 1st and goal. Notre Dame decides to call a time out here.
Coming back from the timeout, Notre Dame lines up in a 5 wide set which seems to perplex the BC defense as Golson snaps the ball, surveys the field and then comfortably walks into the end zone for a Notre Dame touchdown! Following the PAT it’s now 10-0 Notre Dame.
BC takes the ensuing kickoff up to the 24 yard line where their drive will start.
On 1st down the Eagles QB sits in the pocket looking to pass and lobs it late over to the left and Lo Wood bats down what should have been a simple interception, and it’s incomplete. On 2nd down they toss it over the D Line and connect with the tight end who manages to pick up enough yards for the 1st down to the 34. On 1st down they try to pass again and the tight end drops it incomplete. On 2nd down the QB tucks it and runs it for a solid gain to the BC 45 and another 1st down. On 1st the QB drops back to pass again and he target the receiver down field who ends up dropping it, incomplete. On 2nd down they target their receiver on a crossing pattern and once again, they dumbass drops it to bring up 3rd and 10. On 3rd down they connect underneath but Manti Te’o shits all over the play and drops the receiver short of the 1st down marker forcing BC to punt on 4th down. The punt sails into the end zone and the Irish will come out with 18 seconds left in the half from their own 20. Considering the fact that they get the ball to start the 2nd half, they just hand it off to Wood and he gets maybe 4 yards as the clock runs out and brings up halftime. 10-0 Irish at the half.
Notre Dame gets the ball to start the 2nd half and George Atkinson III manages to bring the kickoff to the 27 yards line where they’ll go to work.
On 1st down Golson drops back to pass and is immediately sacked for a loss of about 6 bringing up 2nd and 16. On 2nd down Golson apparently can’t find anyone open and tries to scramble only to end up losing another yard and getting sacked again forcing a 3rd and 17. On 3rd down Golson snaps it and just when it appears the BC D Line is going to wreck Golson, he hits Cierre Wood on a screen and Wood follows his blockers like a G and manages to get enough yards to preserve the drive and get the first down at the Notre Dame 39. On 1st down Golson hands it off to Wood and he manages to gain about 9 on the play. On 2nd and inches Golson hands it off to Wood on an option play but he ends up losing a few yards making it 3rd and 4. On 3rd and 4 Golson stands cool in the pocket and finds John Goodman open right at the 1st down marker and he manages to gain an addition 2 yards making it 1st down from the BC 48. On 1st down Golson tosses it to Robby Toma who manages to pick up about 6 yards to make it 2nd and 4. On 2nd down Golson passes to Toma once again and this time he gets the first down yardage to the BC 32. On 1st down now, Golson throws a screen to Wood but it only manages to gain about a yard, but on 2nd Golson looks for TJ Jones and he manages to make the catch over the middle for another Irish first down at the BC 21. On 1st Golson tosses a pass that sails out of bounds incomplete and on 2nd he hands off to Wood who manages to gain about 9 yards to bring up 3rd down. On 3rd down Golson wastes no time and connects with John Goodman for a Notre Dame touchdown! The made PAT makes it 17-0 Notre Dame.
John Goodman walks the catch into the end zone for an Irish touchdown making it 17-0
BC takes the kickoff to their own 21 where they get started on this drive.
On 1st down the QB finds a man open over the middle and he fights forward to the first down marker at the 31 yard line. On 1st again for the Eagles, the QB surveys the field for a bit before throwing a strike to his receiver down to the 43 yard line for another 1st down play. On 1st again the QB gets pressured by Ishaq Williams and has to throw it away incomplete. On 2nd down and 10, the QB tries to scramble but instead he gets sacked for a loss by Louis Nix III (his 5th this year) and it becomes 3rd and 12 for BC. On 3rd down they try to pass but it gets broken up by Lo Wood who once again drops another pick, and BC is forced to punt it away. Theo Riddick returns the punt to about the Notre Dame 30 yard line.
On 1st down for the Irish, Golson drops back to pass and it gets batted down at the line incomplete. On 2nd down Golson finds Goodman over the middle to the 41 yard line picking up another Irish 1st down. On 1st down Golson hands off to Wood and he gains maybe a yard on the carry. On 2nd down Golson gets pressured and he decides to throw it away out of bounds. On 3rd down Golson decides to throw one deep but instead of hitting his wide open man, he over throws him by maybe 7 steps and it falls incomplete to bring up 4th down. Notre Dame punts it away and they bring it out to the BC 24 yard line to get started on their next possession.
On 1st down for BC, the QB passes over the middle to the back and they pick up about 8 yards. On 2nd down and 2 they try to hit the tight end but he drops it and it falls incomplete. On 3rd and 2 they lob it deep and they connect on the play for a huge fucking gain to the ND 15 and a 1st down. On 1st down and 10 from the ND 15 they toss it to the back of the end zone to their wide open receiver but the thrown goes too far and it’s caught out of bounds incomplete. The 3rd quarter comes to an end here and BC is knocking on the door with the Irish up 17-0 heading into the 4th. “We’ll be right back after these messages.”
So the commercial break is over and BC is about to score. On 2nd down from the ND 15 yard line, BC hands the ball off to the back who gets maybe enough forward progress for a gain of one on the play to make it 3rd and 9. On 3rd down the QB tosses one to the near side corner of the end zone and Lo Wood steps up big and breaks up the pass just as the receiver was going up for the score and it falls incomplete making it 4th and 9. BC isn’t about to take this situation and kick a FG, so they line up on 4th down to go for it. On 4th and 9 they line up to pass and that’s exactly what they do as the QB sits back and gets pressured by Nix III and ends up throwing one toward the end zone where no one was and it falls incomplete, turning it over on downs.
Notre Dame takes over at their own 15 yard line and on 1st down, Golson tries to run an option which does nothing but lose 3 yards to make it 2nd and 13. On 2nd down Golson hits Eifert for a gain of about 11 making it 3rd and 2. On 3rd down Golson finds Toma over the middle short for just enough yardage to pick up the 1st down at their own 27. On 1st and 10, Golson hands it off to Wood who jukes his way to a gain of about 6 yards. On 2nd down Golson fakes the hand off and targets TJ Jones to the right but the defense reads it nicely and the pass is intercepted at the Notre Dame 45. I was wondering when the meltdown would commence…
On 1st down for the Eagles following the turnover, they try a short underneath pass and it goes for only about 3 yards. On 2nd down the QB doesn’t find anyone open so tries to scramble and after about a 12 yard pickup he gets hit hard by Zeke Motta, causing him to fumble the ball, which gets pick up by Tony Springmann! That fat fucker runs that ball all the way back to the BC 41!! Glorious…
Notre Dame takes over again at the 41 and on 1st down Golson hands it off to Cierre Wood who promptly follows a few blocks and breaks away from the entire defense running to the house for another Notre Dame touchdown!! The PAT that follows makes the score 24-0 Irish with about 2:45 left in the game.
Cierre Wood breaks free on a 41-yard touchdown run in the 4th to put it away
On the ensuing kickoff, the BC player takes it from the 2 and runs it out to about the 24 yard line but he gets taken down hard as fuck and he stays down with an injury. Oh well.
BC comes out for the next drive and on 1st down, the QB can’t find his man and it fall incomplete to the dirt. On 2nd down they try to pass it again but once again the WR can’t get there in time and it falls incomplete. On 3rd down the QB finally finds his man and he turns it up field for a solid gain and a first down at the 37. On 1st down they try to pass it and Jamoris Slaughter comes in and breaks up the pass and it falls incomplete. On 2nd down the QB finds a receiver on a slant and he gets about 9 yards to bring up 3rd and inches. On 3rd down the QB lobs one deep over the defense and the receiver is there to make the catch and he runs it all the way down to the Notre Dame 4 yards line before getting taken down. Any hopes of a shut out aren’t looking so hot anymore…On 1st down they try to run the option but Stephon Tuitt blows that shit up for a loss on the play of about 5 to the 9 yard line. On 2nd and goal they try a screen and it gets the back to the original line of scrimmage for a pickup of 5 to make it 3rd and goal. Boston College calls a timeout here.
On 3rd and goal coming back from the timeout, Boston College tries a toss play to the short side of the field and Notre Dame is not impressed as they blow that one up in the backfield for another loss making it 4th and goal from the 7. On 4th down they decide to go for it and the QB drops back to pass but Louis Nix gets excellent pressure forcing a bad pass that hits the turf incomplete, forcing a turnover on downs. THE SHUTOUT IS ALIVE!
Notre Dame takes over at their own 7 and on 1st down Golson run it himself and gains 11 yards to the 18 yard line as the clock beings to wind down. On 2nd down Golson takes a knee and the clock winds down to all zeros. The game is over; Notre Dame wins it 24-0!
This game was fantastic. This was much better than what I honestly expected, despite the Golson turnover there late and some questionable pass defending. The fact that we shut out BC on the road and we’re essentially dominant on defense throughout should breathe new life into this team moving forward. The ground game FINALLY eclipsed 100 yards for once. Honestly, the player of the game was Cierre Wood. This dude put up 89 yards on the ground and had a long run of 41 yards to go along with his 26 yards receiving. Golson played pretty well despite his turnover and overall it was a pretty complete effort. Sadly, I’m reminded of the fact that it’s Boston College, so we’ll have to see how this translates to future performances down the road here. Other than that, good shit in my opinion. Here are your top performers this week:
Golson: 18/25, 170 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT, 72% Completion, 3 sacks
Goodman: 6 Recs, 56 yds, 1 TD
Wood: 11 Carries, 89 yds, 1 TD, Long of 41
Simulation Rundown
