Opinions on ND game.

[BULLSHTR]

One thing I noticed in the game was how much we ran in the pistol formation. I knew that we would see some of that, but did not expect to see it so much. Am I incorrect in saying that we didn't nearly use this as much last year (having Kelly at FB)?

Also, BJ appears very controlled catching the snap. He almost seemed slow back there, sitting in the pocket without a lot of initial movement. He had a very deceptive demeanor back there, almost lulling the defense to sleep. I can tell they worked A LOT on the fundamentals of being a QB. Props to the OL for standing up against a highly touted D front.

Overall, I expect a lot more consistency from BJ, and against weaker defenses, our O will gain some decent yards. ND clearly has talented players that made a lot of boneheaded mistakes, because they were obviously looking forward to the Michigan game next week and weren't prepared for our tenacity. That said, Kudos to the Bulls for playing near flawless, smart football. This team will continue to get better.

I hope there's nothing wrong BJ's hamstring, since it flared up again last night. Ball State is no slouch. We better not get caught thinking like ND was last night. I have a feeling Holtz is very good at communicating to the players in a way that they not only understand, but actually buy into the philosophy.

OFFENSE    C+

- We only scored one touchdown, after having great field position several times throughout the game thanks to turnovers on D.

- I gave us a "C" on offense (C for Conservative)  ;D.

- The + is because we didn't turnover the ball over and we also won on the 4th down try.

DEFENSE    B+

- Starting with the bad, we gave up over 500 yards of offense.

- Bent but didn't break, stiffening in the redzone.

- STRIP DRILL! Young strips, Webster scoops. 14 point swing from the 1 yard line.

- Gave us the B+ because the defense got the ball back 4 times, 3 in the redzone, scoring 1 TD.

SPECIAL TEAMS    A

- Punts averaged out nicely, and we prevented Riddick from having more than that one decent return.

- ND missed an easy field goal worse than Bonani missed the 52 yarder. Bonani has a good leg and he can get 52 yarders, just not that one. Nice pressure on ND's kicker to help him miss.

- Gave us an A, because we made a lot of key field goals, didn't give up a big play on special teams, and Mitchell had a really nice return. We didn't pull a Riddick and muff a punt either.

OVERALL   B+

Notre Dame's offense was good, probably as good as West Virginia's offense, minus the QB position. ND just couldn't stop shooting themselves in the foot. But the Bulls defense forced their hand. We can't expect WV or Pitt to make as many mistakes. Our offense has a lot of improving to do, but if you master playing smart football first, it's easier to build on that to become a dominant team. It appears after this game, both sides of the ball are at least playing smart and aware. B+ Coach 'em up Skip!

[Buller64]

Guys played really hard and smart but we really need more size to stack up. Game shows that USF has a ways to go before we can become a serious NC contender. Nevertheless I think we have a really good shot at the BE this year.

[SpartanBull]

Overall I am happy, but I think it was far from a flawless game.

The Center- QB exchange most of the game was poor.

B.J. was very accurate with his throws, but his pre snap reads of the defense are non existent. 

Our snap signal is "Down.. Set.. Hit" (which is as elementary as you can get) and we can't go on 2 (2 false starts in the red zone).

Lastly.. Ryne Giddens can not jump off sides on ND's field goal attempt.  That led to a TD, and put them in the game.  You have to be ready for that.

Positves:

Sterling Griffin impressed the hell out of me. 

I thought the O-line, Murray and Scott played a lot better than I would have ever imagined.

B.J.'s throws were incredibly accurate, and he was able to sit in the pocket and seem comfortable.

Jerrell Young backed up his comments earlier from Vero in this game.

D bent but didn't break.  Good takeaways, but poor yardage given up.

I am happy with the outcome, and see that there are some things that need ironed out.  You really can't complain, considering that this was the first game of the year in an extremely hostile environment against an extremely talented team.

I hope we take the next 3 games seriously, and we get some of the kinks worked out.

[BULLSHTR]

Overall I am happy, but I think it was far from a flawless game.

The Center- QB exchange most of the game was poor.

B.J. was very accurate with his throws, but his pre snap reads of the defense are non existent. 

Our snap signal is "Down.. Set.. Hit" (which is as elementary as you can get) and we can't go on 2 (2 false starts in the red zone).

Lastly.. Ryne Giddens can not jump off sides on ND's field goal attempt.  That led to a TD, and put them in the game.  You have to be ready for that.

Positves:

Sterling Griffin impressed the hell out of me. 

I thought the O-line, Murray and Scott played a lot better than I would have ever imagined.

B.J.'s throws were incredibly accurate, and he was able to sit in the pocket and seem comfortable.

Jerrell Young backed up his comments earlier from Vero in this game.

D bent but didn't break.  Good takeaways, but poor yardage given up.

I am happy with the outcome, and see that there are some things that need ironed out.  You really can't complain, considering that this was the first game of the year in an extremely hostile environment against an extremely talented team.

I hope we take the next 3 games seriously, and we get some of the kinks worked out.

Actually that led to an interception. Just sayin

[MikeG]

I give the game a grade of W

for WIN

[SpartanBull]

Overall I am happy, but I think it was far from a flawless game.

The Center- QB exchange most of the game was poor.

B.J. was very accurate with his throws, but his pre snap reads of the defense are non existent. 

Our snap signal is "Down.. Set.. Hit" (which is as elementary as you can get) and we can't go on 2 (2 false starts in the red zone).

Lastly.. Ryne Giddens can not jump off sides on ND's field goal attempt.  That led to a TD, and put them in the game.  You have to be ready for that.

Positves:

Sterling Griffin impressed the hell out of me. 

I thought the O-line, Murray and Scott played a lot better than I would have ever imagined.

B.J.'s throws were incredibly accurate, and he was able to sit in the pocket and seem comfortable.

Jerrell Young backed up his comments earlier from Vero in this game.

D bent but didn't break.  Good takeaways, but poor yardage given up.

I am happy with the outcome, and see that there are some things that need ironed out.  You really can't complain, considering that this was the first game of the year in an extremely hostile environment against an extremely talented team.

I hope we take the next 3 games seriously, and we get some of the kinks worked out.

Actually that led to an interception. Just sayin

When you're right, you're right.

But, still doesn't change my mind of things that can't or at least shouldn't happen.

[NCBull]

I give the game a grade of W

for WIN

This.

[BULLSHTR]

Yes, we did win. Hopefully, we can beat Pitt in the Steelers' stadium.

[Velcro]

In the past, when we've started with a home game against a scrub, we have often played down to the opponent... and then the next day we would be reading about how we have to learn from our mistakes and really get better or we are toast in the big east.

We played up to our opponent, and then some.  Sure there are things that need to be worked on, but its better than saying the same thing after squeaking out a win over a IAA team.  Our problems CAN be fixed, and I have faith they will be. 

In the past, our glaring weaknesses (lack of discipline / lack of quality corner / etc) never were fixed.  I feel much better at this point, but there is a long way to go.

[GaUSFBull]

In the past, when we've started with a home game against a scrub, we have often played down to the opponent... and then the next day we would be reading about how we have to learn from our mistakes and really get better or we are toast in the big east.

We played up to our opponent, and then some.  Sure there are things that need to be worked on, but its better than saying the same thing after squeaking out a win over a IAA team.  Our problems CAN be fixed, and I have faith they will be. 

In the past, our glaring weaknesses (lack of discipline / lack of quality corner / etc) never were fixed.  I feel much better at this point, but there is a long way to go.

Agreed.  The problems that need addressing are fixable.  I feel good about this team for a BE run.