The Official Notre Dame Football Thread

[padman59]

For whatever reason, Crist's accuracy and ball placement turn to shit when he's throwing into the endzone. He really needs to work on this issue and calm down in these situations.

Maybe its just me... but on that last play, why not call a TO and talk things over? Set up a hook-and-ladder or something, but no, lets just toss up a hail mary (and have the QB put it in the stands).

Kelly should've kicked the FG before the half.

That depends on what Kelly's knowledge of Crist's status for the second half. If he knew or had a good feeling that Crist would be back in after the half, I agree. However, if he was still uncertain, I see his reasoning. At the moment, it seemed like that would be the best (perhaps only) opportunity to score a TD with any of the backup QBs, and ND desperately needed to swing the momentum in their favor.

[NAHSTE]

For whatever reason, Crist's accuracy and ball placement turn to shit when he's throwing into the endzone. He really needs to work on this issue and calm down in these situations.



That depends on what Kelly's knowledge of Crist's status for the second half. If he knew or had a good feeling that Crist would be back in after the half, I agree. However, if he was still uncertain, I see his reasoning. At the moment, it seemed like that would be the best (perhaps only) opportunity to score a TD with any of the backup QBs, and ND desperately needed to swing the momentum in their favor.

I think it was a dumb move no matter who is at QB. You get points when you can.

[padman59]

I think it was a dumb move no matter who is at QB. You get points when you can.

I agree. It potentially changes the situation at the end of the game if they make the three.

[Irish]

http://www.blueandgold.com/content/?aid=9772

Atkinson Brothers Commit

Gives us two guys with 4.4 speed. Could play Corner/WR/Safety. Big get in my opinion.

[FirstTimer]

Maybe its just me... but on that last play, why not call a TO and talk things over?

I'm almost positive that they did....Maybe my memory is foggy on that.

Set up a hook-and-ladder or something, but no, lets just toss up a hail mary (and have the QB put it in the stands).

That's actually what I thought he would call.

Kelly should've kicked the FG before the half.

I think it was a dumb move no matter who is at QB. You get points when you can.

I agree. It potentially changes the situation at the end of the game if they make the three.

Ehh I'm not too worried about that call. Like Padman said you don't know Crist's status plus the end of the game may be different but at the time I didn't mind the call at all.

Even still who knows how the rest of that game plays out if ND is down 21-14. Assuming everything stays the same and Michigan scores to take the lead the TD gives them a 1 pt lead. Rich Rod goes for two and whether they make or miss a FG still wins it for ND but I'm not sure ND gets as deep into Michigan territory as they do if they are only down 1 or 3 for a few reasons:

1. Michigan doesn't squib kick in that situation so ND may not have had as good starting field position off the kick.

2. Michigan doesn't play as soft coverage wise as they did and the defensive and offensive play calls most likely vary quite a bit.

I guess I just choose not to assume that everything plays out the exact same if ND is down 1 or 3 rather than 4. I don't think any defense would play the same way protecting against 3 rather than 6.

Regardless of that play call Notre Dame still should have won that game. So I'm kind of "meh" on making any sort of deal out of it. Too many variables in the game from that point forward to say it really would have made a difference or not.

[Irish]

Recruiting again gets a huge boost today. After my dislike for Kelly recruiting for going after midwest guys and not national speed we get Atkinson brothers and Tuitt the number 1 DE in the nation.

Stephon Tuitt 4 star DE out of GA committed today. The number 1 DE in the nation and 22nd overall prospect.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/notredame/football/recruiting/player-Stephon-Tuitt-104914

As for the game this weekend. Its a huge game. A loss to MSU in primetime could send us to 1-2 which is a huge possibility. Crist says he is 100%, so lets hope he is good to go.

I was listening to the Irish Illustrated podcast and they were listing players who havent performed up to par so far. Fleming, Riddick, and Ben Turk seemed to be the ones they hit on most.

Guys I would say have been the most impressive so far have been, Crist, Allen, and Ian Williams. I also agree with the under performing players.

[Sportsbuck]

I said this in the chatbox last weekend, but come 2-3 years I have a feeling you'll be seeing this kid under center in South Bend: Maty Mauk.

Ben Mauk's (The former WF and UC QB) little brother, he runs the same kind of offense Kelly brought with him to ND, and the kid is a real talent. He threw for 504 yards and 4 TD's and ran for 50 yards and 3 more TD's last Friday... in a little over one half. His team dropped 70 on Van Wert.

His stats:
Freshman year (10 games):
248-400, 3309 yards, 36 TD, 16 INT; 133 rushes, 347 yards, 8 TD

Sophomore year (12 games):
351-576, 4540 yards, 46 TD, 17 INT; 132 rushes, 660 yards, 11 TD

Junior year (through 3 games):
100-151, 1444 yards, 17 TD, 3 INT; 43 rushes, 164 yards, 5 TD

Career (25 games):
699-1127, 9293 yards, 99 TD, 36 INT; 308 rushes, 1171 yards, 24 TD

He has had a verbal offer from ND ever since Kelly was hired.

[Maize]

I just found out that I'm going to the MSU-ND game tomorrow. I'm pretty excited, it will be my first game at Spartan Stadium 'under the lights.' Big game for the Irish, and I will be one of the few closeted Irish fans there.

[FirstTimer]

I said this in the chatbox last weekend, but come 2-3 years I have a feeling you'll be seeing this kid under center in South Bend: Maty Mauk.

Ben Mauk's (The former WF and UC QB) little brother, he runs the same kind of offense Kelly brought with him to ND, and the kid is a real talent. He threw for 504 yards and 4 TD's and ran for 50 yards and 3 more TD's last Friday... in a little over one half. His team dropped 70 on Van Wert.

His stats:
Freshman year (10 games):
248-400, 3309 yards, 36 TD, 16 INT; 133 rushes, 347 yards, 8 TD

Sophomore year (12 games):
351-576, 4540 yards, 46 TD, 17 INT; 132 rushes, 660 yards, 11 TD

Junior year (through 3 games):
100-151, 1444 yards, 17 TD, 3 INT; 43 rushes, 164 yards, 5 TD

Career (25 games):
699-1127, 9293 yards, 99 TD, 36 INT; 308 rushes, 1171 yards, 24 TD

He has had a verbal offer from ND ever since Kelly was hired.

That'd be nice. He'd either be starting for us as a true frosh or a soph. Crist has two more years of possibly eligibility left so if he sticks around for his 5th year Mauk wouldn't have to start as a trus frosh. I guess it depends how Massa, Hendrix, and Rees pan out but for Kelly to basically offer this kid as soon as he walked in the door says a lot.

Sportsbuck: The only other team I've heard in the running for him is TheOSU. How much in play are they for the kid?

I've also heard the Irish interested in: Gary Crow, Zeke Pike, and Gunner Kiel. Although everything I've read recently kind of has Crow slipping off a lot of people's boards.

[FirstTimer]

Recruiting again gets a huge boost today. After my dislike for Kelly recruiting for going after midwest guys and not national speed we get Atkinson brothers and Tuitt the number 1 DE in the nation.

Stephon Tuitt 4 star DE out of GA committed today. The number 1 DE in the nation and 22nd overall prospect.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/notredame/football/recruiting/player-Stephon-Tuitt-104914

HUGE get for the Irish....gotta love that combined with the Lynch commit as well.

If we can somehow land Ishaq Williams as well our DL and OLB's look REALLY good for the next few season.

[Sportsbuck]

Sportsbuck: The only other team I've heard in the running for him is TheOSU. How much in play are they for the kid?

OSU's very interested... but we have a lot of QB's on the roster, the #1 QB in the nation for 2011 committed (Braxton Miller) and limited schollies for 2012 so I'm not sure he'd see an offer.

Regardless, I don't see it mattering. He's a ND lock IMO. And FT, Kelly actually verbally offered Mauk early in his sophomore year (When he was at Cincy) if that tells you anything.

[FirstTimer]

OSU's very interested... but we have a lot of QB's on the roster, the #1 QB in the nation for 2011 committed (Braxton Miller) and limited schollies for 2012 so I'm not sure he'd see an offer.

Regardless, I don't see it mattering. He's a ND lock IMO. And FT, Kelly actually verbally offered Mauk early in his sophomore year (When he was at Cincy) if that tells you anything.

Damn. That's some shit right there. Good news for the future I guess. Mauk would basically come in and be the starter from Day 1 or only have to wait one season tops before Crist leaves. What are you hearing about Mauk's intetrest in Notre Dame? Is it mutual or is he basically just sold on kelly at this point?

Like I said I love what Kelly is doing on the defensive line and linebacking corps as well. If he can keep doing that ND will be in real great shape. I suppose I'll eat crow as someone who was worried about Kelly being able to recruit. Like you said he was getting passed over for schools like Ohio State when he was at Cincy but not that he's carrying the Notre Dame brand he's recruitng the shit out of Ohio and Florida.

He just needs to find DB's now and some offensive skill position players as well

[Sportsbuck]

Damn. That's some shit right there. Good news for the future I guess. Mauk would basically come in and be the starter from Day 1 or only have to wait one season tops before Crist leaves. What are you hearing about Mauk's intetrest in Notre Dame? Is it mutual or is he basically just sold on kelly at this point?

Like I said I love what Kelly is doing on the defensive line and linebacking corps as well. If he can keep doing that ND will be in real great shape. I suppose I'll eat crow as someone who was worried about Kelly being able to recruit. Like you said he was getting passed over for schools like Ohio State when he was at Cincy but not that he's carrying the Notre Dame brand he's recruitng the shit out of Ohio and Florida.

He just needs to find DB's now and some offensive skill position players as well

He has mutual interest in ND, and a lot of it. Kelly obviously is a big part of that because of the relationship with his brother Ben.

[padman59]

Some thoughts right after the game (may be a little irrational/harsh at the moment):

-Crist is nowhere near clutch right now. He gets too anxious when the pressure is on.
-Defense still needs a lot of work. Inconsistent tackling. Inconsistent coverage. Par for the course as far as the past decade is concerned.
-Slaughter needs to get healthy. His absence seems to be the reason why the corners have to play off the line so much and usually in deep zones. I have not been impressed with Motta yet. He takes bad angles and looks lost in coverage. Harrison Smith 2.0.
-Why was the FG unit not ready for a fake? I said this in chat, Dantonio has run at least one trick play against the Irish in each of the meetings thus far, and each time, it succeeds. Kelly dropped the ball on preparation for that one.
-Floyd had 2 TDs, but he needs to work on his hands and ball security. Tony Alford can't be please with the latter issue.
-Kyle Rudolph is awesome. He wins the Mackey at the end of the year easily, if he keeps this pace. Easily the best TE in the nation IMO.
-Theo Riddick grew up a little tonight. Made a good amount of plays, and flashed some of the potential he has in space.
-Armando Allen isn't flashy, but he gets the job done every game. He needs more carries IMO.

The offense can be really good when it's clicking, but Crist needs to be more accurate and make better decisions. Right now, they're hanging the defense out to dry at times. I definitely don't think the defense is going to be able to hold up late in these tight games with the inconsistency of the offense.

[Irish]

Dont worry guys Carlo Calabrese wont let this happen again.

Carlo44Cal

This will never happen again. I will never feel like this again. I promise u all that.