*Notre Dame* - On Vacation

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by Thoros of Beer, Feb 3, 2016.

  1. CTownND

    CTownND Well-Known Member
    Donor

    It is pretty amazing - we gave the ball back on downs (despite the egregious PI no-call) at 2:09 left with two timeouts at the 47. Literal best case scenario should have been getting the ball back with about 1:15-1:20 left and no timeouts, but with the dead ball penalty call and Etienne running out of bounds (what a mistake for a senior) we kept a TO and got the ball back with 1:48 left. And we pretty much needed all of it.
     
    Voodoo, laxjoe and SD_Irish like this.
  2. Beeds07

    Beeds07 Bitch, it's Saturday
    Donor
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Blues

    I think UM leads for both but I could see that changing. ND has to get back to Chicago.
     
    40wwttamgib likes this.
  3. CloudBerry

    CloudBerry Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Clemson Tigers

    No excuses. You play the game with who you got and the score tells the winner. No equivocation from me. Genuine congrats on your team's "win"******
     
  4. All the talk about how many players Clemson were missing but not one word from ND fans about all the kids ND didn’t have because they never signed with the program because ND’s football facility does not have a lazy river like Clemson. :crossedarms:
     
    40wwttamgib, Voodoo, gritzy and 20 others like this.
  5. IrishLAX2

    IrishLAX2 So you’re telling me there’s a chance
    Donor TMB OG
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishNew York YankeesNew York GiantsNew York RangersLiverpool

    I want a lazy river
     
  6. Beeds07

    Beeds07 Bitch, it's Saturday
    Donor
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Blues

    ESPN'S Power Index dropped ND to 7 after the win. :doge:

    Screenshot_20201109-121924_Edge.jpg
     
  7. Killy Me Please

    Killy Me Please I lift things up and put people down.
    Donor

     
    40wwttamgib likes this.
  8. Killy Me Please

    Killy Me Please I lift things up and put people down.
    Donor

    Noticed that. We need to play some better teams apparently.
     
    40wwttamgib likes this.
  9. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
    Donor
    San Diego State AztecsSan Diego Padres

    Given how those are built, I’m ok with this. They’re predictive, not reactive. ND is likely an underdog against Clemson in a month (if we get there).
    And I don’t know about FPI, but I know I’m SP+, we jumped Georgia but then got jumped by BYU and one other team (can’t remember who at this point).
     
    Beeds07 and Rise like this.
  10. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
    Donor
    San Diego State AztecsSan Diego Padres

  11. beist

    beist Hyperbolist
    Donor

    candy ass ACC schedule dragging us down imo
     
    40wwttamgib, Beeds07 and laxjoe like this.
  12. beist

    beist Hyperbolist
    Donor



    Our friend Narduzzi is mouthing off again. What’s ironic now is that ND might be in the ACC longer than he will at this point.
     
    40wwttamgib and repoocs like this.
  13. Robdog_5

    Robdog_5 Well-Known Member

    Dropped some intel on teamboard. Nothing earth shattering but some info.
     
    a1ND, IHHH, SD_Irish and 1 other person like this.
  14. DetroitIrish3

    DetroitIrish3 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishDetroit LionsDetroit Red WingsDetroit Pistons

    How do I get access to team board? Haha I haven’t since I got locked out of Cierre Burnin’ Wood account
     
  15. NilesIrish

    NilesIrish Not a master fisher but I know bait when I see it
    Donor TMB OG
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishChicago CubsChicago BullsChicago BearsChicago BlackhawksDemocrat

    Listening to re-cap stuff. I’m a huge fan of this team “hurting” people by just beating the shit out of them for 4 quarters. Clemson players were dropping simply because they were worn down. Good stuff.
     
    beist and IHHH like this.
  16. beist

    beist Hyperbolist
    Donor

    I also do not have access. I’ve been waiting for someone to invite me so I can finally post the Kelly tea-bag pics I’ve been sitting on for all these years.
     
  17. Beeds07

    Beeds07 Bitch, it's Saturday
    Donor
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Blues



    ACC

    LB JOK
    RB Kyren
    OL Banks

    Of the week
     
    40wwttamgib, laxjoe, SD_Irish and 4 others like this.
  18. repoocs

    repoocs Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
    Donor
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishCincinnati RedsCincinnati BengalsXavier Musketeers

    If he gets access, I'm going to want it to see those pics.
     
    40wwttamgib and Beeds07 like this.
  19. beist

    beist Hyperbolist
    Donor

    in the meantime my Only Fans is just $5 for the next 24 hours...
     
  20. a1ND

    a1ND Bold & Spicy
    Donor

    ToT Offense

    “This was a huge game for myself but also for this entire team This whole team never gave up. There was not a moment where I didn’t think we were going to win. Playmakers forget about (mistakes). I just told myself, ‘If I keep thinking about this, I’m probably going to have a worse game. So forget about it. Let’s keep going.’”
    - Ian Book

    BIG STAGE, MEET IAN BOOK
    The question was posed, “Why would Ian Book arrive against, of all teams, Clemson?”

    The answer is complicated and many-fold, not the least of which was that Book was making his 30th career start for Notre Dame.

    It was time.

    Book’s time arrived Saturday night in Notre Dame Stadium as he performed like the veteran he is. He rose to the occasion in the biggest game of his career, directing the Irish to a 47-40 double-overtime victory over No. 1-ranked Clemson.

    While the numbers say 22-of-39 (56.4 percent), which by today’s standards is scraping the bottom of minimum, the performance, which included 310 yards passing and another 67 running, was championship-level. It was Book’s most accurate-throwing game of the season, despite what the percentages say. He was pinpoint when he needed to be, particularly early and late. He remained poised in the face of adversity. It was his finest hour.

    It was Book’s most poised performance amidst the tricky dynamics of facing Brent Venables’ extensive blitz package. He showed patience when the pressure was swirling around him. He stepped up into the pocket, continued to scan the field, delivered some “late throws on time,” and then picked and chose the opportune times to run the football, despite Clemson’s constant spying on his activities. Book even beat some spy maneuvers that the Tigers thought would contain him.

    Credit to offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, who had the perfect plan for Venables’ defense. There had to be more designed runs for Book to help offset the spying that was done to prevent scrambles. The willingness to keep the football off read-action went against a season-long tendency.

    Ian Book is playing exceptional football early on,” said NBC’s Tony Dungy after Book’s 5-of-5 passing for 71 yards in the first quarter. “He’s really locked in.”

    There were times when the Irish offense was slowed as Clemson went on a 23-3 scoring run. There was a seven-drive section of the game – from late in the second quarter to late in the fourth – when the Irish managed just 169 yards on 33 snaps which resulted in a missed field goal, a punt, a fumble, a field goal, a punt and the loss of the football on downs.

    But after scoring just one offensive touchdown through the first 57 minutes, the Irish added the tying score in regulation and two touchdowns in overtime.

    The unfortunate late-third quarter fumble into the end zone notwithstanding, Book led the Irish offense the way one would expect him to at this stage of his career. He’s raised the bar in the nick of time.

    KYREN WILLIAMS: A PHYSICAL FIT
    Red-shirt freshman running back Kyren Williams will long be remembered for his 65-yard run on Notre Dame’s second play from scrimmage, his 140 yards on 23 rushing attempts, and three touchdowns, which raised his total for the season to 10. (Note: The Notre Dame single-season record for rushing touchdowns is 17, set by Vagas Ferguson in 1979 and duplicated by Allen Pinkett in 1984.)

    But emblazoned in the minds of Irish fans in the immediate aftermath was the selfless, repeated efforts by Williams to protect Ian Book by picking up blitzing linebackers and defensive backs. Williams sacrificed his body on numerous occasions to protect Book.

    After making Clemson safety Nolan Turner look like his feet were in mud on the 65-yard run, Williams stymied blitzes by linebacker Baylon Spector and cornerback Sheridan Jones. When Clemson linebacker Jake Venables destroyed Williams on a pass block, Williams still managed to get the job done by forcing Venables out of the play as well.

    After the 65-yard run, the yards were a bit harder to come by. But Williams bulldozed Spector with two additional runs of 15 yards as well as a trio of seven-yarders. Williams also set a tone with his voice. He did not back down from jawing with safety Joseph Charleston (who would get beaten deep by Avery Davis on the key 53-yarder) and cornerback Derion Kendrick.

    On a night when Notre Dame’s offensive and defensive lines will be remembered for their winning physicality against a national-title-contending blueblood, Williams was willing to do all the dirty work necessary to make sure the Irish came out on top while still adding the artistry of his game in the open field.

    Williams called those tough yards between the tackles “bully yards” in his conversation with NBC’s Dungy and Mike Tirico. Notre Dame has a bully of its own in 5-foot-9, 194-pound Kyren Williams.

    MAYER BOUNCES BACK
    A less confident and emotionally-stable Michael Mayer, Notre Dame’s freshman tight end, might have taken a step back in the aftermath of his two critical mistakes within the first 17 minutes of the game. Mayer jumped early on a 4th-and-1 from the Tigers’ two-yard line with the Irish holding a 7-0 lead. He then dropped a pass inside the five-yard line early in the second quarter that would have given Notre Dame a 17-7 advantage.

    Mayer joined the other stars of the show from there with five catches for 67 yards, including several chains-moving grabs after fellow tight end Tommy Tremble (three catches for 32 yards) helped loosen things up in the Irish passing game.

    Mayer did his damage in the second half and overtime. A seven-yard reception on 3rd-and-3 late in the third quarter kept Notre Dame’s ill-fated fumble-in-the-end-zone drive going. His 29-yarder on 3rd-and-11 led to Jonathan Doerer’s fourth field goal and a 26-23 lead. A 13-yarder changed the field position late in the fourth quarter. His 15-yarder on 2nd-and-8 set up the first of two Kyren Williams touchdown runs in overtime.

    When Mayer catches the football and clears some open space, he engenders confidence that he’s going to make the first wave of tacklers miss. He might run over a defender, run around a defender or even hurdle a defender to stay on his feet.

    He is a wonder to behold in the long line of great tight ends at Notre Dame. He has a chance to be the best of them all.

    DAVIS, MCKINLEY WIN MATCHUPS
    It was only a matter of time before the Irish and red-shirt junior slot receiver Avery Davis got the matchup they wanted/needed to pull off the upset of Clemson.

    Davis, who nearly pulled down an Ian Book pass in the back of the end zone for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, saved his heroics for the final minutes in regulation when his double move on safety Joseph Charleston set the stage for a 53-yard reception inside the five-yard line with about a minute to go.

    After catching five passes for 56 yards and one touchdown (in the opener against Duke) through the first four games, Davis has added another 11 grabs for 151 yards in the last three games, including the game-tying four-yard touchdown against the Tigers with 22 seconds left that sent the game into overtime.

    Even more encouraging from a big-picture standpoint was red-shirt senior Javon McKinley’s emergence at the X receiver position against the Clemson cornerbacks that most viewed as an unfavorable matchup for the Irish coming into the game. (Note: In retrospect, Clemson’s poor cornerback play a week earlier against Boston College was a clue it was a pattern, not a one-off.)

    McKinley caught five passes for 102 yards against the Tigers. He’s become a very inviting back-shoulder target, which came early against the Tigers with a 28-yarder in the second series against cornerback Sheridan Jones.

    McKinley’s diving 45-yard grab to start a late-third quarter drive after Clemson had tied the score was a level of effort and determination that he was unable to tap into during his early years in the program. His tough-minded 10-yard reception to start Notre Dame’s final drive in regulation launched the eight-play, 91-yard march.

    While some may have thought McKinley’s 24.4-yard average on 11 receptions last year was a mirage created by mismatches against New Mexico, Bowling Green and Navy, he continues to show otherwise with 10 catches for 195 yards the last two games against Georgia Tech and Clemson, and 12 receptions for 245 yards (20.4) the last three games with Pittsburgh thrown in.

    In the process, Notre Dame’s wideout corps – denigrated through the first two games with just 11 grabs for 110 yards (10.0) and one touchdown -- has added 46 receptions for 771 yards (16.7) and five touchdowns in the last five games.

    McKinley has had two 100-yard games and a 93-yarder. Davis set a career-high for yards in a game with 78 against Clemson. Ben Skowronek had the breakout game (107 yards and two touchdowns) against Pittsburgh while Joe Wilkins’ Jr. scored his first touchdown in a Notre Dame uniform at Georgia Tech.

    Notre Dame pinpointed the wide receiver positions as a priority after the first two games. It’s still not a premier unit, but the critics have been quieted by the performances against some elite athletes (if not elite secondaries) at Florida State, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech and Clemson.

    ALL HAIL ND’S OFFENSIVE LINE
    Teams don’t run like that against Clemson’s defensive front. Not 208 yards on 40 carries for a 5.2-yard average. Even if you subtracted Kyren Williams’ 65-yard touchdown run from the equation, the 3.6-yard average on the other 39 carries was nearly a full yard more per attempt than the Tigers were allowing through their first seven games.

    LT-Liam Eichenberg, LG-Aaron Banks, C-Jarrett Patterson, RG-Tommy Kraemer and RT-Robert Hainsey won the battle of the trenches against a Clemson front that had been allowing just less than 100 yards rushing per game and 2.7 yards per attempt.

    During the 2019 regular season, no opponent averaged more than 4.5 yards per carry against the Tigers. No one had reached the 4.0 mark during the first seven games of 2020. This unit pushed Clemson off the football, particularly on short-yardage downs as the Irish converted 10-of-19 third downs.

    While this isn’t a Clemson defensive line comparable to 2018 when three first-round draft choices (two of which played against Notre Dame) manhandled the Irish, Notre Dame declared physical superiority against the Tigers Saturday night.

    There’s been a clamoring for an identity with Notre Dame’s offense for years. The Irish have one with a notable passing game mixed in against Clemson.

    QUICK-HITTERS: OFFENSE
    Wary of Clemson stealing their offensive signs from the sideline, the Irish huddled up on occasion against the Tigers to slow the pace and protect against what Notre Dame thought was a problem the last time the two teams met in the Cotton Bowl. “From our perspective, it will be the way we continue to play against Clemson,” Brian Kelly said…As we’ve noted with every game Notre Dame has played this season, it was Clemson that had more players lying on the turf due to injuries than Notre Dame. Again, that physicality…Ian Book's nifty hop over the seat on NBC's sideline camera on wheels was pure athletic artistry...

    5COMMENTS
    The officiating crew sent by the ACC to manage the Notre Dame-Clemson game was atrocious. Uncertain, inconsistent and slow in their decision-making, the league needs to do a better job, first and foremost, of choosing their best referees for the biggest games. To throw a flag for interference when “you can’t play through the back of a receiver,” as stated by NBC referee overseer Terry McAulay -- and then pick that flag up -- is horrendous officiating. Added Dungy: “I just don’t know how you throw a flag for interference and pick it up.” You do if you allow frequent Clemson-game back judge Jerry Hocker to overrule the original pass interference call. The officials allowed Dabo Swinney to talk them out of that penalty, which borders on criminal in the game of football…

    Great double-move by Joe Wilkins Jr. that would have worked for a deep shot had Ian Book not been under such duress…You’ve got to love the desire and competitiveness of WR-Ben Skowronek. His big-play contributions in the Pittsburgh game will resurface again…I didn’t remember that John Heisman was the head coach at Clemson, among several schools…Interesting to see the frustration of Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables after the first quarter when the Irish totaled 166 yards, including 95 rushing, with 11:08 possession time and 4-of-5 third-down conversions…Funny to hear Dungy say that he would have been nervous as a head coach had his defensive coordinator called for a blitz on 3rd-and-18…A Guinness commercial with Joe Montana. Priceless.
     
  21. a1ND

    a1ND Bold & Spicy
    Donor

    Defense

    “We put a lot of emphasis on (Travis Etienne) not wrecking the game. But D.J. (Uiagalelei) is a special player. Trevor Lawrence is a special player, too. Boy, I would like to have Dabo’s problems with those two guys. (Uiagalelei) is outstanding. His ability to throw the football today was pretty special. If we played them again, we would have to do some things a little bit differently because he is so explosive as a quarterback.”
    - Brian Kelly
    -
    IRISH DEFENSE WINS PHYSICALITY BATTLE
    Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney stated everything one needed to know during his pre-game interview with NBC’s Kathryn Tappen. Among the keys to a Tiger victory listed by Swinney were 1) take care of the football, 2) be great on third down, 3) stop the run/run the football, and 4) win the trenches.

    An 0-4 mark in those three categories led to Clemson’s first regular-season loss since 2017 as the Irish prevailed in double-overtime, 47-40.

    Clemson didn’t take care of the football, or rather, Notre Dame didn’t let them. The Tigers turned it over three times, including two within a 52-second time elapse on the game clock in the second quarter. The Irish turned it over just once.

    Clemson was just 4-of-15 (26.6 percent) on third down; the Irish were 10-of-19 (52.6 percent).

    Clemson didn’t stop Notre Dame’s first running play for 65 yards. The Irish finished with 208 yards on the ground. The Tigers couldn’t run against Notre Dame’s defensive front. The great Travis Etienne was reduced to just 28 yards on 18 carries. With 34 yards rushing on 33 attempts, Clemson’s 30-game streak of 100-yard rushing games was halted.

    All of the above explains why priority No. 4 – win the trenches – never came close to materializing for the Tigers. Notre Dame manhandled Clemson’s offensive line when it came to stopping the run. (Note: Notre Dame’s four-man pass rush still needs work against a really good pass-blocking crew in Clemson.)

    Nose tackle Kurt Hinish got penetration and drew a holding penalty. Notre Dame’s other tackles – Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Jayson Ademilola, Jacob Lacey and Howard Cross III – didn’t give an inch. (Ademilola drew a holding penalty that wasn’t called.)

    Defensive end Daelin Hayes continued his strong play from the Georgia Tech game with a critical second-overtime sack and a pair of tackles for loss. Ade Ogundeji and Isaiah Foskey began to offer more pressures as the game wore on. Ovie Oghoufo didn’t get as many snaps as he normally does, but he made a play. No surprise, part-time defensive end Justin Ademilola made a play on Etienne.

    Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea threw a battery of zone blitzes at the Clemson offensive front in an effort to confuse Tiger quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei. The precocious Uiagalelei never flinched. He completed 29-of-44 (65.9 percent) for 439 yards by standing in the pocket and throwing dime after dime around the field. Wideouts Amari Rodgers (8 catches, 134 yards) and Cornell Powell (6 catches, 161 yards, 1 TD) were difficult to contain. Notre Dame couldn’t come up with an interception.

    But the old axiom rang true and Swinney was forced to live through his worst fears. Lose at the point of attack and all the positives created in the passing game generally aren’t enough to win a football game of this magnitude.

    Clemson’s offensive front could not move Notre Dame’s defensive line off the ball. As is the case on Notre Dame’s offensive line, Director of Football Performance Matt Balis’ efforts are paying huge dividends.

    SUPERIOR LINEBACKER PLAY
    Due largely to the work done by Notre Dame’s defensive line, the Irish linebackers had free gaps to crease and contain Travis Etienne. Still, the play of Notre Dame’s linebackers was nothing short of outstanding.

    Tackle totals rarely tell the real tale of quality defense. That was not the case in this battle. Irish linebackers Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (9), Drew White (9) and Shayne Simon (4) combined for 22 impactful stops.

    Owusu-Koramoah, of course, had the greatest impact with his fumble forced, 23-yard fumble return for a touchdown, half-a-sack and two tackles for loss. Owusu-Koramoah intimidated Etienne into not coming up with the high pitch cleanly. But White was at his very best, once again combining his football instincts with obvious well-schooled film study of what Clemson wanted to do offensively. White was proactive, aggressive and physical.

    Simon’s performance was so impressive that he joined Ian Book and Javon McKinley with what could have been a career trajectory-altering game. Simon had two of Notre Dame’s four passes broken up, including the crucial 3rd-and-3 deflection in the Clemson series right after Book’s fumble. That immediately led to Jonathan Doerer’s fourth field goal and a 26-23 Irish lead.

    With Simon, it goes beyond – but starts with -- productivity. This was written in last week’s Tale of the Tape (Georgia Tech): “Still don’t see how Shayne Simon is playing ahead of Jack Kiser. Simon missed several run fits -- badly. His body language is hit-and-miss. It’s truly astonishing how a Buck linebacker in five games with four starts has six tackles. It’s a near-impossible stat for a defense as good as Notre Dame’s and on the No. 4 team in the country.”

    Simon’s body language was outstanding against Clemson. Motivated, engaged, communicating with teammates…It’s amazing what making plays/knowing your assignment can do to the psyche of a football player. Simon will now have to deal with the expectations of a raised bar. But this performance was potentially transcendent if he can use this as a steppingstone.

    It also helped Notre Dame’s second-level defenders to have safety Kyle Hamilton patrolling the back end and coming up aggressively to defend against Etienne. Hamilton was in a tricky situation against Clemson. On one hand, the Irish needed his length and ability to defend ground on the back end so as to protect against the deep ball. (Safeties absolutely must respect play-action with Etienne.) On the other hand, the Irish needed him to derail Etienne and the Tiger ground game, which also included D.J. Uiagalelei. Hamilton picked his spots when his film study/instincts told him it was going to be a handoff to Etienne. He had eight solo tackles.

    The Irish secondary had difficulty containing Amari Rodgers and Cornell Powell. But Hamilton’s ability to diffuse Etienne, Uiagalelei and the running game proved to be the key to holding Clemson to 13 points in the first half with the Irish building some much-needed cushion for the second half.

    NOTRE DAME’S CORNERBACK CONCERNS
    TaRiq Bracy’s mishandling of the deep ball defending Cornell Powell led to a quick-strike score in response to Notre Dame’s 10-0 opening salvo. It was the first miscue in the barrage of passes thrown by D.J. Uiagalelei that averaged 15.1 per reception and 10.0 per attempt.

    Nick McCloud also was beaten on a 51-yarder to Powell in fourth quarter as part of Clemson’s 23-3 scoring run. (Note: When it doubt, just tackle the damn receiver! That was McCloud’s best option. The college rules are forgiving, unlike the NFL. Fifteen yards is better than 51.)

    Against Clemson, you’re going to give up big plays in the passing game, whether Uiagalelei is at quarterback or Trevor Lawrence. Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross were doing it before Rodgers and Powell. Powell was coming on before the Notre Dame game and is now really emerging. Rodgers is out of the shadows cast by Higgins and Ross. He’s dangerous with his speed and elusiveness.

    But Bracy has to be more technique-sound than he was on Powell’s long score. He stopped moving his feet and reached, and that’s a bad combination of fundamental mistakes. McCloud is a good football player and will be good more often than bad. He’s fine. Just need to keep him healthy and fine-tuning his game. Freshman Clarence Lewis held up well for a youngster in a game of such magnitude.

    The reality is the Irish have no viable options right now beyond McCloud, Bracy and Lewis, other than perhaps to slip Shaun Crawford in at cornerback when you want to get some safety reps for D.J. Brown. Cam Hart has a chance long-term, along with some other youngsters. Perhaps you get Hart some opportunities against Boston College. But North Carolina is going to come at the Irish in a few weeks with a couple of wide receivers who are very dangerous as well. So it comes down to continuing to coach-up McCloud, Bracy and Lewis.

    You can’t just demote Bracy. You have to coach him up and get him back on the horse. Lewis needs to continue to play, perhaps a bit more even when Bracy is back on his feet again. McCloud is the stabilizing force at the position. Don’t panic. Get back to work. Clean up the technical issues. Get better. Those are your paths to improvement at cornerback at the present time.

    QUICK-HITTERS: DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
    Huge credit to special teams coordinator Brian Polian and his coverage units, in addition to the outstanding level of consistency and clutch play by kicker Jonathan Doerer, who is now 10-of-13 on field goals this season (including the tough 57-yard miss before halftime) and 27-of-33 in his career…Polian’s kick coverage unit was outstanding. Mainstays Jack Lamb, Bo Bauer, Isaiah Pryor, Jordan Botelho, Jack Kiser et al shut down Clemson’s return unit. The Irish were so good that rather than allow Travis Etienne to return a kickoff before halftime – eschewing the threat of Etienne returning one with 1:09 left in the first half – Dabo Swinney had him call for a fair catch. He wanted the football at the 25-yard line as opposed to inside the 20, which Notre Dame’s coverage unit had been forcing…Kudos to Jay Bramblett for his proactive, aggressive tackle on Etienne’s return of Doerer’s missed 57-yarder. His 54-yard punt late in the game was huge, too…

    Poor job by Isaiah Foskey in pass coverage of Etienne. Foskey is more used to rushing the passer, of course, but instead of reaching to extend with his right hand in pass coverage, he shortened his reach by thrusting his left hand forward. It’s the same principle applied on the basketball court defending a pass…Good to see Bo Bauer “get home” on a 3rd-and-5 pass play at the Irish eight. He didn’t get the sack, but he altered the play enough to force an incompletion and a field goal…Two of Notre Dame’s three red-zone touchdowns came in overtime. After a poor start (1-of-4), the Irish rallied at the most opportune time…Pound for pound, it’s not even close. Nobody hits with as much consistent force as 180-pound Shaun Crawford. His PBU on Davis Allen in overtime forced the 4th-and-24 game-ender…Further evidence of this officiating crew’s ineptitude was the failure to call intentional grounding against Uiagalelei on a pass that a) didn’t reach the line of scrimmage and b) didn’t have an eligible receiver in the vicinity. That led to a Clemson field goal that wouldn’t have been…Live, I didn’t see Kyle Hamilton come off the field as the 12th man, thus preventing a penalty. All things being equal, I’d rather he stay on the field and incur the penalty…

    Deaf ears here when it comes to the complaints of employing walk-on punt returner Matt Salerno. He has proven to be excellent at his job. He always catches it. He made a great decision to run up and return a line drive punt that ended up being just 32 yards net. He also got a personal foul call on a fair catch that Andrew Booth didn’t see. Give me Matt Salerno all the time. FYI, he’s a junior academically…I did not remember that the great 49ers pass combo of Joe Montana to Dwight Clark actually played against one another in the 1977 game between Notre Dame and Clemson…Corey Robinson handled himself very well in his brief appearance on NBC’s pre-game with Jac Collinsworth and Doug Flutie. The brief presentation, however, seemed overly choreographed…

    5COMMENTS
    Speaking of choreographed, Uiagalelei’s touchdown pass to tight end Davis Allen was designed as well as a red-zone pass play can be. Notre Dame couldn’t decipher the waves/layers of receivers flowing to the right…It was defensive line coach Mike Elston who talked Brian Kelly into declining the late holding penalty so as to get the football back in the offense’s hands sooner… Classic look – from what can be discerned with the mask on (you can see it in his eyes) – by Kelly on Doerer’s kickoff to start the third quarter that went out of bounds. It wasn’t a bad kick per se, it just took a 90-degree bounce toward the sideline. Coaches just don’t like kickoffs that go out of bounds, regardless the circumstances…

    The notion that Notre Dame’s win is tainted due to the absence of Trevor Lawrence is misguided. Lawrence is great. He could have made a difference in some critical situations, such as the first half when the Tigers were struggling to score and perhaps on their final possession of the night in the second overtime. But to say Notre Dame won because Lawrence didn’t play is unfair. Notre Dame won the trenches with its offensive line. Notre Dame won the trenches with its defensive line. The Irish won the turnover battle, 3-1. They won on third down, 10-of-19 to Clemson’s 4-of-12. Notre Dame won decisively on special teams. Notre Dame deserved to win.
     
  22. a1ND

    a1ND Bold & Spicy
    Donor

    recruiting scoop from Loy

    Notre Dame is still looking to add recruits to its class of 2021 commit list. The Fighting Irish currently have the No. 11 overall class according to the 247Sports Composite Team Recruiting Rankings, but are looking to make a big move up after the latest win over the Clemson Tigers.

    Here’s the latest recruiting scoop.




    SLIDE1 of 8
    Irish Illustrated will have a full post-visit story with Honolulu (Hawaii) Punahou three-star linebacker Kahanu Kia later today, but in touching base with sources, we’re told the Notre Dame visit couldn’t have gone better. Despite visiting on his own and not being able to get a true campus visit or tour of the facilities, Kia loved everything about Notre Dame. The team also left a major impression, as the 6-2, 220-pounder couldn’t have had a better time watching the Fighting Irish get a huge win over Clemson. We’re told the campus itself, how unique it is, and the size of everything left him very comfortable. UCLA and Stanford are two trips he’s taking this month. He’ll then make a final decision, one in the very near future, with Utah also in contention. I’m very close to picking Notre Dame on the 247Sports Crystal Ball.



    SLIDE2 of 8
    As previously mentioned, Notre Dame is recruiting Highland Springs (Va.) high school four-star defensive lineman Kelvin Gilliam. The staff loves the fact that he can play all over the defensive line at a variety of positions. Despite being committed to Oklahoma, we’re told the 6-3, 250-pounder has had multiple conversations with Notre Dame and there is even a conversation that is expected to take place with the staff tonight. Don’t be surprised if head coach Brian Kelly, defensive coordinator Clark Lea and defensive line coach Mike Elston are involved, if not a few others The timing couldn’t be better for the Irish, especially coming off the big win over Clemson, a matchup Gilliam watched Saturday night. This is definitely a recruitment to keep an eye on, Notre Dame fans.



    SLIDE3 of 8


    Notre Dame is still recruiting Valrico (Fla.) Bloomingdale four-star cornerback Philip Riley. The one-time Notre Dame commit backed away from his decision and flipped to the USC Trojans. However, from what we’re told, he’s still strongly considering the Fighting Irish. In all honesty, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he eventually ended up back in Notre Dame’s class. He has a great relationship with defensive coordinator Clark Lea, cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens, safeties coach Terry Joseph and special teams coordinator Brian Polian. The staff is all over him and things seem to be trending well. We’ll continue to monitor this one all the way to the Early Signing Period, as the 6-0, 190-pounder is still planning on enrolling early. I could see the Irish securing two more defensive backs before things wrap up this cycle. At least that is the current plan.

    SLIDE4 of 8
    My gut still says Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola four-star cornerback Ceyair Wright stays out west at USC or maybe Stanford, but there are some people I’ve spoken with recently that believe Notre Dame has a great shot at securing his commitment. The staff is doing a tremendous job with the 6-1, 175-pounder and he continues to be very high on the Fighting Irish. After visiting last December, Wright will return during the first week of December this year and give Notre Dame one more look before he makes a final decision in January. This recruitment is going to be a tight one down the stretch, but a game-changing visit to South Bend could be a difference-maker for Notre Dame.



    SLIDE5 of 8


    Nothing all that new with offensive line recruiting, but I will say this — Notre Dame is kicking the tires on multiple guys who are committed elsewhere right now. We’re just going to leave it there for, but the Irish staff is swinging away and that has to be respected. They would love to land one more guy and there were a lot of eyes on Notre Dame Saturday night. It genuinely won’t be much of a surprise to see offensive line coach Jeff Quinn had one more quality talent before this cycle ends.



    SLIDE6 of 8
    I put in a new 247Sports Crystal Ball pick for Notre Dame on Sunday for the Fighting Irish to land Evanston (Ill.) Township four-star linebacker Sebastian Cheeks, a Top150 recruit in the class of 2022. I was going to put it in last week after meeting him at The Opening regional near Chicago, but decided to hold off to make sure Notre Dame had no concerns about him coming off his injury. The Irish are all over him and believe he’s going to be a star in college. So, yeah, I have no concerns on that front. He’s a perfect fit for Notre Dame, on and off the field, and the staff will do whatever it takes to make sure he ends up in South Bend. I think defensive coordinator Clark Lea and senior analyst Nick Lezynski get their guy.



    SLIDE7 of 8


    Only because I know people will ask, nothing new regarding Ewa Beach (Hawaii) James Campbell four-star athlete Titus Mokiao-Atimalala. I’m still looking to catch up with him to get his thoughts on the Notre Dame win over Clemson. I still struggle to see him picking the Irish without visiting campus, so keep an eye on that. USC and UCLA are also heavy-hitters in this recruitment. We’ll see what he decides to do, but he’s not going to commit until late in the process.



    SLIDE8 of 8
    34COMMENTS
    Notre Dame is still looking for another running back this class. The latest time to hit my radar is Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph Regional three-star running back Audric Estime, who has been committed to Michigan State since Sept. 13. Keep an eye on the Irish here. Of course they would love to get a commitment from Michigan four-star running back Donovan Edwards or flip North Carolina five-star running back Will Shipley from Clemson, but nothing seems to be happening on those fronts right now. Estime is having a huge senior season and that production since last season has grabbed Notre Dame’s attention. Through six games, the 6-1, 215-pounder has rushed 127 times for 1,341 yards and 19 touchdowns. Let’s see if the Irish pull the trigger and offer soon.
     
  23. a1ND

    a1ND Bold & Spicy
    Donor

    "They are Just Hitting Way Too Hard" said Travis Etienne to Head Coach Dabo Swinney on the sidelines during Saturday game against the Irish in reference to the Irish Defense.

    this gave me the biggest smile
     
  24. a1ND

    a1ND Bold & Spicy
    Donor

    For this ND team, who would you rather have playing RB - Etienne or Kyren?

    I'd pick Kyren every time - his style of play, physicality, blitz pick ups, trash talking style is EXACTLY what this team needs

    Him, Hinish, Tremble, JOK, Hamilton was trash talking the whole game and i loved it sooooooooooooooooooooo much
     
  25. Rise

    Rise Well-Known Member
    Donor

    2-3 years from now maybe Kyren. Today, nah
     
    40wwttamgib and Red Rover like this.
  26. Red Rover

    Red Rover Neck water faucet, mockingbirds mocking
    Donor TMB OG
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishPhoenix Suns

    Yeah that’s a leap
     
  27. a1ND

    a1ND Bold & Spicy
    Donor

    Loy says he is close to putting in a CB for Tyler Morris (2022 WR from Chicago)

    He said it's going to be difficult for Kaleb Brown though going against Ohio St
     
  28. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
    Donor
    San Diego State AztecsSan Diego Padres

    If etienne were on this team, he’d be playing over kyren. But I’m super happy with our current RB room for this year and going forward
     
    a1ND, 40wwttamgib, AHebrewToo and 6 others like this.
  29. Beeds07

    Beeds07 Bitch, it's Saturday
    Donor
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Blues

    I love Kyren, but Etienne is a potential first round pick. I don't know much about him as a blocker, so it would be closer, but Kyren is much better than I imagined, so ill take it.
     
    40wwttamgib and Rise like this.
  30. Voodoo

    Voodoo Fan of: Notre Dame
    Donor
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishTottenham HotspurSan Francisco Giants

    I don’t believe this for a second
     
    40wwttamgib likes this.
  31. Voodoo

    Voodoo Fan of: Notre Dame
    Donor
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishTottenham HotspurSan Francisco Giants

    GoodForAnother Mix please help
     
    DetroitIrish3 and beist like this.
  32. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
    Donor
    San Diego State AztecsSan Diego Padres

    Talk about your all time backfire
     
  33. gritzy

    gritzy I am a hurricane on the golf course

    he did pass it....
     
    a1ND, 40wwttamgib, soulfly and 6 others like this.
  34. Phil Brickma

    Phil Brickma 4th cousin to Ed Orgeron's step-sister
    Clemson TigersAlabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesGrateful DeadLiverpool

    Please quote my homophobic slurs?
     
  35. nexus

    nexus TMB’s TSO
    Donor TMB OG
    Indiana HoosiersNotre Dame Fighting IrishChicago CubsPittsburgh PenguinsReal MadridTool

    I already did that Phil, its literally on the previous page. Put that Masters degree to work and go find it.
     
    a1ND, gritzy, 40wwttamgib and 5 others like this.
  36. Voodoo

    Voodoo Fan of: Notre Dame
    Donor
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishTottenham HotspurSan Francisco Giants

    49ers169 likes this.
  37. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

    Are you guys all cool with those two
     
    gritzy likes this.
  38. laxjoe

    laxjoe Well-Known Member
    Donor
    San Diego State AztecsSan Diego Padres

    Yes
     
    beist likes this.
  39. Voodoo

    Voodoo Fan of: Notre Dame
    Donor
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishTottenham HotspurSan Francisco Giants

    Yeah. If there’s someone else we should tag or message let us know otherwise we’re going to keep tagging you.
     
    beist likes this.
  40. SD_Irish

    SD_Irish El Mas Chingon
    Donor
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishUSA RugbyUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamSan Diego Padres

    Yep
     
    DetroitIrish3 and beist like this.
  41. GoodForAnother

    GoodForAnother I’d rather be down the allotment
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Kansas State WildcatsKansas City RoyalsKansas City ChiefsSporting Kansas CityTottenham HotspurBig 8 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceCoors LightFormula 1

  42. repoocs

    repoocs Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet
    Donor
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishCincinnati RedsCincinnati BengalsXavier Musketeers

    Hey, um.....
     
    40wwttamgib likes this.
  43. IrishLAX2

    IrishLAX2 So you’re telling me there’s a chance
    Donor TMB OG
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishNew York YankeesNew York GiantsNew York RangersLiverpool

  44. Iron Mickey

    Iron Mickey a guy who posted here like five years ago hates me
    Donor TMB OG
    Arkansas RazorbacksSouth Carolina GamecocksLos Angeles DodgersDetroit LionsChelseaReal Salt Lake

    After our tremendous win together I'm thinking of getting a second phd from ND to join the club. We love it folks. Bless up.
     
    a1ND, gritzy, Beeds07 and 9 others like this.
  45. Phil Brickma

    Phil Brickma 4th cousin to Ed Orgeron's step-sister
    Clemson TigersAlabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesGrateful DeadLiverpool

    It all started by you guys making fun of cancer, so if you want to call me a homophobic, go ahead.
     
  46. DetroitIrish3

    DetroitIrish3 Well-Known Member
    Donor
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishDetroit LionsDetroit Red WingsDetroit Pistons

    Thank you for your support.
     
    Iron Mickey likes this.
  47. IrishLAX2

    IrishLAX2 So you’re telling me there’s a chance
    Donor TMB OG
    Notre Dame Fighting IrishNew York YankeesNew York GiantsNew York RangersLiverpool

    We have a few folks here who may be able to help out if you want to chat with any faculty. Let us know.
     
    Iron Mickey likes this.
  48. Phil Brickma

    Phil Brickma 4th cousin to Ed Orgeron's step-sister
    Clemson TigersAlabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesGrateful DeadLiverpool

    Making fun of people with cancer, well, I couldn't even fathom how big of a piece of shit you are.
     
  49. Phil Brickma

    Phil Brickma 4th cousin to Ed Orgeron's step-sister
    Clemson TigersAlabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesGrateful DeadLiverpool

    No, people like you who still think it's high school need help, big time.
     
  50. Iron Mickey

    Iron Mickey a guy who posted here like five years ago hates me
    Donor TMB OG
    Arkansas RazorbacksSouth Carolina GamecocksLos Angeles DodgersDetroit LionsChelseaReal Salt Lake

    Anyone in the theology/religious studies dept?