It was a little tougher than last week, but the Irish had little trouble with the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta. ND used a balanced offense and typically strong defense to overcome an early GT fumble return TD.
Here’s a few takeaways from an occasionally annoying, but mostly comfortable 31-13 win over Georgia Tech.
1. Balanced Offense Was Efficient, but not Explosive
Ian Book opened the game with eight straight completions. Most were of the dink/dunk variety, and that’s fine. He took easy throws when they were there, didn’t throw a pick, and picked up a few first downs with his legs. His TD pass to Joe Wilkins and the back shoulder throw to Javon McKinley were probably his best throws of the day. He had another nice third down completion to McKinley on a scramble drill to extend a drive late in the third quarter.
On the ground Williams, Book, Tyree, and Flemister combined for over 200 yards. Other than the Williams fumble, it’s hard to find much to be upset about. I don’t have the exact numbers, but I believe ND was perfect in 3rd and short situations until C’Bo was stopped on the last play of the game. It would have been nice to see one of the backs or WRs break a long one, but I imagine the efficiency metrics will like ND’s performance.
2. Trust Clark Lea and His Friends
Daelin Hayes had multiple TFL and forced fumbles. Kyle Hamilton stopped a 4th down play and 2 pt conversion attempt witha couple TFL of his own. After a long GT pass out of halftime, the defense immediately forced a turnover. On GT’s first trip to the redzone, Hayes and Crawford immediately backed them out of the redzone leading to a (very funny) missed FG. GT’s only offensive points came in garbage time against a mix of starters and backups. They’ll face a tougher test next week (more on that below), but Lea and company have passed every test so far with few issues this season.
3. 90 Yard Turnover Returns for TDs Are Bad
Thankfully the Irish didn’t let it ruin their afternoon, but it definitely added some stress for all of us. After a 15(!!!) play and nearly nine minute opening TD drive, a defensive stop, and another long drive, the game had the makings of a blowout. Unfortunately, Kyren Williams fumbled, and Tech returned it 90 yards for a TD. Immediately after the fumble return, the Irish responded with a TD drive capped by a Williams run. The play ended up being annoying, but nothing more than that. If we’re gonna have one of these stupid long turnovers each year, today was a good game for it.
4. It’s Officially Clemson Week
This game had some of the makings of a let down following a relatively easy win last week and Clemson looming. For those inside and outside the program, it’s easy to look forward to the game next week. Brian Kelly said as much during the week. All three phases took care of business, and the game was mostly over before the fourth quarter. Clemson, on the other hand, fell behind 28-10 to BC, and didn’t take the lead until the 4th quarter. As much as we sometimes think it, the Irish aren’t the only team to have down weeks against an inferior opponent.
At halftime of our game, we learned Trevor Lawrence will miss next’s weeks game due to Covid protocols. I can’t even begin to think of how this news will affect the #takes leading up to kickoff. Clemson DE Xavier Thomas will also miss the first half after targeting/assaulting Phil Jurkovec (Marist Lifau will miss the 1st half for ND). Try to enjoy the next week since undefeated top-5 matchups at Notre Dame Stadium don’t happen very often. It stinks it won’t come with a day of tailgating and a full, loud stadium, but it’s better than not having one at all.
The full recap will drop tomorrow, but for now, go Irish. Beat Tigers.
We went hurry up to try to run up the score and failed lmao.
It looked awfully much to me like C’bo was the spark behind that little push to score, maybe I’m wrong
I think you’re 100% right, C’Bo totally motioned to the sideline before the last play like “come on give me a shot to get it” and they gave him the chance. No doubt fueled by his homecoming he wanted to put the cherry on top.
I don’t mind it, Brian Kelly himself said he doesn’t want to be the nice guy anymore and Georgia Tech even tried a 2 point conversion and an onside kick not long prior. GT wasn’t quitting so why should Notre Dame?
And there’s nothing wrong with that. I find it patronizing to just kneel it out (though smart in a one possession game like Louisville when you’re trying to just get out of Dodge with the W). It’s a 60 minute game and they’re all big boys, go for it. Glad they did. And when it failed they called it a day, not like they were obnoxiously aggressive trying to run it up.
Totally concur on all, Hooks!
They didn’t need to kneel it out; there was no time left. If they had huddled, the clock would have run out. The fact that we tried and failed to run up the score is objectively hilarious.
I have a schematic question, but that will have to wait until tomorrow when I’m sober.
In the meantime, lol Michigan.
Well we’re halfway through the season and at no point have I thought we had any chance of losing during any of our games so far, so that’s cool.
Fire Kelly imo.
One aspect hinted on in the story I liked was about Book’s decisions. I think that will be appreciated a lot more when he’s gone. 41 TDs to just 7 INT since the start of last season, as a stat Golic referenced on the broadcast that was startling to me (in a positive way) to hear it. Add in his legs and it’s 50 total TDs. He might be too cautious at times for our liking and antsy with his reads in the pocket feeling pressure and not seeing or trusting his receivers, but he doesn’t hurt the team at all.
He’s got a pretty defined ceiling but his floor is also super, super high. Next week could probably define or doom his overall legacy but I’m happy he has the opportunity, and after the last 2 weeks I’m more confident that he will find a way to operate the offense against his toughest test of the year.
Another post where I could not agree more. We should really appreciate “winners” — I so much recall Tony Rice, and Kevin McDougal in ’93. Yes, now Ian has to cross the big “win a big one” bar, but for that matter, so does BK. Let’s stay focused and positive, anyway that’s my take. I am just so mad that the virus killed my travel plans to SB for this coming contest — I even had tickets! We need a 18 Stripes emoji for sending seriously supportive vibes over the net.