Notre Dame did something it seemed allergic to this year–they won a damn football game. In keeping the theme of 2016 of course they couldn’t make it easy on themselves after building a 20-0 lead over the Miami Hurricanes. The offense went ice cold, special teams gifted the Canes short fields and outright points, while Miami made second half adjustments that left the Irish reeling.

However, out of nowhere Notre Dame finally put its foot down ripping off a touchdown drive and game-winning field goal drive before sealing the whole contest with a sack. Stressful for sure, but ultimately a satisfying ending for a program desperate beyond all measure for a win.

OFFENSE

O consistency, consistency, wherefore art thou consistency? It’d be amazing to see how this season would have unfolded to this point if the offense could just be 30% more consistent. Against Miami, the same problems crept up on the offense again.

Through the first 5 series’ the Irish gained 207 yards on 33 plays (6.27 YPP) while putting up 20 points. Then the next 4 series (with the halftime kneel down and punt return “fumble” removed, yes the latter counts as an offensive drive somehow) netted 90 yards on 22 plays (4.09 YPP) for 0 points.

Fortunately, the final 109 yards on 14 plays to put up 10 points saved the day.

For certain, the bye week did wonders for the offense…at least initially. Kizer looked sharp and decisive. The play-calling was surprisingly creative and effective. Then, this air of sleepiness set in and the offense struggled mightily. But why?

I think it’s pretty simple. The offense is just so enormously dependent on DeShone Kizer. Opening up the game Kizer threw or ran on 9 out of the first 11 plays. On the second drive there were 3 run plays then Kizer handles it 5 straight times. On the third drive, he handles is on 3 out of 4 plays.

There’s just no breathing room for Kizer. No drives where the running backs take 75% or even 50% of the snaps. Kizer is really forced to be on the nuggets on so many snaps and when defenses adjust–as Miami did after a few series–then we have a quarterback pressing and trying to do too much.

Speaking of running backs, Dexter and Folston were really bottled up in their limited appearances. The former also limped off the field at one point for what seems like the fourth time this year. For these two it was a combined 13 yards on 7 carries. Luckily, Josh Adams looked healthy and put together a few nice runs, including the game-tying 41-yard scamper that the offense desperately needed.

All in all, a nice bounce back game from Kizer. He completed almost 66% of his passes and while his 6.9 YPA was pretty low I actually like it in a weird way. Ever since he’s become quarterback the offense has relied so heavily on making down field passes and I’d venture to say the offense might operate pretty smoothly with a little more reliance on short-passes, check downs, and making quick reads.

Colin McGovern left this game early and went into concussion protocol which makes it 3 head injuries over the last 7 months. You have to wonder if McGovern is going to be able to play football again as sad as that may be (FWIW, Kelly said on Sunday’s teleconference that McGovern will “have a chance to play” this weekend against Navy). Hunter Bivin seems serviceable at best, but I believe it’s going to be real difficult for this coaching staff to keep Kraemer and/or Eichenberg away from that right guard position next fall.

This was quietly a very good game from the offensive line. Kizer had excellent protection and Miami was limited to 1 sack and just 4 tackles for loss.

Screens to running backs was a nice wrinkle used a lot against Miami as Folston and Williams combined for 33 yards on 6 catches. Nothing too explosive but I’m telling you it’s these steady 5-6 yard chunk this offense needs to gain some consistency.

DEFENSE

We can’t really ask the defense to play better, all things considered. Miami did have 20 first downs but they were mostly due to a bunch of short passes when Kaaya got hot and in reality the coverage was really good on most of those throws. Poor Troy Pride had roughly 9 passes completed against him but actually was on the hip of the receiver and making a play on the ball for 6 or 7 of those plays.

Notre Dame finished this game +2.1 in yards per play primarily thanks to the defense. Miami was limited to 0.5 yards per rush. I have to chuckle at some of the comments I’ve seen post-game that said Notre Dame didn’t deserve to win. I mean, if those stats were reversed literally no one would ever make the case for us deserving to win and yet that hypocrisy lives on. Being upset we didn’t win by more is one thing, but come on.

Take a bow, Jarron Jones.

Back to the defense playing as well as we can hope. The defensive line controlled the game. Nyles Morgan had his best game of his career with 8 solo tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and a pass break-up. The corners broke up 5 passes–including 3 from Donte Vaughn alone. We didn’t hear much from Devin Studstill but that’s a good thing these days. Plus, Drue Tranquill cleaned things up nicely coming downhill to make stops for 0, 4, 3, and 3 yards. He also made a few nice tackles to prevent Miami passing plays from turning into huge gainers.

Can it be so simple for the defense as focusing on stopping the run? Even in an era of big-play passing games the best performances from Notre Dame defense have almost always come when they can control the opponent’s run game. During this game, Kaaya caught fire throwing the ball and in the end Miami’s offense scored 1 long touchdown drive and just 2 touchdowns overall. The Canes only mustered 3 first downs on the ground, as well.

One of the difficulties with being a defense that can slow down the run but continually get chipped away from short passes is how it takes your offense out of a rhythm. For example, during the middle two quarters Miami held the ball for 20:41 while Notre Dame’s offense got it for just 9:19, a huge discrepancy. That has a part in the offense not being able to gain some consistency–sometimes there just isn’t enough time.

Both teams came into this one really performing poorly on third down and Miami was a little worse on Saturday. The Canes finished 7 of 19 (36.8%) while Notre Dame coverted 8 of 16 (50.0%) chances.

Notice how we’re not talking about giving up big plays anymore? After this weekend’s game the Irish now sit tied for 15th nationally in 30+ plays given up. Just 12 on the season! Last year Notre Dame gave up 30 such plays.

Final Thoughts

Like many, I didn’t love the 4th down decision (audible from Kizer, to be exact) to throw the screen pass to C.J. Sanders if only because it was such a long cross-field throw. Too much time to let something bad happen, like Hunter not getting a good block to take advantage of the 2-on-1 on the outside.

Special teams miscues included: A partially blocked punt, two fumbled punt returns, and perhaps the worst covered onside kick (even if it was a surprise) I’ve ever seen. These gaffes led directly to 14 points for Miami. I’m usually pretty ambivalent about special teams–just limit mistakes and you’re usually fine–but there has to be dozens of coaches who could come in and be an upgrade over Scott Booker.

The Nyles Morgan sack on third down that came on the drive following Miami’s onside kick recovery felt like something that would keep Notre Dame alive. I think the entire complexion of this game changes if the score turns into 20-14 well before halftime.

Thank goodness for Justin Yoon. He was 3 for 3 on his field goal attempts and now sits at 24 for 29 (82.7%) for his career. Remember when people were worried about him? However, Yoon sat out some of the kickoffs on Saturday due to some tendinitis in his leg. Kelly said they were trying to rest Yoon and they liked walk-on John Chereson’s hang time a little more than punter Tyler Newsome’s line drive kickoffs.

Miami seemed to find some success in the medium length passes to their tight ends. That’s something to think about when Virginia Tech’s Bucky Hodges (31 receptions, 468 yards, 5 TD) comes to town in a few weeks.