Well into the third quarter, I had the epitaph for this Boston College game written in my head.
“This could be the beginning of the Kelly Death March”…you know the drill.
Instead, this one turned and became one of the stranger blowouts in ND history, 49-20. The Irish went over 500 yards rushing, setting a new Kelly Era-record. Despite how inept the offense looked at times in the first half, they ripped off several big plays and made the final score look as pretty as you could have hoped. We even got to see Ian Book come in for mop-up duty. (And did anyone else notice he was wearing a pre-2016 uniform? What was up with that?)
Let’s run it down.
This team can really run…I think?
It’s even harder to figure out what to make of last week’s flaccid rushing performance by Notre Dame in the loss to Georgia in the wake of this one. Tearing apart Temple certainly makes more sense after the Owls barely escaped Villanova and UMass the past two weeks. And ND certainly had the talent advantage, so it’s not too surprising that they would flex their muscle against BC. But 515 rushing yards? Two 200-yard rushers? (For the second time in three weeks I find myself asking if this has ever happened before.) Brandon Wimbush breaking two ND records for QB rushing with 207 yards and four scores? Impressive. Strange, given the tenor of most of this game, but impressive.
Josh Adams certainly looked back to normal after last week’s faceplant, going for 229 yards on only 18 carries. (I’m vacillating between wondering why the heck Adams didn’t see the ball more and being somewhat thankful he didn’t because it meant saving some bullets.) 130 or so of them came on two of the carries, but even if you take those out, 99 yards on 16 carries is still a pretty solid ratio against a defense that’s supposed to be pretty good.
And Dexter Williams even got on the field! I mean, he got one carry until late and still only got six. But…progress? Oh, and he took those six for 50 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Baby steps for the defense
Ok, this wasn’t a great defensive performance. In fact, it’s easily the worst of the three so far submitted by the new defensive coordinator, as BC went for 392 offensive yards.
But again, you saw the Irish D stiffen in the red zone repeatedly, and do a pretty decent job when put in a bad spot by the offense. And you even saw some forced turnovers, a huge problem the past few years. How about the game from Shaun Crawford, on that topic? Two picks, one of them a pure effort play, a fumble recovery, and the man can hit. It’s been since Harrison Smith, I think, that ND had someone in the secondary that hits like that. Unlike Smith, most of his hits are legal.
And not for nothing, but I really like that this defense consistently tackles their opponents backwards. That’s not something we’ve seen a lot of recently. It’s a little thing, but I really enjoy it.
Wimbush, the good and the bad
Usually, when you hear the words ‘deceptively fast’, it means the dude’s white. But I’m using the phrase on Wimbush, because most of the time when he runs those zone reads, someone’s right on him from the beginning. Yet on his last long TD run, Wimbush also shook Harold Landry (for all the talk about him, dude had one tackle) and outraced everyone else on BC for the score. When he gets in the open field, he’s trouble.
Now that being said…guy’s got to learn how to throw a football. He airmailed just about everybody, completed just 11 of 24 throws, and averaged just four yards an attempt, an absolutely pitiful figure. He’s single-handedly taken Equanimeous St. Brown out of this offense, and that frankly just can’t happen.
In the meantime, I wish Kelly would get C.J. Sanders on the field here and there, if only to make defenses account for him. He’s a guy that theoretically should be able to get the ball quickly and create big plays, something this offense is going to need until Wimbush develops some consistent throwing ability (hopefully in the next 6 days).
Special teams
I’m going to give these guys a hat-tip. Tyler Newsome is having a fine season; he averaged 46 yards per punt today. Justin Yoon made all his kicks (fine, they were all PATs, whatever, he made them). And the coverage units didn’t allow any big plays, which is key against a team you don’t assume will be able to get much going with its offense.
We still have no semblance of a punt return game. I’m not sure what to do with that. But as long as Chris Finke catches the ball, it could be worse.
Next week
Michigan State looms next week. They’re a question mark at the moment after rolling over two MAC teams, albeit impressively. Weird things tend to happen in East Lansing, but if ND can come out of there with a win, the path to 5-1 heading into USC, the second measuring stick game of the season, will look fairly clear.
No one’s figured out this team yet, fellas. Maybe next week?
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
> I really like that this defense consistently tackles their opponents backwards.
We….do? Didn’t seem like it.
Landry would have had a better game if they let him wear hip hugger shorts. Apparently, knee pads are his weakness.
I’ll second this. Seemed like BC ran through a ton of arm tackles, including Nyles Morgan a few times.
Yeah there were at least 2-3 times BC got a first down by getting tackled across the yellow line.
We will figure out this team next week when Dantonio stacks the box and we have to pass. I’m nervous, but maybe we can finally exploit single coverage now that Mack is catching balls?
Nobody is going to respect the pass until BW burns them through the air for stacking the box.
First half was meh, second half was fantastic. I would have liked to have seen some of this great running last week. We could have used it. I still have hopes of getting to U$C with just one loss. Dont know if it happens but we have the talent to do it if we tighten up in some areas. We will need Wimbush to throw it better which I have no doubt he will. We fans just need to have a little patience and let him develop. This was only start #3. Despite how raw he is throwing the ball he was spectacular running the ball. Adams and Wimbush together in the back field are hell on wheels to stop. Hope the explosive runs we saw today bleed over next Saturday night.
Not very happy with the defense or special teams today. Missed way to many tackles in my opinion. Had multiple opportunities to get several TFL but our defenders would overrun the ball carrier. Big difference in a play for minus 2 and rushing for 3 or 4. Can’t have any of that against Mich St if we want to win.
You know, I’m watching the Clemson game, and their QB, Bryant, is in his third start. Just threw a perfect strike. Earlier had a 40 yard pass land right on Renfro’s outstretched hands. There’s raw, and then there’s bad. Now if he can run for 200 yards and 4 TD’s each game and we win, I’ll take it. But dude, he’s a little worse than “raw.”
Dude come on. We just went on and on about this for the entire second half. I am not going to get into this again. I am enjoying a drink getting ready to watch the fight tonight. I will end with this. You have two options. Either rally around Wimbush like most fans are doing or become a Clemson fan. Yes Wimbush needs to get better at throwing the ball. That’s crystal clear to everyone. The issues we have in the passing game will not be fixed by inserting Ian freaking Book as the starter. I fully understand that’s what you think is best but that makes no sense to me.
BS, those are my options. And no, I–AT NO POINT–said that I thought making Book the starter would fix all our passing game problems. I didn’t even really strongly call for Book. But the idea that someone would is “irrational” or, in your words even stronger which we won’t repeat here on this board, is ridiculous. And acting like anyone who criticizes Wimbush isn’t a fan? Are you serious?
You’re hiding behind “oh, he’s young.” He’s not–he’s in his third year in the program. “Oh, he’s inexperienced.” Sure. And yet plenty of players with the same level of experience look way better than he has over three games. I’m not buying the excuses. Clearly it was better he stayed in the game. He’s a hell of a runner. I’ll be happy to watch him run all year. But I’m going to cringe every time he drops back. Enjoy your drink. I’ve got plenty more options than “either rally around Wimbush or be a Clemson fan.” I don’t even know what “rally around Wimbush” even means. Like his feelings are hurt because I think he’s a bad passer, and he needs me to tell him it’s all better? Oh, that’s right, we’re worried about a football player’s psyche. If for no other reason at this point, I want a coaching change so we can stop with worry about a player’s psyche (the only QB we didn’t worry about was Rees, and well…) and can expect them to play football again.
This is Wimbush’s third year in the system. Has no one worked with him the last two years on his throwing mechanics ? Because if they have, why should we assume a few more starts and he will start throwing the ball better. His mechanics, footwork and “feel” in the pocket are poor and that’s being kind.
Technically isn’t it year one in the system since Chip Long was hired? That’s still not an excuse for being inaccurate after 2+ years of college practices, but it’s something.
Does this offense really look all that different ? The system may be different but, what was the kid working on under Kelly, Denbrock, and Sanford the previous 2 years if not mechanics and footwork ?
Not to mention the quarterback coach he worked with in the off-season.
That’s wildly optimistic. Wimbush was very bad on almost every play that he didn’t take off running. It would require some insane development, quickly, for him to get to average as a D-1 passer by the end of the year.
And, yes, I realize the qualifier to my “very bad” sentence is a huge one.
Still, his game is not tailored to this dink-and-dunk, short passing game offense. We will lose a game we shouldn’t if they don’t let him stretch the field vertically. If they’re wedded to the short passing game, it is time for the Book Club.
Wimbush could have really used another year under Sanford.
Couldn’t agree more about getting CJ on the field (especially with Stepherson unavailable). He’s too good of an athlete to simply be downing kickoffs in the end zone. If someone doesn’t step up, poor ESB will be triple teamed by the end of the season. It was nice to see Alize be a factor today.
I am not sure what to make of BW. For two years, everyone was telling us about his great arm. Today (and really all season), BW has looked as bad throwing the ball as he has looked good running. I chalked the first game up to first time start, and the second to a very good Ga defense. This week, though??? I realize BC is supposed to have a good defense, but even when BW had time, he would overthrow his receiver or otherwise miss passes. We are going to get killed playing a decent defense if he doesn’t step up his game. I have confidence that he can, but I am getting more and more concerned as time goes on.
Are there any QB gurus out there? Do his mechanics fail when he’s on the big stage? By all accounts he practices well.
Absolutely not a guru, but it seems he isn’t stepping into his throws. I think it’s common for young QBs because you can’t really practice “throwing despite knowing you’re going to get hit.” I would also imagine someone as physically gifted as Wimbush excelled in HS because he could drift backwards to scramble or throw 50 yards using nothing but his arm strength.
I didn’t get to watch the second half of the game because I went to the FC Cincinnati game (yea that’s right bros, SOCCER lol). I know someone asks this like every week but is there a replay somewhere online? Can’t find anything but highlights and I’d like to watch the whole second half as it was apparently much, much better. Anyway, I’m really lost on BW. I know he’s young and newly starting but some of his throws are just so, so off target. Dude is an athlete though
Espn should have the replay on their espn watch. Not sure when it goes up though.
Thanks
30,000 at a USL game is… something
They’ve really gotten adopted by the city around here. I missed last night but was at the US Open Cup win against the Fire. Holy crap that was a fun atmosphere…
Wimbush missed a ton of easy throws, but they also rolled him out against his body at least 4 times. I know Landry is a monster pass rusher, but just double team him. Don’t make a guy who is struggling try to make difficult throws. Make things easier, not tougher, on a guy who can’t find his rhythm.
And give Dex the ball! Wouldn’t mind seeing him and Adams on the field at the same time occasionally (although I guess that’s going to be tough if Dex is as bad at pass catching as he’s assumed to be).
Finally, that Adams 65 yard run where he almost fell down 3 times was absurd. He’s got some fantastic acceleration to get back to top speed like that after stumbling all over the place. What a beast.
Hey everyone! Been a while since I’ve commented around here.
Its a win so I’m going to enjoy it.
Wimbush definitely missed a lot of throws but our receivers need to step up more too. They have a lot of trouble getting separation.
Hoping over the next three games we can improve in the passing game.
When it comes to strength and conditioning (the one thing I actually do know what I’m talking about lol) this team looks SO MUCH BETTER. They look lean, strong and quick. They are also staying healthy, which is huge.
Good point about the receivers not getting separation. It’s. or just the drops. I wonder if not having Denbrock around is causing a drop off?
Hey hey, it’s ol’ Mr. Atlas himself! What up bro!? Alma mater has a pretty tough game coming up, huh? Hope they pull that one out.
St. Brown was open a lot and was missed. Speed and precision creates separation, and we are not playing the faster receivers. Smith was hurt, but he has not been getting much separation. He has the advantage of knowing the offense. I am very disappointed in Boykin, McKinley, Sanders for not being able to get on the field.
Can’t complain with the result at least. As MikeyB said, I hated asking Wimbush to roll to his left as often as we did. He needs to get a lot better and the playcalling didn’t always help. I’d love to just roll out the single wing and go into USC at 5-1 but BW will need to throw better at some point.
Recent 3rd Starts:
Wimbush- 11-24 for 96 yards, 0 TD/1 INT at BC
Kizer- 19-34 for 321, 2/1 at Clemson
Zaire- 7-18 for 115, 1/0 at UVA
Golson- 14-32 for 176, 1/0 at Michigan St
But Zaire had the Texas game in there, etc. Here’s to Wimbush improving a bunch, but fair to say he’s had the worst beginning to a QB career since Clausen ’07 or so.
Excellent idea for a comparison, mlafort1 — but looking at the numbers and remembering the games, BW not so much worse than those other three, kind of actually same approximate level it seems to me?
Concur about the huge need for improved wideouts comments above. I noted that Boykin was in a lot in garbage time, and that Chip LOng was trying a few passes for Ian Book, and that Boykin got absolutely zero separation. Actually, I thought BC’s d-backs played well all game.
Yeah, a comparison of total stats over the first three starts would’ve been better but I got lazy last night. That would put BW a bit further behind Zaire and Golson.
Georgia’s defense is good, BC’s defense may actually be pretty good too, but still some reason for concern I think.
That was, by far, the most pathetic 29-point win I’ve ever seen where ND covered a spread by 2 touchdowns.
Two things I’ll say:
1) Wimbush’s passing needs to improve, but this offense doesn’t seem to have the route combinations & such that helped scheme WRs open in BK’s offense. This is all deep, long-developing play action or chintzy short stuff.
2) 6 carries is fine for Dexter. He’s got crazy speed and is a useful change of pace & bounce-it-outside back but he doesn’t seem as productive between the tackles when the holes aren’t huge.
The problem was Williams had 1 carry prior to garbage time. It would be nice to give Adams a breather now and then and give Dex a chance to break a big one.
And, do we really have evidence he can’t run between the tackles? Only 2 of his carries went for less than 4 yards, and one of those was a 3 yard TD. I need to actually see him get some more carries before saying he can’t run inside.
I wouldn’t get too excited about this. BC is terrible, just as Temple is. MSU will be interesting, given they’re a mystery at this point.
Fool’s gold yesterday, I think.