Offensively & Defensively Speaking: Notre Dame

There weren’t a lot of surprises last night as Notre Dame definitely took care of business and the Trojans, 31-16. The score is not indicative of how one-sided the game really was. There was a brief moment when it appeared that we could climb back into the game but when Malcolm Epps couldn’t come up with a touchdown catch, that was it.

This was a mistake-filled game, which is the really consistent theme that runs throughout all of our games. Our inability to score touchdowns in the redzone is also a repetitive theme from the last several years and continues on as a fatal issue. If you can’t make the throw, catch, block or run but make the penalties instead, then you won’t win many football games.

Offensively Speaking

I assume Graham Harrell actually came up with an offensive wrinkle I liked and have been talking about since the San Jose State game. I wanted to see Drake London get motioned through the backfield and force the three-man cloud coverage focused on him have to shift. We did that quite a few times with some success. Of course, Drake London had his usual monster night with 15 receptions and 171 yards but no touchdowns. And that was clearly ND’s defensive strategy. It was to contain London from scoring or breaking explosive plays.

Notre Dame found out what a gem he is and it literally takes three guys in cloud coverage to have a chance to contain him. But Drake can’t be asked to pass block and Slovis was under intense pressure most of the night with three sacks but also seven pressures, a pressured interception (good hustle and tackle by Slovis after the interception…saved four points).

Keaontay Ingram had a productive game rushing for 138 yards on 24 attempts and a touchdown. Nice job and there was clearly a Notre Dame strategy to contain London, pressure Slovis and not worry about the run. While that worked, two or three fewer mistakes and this game is up for grabs. Notre Dame is a solid football team but not a dominating one. We were just the perfect opponent in this incredible rivalry. Many of our players and coaching staff will never know what it’s like to beat ND in South Bend and that’s a shame.

Offensive Shout Outs

• Drake London – He is a joy to watch, enjoy it
• Keaontay Ingram – Nice running and making something happen

Defensively Speaking

We ran our 3 and 4-man fronts most of the game, with safeties and nickels filling in on run plays. On pass plays, we were in a zone look with single high safety and CBs playing man tight on the field side and man back on the boundary. We struggled in many aspects as ND’s most effective quarterback, Jack Coan, had an easy view of the field and was making the quick throws to generally open receivers. He was 20 of 28, which is a killer percentage with only one sack while throwing for a touchdown…which is something Kedon Slovis was unable to match.

We added one more TFL and that’s it, folks. Some good sudden change defense but ND had long marches, aided by a penalty or two and brutal 3^rd down conversion rate of 67% (8 out of 12).

Defensive Shout Outs

• Tuli Tuipulotu – He was double teamed on almost every play and still made a difference
• Calen Bullock – At least one guy back there has an idea about what to do
• Chris Steele – While not a balanced game, he did have a TFL and an INT

So there it is. No real surprises, except for some of the details, but the results were predictable. We’re the plucky Trojans who would surprise me and the football world if we manufacture a .500 season. It’s possible, but not likely. I’ve come to terms with that and look forward to enjoying Drake London’s performances, hope and pray nobody gets seriously injured, and watch for the new head coach and what that will bring to this football program in need of a turnaround.