Offense is Offensive
UHND.com - Ken L. Britton
Septemmber 26, 2000
Give Davie credit. How many teams play four ranked teams four straight weeks? Not many. The Irish came within a play or two of going 4-0 and beating the #1 ranked team in the nation. This from a team that went 5-7 last year, losing its final four. It was not Davie's fault that Ron Israel could not keep his feet to fill the middle of the field on fourth and ten. And it was not Davie's fault that David Givens was in a giving mood when he made one of the stupidest mistakes I have seen since the almighty Leon Lett. Also, please keep this in mid: Does anybody disagree with Davie's decision to bring in Matt Lovecchio?
The defense has improved remarkably. Yes, they have given up their fair share of yards. But they have played two of the best offenses in the nation. Anyone who has actually watched this defense play cannot help but notice they are better. Duckett was held to less than forty yards rushing the second half. Consistent pressure was put on Smoker throughout the game, and before his miracle pass he was 11-23 for 113 yds. This was done with very little help (for the third straight week) from the offense. Every fan must look themselves in the mirror and say "Would I have blitzed on fourth down?" I honestly do not know the answer to that question.
But let me please take a comment from UHND's message board by a DesertFox1ND: "Rogers knows zip about a creative game plan....to boot, Boberly is probably the worst offensive line coach in college football. It is obvious. . .our OL cannot blowout defensive linemen." How much of this is true? Hard to say, but every thought possessed within those two sentences has probably passed through the mind of every Irish fan.
I don't care that Julius Jones rushed for 126 yds. Most of those yards were obtained by his own cuts through a small hole or him bouncing outside. I do not care that the Spartans' pass rush was largely negated. And I do not care that the entire offense was not in place, neither was MSU's.
I care that Lovecchio was hit in the backfield while rushing on a fourth and less than one inside the five. I care that Getherall had to dance and weave on the reverse pitch five yards behind the line of scrimmage.
I care that no consistent running game yet exists and that the Irish have five talented lineman who cannot finish a block. I care that the starting quarterback could not have played much worse. I care that our head coach probably looks at his offensive coordinator and is thinking: "Why did I hire this guy...?"
I care that the Irish cannot move the ball. I care that the man who was labeled a "genius" eighteen short months ago is now the goat for the Irish's 2-2 record. I care that we cannot seem to get the ball in our play makers hands, of which we have more of since that year; 1993.
I care that the offense downright stinks. And I care more when this team is at .500, with a head coach who now must pick his team up in two weeks and prepare to somehow instill some confidence in them, because if he can install an offense, running the table is certainly within sight. I care that national championship talk is over again before the leaves have even changed colors.
I will care if Lovecchio is not starting in two weeks. Going 4/15 for 20 yards is bad enough, but when you cannot complete a pass on four attempts in the face of a three man rush and eight DB's who just do not want a touchdown something is wrong. Ron Powlus was a better fit in the offense(s) than Godsey, and, well that is saying something.
My other suggestions include:
-More I formation. It takes advantage of fullback Tom Lopienski's strength (hitting linebackers) not to mention give the offensive line the opportunity to not worry about anything else than blocking whoever is in front of you.
-Get Holloway and O'Leary the ball. I understand that Holloway was injured this week, but if this is true he should not have started. MSU demonstrated that you get the ball to your best players, somehow, someway.
-Get Fisher in the ball game. A speedster like Jones is best when fresh, and gives him an extra breathe to kick it into fifth gear. With the tailback position this deep, he should not be in on every snap. Fisher did not run for 811 yds last season on accident, and he catches the ball better than most running backs in college football. One of Holtz's biggest mistakes was burying Randy Kinder. When you have a guy who can play, give him the ball and see what he can do with it.
-Bench one of the offensive lineman. Davie constantly threatened last year but never really came through. Pulling the trigger would send a message, and it is not like the OL could perform much worse. There is plenty of depth available.
Odds and Ends
-Speaking of ends, Darrell Campbell is still MIA.
-Coach Davie: You're hanging by a thread. Run the table or Norv Turner's season will comparatively seem like a joyride.
-Congrats to Holtz on a job well done. But to those who want him back, please remember the 1996 Air Force game.
-We should beat Stanford. Chris Lewis is good, but beating Texas (the Alabama of the Big 12) does not really prove much.
-Memo to Keyshawn and those who protested Bob Knights firing: SHUT UP!!!!
Questions? Comments? All email is appreciated: Manstein01@usa.net