1. Quick slants across the middle of the field to the receivers. Never attempted.

2. Mis-directions to take advantage of fast UN pursuit speed. Never attempted.

3. Battle passing as a decoy or real play. Never attempted.

4. Throw to the tight end. Never attempted.

5. Flanker bubble screen. Never attempted.

6. QB pump fake deep route on man coverage. Never attempted.

7. Second and short passing. Rarely if ever attempted.

Things Notre Dame did that were not high-major football program caliber...

1. Botched snap that cost ND 40yds in field position.

2. Kick return flag that cost ND 50yds in field position.

3. Non-existent pass coverage.

4. Non existent receiver routes that created space and broke away from man-on coverage.

5. Pitiful 3rd down defense until the game was already over. Gave up a crucial 3rd and 8 early in game then gave up a 3rd and 14 not too long after.

6. Poor tackling. YAC yards accounted for half on UNs rushing total. Took 3-4 hits to bring guys down. Husker backs spun out of contact and dove for an extra 2-3 yards on nearly every run.

7. Poor passing by the QBs. Had two deep routes that shockingly enough had guys open and the ball was terribly thrown. Take a Florida or FSU QB and the ball would have been on the numbers.

8. Turnovers and penalties. Dumb penalties. Offsides. Too many men on field. A lot of this is the coaching staffs fault.

Things will get better, but at ND its not about going 10-1, its about winning the national title. This year, like every year of late, is out the window after the first week or two of the season. Ahem.