Duranko’s Digest: What Did We See Against Temple?

Notre dame QB Deshone Kizer against Temple
Photo: Matt Cashore // USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame fashioned another thrilling fourth quarter rally to defeat pesky, resilient, tenacious Temple 24-20.

Temple played up to Notre Dame’s level rather than Notre Dame playing down to Temple’s.

Temple played as if:

  • They had confidence from already beating a Power Five team, as in Mount Nittany’s Llions
  • They were looking for the first victory over a Top Ten team since right after VE Day and VJ Day in ‘45
  • It was the biggest game in their football history
  • They were coached by a guy, Matt Rhule, who along with Justin Fuente of Memphis and Jeff Brohm of Western Kentucky, will soon be coaching a Power Five Team

Rhule made a choice in combat tactics that would have made von Clausewitz proud. He had edicted through his defensive coordinator that C.J. Prosise would not make big plays against the Owl, neither running nor catching the ball in space. That was the fulcrum of the Owl defensive strategy. All such decisions have tradeoffs. Kelly, Sanford Denbrock and Kizer knew that.

Deshone Kizer

We saw the good, the bad and the ugly.

The GOOD was Kizer rushing for 143 net yards including the moment when he channeled his inner Bill Etter and scampered (sic) 79 yards for an Irish TD. That was the price Notre Dame charged Temple for locking down Prosise.

The other GOOD was 299 passing yards. That number understates Kizer’s passing effectiveness as the multiple interference penalties called against the Owl secondary ought be pro forma’d to reflect the true passing yardage.

The BAD was the two interceptions. Notre Dame had the chance to snap Temple’s will twice in the second quarter. The first happened with the Irish ahead 7-3 and driving methodically. With 3rd and 7 on the Owl 14 Kizer made a horrific throw, granting the Owls a reprieve. Instead of 14-3, Temple grabbed the ball and went on its longest drive to lead 10-7.

Later, with the Irish up 14-10 Kizer threw into a tight window to Fuller at the goal line, but the ball was deflected into the grabby hands of Tyler Matakevich. 21-10 would have been more comfortable entering the halftime break.

The UGLY was the game’s last play.

They’ll work on that one.

Fourth Quarter

Team 127 is mentally tough. Down 20-17, Kizer hit Brown on the third down play. Kizer hit Alize Jones on a carefully crafted crossing pattern for 45 yards. Kizer hit the returned native Fuller for the Irish lead 24-20. KeiVarae Russell, who plays best in the fourth quarter made another acrobatic interception. MENTAL TOUGHNESS IS THE WILL TO WIN.

Notre Dame’s Defense

The defense was outstanding. On an evening when the offense left somewhere between 6 and 14 points on the plate in two red zone interception the defense held its ground. Shumate’s targeting call was technically correct, and we live with consequences, but it was unfortunate as it came after the ball was free on the ground. Another 4 point differential.

Notre Dame 24-Temple 20. Irish move to 7-1, handing Temple its first loss. Temple is the best football team the Irish will play between USC and Stanford.

The Opposite of Irrelevance

Four times this year, the Irish have been a “circled” opponent on the calendar: Virginia, Georgia Tech, Clemson and Temple.   Good! It’s the first robin on the spring of Notre Dame’s return to football excellence.   No one will rest until all 12 opponents are “circling” Notre Dame as the most important opponent.

Metrics of Notre Dame’s Performance

Coming into the game, Temple was scoring 27.6 ppg, allowing 17.6 ppg.   This time they allowed 24 and only got 20. Temple was aggregating 356 yards of total offense and allowing only 296 yards in total offense. This time they accumulated 295 and allowed 467. Notre Dame slammed through all the standards in all four categories. The two red zone interceptions compressed the final margin. It is only points, in REAL, MANLY FOOTBALL, that matter, not statistics.

Special Teams Ranked 29th

Phil Steele has a ranking of all teams based on their overall special teams performance. Notre Dame was ranked 29th going into the weekend. Keep in mind that the precocious Newsome, because of his ability to hit the coffin corner, suffers in average because of that.

Other Contenders

The following Power Five teams were unbeaten on All Saints Day, Nov. 1

SEC –LSU

Big 10-14-OSU, MSU Iowa

ACC Clemson

Big 12-Baylor, TCU, Oklahoma State

The following Power Five teams had one loss

SEC-Florida and Alabama

ACC Florida State and North Carolina

Big 12- Oklahoma

Pac XII Stanford and Utah

That’s 15. The number is dwindling, and will continue to do so. November is the season to separate wheat from chaff..

What Will We See Against Pittsburgh?

  • Pat Narduzzi, a former nemesis at Michigan State,. whose defenses often bedeviled Kelly’s offenses, but to no avail. The Irish may have lost the battle to Narduzzi but won the last three wars against MSU.
  • Another Notre Dame crowd. Notre Dame dominated the stands in Philadelphia and will again at Pitt.
  • Another team that relies on running the ball to set up the pass.
  • A statistically outstanding defense, but they have not yet seen an offense on the same lap as this, Kelly/Denbrock/Sanford/Hiestand/Booker’s best offense at Notre Dame.
  • A more colorful setting, better than old Pitt Stadium, as Heinz Stadium sits right there on the confluence of the Allegheny and the Monongahela whelping the Ohio.
  • Another “Road” stadium that the Irish fans will control.

GO IRISH!

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58 Comments

  1. Thanks, Duranko. Watching LSU get stuffed by Bama reminds me that no matter how good the run game, if a quality defensive side decides to shut down a runner at all costs, they can do it. I agree on Schmidt as well, and wondered if it was just me. Hoping Kelly gives Morgan some real reps in the next two games.

  2. @ spiceyirish and 45yearfaithful
    Agree with your above comments,
    as does BK reacting in his recent press conference- that wins over two undefeated teams and SC the last three games boosted NDs appeal to the committee- along with SC destroying previously ranked # 4 Utah after its loss to ND.

    Will be watching to see if the LSU- Alabama loser will drop out of the top four since their loss will be vs. another top four team. ND winning out, no easy task for any team, especially on the road three more times, and Clemson remaining undefeated and ranked near the top, are NDs best chances to finish in position for placement among the national championship final four. It’s looking a lot better than it did during the 4th quarter of the Temple game! Thinking this year there will again be more than four making a rightful claim for their inclusion- which will bring us sooner than later to an expansion to eight- or at least six teams placed in the national championship elimination based more on end of the year success vs. each other than the incredibly subjective outcome if limiting the field to only four remains in place.

    But as for now, beating Pitt is all that matters.

  3. I just saw the rankings on the bottom scroll. Notice that Clemson was #1 right away. I thought that was an indication that Notre Dame might have a pretty good ranking… Maybe #7 or #8. I almost hit the floor when I saw the #5. I was expecting Baylor and Michigan State to be ahead, but it looks like Notre Dame has earned a lot of respect in the committee’s minds.

    Besides losing away to #1 Clemson by two points. Notre Dame has beaten three teams that have victories over one loss teams. G-Tech beat FSU, USC beat Utah, and Texas beat Oklahoma. Even though those teams have multiple losses, they help ND a lot with those great victories. Add the wins over one loss Navy and Temple, Notre Dame has a pretty good argument to be #5.

    Still have a lot of football left. Just take it a week at a time.

  4. Very surprised. I was guessing 13 vicinity. I won’t go as far as to say running the table locks it. But your right, lot better chance at #5. ND young men had better strap them on for Pitt this weekend. We’re going to see some hitting and a fight. They thought Temple played tough. Pitt is going to be playing way over their heads. This is going to be fun. ND really has a target on them now. We thought they had one before……… Duranko. I agree. I noticed the D line pressure also and rallying to the ball. Was pleased. Short drops by QB’s of most opponents too. Wondered why ND would blitz against it. Sometimes delayed. Great times ahead. Win out. Thanks.

  5. Playoff committee has Notre Dame ranked #5. Didnt see that coming and not sure its warranted but i will take it. Xmas comes early. Now its entirely up to Notre Dame to take care of whats in front of them. Dont even need to worry about what anybody else does. Win out and the irish are in.

  6. Duranko,

    I disagree with one thing about the d-line. I have saw both Sheldon and Rochell getting in the QB’s face quite a bit. Cage and Tillery at times have flashed ability but no consistency. When Temple was put in 3rd and long ND’s pass rush got in his face. 3rd and short and 1st & 2nd downs teams are 3 step drops and get rid of the ball in 2-3 seconds. They are following the Umass playbook in that aspect of the game. I would like to see more press and the dbacks in the receivers face at the line of scrimmage instead of playing off. As far at the secondary is concerned they need to learn how to break down, hit and wrap. To many times do I see dbacks flying by the ball carrier out of control. Also, Joe Schmidt seems a step to late at times like the TD catch. I think the injury is an issue with his speed.

    Teams are concentrating on stopping the run up the middle because it was so successful against other teams. Temple sold out on the run up the middle, which allowed Kiser to run the ball more on the read option. They want Kiser to beat them and he is proving he can. I think you will see teams now respecting Kiser’s run ability and passing ability. Once they respect Kiser more the running lanes will open. CJ reminds me of Ryan Grant, straight up runner with blazing speed. The games he was shut down running they should get him the ball in the flat or wheel routes. I just don’t think the line is as bad as everyone is saying.

  7. Seeimg these defenses throughout the season now. Just give the “Student Body” left and right a try too. It’s not run to the alley. But what the hell. It gets outside fast against these stacked interior defenses. Kizer needs the benefit of a run game. Obviously. Seems odd we’re concerned with Procise having so many rushing yards.

  8. Would like to see how faster developing plays to the alley would work against these Type “D’s” and fronts. Just a quick pitch. Anything that is not so slow developing. Does ND have guards that can pull? Need to adapt the run game to take advantage of these defenses. Passing can’t be the only answer. Also could involve tight ends more. Doesn’t have to be 20 yards downfield either. Answers? Thanks.

  9. Regarding the O-line. They handle pass blocking very well. Also picking up interior and edge blitzes. Seems they are just not quick enough for dominant run blocking. Temple had a veteran team. There front 7 were just to fast for ND’s offensive front. Either the line is doubling. Not chipping and getting after a backer. Maybe I’m blind, but I’m not seeing backers being hit at 2nd level. Or kept there. Teams with quick front 7 do well. Temple also loaded box and scrimmage line.

  10. What continues to characterize this team is their big play production, and their consistency to make that big play defensively with seemingly every 4th quarter win. I trust those of us without a plan B that watched each play of each game have noticed- without me having to elaborate. The OL does not consistently dominate. Nor does the DL – although they played their best game of the year in Philadelphia since game 1 and were vital to securing this win – while the LBs not named Jaylon and the DBs remain inconsistent, with too many WTF lapses making the numerous spectacular plays more necessary- and maybe even more gratifying.

    But ND 127 each week (other than the multi- TO and dropped passes in the Clemson monsoon slosh-a-rama) is a team that makes the critical play with the game on the line trumping anything ND has had this century other than 2012, when many of those victories weren’t very dominant either.

    One win from perfection re: wins and losses so far- with obstacles yet in place along the way!
    As Sammy Sosa often said after a late walk-off victory from both the north side and the Southside:,
    “I’ll take-uh- thatta one!”

  11. Oh, canada. let me address your questions.

    First, I was fooled by the offensive line. I expected it to be dominant, But it is not. Elmer has struggled and McGlinchey will be better next year.

    But part of the problem of the running game is Prosise. Love him, but he is not a brusing plant the foot and bang between the tackles runner like Fournette and Henry. Just look at Prosise’s runs, many started from the outside. He still has not been deprogrammed from being a wide receiver. But that was not your question. Yes, the offensive line has underperformed expectations.

    On the pass rush, there is not a great pass rusher on the front four, and with a lack of depth in the secondary, exacerbated by Crawford’s absence, Jaylon Smith, mostly has to stay in coverage. He’s the best nickel we have. I have only one problem with Jaylon Smith. He is not twins. Interestingly, many sack teams use corner and safety blitzes, and Redfield almost got there once. This defensive line is stout against the run, but is not going to sack much. Gilmore has a reputation of being able to coach pass rushing, but you have to have raw material. You can coach some pressure and pocket disruption, but not sacks. Further, with Jarron Jones size and bulk, he often collapsed the pocket from the middle. Cage and Tillery are not strong enough to do that.

    hope that helps, canada

  12. I don’t agree with posters about number of carries a QB should be limited to—because of worries he might get injured. The game of football is not played this way on any level. It’s a violent game—hence “football is not a Wine Tasting Event.” Okay , maybe you’d like “football is not an Olympic Curling Event” , a game of Cricket , game of Croquet , game of Tiddly Winks etc. Why am I getting a Goodbye from you ?

  13. Southside: “football is not a Wine Tasting Event”
    That is a great introduction to you and what you have to bring to this conversation.

    Goodbye.

  14. Things didn’t go like they were suppose to. We all know that — but the coaches/players know that too. What is most important is a win. And if Notre Dame is an inconsistent team week to week—doesn’t mean they won’t go 11-1. It is what it is — a team 7-1 winning with clutch plays needed to pull out a victory. And one play away from 8-0 in Death Valley. This team could go 11-1 despite Red Zone problems , despite O or D sub par play , despite Coaches bad play calling. They find a way to win. The guy keeping this Irish team at 7-1 in this 2015 season is QB Kizer. Zaire or if Golson were still here–I don’t think Irish would be 7-1. As good as Prosise has been — Kizer is the guy pulling out the wins on clutch plays. As good as Fuller is–Kizer is getting the ball to him. As for Kizer “running the ball” too much — well , football is not a Wine Tasting Event–for those of you crying/snot nosed “Oh God , please don’t hurt our 6′ 4 ” 230 lb quarterback.” Good Grief. Go Irish.

  15. FXM:
    It may very well end up having been exactly that.
    The Clemson game ended NDs hopes, and conversely has put Clemson in the conversation for a National Championship appearance, with their fate in their own hands.
    That game came down to a desperation 2-pt. play….because of an utterly bonehead 2-pt attempt earlier.

    IMO, Kelly’s poor decision played a critical role in ND losing that game, and therefore not having any shot at a national championship.
    But you never know….he could screw up one of the remaining games, and then no one will remember that.

  16. Damian: ND sits at 7-1 but IMO has very little hope for the playoffs. 12-0 is the only guaranteed path for ND, and a single loss will always hurt ND more than anyone else….file that under “life’s unfair”.

    Clemson, OTOH, has an excellent shot at the playoffs with its fate in its own hands. And for that, Dabo Swinney owes Kelly at least a good round of golf somewhere this Spring.

  17. I am a little concerned about our O-line or maybe it’s a little of Prosise’s inexperience, but I don’t see anybody yet selling out and stuffing Leonard Fournette (and yes, I know Prosise is not Fournette). I feel like for Temple to totally stuff our run game should require such measures that it leads to at 4 TDs through the air. I realize it lead to Kizer’s romp but I remain a little uneasy.

  18. Take a look at Zaire’s first run for a first down against LSU in the bowl game last year. His speed and the way he finished the run set the whole tone for the game which enabled us to beat them even after they scored on three long plays by their superstar. A running QB even more like Zaire, who also has the arm strength and ability to pass, is something that can carry a college team and is almost necessary to win the national championship. Kizer has this ability to an extent also and unless you have the top recruiting class each year is absolutely necessary to have the QB who has these traits to win the national title.

  19. I agree with Shaz and JDH. A coach can’t design plays based on which plays does a QB (or another player) have the least chance of getting hurt. That’s a surefire way to lose a bunch of games.

    BK’s offense requires a QB who can run. That’s his type of spread offense, and that’s the they of QB he recruits. BK has shown a great amount of confidence in his QB to change plays based on what he sees on the field. If he needs to pick up a couple of yards with his legs then that’s what he’ll do. In fact, if BK were to suddenly tell him to not run, I think Kizer would be incredibly frustrated because he can run. And look at what it does to opposing defenses. It’s one more element they have to watch out for and keeps them honest.

    But that’s just my take. ND sits 7-1 with a shot at the playoffs. At the end of the day that’s what counts.

  20. David,
    Picking up on your sarcasm, since you clearly are not receiving here the intellectual stimulation and emotional reward you require, one must ask why you don’t exit and go elsewhere.

  21. JDH,

    I found 20 college football fans to see what they (honestly) think about the “Risk vs Reward
    in running the QB.

    Consensus… When the QB in question has the size, speed, and ability to be a true duel threat, runs an offense that maximizes his abilities, and knows when to lower his shoulder and when to slide or get out of bounds, then the risk is negotiable and the reward acceptable.

    As far as Rhule doing big things at temple…I think Temple should just try to enjoy their season because chances are, some program that needs a new head coach is going to snap him up)

    What is art ? … most said a guy on the wall with no arms or legs.

  22. I really enjoy the mental challenge and stimulation I am getting here today.
    Really…it is a credit to all higher education institutions, not just Notre Dame. I can see very little difference here.
    Now….could someone please offer a “Yo Mama”? That would just be the cherry on a most impressive cake.

  23. They won what else do you need to know? But they did not play a good game. Yes, the offensive numbers for Kizer were very good but the Prosise was not up to his usual performance. The run game with Prosise seemed out of sync. Pitt could be a handful especially at their place. With a lack of a running game Saturday, Kizer threw 2 intercept. If Prosise can run against Pitt, Kizer will feel the benefits. Go Irish!

  24. Shaz,

    I guess david is citing the concept of “risk vs. reward” as some type of trump card that his argument is flawless. But I can’t quite figure it out. I certainly understand that when you run a quarterback he has the potential for injury, but how you quantify that “risk vs. reward” is as subjective as a question like, “What is art?” Good luck with that one.

    I too was really frustrated by the game. I think Temple’s D is as advertised and I have Schule and Co. huge credit for a very solid game plan. They are doing big things there at Temple. ND made the BIG plays they needed to get a win on the road. I thought the optics of the 4-point win would look “bad” for ND and their playoff chances. Contrary to my initial thinking, it seems the pundits (whether or not you put any credence in them or not) looked upon the win as solid and positive for ND. Tough win on the road against a very good football team. Again, subjective.

    In Kizer we trust. His ability to thrive, as such a young man in difficult circumstances, has been amazing.

  25. Which thing are we talking about? The first thing or the second thing?

    I mean… how can we bring up the first thing if we’re not gonna talk about the second thing?

    Did you talk to the guy?

  26. So now its a good thing ND didn’t hire Paul Johnson???

    He runs the triple option, which requires the QB to keep it an average of 16 times a game.

  27. David,

    You don’t play to not get people injured, if that’s the case and you will not run your QB defenses will begin to just key on CJ. This is the offense Kelly runs, QB’s must be able to run at least a couple times a game in order to hold the back side. If you don’t do it the running game is doomed. Just look at the running game when Tommy was the QB, no one respected the QB run and the back side DE’s made a ton of tackles.

    Finally, I though the season was over when ND lost Ziare? You can’t stop executing your offense just because your scared of injuring a player. You need to run your offense and if injuries happen adjust. Kelly has done and excellent job of that this year. Also, should ND stop running CJ for fear of injury? The QB must run at least 10 times a game maybe more depending on what the defense gives them. Winbush needs to be ready if Kiser goes down.

  28. jack: ND has one QB with all of 6 starts. That’s the SEASONED guy. After him, the depth really drops off.

    And it’s not like a QB never gets hurt. I think it might have happened at least once before….oh, wait….

  29. @David:
    Thanks for all the hypotheticals that are meaningless. I can do that too:

    What if Kizer scored 5 touchdowns on Saturday? Then would the the ND fans around here be like?

    Great teams find ways to win, by any means necessary. Do you do anything but bitch?

  30. After a day to cool off I realize I was one of many to overreact to the close win at Temple. I was wrong. Temple is a good team and ND did what was necessary to win. Last year this time the team was spiraling into mediocrity with tough losses. A tough, resilient win on the road deserves better respect from fans like myself who expected a beatdown of an inferior opponent. Kizer made the necessary plays. Kudos to Temple for that gameplan. It was awesome. I do have one nagging critique though. I think BK is a great coach, he’s recruiting better than ever and all but he is somewhat stubborn in his loyalty to certain players. He was hesitant to pull EG last season. He gave Cam too many carries and GB not enough IN MY OPINION. He is showing same hesitance with Joe Schmidt. 2 tackles??? Starting linebacker?? Not good enough. I understand Joe’s knowledge of the defense, play calling, etc but at some point you have to produce on the field. You think Nyles couldn’t have stumbled his way into 3 tackles in this game??? I do. Nevertheless a win is a win and I prefer that to the feeling I had last year around this time. Go Irish!

  31. Durango, curious about your thoughts on a few things.
    1. How good you think the OL truly is. Solid teams that scheme to stop Promise, seem to be able to do it. This is not happening to Henry at Bama or Fournette at LSU. What IYO accounts for the difference?

    2. Thoughts on the lack of sacks this year, despite pretty consistent blitzing. Wondering if our coverage is too soft, allowing the quick hot reads too easily, or if the rushing talent just is a shade less than we need. No offence to Temple, but I would have expected 3- 4 sacks since we forced them into a one dimensional attack for most of the game. Their QB was hurried consistently, and we seem okay at that; just not getting those drive- changing sacks. We get many more TFL than sacks.

    Thanks.

  32. David,

    ND is running the zone option read. That requires the QB to run the football. There is no lead blocker and the QB run holds the back side pressure. The 79 yard run shows what happens when you don’t respect the QB run. Temple sold out stuffing the middle of the field and the QB run was open all night.

    The first interception was a bad decision by Kizer. First he saw the blitz and didn’t rotate blocking coverage to account for the blitz. He compounded his problem by not eating the football. The second interception was a good play by the Temple defender and a luck bounce into the hands of another Temple defender.

    ND scores any points on those red zone opportunities they go up by two scores and it changes the game. I want to see a dominate defensive performance. The defense has showed up when needed, but I want to see them shut an opponent down. Right now that is my only concern is that if the offense has a bad game, and I mean a really bad game, can the defense shut down the opposing team until the offense rebounds.

    This team is a good team, but if you make it to the playoffs your going to have to play 60 minutes of great football not 45 minutes. The inconsistency of play is keeping teams in games. I hope they are ready to put 60 minutes of great football against Pitt. Get out of Pitt with a win and crush the remaining opponents until Stanford and after that let the chips fall where they may.

  33. jimbasil: You seem rational, I commend you.

    If ND fans woke up Sunday with an injured Kizer (and most certainly therefore a loss to Temple), and Wimbush at the helm for the rest of the season, what would people around here be like? The passion would be biblical, and not in the good way.

    But hey…why think about stuff? Think hurts brain.

    When you do nothing but throw passes in the red zone, guess what? You’ll throw interceptions in the red zone. And when opponents know you’re going to throw passes in the red zone, they’ll be quite ready to intercept those passes in the red zone.

    But I haven’t been doing this for 25 years, so….

  34. Duranko: For someone who dabbles in journalism, you really are thin-skinned and itrrational. Sticking to the subject is key to good writing.

    As for Ronny Doody, how’s that search for your first original thought going?

  35. Not a perfect game, but overall a decent game. I know there are some ND fans out there who thought the Irish should have blown out Temple, but they seem to forget this is not the same Temple that was booted out of the Big East. This is actually a pretty solid Temple team. I’ve been keeping an eye on them since they beat PSU earlier this year. I almost feel like this is some Twilight Zone moment. Who would have thought when Temple was added to the schedule that it would actually help our strength of schedule.

    The media at least thought this was a good win for ND, jumping us over Stanford in the AP poll, and Temple was barely touched, losing only 2 or 3 spots and remaining ranked.

  36. There have been times that it would be easy to jump all over Kelley and his play calling. But, to me, this year has been about execution or lack thereof. Temple’s primary focus was shutting down Proisise. Kizer I thought did a great job with zone reads and kept the ball when appropriate and reaped the benefits with a long TD run.

    The first interception was a rookie mistake. The second one was a good play by the Temple defender and a poor route run by Fuller. Not a bad play call to me, but bad execution.

    It seemed to me that Elmer and Nelson both struggled at the guard spots against Temple. There was a lot of pressure up the middle. Hard to tell if Martin was missing calls and reads or just bad execution by the guards.

    When the Irish are clicking, they are arguably one of the best teams in the country. Getting 60 minutes of consistent play has yet to happen. If Kelley can be sited for anything it is that he can’t seem to get 60 minutes of play.

  37. ” the moment he channeled his Bill Etter . . .” lol. Duranko
    I’m thinking you gotta be at least mid-60’s in age to catch that reference!

  38. That 80 yard run by Kizer was electrifying!!!! I was blown away by it. He is not quick, but once he gets going he can really fly!!!!!!!!!

    That was AWESOME!!!!

    Woody

  39. Nice recap Duranko

    However, to be fair David is right and the bill is to Kelly – The Redzone O play calling is just awful – It’s not hate, it’s not hiding from what is. Just like the two point conversion called by Kelly vs Clemson when it wasn’t needed (and please don’t point out Stats say to do so – if there is such a stat, it’s BS), it’s not 20 20 hindsight it was a WTF moment for most of us and it turned out we were right again and Kelly was wrong.

    I have to say, Kizer benefited from some nice blocking by WR’s in some of his runs.

  40. david I just have only one question for you:

    How is your “Paul Johnson for ND coach” campaign coming ? And in a three way race among your Johnson-to-ND quest and the campaigns of Bobby Jindal and Lincoln Chafee, who is surging ahead and who is trailing the other contenders?

    It is understandable that your vendetta for Kelly continues, david. After all, Kelly, aided and abetted by Van Gorder and Elliott pimpslapped your boy Paul Johnson on national TV, courtesy of the NBC network.

    Be careful , david, hate is an expensive narcotic. It’s bill must be paid.

  41. If your aunt had balls, she’d be your uncle.

    Meanwhile, Coach Johnson continues to impress with the ramblin wreck.

  42. If Kizer had gotten hurt on any one of those designed runs (and he really got popped two or three times early) what might we all be talking about instead today?

    And ND red zone offensive play calling remains a complete abomination.

    But hey, ND won right? All’s well for another week….

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