NDN Features
 

Rock's House | Cartier Field | Back Room | Political | Career | The Pit | Alumni Events | McGraw's Bench | Jake's Field | Jackson's Rink | Olympic | Fantasy Sports | Chat

NDNation.com Staff: Scott Engler - Michael Cash - John Vannie - Mike Coffey - Kayo - Bacchus

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Too Little, Too Late

posted by John Vannie
Notre Dame appeared to sleepwalk through the first three quarters against Pittsburgh on Saturday, and their late rally fell short as the clock ticked down on the Charlie Weis era. By losing 27-22 to the Panthers, the Irish dropped to 6-4 on the season and stirred the bitter memories of last November’s collapse.

In the first segment of the game, both offenses failed to sustain drives and the punting units battled for field position. By the middle of the second quarter, the teams had managed only to exchange field goals. Pittsburgh took control of a 3-3 game when they struck for the first touchdown of the evening on consecutive passes of 22 and 36 yards from Bill Stull to Jonathan Baldwin. Baldwin’s acrobatic catch over Darrin Walls in the end zone made it 10-3 Panthers at the half.

Pitt’s dominance continued into the third period, which featured another great catch by Baldwin to set up a field goal and a 53-yard run by Ray Graham through numerous and futile tackling attempts by the Irish. Graham scored from two yards out on the next play to extend the Panther lead to 20-3.

Notre Dame’s attempt to mount a comeback on its next possession nearly stalled, but Weis surprised Pitt’s defense by calling a play action bomb on fourth and one inside his own territory. Jimmy Clausen’s long heave reached Michael Floyd at the Panther 16, and the Irish quarterback snuck in for a score moments later on the first play of the fourth quarter. A missed extra point kept the margin at 20-9.

Freshman Dion Lewis answered with a 50 yard burst of his own through the middle of Notre Dame’s defense, and the Panthers recovered to a 27-9 advantage with 12:44 left. As has been the case on many occasions in the final quarter this season, Clausen went to work with Golden Tate and Michael Floyd to produce a quick touchdown. Injuries to Pitt at the cornerback position during the game left them vulnerable, and Clausen took full advantage. The drive ended successfully when Tate caught a pass in the flat and dove into the end zone to finish an 18-yard scoring play.

The Irish then needed to stop a Panther rushing attack that had progressively built up steam as the game progressed. Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt elected to pass, however, and his offense quickly went three and out. Dan Hutchins’ punt carried inside the Notre Dame 20 yard line once again, but this time Tate found running room and burst through the coverage for an 87-yard score. The Irish failed on a two point conversion attempt and trailed by 27-22 with a healthy 7:16 remaining. Tate’s return was the team’s first score this season by a unit other than the offense.

When Stull hit Baldwin for 20 yards on the next series, it looked as though Pittsburgh would hold on for the win. Notre Dame then caught a break when Stull fumbled the snap on a third and one play, but the Panthers recovered and Hutchins pinned the Irish back to their own 20 with 3:39 left. Clausen trotted onto the field as Notre Dame fans prayed for another last minute miracle.

Hopes were quickly doused, however, as a chop block penalty on guard Dan Wenger put the Irish in a hole and extreme pressure from Pitt’s defensive ends caused Clausen’s passes to hit the turf. Insult was added to injury when the replay officials ruled that a third down incompletion was actually a fumble, and the Panthers used the gift to run out the clock.

As with recent games against USC and Navy, the Irish could not overcome poor play with last minute heroics. It’s a positive reflection on their character that the players do not quit, but this is little consolation when they are outplayed and outcoached until their backs are against the wall. Defensively, Notre Dame performed well in several series but were victimized too often by the big play on the ground and through the air.

Let’s look at a few questions that helped determine the outcome:

Will Notre Dame’s run/pass mix indicate a greater degree of balance and success in the ground game? Absolutely not. Clausen threw 42 passes while Irish backs had only 18 rushing attempts. Once again, Weis inexplicably abandoned the run well before it made sense to do so.

Can the Irish protect Clausen? Another resounding “No”. Tackles Sam Young and Paul Duncan were embarrassed by Pittsburgh rushers Jabaal Sheard and Greg Romeus, who caused numerous incompletions and throwaways.

Can the Notre Dame defense hold Pitt to less than four yards per rush? Sadly, no. The Panthers averaged 6.0 yards per carry.

Which team will gain an advantage from special teams? Tate’s return salvaged another woeful punting display by Notre Dame, while Hutchins continually pinned the Irish deep in their own territory.

Can Notre Dame stop the Panthers in the red zone? The Irish held Pitt to field goals on a couple of occasions, but it was the 50+ yard runs and the deep pass to Baldwin that killed them.

Will Stull be able to maintain a high passing efficiency? While not necessarily impressive, Stull hurt Notre Dame by finding Baldwin at critical points in the game.

After a tumultuous week, will the Irish be emotionally high for this game? Not especially. Brian Smith made a lot of noise prior to kickoff, but he absolutely disappeared once the game started.

Which team will be most successful in the fourth quarter? Notre Dame scored three touchdowns, but Lewis’ 50-yard romp and a strong pass rush helped the Panthers survive.

Does Pitt deserve a top ten ranking? Probably not, but a Big East schedule provides a lot of cover.

Notre Dame will finish its home slate against UConn next week and conclude the regular season at Stanford. The team’s bowl prospects are falling below the second tier at this point and one has to wonder who will be on hand to coach the team in the postseason. It’s almost certain that Weis’ 35-25 career record will not secure his retention when the exact same result doomed his predecessors. Furthermore, the Irish are playing poorly at this point in the season when the better teams in the country are hitting their stride. A repeat of last year’s awful November is a clear indication that this is more than an alarming coincidence.
| More

63 Comments:

Blogger Ben said...

Somewhere in Cincinnati, Brian Kelly's phone is ringing...

11/15/2009 05:04:00 PM  
Blogger Michael T. Heider, P.A. said...

Insightful as always. Definitely time to try an alternate leader for the team. If only Mr. Weis held himself to the same standards as those set at the braggadocio’s arrival. He would promptly tender his resignation and admit his mediocrity as a coach. Instead we will no doubt see his true character in the form of blame passing and an over sized golden (pun intended) parachute.

11/15/2009 05:24:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wouldn't be too quick to dismay Charlie as head coach just yet. I'm not sure even at 7-5 the administration will make a move.

Just calling it here first.

11/15/2009 05:54:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A great unbiased repart Mr.Vannie. Use what influence if any to push Stanford Caoch Jim Harbaugh to be the next Notre Daem Coach if a change has to be made. His teams play smart,intense ,nast smash mouth football. The Stanford O-Line crushed USC vaunted 5-Star NFL Bound Defense. Crished them all game long. Then something we have not seen at Notre Dame for some time. A true running game gave the Stanford's Defense time to rest and when they got into the game. They were all over USC's QB and RB. Even after USC made some big plays. Stanford came back and smash mouthed USC into submission. Ala when Holtz coached the Irish by having his O-Line smash the Trojans.

Hie this guy. He knows how to beat USC. He will make ND tough again and that is sure needed on Defense and he is Catholic and knows how to beat the big schools and recruit. By the way. he beat USC with a true Frosh at QB in Mr.Luck. But there was no luck in Toby Gerhardt and Luck running up and down the field on USC

Go Get Coach Harbaugh

11/15/2009 06:12:00 PM  
Blogger Scranton Dave said...

I have been a Weis apologist, but he needs to go, it's that simple. Something just isnt working. There is top 10 talent on this team, but for whatever reason, they are vastly underacheiving. The replay officials struck again though last night and we shouldnt lose sight of that. Not for Notre Dames sake, cause if the play on that last series wasnt ruled a fumble, its 4ht and 16 and the odds are against ND anyway, but something needs to be done about the blatant cheating that is going on all over College Football. If a QB fumbles, instead of throwing an incomplete forward pass, how does the able roll forward 10-15 yards? These replay overturns are baffling and this week it was the Big easts turn. Friday night they gave Cincinnati a gift overturn TD when the call on the field was a fumble recovered by West Virginia. I believe the refs in the Big 10, Big East and SEC are cheating to help the teams that have the best chance to play in BCS Bowls. Every replay overturn goes in favor of those teams and its getting real tired, and the Irish were victimized again last night. I believe that will continue for whoever the new coach is so the Irish will have to overcome that. I hope the new coach is Gruden, but I think it will be Kelly when all is said and done. I wouldnt be surprised tosee the Irish lose to UConn as well and they will probably get clobbered by Stanford.

11/15/2009 06:19:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Right now we have a 6-4 football team, and guess what, that's just not good enough. It's not good enough for me, and I certainly hope it's not good enough for whoever we bring in to replace the arrogant moron we have coaching the team right now.

11/15/2009 06:28:00 PM  
Anonymous IRISH STING said...

TWO GAMES TO GO AND WILL THEY WIN EITHER ONE? CONN WILL FIGHT YOU TO THE BITTER END AND STANFORD IS PEAKING AS A TOTAL TEAM. A SIX AND SIX SEASON IN NOW LOOKING US STAIGHT IN THE IRISH EYE. IF THIS HAPPENS WILL THAT IRISH STUDENT WHO HAD ALL THE ANSWERS QUIETLY STEP ASIDE AND LET A REAL COACH TAKE THE RIEGNS? WILL KELLY SMILE UPONS US AND TAKE THE CHALLENGE? IF WE GO 6 & 6 WILL WE STAY HOME AND WONDER WHAT HAPPEN? TUNE IN IN TWO WEEKS FOR THE FINALE RESULTS.

11/15/2009 06:49:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Losses to Navy, Pitt... the team getting worse, not better as the season wears on, etc. As Yogi Berra once said, "It's deja vu all over again." Thank God Syracuse isn't on the schedule or else we would REALLY be in trouble!

11/15/2009 07:04:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not suggesting Jim Harbaugh as "the guy", but interesting that in less than 3 years after taking over a terrible Stanford team....he has a young frosh QB he is truly developing, an RB making a late push for Heisman consideration, a team still in the Rose Bowl hunt, and two wins on USC turf....Oh I forgot to mention the Stanford defense intercepted the USC frosh QB three times...while the same USC QB shreds ND defense for 380 yds on ND's turf....nasty, just plain nasty!

11/15/2009 07:13:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We need to go get Kirk Ferentz... Proven track record with less talent, I am not sure Brian Kelly can recruit the athletes we need to get us over the hump. I feel Ferentz can.

11/15/2009 07:21:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I disagree with the Anonymous poster who said that a 7-5 record might not doom CW. Father Jenkins will have no choice: If he doesn't fire CW, then he will be open to all the racist charges tossed at him and the University over the Willingham firing. Jenkins can't afford to re-open that can of worms. And believe me: Mark May and others of his ilk are just waiting to start the drumbeat of ND "racism" again.

11/15/2009 07:22:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fifteen years and three coaches, each with the same winning percentage. Why should we expect the next guy to do any better? Is he going to recruit better? Play an easier schedule? Get better calls from the other teams' refs?

11/15/2009 07:32:00 PM  
Blogger NEPA FAN said...

What's wrong with ND? Where does one begin? I've been a fan for some time and I try to remain objective as possible realizing I'll always show some bias.Where's the fire, the toughness, the "blue collar", "Lunch Pail" attitude? There's no Passion on the sidelines from the coaches that I see. When was the last time a ND RB ran for a TD of longer than 75 yards. Are the backs that slow? I really enjoy watching Armando run but I'm waiting for that "home run". WHO TEACHES THESE GUYS HOW TO TACKLE? Since when do you hit someone up around the numbers? I was taught BACK IN MIDGET FOOTBALL to wrap the other guy's legs and drive with yours.The tackling by this team is atrocious. One should feel fairly confident when you have the other team in a 3rd and 14 situation. Me, I just "roll my eyes" and say "Here we go Again." At the beginning of the year ND's secondary was supposed to be a strength. These corners were highly recruited by the "Big Name" schools. What's wrong? IMO they need to play less defensively and act more AGGRESSIVELY. Press the other teams receivers, man coverage, ANTICIPATE, and "BREAK ON THE BALL" Yeah, there's times you'll lose the gamble and get "burnt" but there are other times where you'll MAKE A "GAME CHANGING PLAY", maybe a "PICK 6 ". What does this defense really have to lose by trying. Tenuta loves to "Blitz" and the defense actually played better when the "Blitzing" was decreased. THIS SECONDARY NEEDS TO ATTACK! There is TALENT ON THIS TEAM. TOP TEN TALENT! National Championships get won by teams that win 11 or 12 games for a couple of years in a row. First, ND needs to get to that level and then with a "few lucky bounces" ND may once again see that "Holy Grail". BTW, I really believe ND needs to start consistently scheduling SEC teams. This will help recruiting as well as give you a "barometer" to measure yourself against. Go Irish!

11/15/2009 07:43:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Corwin Brown calls the Navy coach and complains about Navy "cut blocks" as if ND would never do such a thing. Corwin Brown and ND "play by the rules". HA HA. Seems it was a CUT BLOCK penalty by ND that killed our chances late in the game! "Let him without sin cast the first stone" Corwin Brown.

11/15/2009 07:51:00 PM  
Anonymous Susan/ ND Alumni Daughter said...

Where is Jon Gruden? We need "Chuckie" here. Anyone could do a better job than Charlie is. He just plan sucks at this job. God ND, get someone else. If Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate want to leave for the draft let them go. Me thinks that they will not be drafted anyway. They should look to what happened with Darius Walker.

11/15/2009 07:51:00 PM  
Blogger NEPA FAN said...

What's wrong with ND? Where does one begin? I've been a fan for some time and I try to remain objective as possible realizing I'll always show some bias.Where's the fire, the toughness, the "blue collar", "Lunch Pail" attitude? There's no Passion on the sidelines from the coaches that I see. When was the last time a ND RB ran for a TD of longer than 75 yards. Are the backs that slow? I really enjoy watching Armando run but I'm waiting for that "home run". WHO TEACHES THESE GUYS HOW TO TACKLE? Since when do you hit someone up around the numbers? I was taught BACK IN MIDGET FOOTBALL to wrap the other guy's legs and drive with yours.The tackling by this team is atrocious. One should feel fairly confident when you have the other team in a 3rd and 14 situation. Me, I just "roll my eyes" and say "Here we go Again." At the beginning of the year ND's secondary was supposed to be a strength. These corners were highly recruited by the "Big Name" schools. What's wrong? IMO they need to play less defensively and act more AGGRESSIVELY. Press the other teams receivers, man coverage, ANTICIPATE, and "BREAK ON THE BALL" Yeah, there's times you'll lose the gamble and get "burnt" but there are other times where you'll MAKE A "GAME CHANGING PLAY", maybe a "PICK 6 ". What does this defense really have to lose by trying. Tenuta loves to "Blitz" and the defense actually played better when the "Blitzing" was decreased. THIS SECONDARY NEEDS TO ATTACK! There is TALENT ON THIS TEAM. TOP TEN TALENT! National Championships get won by teams that win 11 or 12 games for a couple of years in a row. First, ND needs to get to that level and then with a "few lucky bounces" ND may once again see that "Holy Grail". BTW, I really believe ND needs to start consistently scheduling SEC teams. This will help recruiting as well as give you a "barometer" to measure yourself against. Go Irish!

11/15/2009 08:07:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What's wrong with ND? Where does one begin? I've been a fan for some time and I try to remain objective as possible realizing I'll always show some bias.Where's the fire, the toughness, the "blue collar", "Lunch Pail" attitude? There's no Passion on the sidelines from the coaches that I see. When was the last time a ND RB ran for a TD of longer than 75 yards. Are the backs that slow? I really enjoy watching Armando run but I'm waiting for that "home run". WHO TEACHES THESE GUYS HOW TO TACKLE? Since when do you hit someone up around the numbers? I was taught BACK IN MIDGET FOOTBALL to wrap the other guy's legs and drive with yours.The tackling by this team is atrocious. One should feel fairly confident when you have the other team in a 3rd and 14 situation. Me, I just "roll my eyes" and say "Here we go Again." At the beginning of the year ND's secondary was supposed to be a strength. These corners were highly recruited by the "Big Name" schools. What's wrong? IMO they need to play less defensively and act more AGGRESSIVELY. Press the other teams receivers, man coverage, ANTICIPATE, and "BREAK ON THE BALL" Yeah, there's times you'll lose the gamble and get "burnt" but there are other times where you'll MAKE A "GAME CHANGING PLAY", maybe a "PICK 6 ". What does this defense really have to lose by trying. Tenuta loves to "Blitz" and the defense actually played better when the "Blitzing" was decreased. THIS SECONDARY NEEDS TO ATTACK! There is TALENT ON THIS TEAM. TOP TEN TALENT! National Championships get won by teams that win 11 or 12 games for a couple of years in a row. First, ND needs to get to that level and then with a "few lucky bounces" ND may once again see that "Holy Grail". BTW, I really believe ND needs to start consistently scheduling SEC teams. This will help recruiting as well as give you a "barometer" to measure yourself against. Go Irish!

11/15/2009 08:08:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey anonymous - Presumably the new guy will coach better.

11/15/2009 08:09:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree 100% with the previous comment about Father Jenkins looking to avoid the 'racism' charge which is sure to be leveled if they keep Mr. Weis for another season. It may not be fair but I think that's the reality.

It's a sad state of affairs when the only thing we ND faithful have to look forward too every few years is the false hope generated by the next Coach they decide to bring in.

11/15/2009 08:14:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ND leadership is to blame...This has been going on since Holtz left. A litany of poor choices, lost time and bumbling by University leadership.
Unless leadership at the top is committed to a top shelf program this is all just mental masturbation.
I am going to cheer on the Longhorns and forget about the second tier program that is ND football. Fat Charlie or not this is a leadership problem that has now gone on for almost 2 decades. It's gotten tiresome and has become a royal pain in the ass to continue to watch.
Why bother.

11/15/2009 08:20:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm sorry, I just have to reply to the person who said Clausen and Tate wouldn't get drafted. They will both be drafted in the first round.

Do you watch football?

11/15/2009 09:08:00 PM  
Anonymous Wally Oklahoma ND77 said...

As a 77 graduate that witnessed 2 National Chahampionships and an ND victory over UCLA breaking their still standing 88 game win streak I agree with the blogger that said we are facing a leadership @ the top problem. The AD needs to be responsible like the days of Moose and keep the academic and board members out as they obviously can't handle the responsibility. If Jackie blows it he lives and dies with the decision. Empower him and make it clear that he and he alone makes the call and it is his prime objective to bring us back to national prominence, or he loses his job, period, amen. Let the new coach have free reign to get the best players and have the academics cut some of them a break on their lofty GPA standards, heck that is more discriminating than firing Tyrone! This Junior College junk we keep putting out for the last twenty years has got to stop and the leadership has failed miserably. When CW is fired, they should go to!

11/15/2009 09:13:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I disagree with most here. Please tell me when there has beem a more exciting year of football at ND. Every week it's a cardiac finish. We are in every game and it's just thrilling finishes.

11/15/2009 09:13:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As a lifelong ND fan, I am as upset as the next over the lackluster performance of the Weis era. However, say what you will, unless recruiting standards change at ND, you can forget about competing against the big boys of college football. You all bashed adding Western Michigan to the schedule but it might be one of only a few wins next season. The program is in shambles.

11/15/2009 09:18:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What makes you ND fans think anyone highly sought after wants the job?

11/15/2009 09:26:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As a "75 grad, I'm appalled at the
apathy displayed by the administration to date as the fb program sank into mediocrity.

Now, some are worried that the admin. may be willing to accept 7-5
w/ the Hawaii bowl as sop.

I pray that Mr. Swarbrick will find
the common sense and courage to
do now what should have been done
after the USC debacle last November
which I'm sad to say I attended.

11/15/2009 09:26:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You are all paying the price for Fr. Jenkins inviting Obama to Notre Dame......

You will never be blessed with a good football team until ND gets rid of Jenkins AND WEISS.....

11/15/2009 09:33:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ya'all are paying the price for having the Anti-Christ speak at Notre Dame.

Our Lady is not going to bless her school with victories as long as priests are in prision for protesting Obama.

Jenkins and Weiss need to go!!!

11/15/2009 09:34:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

An Anonymous poster wants to know when there has been a more exciting year of ND football filled with "thrilling" finishes than this year. How about our National Championship years?

11/15/2009 09:48:00 PM  
Blogger dnno1 said...

An anonymous person said: "I disagree with most here. Please tell me when there has beem a more exciting year of football at ND. Every week it's a cardiac finish. We are in every game and it's just thrilling finishes."

I would trade evey year that Lou Holtz was head coach for what you just said. That was rediculous.

11/15/2009 09:53:00 PM  
Anonymous Domer94 said...

To the anonymous goof just above this post - What the hell are you playing for? Last time I checked, the goal was to win the national title, not to have "thrilling finishes." Want a thrilling finish? Go buy some pink paint and redo your bedroom.

11/15/2009 10:20:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

SO WHO WOULD BE ON YOUR SHORT LIST TO REPLACE WEISS?
Lets not complain and not offer solutions. My suggestion is before they fire Charlie they should be putting out the feelers (Like Florida did and knew they had Urban in the bag when they fired Zook)and see who is genuinely interested so we dont end up with an O'Leary, Willingham, Weiss scenario again... or Michigan with Rodriquez. No assistant coach gambles, has to be a proven big time coach this time.

- John Gruden has to be on top of every list!
- Mark Richt - Consistently 800% winner and big time recruiter at Georgia and may be ready to move on...great catch!
- Tony Dungy - Loves working with youth, Loved Indiana, has had a year off...worth a phone call?
- Kirk Ferentz - go after Mark Richt before Ferentz
- Harbaugh - Nah, too early in his tenure to take risk (ala Willingham)
- Kelly - Is Cincinnati a one time fluke? Too risky for ND
- Greg Schiano - Continues to impress at tiny Rutgers, but not at top of list
- Steve Marriucci - He was good at Cal, success in NFL and greatgame coach.
- Bob Stoops - Is he getting stale and bored at Oklahoma?
- Steve Spurrier - May never move up north but you know he wants out of 2nd rate SC for a bigger job.

11/15/2009 10:46:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ND football has long been an extension of ND's character. It's hard to admit (especially as an alum), but ND's character has indeed changed--and it was tough to face the onslaught of secularism 25 years ago. The ND of yesteryear would bear little resemblance to the ND of today, and in my opinion we've lost precious ground for all the advances we've made. And yes, it does show in how we play The Game.

But that aside, I believe Jenkins intended a return to the Hesburgh philosophy after the pathetic Malloy years--he just made a "Faustian" mistake in picking Weis and had to see it through after Ty was (had to?) aborted.

ND football is too important to NDs identity (in a number of ways) for them to not make a strong choice now. Weis looked like the good thing as an ND grad and a highly praised "guru" with multiple Super Bowl rings, but it wasn't so. Now they'll open the checkbook and go at it again. They have the money, they have the alumni pressure, and they are free of the moral quandary that goes with letting a coach--let alone an alum--go before five years is up.

Hopefully we'll get back to the era of broad brushstrokes instead of the pathetic nitpicking like I see on the MSNBC ND site: Refs this and replays that. Perhaps in an NC game against Florida or Texas, folks, but against Pitt? And after we were nearly blanked for three quarters? Are you seriously kidding me? Dominant programs don't whine and don't produce whining fans. There's simply not the need.

11/15/2009 10:51:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with prior posters about the "racism" charge that Mark May is about to toss again if Weis is retained at a record no better, or worse, than Ty. Do we really need to go there? Lou's sugar coating on ESPN will not be able to silence these May-incited idiots. But they can do some significant damage.

11/15/2009 10:56:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I attended my first ever ND game last week (Navy). My impression about ND football after that was 1)the fans are wonderful 2)the band is fabulous 3) the team, along with coaches, lack the key ingredients of passion and discipline. Nos. 1 and 2 deserve better. The band played their hearts out for this team--I wish there were a Rose Bowl for them.

11/16/2009 06:36:00 AM  
Anonymous Jim Kress said...

To the Anonymous poster who mentioned the 'cut blocking'. If you go back and look at the game video, you'll see that the ND OLine person who hit the Pitt guy low (and was called for the 'cut block') was pushed into the Pitt lineman by another player. So, it was just another of a long string of poor officiating this year.

11/16/2009 07:38:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mark my words, if a new coach does not honor the run as equally if not more equally than the pass, ND will do no better than it currently does with Weis. The biggest problem with Weis is that he does not coach owning the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. This is why you continuously have 2-3 guys (i.e. qbs and receivers) who are happy campers and everyone else is emotionless. This means someone like Brian Kelly will not do well here. He coaches just like Weis. Harbaugh, however......

11/16/2009 07:55:00 AM  
Anonymous James said...

Hey Vannie,

You almost get it! You wrote that BS made a lot of noise before the game then disappeared! He didn't 'make noise', he acted like a little girl dancing through the Pitt players (there were others who were guilty but I didn't notice their numbers).

Why must we act like this, including the taunting, the posturing, the unsportsmanlike penalties? Did Alan Page ever act like this? Zorich? Rice? Clements? Quinn? Pinkett? Brown? Rocket? You remember that these guys were men. Our current guys display the actions of children whose coach has no control over their behavior. We act like most every other team in the country.

Our guys are even worse because very few of them are good football players!

I still love the Irish.

11/16/2009 08:14:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why is no one mentioning Charlie Strong as a candidate?

Defense-minded coach.
ND connections.
Long over due for a head coaching position.
Beast of a recruiter.

11/16/2009 09:08:00 AM  
Anonymous irishlad said...

I’ve not missed a home game since the late 60’s and love ND and support the team Win or Lose. In days past when I went to a game I always expected us to win no matter what the score was. I no longer have that feeling. I don’t blame the players, we have loads of talent. The core problem is our defense, starting with fundamentals. We win and lose as a team but when the offense is constantly asked to pull the game out you have to ask yourself if the offense isn’t saying to themselves , “defense do your part so we can win one without heroics”. That’s coaching! Maybe the answer is to get the best defensive
co-coordinator available. I’m no expert but I love ND and want us to succeed. Go Irish.

11/16/2009 09:12:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Claiming Weis needs to go because its just not working, etc., simply leads to the same problem with the last 3 coaching changes. Identifying the plusses and minuses of his regime and then compare/contrast to previous programs is the proper course and ND alumni are as qualified as any with so many (ex) pro footballers among them. Certainly a select few will be advising Swarbrick, so that the right selection will be made. I do find the graphics and stats on this site illuminating and I hope the decision-makers take into account said millstones.

I am not a ND alumni, but a lifelong fan, as I was a track all-american and went to the school that had just won the national title (ASU). However, there are some things that can only be learned in competition at the elite level and therefore can only be taught, or most effectively learned from someone who has been there before, such as acquiring the skill to break a board with your hand from a martial artist.

Weis is only indirectly cognizant of many such competitive skills and therefore is subject to questionable choices both with his own play calling (what is he thinking inside the red zone?) and with his coaching staff. I was thrilled when he finally replaced the OL and DL coach, but does the DC understand that the couple of big plays on defense because of blitzing do not make up for the other 30 minutes of being shredded?

My suspicion is Swarbrick will keep Weiss if the DC is fired and ND wins the last two games because of recruiting and measured success on offense, but losing to UCONN will probably be enough to bring the axe regardless. I suspect ND could really attract a top coach with the depth of talent the program has now, unlike when Willingham left. For some reason I am favoring Saban, but would he leave Alabama? I guess Gruden and Kelley would be my second and third choice, but I would be more interested to have some of the famous football alumni offer their ranking.

11/16/2009 09:14:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Enough of this nonsense talk about Harbaugh or Fitzgerald, or any other coach without at least 10 years head coaching experience -- look at Franchione, DickRod, or Neuheisel and reconsider whether the latest coaching genius of the day is worth gambling on. We now have no choice but to hire a proven, experienced, winner. Also, spare us the talk about Bob Stoops -- I seriously doubt he runs a program like ND does and outside of his victory over a not-so-great VaTech team many years ago, this guy hasn't won a big game in his life (and oftentimes can't find a way to stay close in the big games), and then he blames his players when they lose. Stoops has great talent at OK and does nothing with it against a weak schedule. Doesn't that sound too familiar?

11/16/2009 10:56:00 AM  
Anonymous Aaron said...

STOP IT with Kelly, and Harbaugh as the next ND coach! To me they haven't proven anything in the coaching careers! We've been down this road before with UNPROVEN COACHES (Davies, Willingham, and now Weis)! I want a PROVEN HEAD COACH who is FROM the COLLEGE RANKS and is a PROVEN WINNER! If there isn't a commitment from the school on winning National Championships, merely entertaining the student body, alumni, and faithful. Then Jesus himself can't make ND a WINNER!

11/16/2009 10:59:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Kelly is a head coach from the college ranks that is a proven winner. He has won everywhere he has been. Harbaugh less so. But still, he has won. How are Franchione and Neuheisel winners? Compare their records to Kelly, Gary Patterson or Chris Peterson.

11/16/2009 01:11:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Brian Kelly has proven himself, albeit, in a weak conference. My numero uno is Coach Bob Stoops. This man brought back Oklahoma and made it the powerhouse that it is today. Not only did he bring them back, but he did it in a very strong conference. I think bringing him in would give ND a good chance at keeping Clausen and Tate around for another year, as well as the incoming recruiting class. You put a winning coach with a winning tradition...now that's recipe for Waking the Echoes. In the end, I want a coach who's defensive minded, has proven himself a winner, can run the football, teaches fundamentals, motivates, teaches and develops the kids. Do these things and winning will take care of itself.

11/16/2009 04:23:00 PM  
Anonymous IRISH STING said...

IF YOU DON'T THINK BRIAN KELLY CAN BRING BACK THE GLORY OF NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL, YOU ARE NUTS. THREE PLACES HE HAS BEEN AND ACHIEVED TOP PROGRAMS. NAME ME A COACH WHO HAS HAD FOUR QB GO IN AFTER THE ONE BEFORE HIM WAS INJURED AND STILL WIN? THIS YEAR EIGHT LINEMAN HAD TO BE REPLACE ALONG WITH THE STAR QB GETTING INJURED AND DID THE TEAM FALTER. NO THEY ARE UNDEFEATED. YOU THINK HE DOESN'T MEASURE UP TO YOUR CRITEREA, FINE LEAVE HIM AT CINCY WHERE I LIVE AND WATCH US BECOME THE TOP TEAM IN THE MIDWEST. AS A ND GRAD, I CAN'T LOSE LIVING HERE IN CINCINNATI. IF HE STAYS I WIN AND IF HE GOES TO ND I WIN. LOOKS LIKE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.

11/16/2009 04:29:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jim Harbaugh is a Michigan man. We went to Tyrone Willingham, a Michigan State man, and it didn't work. Not to say that one is comparable to the other but, I don't think that Harbaugh would be right for Notre Dame. We don't need a high-profile Michigan alum as head coach.

~mpsND'72

11/16/2009 04:53:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Forget Gruden. He just signed an extension on his ABC/ESPN contract. You'll be watching him on Monday nights for a while instead of Saturday nights in South Bend. Let's Hire Chuck-E-Cheese. I'm sure he's looking for work.

11/16/2009 05:46:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Harbaugh's convincing win over USC and ND's poor showing against the same USC team speaks volumes. Stanford is no "football factory." When a very good coach (Harbaugh) gets average players to excel against a highly-ranked opponent on the road, one becomes a witness to what bad coaching has actually done to ND with above-average players for the past 15 years. Please ND--- stop the insanity!

11/16/2009 06:28:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"...outplayed and outcoached until their backs are against the wall." Is that the "Decided Schematic Advantage" everyone has been talking about?

11/16/2009 08:28:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't believe what I'm reading on this blog. It's Urban Meyer all over again.

Look folks, Brian Kelly is the guy.
Chuckie just reupped to continue offering mindless drivel on ESPN.

Kelly has built winners at Grand Valley State, Central Michigan and Cincinnati. The Bearcats won't play for the National Championship, but they're the best team not named Florida, Alabama or Texas, they're tremendously exciting to watch, the players adore Kelly, and Kelly's backup QB is playing so well, Clausen would likely be #3 on their depth chart.

Kelly's last two recruiting classes were ranked #60 and #44 by rivals.

Is any of this sinking in people?

But here's the key point. He actually coaches from the sidelines. He gets in the face of assistant coaches and players during the game in a way that reminds you of Lou Holtz.

I could go on and on. This is a golden opportunity for Notre Dame to do what it failed to do when it hired Davie, Willingham, and Weis.
I have complete confidence in the Irish to once again screw this up.

11/16/2009 09:35:00 PM  
Anonymous TTone said...

What do people think about Jeff Jagodzinski? He's got a decent winning record as a college head coach at BC. They won some big games in 2007 before dropping three at the end (and they beat us with less talent). He helped develop Matt Ryan. Also, for the most sentimental among us...didn't Leahy come from BC? He may be a better bet than Kelly, and he needs a job.

11/16/2009 10:58:00 PM  
Anonymous Bob said...

Hey, this sounds familiar, "Hire that guy at Stanford. He can recruit with high academic standards and he beat USC to win the Pac-10." Wait a minute...that didn't work out too well for us.

Ever since Lou left, we have had uninspiring coaches and Brian Kelly, who has the charisma of a dishrag, would fit in the same old boring mold as Davie, Willingham, and Charlie the Hut.

I say bring some attitude and enthusiasm to the Bend and get Gruden!

11/16/2009 11:14:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Savvy Jack says, "Brian Kelly coached at Western Michigan...I like directional MIchigan schools...he must be our man!"

Let's not forget that Cinci was in C-USA just a few years ago and the Big East is an awful football conference. Don't get too excited about this guy - coaching (especially recruiting) at Grand Valley State, Central MIchigan, and Cincinnati is not even close to life at ND.

Hiring Brian Kelly to coach Notre Dame would be like the Steinbrenner hiring the Royals Single A manager to coach the Yankees!

11/16/2009 11:41:00 PM  
Anonymous IRISH STING said...

TT TONE AND BOB GET A LIFE. ARE WE LOOKING FOR A PR MAN, SMOOTH TALKER. OH MY, YOU ALL JUST ELECTED ONE, NOW LOOK WHERE WE ARE. SHOW ME A COACH WITH A BETTER PAST RECORD THAN BRIAN KELLY. HE IS A CONSISTANT WINNER AT EVERY LEVEL. WE NEED A WINNER NOT A PR MAN OR A WANT TO BE.

11/16/2009 11:45:00 PM  
Anonymous IRISH STING said...

"Hiring Brian Kelly to coach Notre Dame would be like the Streinbrenner hiring Royals Single A manager to coach the Yankees", Humm! Let me think, sort of like when the Reds hired Sparky Anderson who took the Reds to back to back World Series Champs and guess what he went onto to Detroit and won another. Did I get the facts right??????? Is Brian Kelly a sure winner? His record is far better than any of the so called hot coaches above mentioned. Also better than any of the past three or four coaches ND has had since Lou. University of Cincinnati is scrambling to get the new practice fields built, one with a bubble for bad weather practice, by floating a loan. Who would win if ND played UC for the past two years?

Brian's the man and Yes He Can!!!

11/17/2009 10:08:00 AM  
Anonymous James said...

"JC would likely be third on Cincy's depth chart".

"We keep losing to teams with less talent".

These are two recent comments that blow me away and make me re-think my investment in ND football. How can you guys be so completely clueless?

JC is the best qb we have had since at least SB and maybe since TC. He is the deserved Heisman winner, but will get cheated out of it like BQ did when the knucklehead from Ohio State won it and even when the Rocket lost it to Detmer. JC's passing is almost perfect and he is as tough as any ND football player in history.

Why do you guys continue to think we have such great talent? We are average at best with some great skill players who make up for incompetency at other positions. Could you imagine how many yards JC would pass for if he did not have a junior college line in front of him? Not one of our defenders would start for USC and many of them would not even get in the games if they played for Pitt, BC, Mich State, and maybe even Navy.

These guys may be able to run and jump, but they are not football players!

I still love the Irish!

11/17/2009 11:06:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

James -

You obviously haven't seen the Bearcats play at all this season.
Clausen absolutely would be #3 on the Bearcat QB depth chart.

Pike is 6'6", and like Clausen, will be a first round draft choice.
The guy has a stronger arm and quicker releast than Elway, and is incredibly accurate. Because of his height he has better vision and rarely has passes batted down. Because he is still recovering from reinjuring his non-throwing wrist - they just cut him arm open to readjust the plate in their and anchor it with a bunch of titanium screws - he only played two series in the Moutaineer game. He was 2 for 4 with two TDS.

Collaros played so well after he took over for Pike, Kelly is struggling with whether to start Pike after he comes back. Collaros was 30-0 in high school, and his first run from scrimmage this year was a 75 yard draw for a TD. The QB draw may be in the ND playbook, but it's seldom if ever run because Clausen is slow. So far, Collarous has thrown for 1,028 yards, eight touchdowns, completed 76 percent of his passes and he's a better runner than Tebow.

Oh and one other thing. Neither Pike nor Collaros arrived on campus in a limo or have a separate locker for their ego.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/cory_mccartney/11/13/cincy.qbs/#ixzz0X8SMquLj

11/17/2009 11:43:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I find it too funny that people are bagging not only on Weis but JC! When they post JC's stats and at the bottom of the screen it states that he is one of the top 5 QBs in all of College football I know something is scewed with ND fans. JC has the "it" factor and has engineered a ton of 4th quarter comebacks that most college QBs only dream of. I understand bagging on Weis, but to throw the baby out with the bathwater here is a little ridiculous and smacks of the childish emotional level most ND fans exhibit when they don't have things go their way with the win column.

Utah ND Fan

11/17/2009 12:13:00 PM  
Anonymous IRISH STING said...

James you hit the nail on the head with the statement, could you imagine what JC could do if he didn't have a junior college line in front of him. WHAT IF the coaches could coach the junior college line you talk about to act like a real offensive line. Brian Kelly has taken lesser talent and produced far better results than at Notre Dame. Thanks for making our point.

Brian Kelly's the man and Yes he Can.

11/17/2009 12:19:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The new Notre Dame Fight Song
(with apologies to the Kings of Leon)

Sung to the music of “Use Somebody”

Instructions:

1. Start the video found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCZfJ5ai07U, and minimize it on your screen.
2. When the lyrics in the song start, read along with the lyrics below:

B=Brian Kelly
Queen=Cincy (a.k.a., the “Queen City”)

I've been roaming around, I was looking down, at poor ND.
Painted faces fill the places Weis can't reach.
You know that we could use somebody.
You know that we could use somebody.

Someone like B and all B knows and how B speaks.
And his players under cover of the Queen.
You know that we could use somebody.
You know that we could use somebody,
Someone like B.

Off in the night, Weis lives it up, B’s off to sleep.
Waging wars to shake the polls and the Queen.
I hope he's gonna make you notice.
I hope he's gonna make you notice.

Someone like B, Someone like B
Someone like B, somebody.

B’s ready now, B’s ready now
B’s ready now, B’s ready now
B’s ready now, B’s ready now
B’s ready now.

Someone like B, somebody
Someone like B, somebody
Someone like B, somebody

I've been roaming around, I was looking down at all I see.

11/17/2009 12:22:00 PM  
Anonymous Irish Texan said...

For all those in love with Brian Kelly and his Junior College program in Cincinnati, I hope we get to see Cinci play TCU in a bowl game this year. When TCU mops up the field with Kelly's Bearcats, all of Irish Nation will be calling for TCU coach Gary Patterson to be Fat Charlie's replacement.

11/17/2009 12:45:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Irish Texan - Keep dreaming.

TCU is, as they like to say in Texas, big hat no cattle.

The Horned Frogs are headed to the FedEx Orange Bowl where they will get destroyed by the one-loss Rambling Wreck from Georgia Tech, while Cincy is putting a major beatdown on Florida or Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

11/17/2009 01:38:00 PM  

Links to this post:

Create a Link

<< Home