Notre Dame Football: Irish Can Improve, Yet Fight Is Finally Back

One of my best friends was fortunate enough to snag tickets to the game so I was in attendance for the Irish’s first game of the season/Brian Kelly’s debut. The most important aspect in the aftermath is that ND got it’s first W, a confidence boost that will hopefully carry over for the rest of the season. There were many bright signs that point toward a successful future for the blue and gold yet there were also many facets in the game which the Irish should look to improve on as the season progresses.

Dayne Crist looked efficient and confident in the pocket, completing 19 of 26 passes for a crisp 205 yards to go with his first passing touchdown of the season. He missed on a few potential deep balls to stud receiver Michael Floyd but was able to turn the Boilermaker defense into swiss cheese when called on. Kyle Rudolf looked like his check-down receiver hauling in 5 catches for 43 yards, and the rangy tight end should continue to flourish in Kelly’s fast paced spread attack. One aspect of Crist’s game which he could improve on is stepping up in the pocket, something which many young quarterbacks struggle with. Though only sacked twice, he was credited with 9 rushes for 6 yards, many of which came at crucial downs as the game progressed. Obviously this is something which he’ll improve on as he gets games under his legs, but opposing coaches could see that and will possibly exploit this if given the opportunity.

We have a run game, and when I say that it means two stud backs in Armando Allen and Cierre Wood. Many people will say this but Wood might get more carries as the season progresses. His first play from scrimmage, several fans immediately stood up and wondered who that fast player was. Allen carried the ball well also and both made smooth cuts as their offensive line was able to create large gaps for them. 153 yards on the ground is a stat which will catch any ND fan’s eye and one which has not been seen since the likes of Julius Jones. Kelly can continue to give his backs 25+ touches and this should alleviate some of the pressure on his young quarterback.

The linebacking crew played like animals, led by Manti Teo and Carlo Calabrese with 9 tackles apiece. These two were all over the field and if a Boilermaker made it to the middle of the defense they were almost always immediately put to the ground. The one blown play the whole game by the defense as a unit, was Marve’s 23 yard touchdown run which was disguised well by Purdue. The Irish allowed Purdue back into the game with this score and for awhile it looked like they might revert to their old ways of blowing late leads. The defense as a whole was bend but not break to perfection the entire game. The secondary closed in well as a whole, Gary Gray surprised with 9 tackles and looks like a new player. Purdue did drop several deep balls but the final score speaks for itself with the Irish allowing but 10 points despite the fact that Purdue moved well at times.

As a whole the flow of the game was in favor of the Irish throughout the first half. Floyd fumbled on the goalline which turned out to be something of a turning point and Purdue was able to give the Irish a scare. A field goal saved Notre Dame but as a whole the Irish let up too many yards. With a tough Michigan squad coming to town the run defense will be tested by Denard Robinson who is sure to be grabbing Heisman attention after his 383 total yard performance against a Uconn team who beat the blue and gold last year. The future looks bright for the Irish with a strong young quarterback, a solid receiving core infused with talent from Kelly’s freshman class in T.J. Jones, and a defense that has shown it will step up on big plays. One game at a time though, Kelly coached well and the statistic which potentially stands out the most is the fact that two penalties were all that was called against Notre Dame. The Irish seem to finally have fight in them, something I loved at the game was the way Kelly took command after a muffed kick by Cierre Wood yelling at him as he reluctantly nodded. This is a sight unseen in recent years and possibly not since Lou roamed the sidelines, pulling down gold helmets to his level so that he would clearly be heard above the noise in the house that Rockne built. Notre Dame scored on the following drive.

Kelly looks like he should, he knows what he’s doing and for the first time in recent memory Notre Dame is being steered in the right direction by a veteran collegiate head football coach. The Wolverines come to South Bend next week in what is sure to be hyped as another in a long line of classic battles between these two rivals. If the Irish can run the ball well and slow down Denard Robinson, a win can be expected for Kelly green. The game will be run in the trenches, but with young talent in the program again, the Notre Dame faithful should breathe a collective sigh of relief. Our boys in blue and gold have passed their first test, and this year it’s on our turf. Bring it on Rich Rod, Go Irish.