2011 Notre Dame Football: 5 Things Learned from the South Florida Disaster

Although the season did not start out the way Notre Dame fans had hoped, there are a few positives that can be taken away from Saturday's loss at home vs. South Florida.

It is important moving forward that the Irish do not beat themselves like they did against the Bulls. The schedule does not get any easier for Coach Kelly and the Irish. 

Tommy Rees Needs to Start

Tommy Rees needs to be under center, NOT Dayne Crist. After the fumble by Jonas Gray on the opening drive, Crist looked like a deer in headlights.

In only one half of action Rees threw for 296 yards and 2 TDs. If Rees were in the whole game, the Irish would have had a much better chance against South Florida.

Bottom line, Rees gives the Irish the best chance to win games this year, and the offense really rallied around the sophomore once he entered the game.

Theo Riddick Needs to Improve

Theo Riddick had a very rough game in Week 1. In order for Notre Dame to reach their potential this year, Riddick needs to a big time playmaker.

Against South Florida he looked very nervous and lost at times on the field. After muffing the punt inside the 30 yard line, Theo seemed to lose his confidence, which is not good for someone relied on heavily by the coaching staff.

Get Michael Floyd the Ball

Floyd was one of the rare positives in the game for the Irish. The senior became the all time leading receiver in Notre Dame history, and he had another great game on Saturday.

Floyd ended the game with 12 grabs for 154 yards and 2 TDs. In the game vs. Michigan it will be crucial for ND to get him the ball early and often. 

Don't Shy Away from the Run Game

Like Floyd, Cierre Wood had a great game for the Irish. However after trailing 16-0 at halftime, the coaching staff abandoned the running game.

Despite the limited carries in the second half, Wood ended the game with 101 yards rushing and a TD. Cierre has the potential to be a game breaking RB for the Irish and it is important that ND establishes the run game early and often vs the Wolverines.

Give the Defense Time to Rest

The defense was very solid in the loss vs. the Bulls, giving up only one TD which came in the fourth quarter. If the Irish had more success moving the football and limited their turnovers, the D would have been the talk of an ND victory.

Every time the Defense looked up they had to run right back on the field. Whether it was interceptions, fumbles, or muffed punts, the D did not have time for a breather vs South Florida.

It will be important for the Irish to take care of the football vs. Michigan so the defense will have time to rest.