Instant Reaction | Notre Dame 24 Ball State 16
Things started fast for the Irish. Five plays, 74 yards, and a touchdown. If we only knew it would be downhill from that point for the offense, maybe everyone would have been better off skipping this game.
At times it felt like the Notre Dame offensive coaches decided to do that. This was a horrific game to watch.
Why sugarcoat it?
As good as the offense’s original game plan was against Michigan, it was the complete opposite versus Ball State. The players have to execute, but they were not at all helped by the coaches in terms of adjustments.
The defense, on the field for 97 plays, deserved far better. They only gave up 3.6 yards per play. They had two interceptions. They held Riley Neal to only 3.6 yards per attempt and had six three-and-outs. They didn’t play perfect, but had almost no help from the offense.
It was two steps forward for Notre Dame against Michigan. Today was two steps back. There is a lot of work to do for the Irish before they take on Vanderbilt.
- I’m going to start with the defense and that first long drive. I thought the corners were giving Ball State’s receivers too much respect early in the game. That’s why they were able to move the ball early on the Irish.
After Julian Love adjusted, he didn’t give up anything and finished with four pass breakups.
- While the pass rush was good today in terms of pressure, the lack of finish is an issue. At the top of the list was the lack of containment of Neal in the pocket.
The ends consistently were getting caught up and not playing their responsibility. They could have been gifted at least three or four sacks just by staying outside. One sack didn’t reflect the amount of times they affected Neal, but they also should have finished with many more.
There were also times that the ends got beat to the outside on some runs that allowed Ball State to get some good yards on first down. I’ll go back and watch, but I thought the ends left some plays on the field today.
- The one thing that I need to see is how often holding was not called. There were at least a couple times with the ends being held that I noticed that should have been called. I might feel differently about the contain going back and see how many calls the refs missed.
- Te’von Coney is a great player. Full stop. 14 tackles, three for loss, and it was almost shocking when he missed a tackle today. He’s playing like everyone expected him to. If he keeps it up, he’s going to be up for some post-season awards.
- Jalen Elliott was often the player that people singled out for mistakes in the secondary last season. To have him improve so drastically, highlighted by two interceptions today, is awesome to see.
- Jafar Armstrong’s first touch of the game was exciting. What he did as a receiver was as well. I thought he showed his inexperience as a runner most of the game, though.
After that first carry he rans 12 times for 24 yards. Some of the time he didn’t have holes to run through, but other times I thought he made some incorrect reads, ran too upright, and needed to finish runs better.
Tony Jones was much more effective on his carries even though statistically their days looked similar because of that long first run.
- I’ll go back and watch the line to see how bad it was. I know it seemed bad with how they handled blitz pickup and even straight up getting beat. Ball State looked like Michigan and there is no way that should happen.
At the same time, Notre Dame was clearly out-coached by BSU’s defensive staff. The lack of adjustments to that Bear front with them covering the guards and center confounded the Irish in a way that should not happen. At least not for an entire game.
- I get that BSU went for broke with how they attacked, but Notre Dame just got done playing a team that goes for broke all the time. Just because they play different coverages behind it shouldn’t make the Irish as frustratingly below average like they were.
- This reminded me so much of the not great from last season from Chip Long and Brandon Wimbush. That’s incredibly frustrating after what felt like a breakthrough against Michigan. Even if the looks didn’t dictate more called runs for Wimbush, it was perplexing why he didn’t take off and run on some dropbacks.
It was like they were trying to play with one-hand tied behind their back. I don’t understand it. Perhaps I will more after watching it back, but I’m not so sure.
I felt like it was a game plan designed to try and work on things rather than win the game.
Was it Wimbush trying to protect himself after being beat up last week? Was it Long trying to protect him for the long haul of the season?
There was all that talk of playing to the strengths Wimbush before Michigan and this was not playing to his strengths.
- The one pick was not Wimbush’s fault, but two later decisions were maddening. I know Ian Book was warming up after that, but they decided to not put him in. To me this showed why they need to work Book in more (not just for red zone hand-offs).
If everything is going smoothly, then you roll with Wimbush. But if a team is playing in a way that suits having the other guy in the game, then maybe a change can be necessary even if it’s only temporary.
This result today should make the Brian Kelly and Long at least consider the possibilities again, which I know is frustrating, but they need to forget about feelings and do what needs to be done to win.
- Without the red zone defense, Notre Dame would have lost today. Against Ball State. When they were favored by five touchdowns.
They overlooked their opponent and it almost cost them.
The game where all the backups were supposed to get reps didn’t happen. We’ll see if it ends up costing the Irish later on this season when depth becomes even more of a factor.