Forgot to post the blog that predicted 28-17 score in favor of the Irish. Wasn't a bad prediction. Especially since I specifically said we wouldn't kick any field goals. What the heck is up with our complete inability to do that?? Boy was Charlie steamed after the miss at the end of the 1st half. I wrote at the time: "would have been good to score". I also underlined steamed. We were up two TDs, but I was not overly confident it would hold. I was wrong and right, it seems.
When we went to 28-7, I was thinking the cake walk was on. After the Cardinal offense's third quarter (3 possessions, 9 plays from scrimmage, 3 punts), I thought we had their number. Not so fast, my friends. Got outscored 14-0 in the fourth. I was disappointed that we had to sweat out a hook-and-lateral (albeit not a very good one) on the last play to ensure we got the W. Not a great ending.
OK, but we did win, right? 4-1 looks pretty decent. A few losses ahead of us in the polls (10, 13, 18, 24), but I'm not expecting we'll crack the Top 25 this week. We had no voter support last week. Need to win on the road next week for that, I think. And North Carolina beat up on ranked UConn, so this will be no easy game.
So what do we take from this victory? Didn't get the running game going much today. And hence, when we needed it in short yardage situations, it didn't come through. No rhythm that would help us on 3rd and 1 or 4th and 1.
That being said, JC is the real deal. So inconclusive last year, but he's averaging 250 yards passing per game, with 347 today. 347 is A LOT. And no interceptions either. Fantastic game for him.
And he's throwing to give his receivers good Yards After Catch. Something that just didn't happen last year. I think we project that he'll be better than Brady Quinn. He definitely has total control of that offense. I'm still curious how much he's bonded, "teammate-wise", with his offense. It was good to see one of the lineman go after the Stanford player who kinda sat on him after he did a slide late in the game. I just haven't seen that "Band of Brothers" cohesion on TV. So, all of you who were at the game, am I missing that, or is it a concern?
Good on the defense for forcing so many turnovers, finally getting multiple sacks, etc. But they did give up two TDs in the 4th quarter, when they should have been reasonably rested. One was a short field, but still…
Yes, I’m critical. But you know what? I think this year’s criticism is based on the fact I’m starting to warm up to this team. I hope you are, too. I didn’t know who to cheer for last year; names didn’t resonate. This year, we have Clausen, Allen, Grimes, Hughes, Floyd, Rudolph, Tate, Kuntz, Crum, McCarthy, Annello. What we have is a team worth rooting for. Amen.
We’re 4-1. We’re not going to be 11-1 and in a BCS bowl game. But we’re not going to be 5-7 or 6-6 either. The Spartans won again today, not prettily, but a W is a W. So we lost to a good team.
So it’s on to Chapel Hill (that sounds funny in football season, doesn’t it?). And like I said earlier, no slouches, the Tar Heels. But like I said last week, if we play well, we should win. A VERY important game. We need a road win for this team to propel into the second half of the season. Will be interesting to see the point spread.
By the way, Ara looks great for 85 YEARS OLD! Did anyone there get a good up close and personal moment with him, by any chance?
Stand by for my scathing review of the halftime show. I can’t believe you went on without Rosie and me…
GO IRISH!!! BEAT TAR HEELS!!!
The (Sadly Absent) Colonel
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3 comments:
Nice call on the score Donny. Kevin Dix said we should have won by 43 but he is not really that smart, right? I did not get a prediction in but probably would have picked us by 10, a little better than the spread. I actually think Stanford is pretty good this year but not as good as the Irish.
Agree on where this team is going (minor bowl) this year and that we have lots of individuals to cheer. My inside informants tell me that JC is VERY conceited so that tempts me to think he is a bit of a loner but hey, the guy can sling it. Definitely the real deal and thank goodness he is because our running game is terrible.
Did not see Ara up close unfortunately, wish I had. Truly great coach.
Yes, JC does project as a big ego guy. That's fine to a point. I think it's funny that he's cut his hair but the stock photo NBC shows during games is with the long hair. My niece is right; he looked like a girl with the long hair. All good/great QBs are allowed an ego. Let's hope his head continues to fit in his helmet for 2.5 more years.
The ego -- why wouldn't he have one? I remember the noise surrounding his decision to go to ND, didn't he show up somewhere in a limo for that? The kid has probably been told he's marvelous from birth. Some day, some where, it's likely he'll get some 'perspective' as it were. I'm also glad he cut his hair.
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