Notre Dame 28 Temple 6
Tommy Rees looked outstanding going 16 for 23 for 346 yards including some very nice long passes to Daniels and Niklas for TD’s. TJ Jones had an outstanding game – he is the real deal. Kudos to the OL for pass blocking, but need more production in the running game – we also need an inside runner.
Carlisle looks very sharp and quick with some exciting runs and he will be great running outside but is just too small to pound it. Unfortunately, George Atkinson is just not a running back. Cam McDaniel should start and Bryant and Folston will grab this position as the season continues.
I was impressed with the tenacity and no quit of Temple – they held ND to just 1 second half touchdown. They also had some extended drives and ate up the clock – had a lot of dropped passes. I was particularly impressed with their Center, think the kid named Friend. Although he had help, many times he handled Nix one on one and the same with Kona Schwenke.
The ND defense really needs a lot of work. Tuitt had one sack and was a non factor throughout the rest of the game – he needs a serious dose of effort.
Big Lou Nix just looked like a Big Fat Guy. Both of these 2 fell way far short of pre-season accolades and certainly did not play like All Americans. ILB’s were a disappointment but I did like what I saw of Jarret Grace–he’ll start before too long.
Temple’s score a 2 yard run for a TD was just too easy.
So what did we learn? We have a lot of work to do if we are going to be even competitive with Michigan.
Also, I really don’t like a defensive philosophy to let an opponent go up and down the field between the 20’s and rely on the defense to stop a TD but give up or hope for a missed FG. Way to much time off the clock and I did not see a smothering defense in this game.
Final Stats: ND 543 yards Temple 362 yards – way too much to yield to this over-matched opponent. ND playing down to the competition again.
Other notes:
10 Freshmen played in the opener.
Kelly gets new 5 year contract to 2017 which puts him 2 shy of the 10 year burnout for most previous coaches.
2 thoughts on “Notre Dame 28 Temple 6”
Yes, I know it is just Temple, but Rees was impressive.
The defense really needs to get into gear before next week. I will say that I am glad ND put in a weaker team for week one. Too many years past they’ve opened up against a powerhouse when said powerhouse has already played a game. If ND had to face Michigan yesterday, they’d have gotten smoked. May still get smoked next week, but at least the team has a little experience now.
Well you’re right Chris, I could never understand why we played such a tough team in game 1 while everyone else playing patsies. I just watched game again and this ND defense scares me–Temple was running right thru them especially the QB and if Temple had anyone who could catch the ball this game would have been a lot closer.
One of the reasons you play a Temple in 1st game is to get your 2nd teamers in–on ND OL I only saw Steve Elmer as a sub. First teamers played the whole game.
This is no shut down defense. Pray!!!