Tag: Pitt

Thud – another night game in Pittsburgh and finally ND’s luck runs out. Sure Tommy Rees threw 2 costly picks but he also threw for 318 yards and 2 TD’s. This loss is not on him, this loss is on the entire ND coaching staff. The play calling remains a total mystery along with absolutely no concept on how to develop a running game.

How can you have a running back that goes for 140 yards last week and gets about 4 touches against Pitt? Pitt has one great defensive tackle but that’s all they have. ND should have been able to get at least 200 yds rushing but you’re not going to be able to do that running east/west along with piss poor blocking by the OL. Sure they get the job done as pass blockers but do they even bother practicing the run game. Christ they all weigh over 300 lbs and can barely get 2 yards when they need it.

As an aside watch what Stanford and Wisconsin do – everyone knows they are going to run and they still run all over the opponent.

Now the ND defense. What the hell can you say. Very little pressure on QB Savage and this kid can pass – everybody else has 4 or so sacks against Pitt. You need constant pressure on this kid. Okay tough to do with the imbecilic call and ejection of Tuitt. Had he played ND would have won this game, despite what Diaco was doing. Pitt, yes Pitt had 356 yards in this game using a rag tag OL – but when they needed the yards they got them. In pass defense the ND players stood back, admired the catch and then missed the tackle.

Why the hell would you have Calabrese and Fox in there on obvious passing downs??? This whole “prevent” defense that Diaco runs cost them the game. I hope to hell someone hires him as a Head Coach and we can pry Narducci away from Michigan State. Maybe Kelly will get an NFL gig and we can get a real Div 1 Coach – you know the kind that can actually coach in a coherent manner.

All those 4-5 star recruits had their lunch handed to them.

To compound my Saturday misery I watched Wisconsin beat BYU and UCLA vs Arizona – we could not play with any of those teams.

So a Bye Week and then 2 straight losses.

Another night game, another so so team looking to make their season. ND must start now and put together a complete game in all phases as they have 2 monster opponents coming up.

Pitt plays a traditional offense like Wisconsin, where head Coach Paul Chyrst came from. They have a cobbled together OL which Tuitt and Shembo should feast on – that is if Shembo shows up. Pitt QB Savage is a very good passer if given the time, and very wobbly when rushed. ND should be able to feast on him all game.

The Pitt defense has one very good DT in Aaron Donald and the rest of the D is comprised of marginal type players. I would think that the Pitt staff will elect to have Donald attack the right side of the ND line – Elmer and Stanley. If they hold up, barring fumbles and interceptions, ND should roll in this game and take out their frustrations of the last 2 games. But they have to be ready to go from the first whistle – if they start out like sleep walkers, it’ll be a long night. Finally, on defense both Fox and Calabrese must start playing like 5th year pros to stop the inside running game.

It has been a year of redemption for Tommy Rees and I really hope he can close out his career in the last 3 games without making disastrous decisions that cost us a win.

Finally, ND has to play to win and not play hoping they don’t lose. I think this coaching staff over thinks everything and just confuses the players with a rigid game plan – this just makes them tight. Most of these guys are top flight athletes – so unleash them – let them play all out – aggressive aggressive and aggressive. Forget that timid, tepid defensive scheme–cut loose, play loose and we win easily.

Notre Dame 38 Pitt 17