Man we executed HORRIBLE on offense. Notre Dame had a fairly decent plan schematically but where they succeeded was in stacking the box and defeating our blocks on the edge and erasing our numerical advantage with backside pursuit--we blocked horrendously. They dared us to run on the edge and we could not block it. Some of this may have been UND's talent but we will play equally talented teams throughout our schedule.
OL--Blocking on the edge was a reason we were so successful in 2014 and if we can't get that corrected we are in for a LONG year. We REALLY miss #70 as #71 and #75 played horribly!! Every triple option play to the right side was defeated. About 90% of the time it was because #71 either blocked the wrong guy, got hung in trash, or whiffed the trailing MLB. #71 was really good at drive blocking on the called dive plays and was good on the trap plays to the left--but he sucks at every triple option play that comes to his side. The left side OL and Center seemed to do ok overall. Our issues were mostly on the right side.
AB--#3 did ok blocking and Snoddy did ok as well. #1, #49, and #16 blocked poorly and the UND DBs and LBs got off their cut blocks with ease. We really miss #21, #31, and Andrews from a edge blocking perspective. Also, the ABs need to learn how to draw the pass interference penalty. UND got away with a few in the game that if better sold may have been called.
WR--the WRs blocked fairly well overall. Where we struggled was breaking press coverage in one on one situations. This is an area of concern for me long-term. Messick better learn to catch the ball and be physical escaping 1v1 because Ricky was not.
BB--Skov scored some and had some nice catches but he played poorly. He fumbled, he went the wrong way, he struggled in pass protection and as CPJ said he didn't keep his eyes open to break a longer run. He basically just ran straight up the middle for 3-5 yards. I almost think Marcus Allen might be better here just because of experience.
QB--Justin made the correct reads and checked to the right plays. Where he struggled was trying to do too much. His fumble was at a bad time and he missed a couple of throws. He got little help from the receivers though.
Here's hoping we do better moving forward. If not, 7-5 is looking more and more likely.
OL--Blocking on the edge was a reason we were so successful in 2014 and if we can't get that corrected we are in for a LONG year. We REALLY miss #70 as #71 and #75 played horribly!! Every triple option play to the right side was defeated. About 90% of the time it was because #71 either blocked the wrong guy, got hung in trash, or whiffed the trailing MLB. #71 was really good at drive blocking on the called dive plays and was good on the trap plays to the left--but he sucks at every triple option play that comes to his side. The left side OL and Center seemed to do ok overall. Our issues were mostly on the right side.
AB--#3 did ok blocking and Snoddy did ok as well. #1, #49, and #16 blocked poorly and the UND DBs and LBs got off their cut blocks with ease. We really miss #21, #31, and Andrews from a edge blocking perspective. Also, the ABs need to learn how to draw the pass interference penalty. UND got away with a few in the game that if better sold may have been called.
WR--the WRs blocked fairly well overall. Where we struggled was breaking press coverage in one on one situations. This is an area of concern for me long-term. Messick better learn to catch the ball and be physical escaping 1v1 because Ricky was not.
BB--Skov scored some and had some nice catches but he played poorly. He fumbled, he went the wrong way, he struggled in pass protection and as CPJ said he didn't keep his eyes open to break a longer run. He basically just ran straight up the middle for 3-5 yards. I almost think Marcus Allen might be better here just because of experience.
QB--Justin made the correct reads and checked to the right plays. Where he struggled was trying to do too much. His fumble was at a bad time and he missed a couple of throws. He got little help from the receivers though.
Here's hoping we do better moving forward. If not, 7-5 is looking more and more likely.
