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Thoughts on the Notre Dame game

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PIPO said:
JFC, D$. The mental gymnastics on this statement below: I am sorry, but that’s just unacceptable. You trust him to throw the ball all game and all of a sudden, they don’t? Coaching tight/super conservative and scared is what made a 21-7 game into a thriller. How the ****, during the 2nd drive of the 3rd quarter with the opportunity to step on their necks is this an acceptable analysis?

The same for after the interception. You are telling me and we are supposed to buy as a fan base that you rather trust an unproven transfer kicker and play for the FG than just going out and just winning the game in the hands of your Heisman contending QB?? We have to wait until week 5 for this to happen?????!!!!
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That Heisman-contending quarterback barely completed any passes down the field and was an insane CJ Daniels catch away from throwing for less than 200 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

When we gripe about conservative playcalling, we always pretend like the alternative was a wide-open 10-yard out route, when in reality, our receivers had trouble getting separation all game and Notre Dame's cornerbacks were better than our receivers.

I thought we were too conservative in some instances (after the interception is a good example) but we only moved the ball on the last possession because Notre Dame sat back in zone instead of challenging our receivers. So no part of me is confident that more passes would have been a better solution.
 
DMoney said:
It’s time to shift our perspective as fans. The players have a different mentality– they need to take the process step-by-step because they’re actually doing things. But as fans, we can look ahead and hope. And my focus has shifted from Charlotte to January 19, 2026 at the Rock. Because, for the first time in 23 years, we have a team that can legitimately compete for a championship.

The Canes played on Sunday, so we were able to watch college football all weekend. Call me a homer–and I’m a proud one–but we can compete with anybody. The Saban-era Alabama squads aren’t hiding around the corner. The reign of terror is over.

We saw all the top quarterbacks in the country. Is Carson Beck not at least in the conversation with those guys? He’s 25-3 with five Top 10 wins.

We saw the top offensive lines, including Notre Dame. Are you trading our giants for anybody?

We saw all the defensive players. Was anybody more dominant than Rueben Bain?

This is a real team and a real roster. Maybe we’ll flop like the last twenty years. I have no idea how it’ll play out. But we have the goods. Some position-by-position thoughts below:

- Beck managed the team to the winner’s circle. I liked how he stood in the pocket- he’s tall and sturdy and showed good wheels on that first down that got called back. He already trusts his protection and did not look skittish coming off injury. I expect him to get more comfortable and let it rip as the season moves on.

- We obviously went into a shell late in the game. The criticisms are fair. My personal sense is they just didn’t trust our passing offense yet. This is Game 1 against an elite secondary and a team that finished Top 10 in takeaways. On our end, Beck just started throwing in mid-summer and we were playing two true freshmen. I think if this game was in Week 5, we would’ve put the ball in Beck’s hands more often.

- Our offensive line is the best in America. I’d buy an argument for Utah or Penn State, but I’m taking our guys. Notre Dame only had four hurries, which was their lowest total since they played Navy in 2017. We also outran them. Ultimately, we beat Notre Dame at its own game. As first reported in the Bank, the light has come on for Samson Okunlola. He has extremely quick feet and a former wrestler’s ability to turn and steer guys. He got major reps at LG and performed at a high level.

- People thought I was hyping up Malachi Toney too much, but the truth is I held back. He’s been The Man since camp started. One thing that stands out is his relationship with Beck. They have elaborate handshakes, they work together off the field, and Beck has been effusive in his praise on and off camera. Those two will do huge things together this year if they stay healthy.

- When he came back from surgery in mid-spring, CJ Daniels made a catch in the IPF that was even better than what he did against Notre Dame. He has that ability to go outside the frame and make plays. Beck mentioned in his post-game that Daniels is the first player he really connected with when he arrived. I expect that relationship to continue to develop over the season.

- During spring practice, the two most hyped players on the offense were JoJo Trader and Elija Lofton. We didn’t talk about them much during camp and they weren’t featured against Notre Dame. Now that the game is over, we can talk about the reason: they were banged up and missed time. Both are getting close to 100%, so the issue now is just timing up with Beck. I expect both guys to be a huge part of the offense going forward.

- Our third running back was dragging Notre Dame defenders. There's a level of depth and size in the running back room that reminds me of the top SEC teams in the 2010s. It wears on defenses over time. Marty Brown proved that he was our biggest coup of the second portal window. I thought it would be impossible to land him given the depth in the room, and Cal and Nebraska were close. But his addition was critical for games like this one. And for those who question why I like Mark Fletcher so much, it’s for games like this. When you play big-boy football, you need big boys. We were the more physical team and Fletcher helped set that tone early.

- Our front seven showed they were playoff caliber. Notre Dame has one of the top rushing offenses in America, and we held their backs to 77 yards. David Blay looked the part of a playoff-level war daddy, Ahmad Moten had multiple blow-bys on pass plays, and Justin Scott made one of the plays of the game running out on the WR screen. Armondo Blount played with high intensity as the #4 DT. It should only get better- we won’t face a more potent running game than Notre Dame until the playoffs.

- I didn’t see a better defensive player this weekend than Bain. He's not only a closer as a pass rusher, he's also an elite run defender. His knockback power is rare. Akheem Mesidor has been taking his care of his body like a pro (see my interview with him here) and his twitch has gone to another level. Outside of Greentree and maybe Utah, it's hard to imagine two tackles matching them outside. That duo obliterated Notre Dame on the edges.

- I thought Corey Heatherman’s defense looked as advertised. We lined up better, we communicated better, we tackled better and we played fast. There were still some busts, including a really bad one on the TE, but it’s going in the right direction. We need that progress to continue instead of going backwards like we saw after UF last year.

- Aside from the miscommunication, Jakobe Thomas and Mo Toure were a breath of fresh air on the defense. They want to hit anything moving. We lacked that edge last year.

- Jaden Greathouse had 102 yards against Penn State and 128 yards in the championship against Ohio State. He was on a milk carton on Sunday. Keionte Scott was outstanding in the nickel, and our four outside corners took turns erasing Notre Dame’s receivers. Aside from an insane Malachi Fields catch against good coverage, their WRs did nothing.

- As Pete says, it sounds a wee bit different coming off Carter Davis’s boot. He showed to campus with an explosive right leg and developed quickly as a field-goal kicker. I’ve seen him make it during team drills from 55+ yards away and he can probably break 60. Our coverage units were swarming with young talent, and I'm more comfortable with our returners (Keelan Marion on kickoff, Toney on punts) than at any point since Mario got here. Need to clean up the snap operation, but other than that it was a good day on special teams.

- Everything around the game felt right. The stadium was packed, the stars were out, the whole country was watching on TV and the game delivered. The UM brand is in top shape. It could not have gone better from an optics standpoint.

- I have a lot of respect for Notre Dame. They have great coaching and the players care about the right things. CJ Carr might’ve been the most impressive young quarterback I saw all weekend. He looked quick moving around and his no-look TD was unbelievable. He really kept them in the game despite subpar performances from Jeremiyah Love, the offensive line and the wide receivers.

- Bottom line, this was a statement to the nation. Notre Dame had a Top 5 offense and a Top 5 defense last year, and they brought back 11 starters. Miami was clearly the better and more physical team. We haven’t accomplished what we wanted in the first three years of Cristobal, but we are positioned right where we need to be. Now it’s time to put together a complete season.
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Complete season is the key!! Stay healthy, fix the the QB rushing yards. We will have three big test USF, UF, and FSU. 1-0 is all that matters let’s make it 2-0 this week! LFG
 
FYI. I’m on a flight to Houston right now and I ran into Andre Johnson.

Asked him about the final drive. [you gotta solicit info. He’s very quiet and stoic]. He said we went too conservative with such an experienced QB. Almost cost us the game. Too conservative most of second half per him

Said we focused too much on Toney. Lots of other receivers were open for big plays

Didn’t throw downfield enough. Lots of opportunities for chunk plays

/just reporting the facts
 
Here’s the proof

IMG_9027.jpeg
 
As to @DMoney comment regarding the stars. Few programs generate as much passion and fandom from stars. Here’s Dana White who says he’s a UM fan. Given his stature in American culture, this is YUGE
Partial list of atendees


Michael Irvin. NFL HOF

Edgerrin James NFL HOF

Devon Hester NFL HOF

Ed Reed NFL HOF

Ray Lewis NFL HOF

Stephen A. Smith

Dana White

Jeff Bezos

Ron DeSantis

Danny Ramirez

Trick Daddy

Rick Ross

Jimmy Johnson NFL HOF

Jim Kelly NFL HOF

Marcus Lemonis

Mike Piazza

IMG_9031.jpeg
 
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9oh4Cane said:
We almost lost the game because of a blown coverage.

Let’s not forget if Marion doesn’t get tackled on that route down the sideline he probably runs under that and scores, and the conversation we’re having is completely different.

If we don’t run fletcher on 3rd and 4, and beck happens to throw a pick or is sacked and taken out of field goal range, we’re probably calling for Mario’s head right now.

It’s week 1 and we’re breaking in Beck with a very young WR core against the best secondary we will face all year. Let’s put things into perspective.

With that said, if we don’t improve from here and open things up more as the season goes on, then we can talk. Enjoy the win, without what Mario has built we don’t win these types of games.
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I think this is a fair point.

We were in a massive bind around Christmas - we faced the real possibility to running Emory or a True Freshman out there at QB. We'd definitely have lost that game if we had.

Hopefully Beck grows with this receiving corps - he's no Cam Ward but he doesn't have to be.
 
rsa coral gables said:
As to @DMoney comment regarding the stars. Few programs generate as much passion and fandom from stars. Here’s Dana White who says he’s a UM fan. Given his stature in American culture, this is YUGE
Partial list of atendees


Michael Irvin. NFL HOF

Edgerrin James NFL HOF

Devon Hester NFL HOF

Ed Reed NFL HOF

Ray Lewis NFL HOF

Stephen A. Smith

Dana White

Jeff Bezos

Ron DeSantis

Danny Ramirez

Trick Daddy

Rick Ross

Jimmy Johnson NFL HOF

Jim Kelly NFL HOF

Marcus Lemonis

Mike Piazza

View attachment 334253
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Marco rubio was there too. Walked right past me with his Secret Service detail.

Miami def draws the high profile crowds
 
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MikeyCanez said:
That Heisman-contending quarterback barely completed any passes down the field and was an insane CJ Daniels catch away from throwing for less than 200 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

When we gripe about conservative playcalling, we always pretend like the alternative was a wide-open 10-yard out route, when in reality, our receivers had trouble getting separation all game and Notre Dame's cornerbacks were better than our receivers.

I thought we were too conservative in some instances (after the interception is a good example) but we only moved the ball on the last possession because Notre Dame sat back in zone instead of challenging our receivers. So no part of me is confident that more passes would have been a better solution.
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Vanilla play designs will do that but let’s say I were to buy your argument (which I don’t) you are telling me you rather put the game in the hands of an unproven college kicker than in the hands of Beck???

Think about that lunacy for a few seconds.

I will bet every day on trusting Carson Beck’s decision making over a first time kicker trying to make a 45+ FG to win a game.
 
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Cane30 said:
1st, Dawson is a very good OC. I have to see him get Lofton involved. I have already stated, I don't see him using Lofton. I bet he gets used less than Arroyo last season. I thought with all this receiver, TE and RB talent, he would spread it around more. I should have known, it will be the slot again even though JoJo has the best talent and Daniels has dropped 5 balls in 5 seasons.
Their was a drop off in the 2nd string DL. They each made plays, but they have to develop this season to reach our goals. Clean up the coverage busts
My game high win is gone. I will lose my mind on the A gap running. I don't give a ****, duo or inside zone. Mario tried to lose the game with it. He ran us into a tie game we were dominating so his kicker who was missing everything pregame could kick the game winning FG. It worked, but it's crazy how bad of a game day coach he is. Literally! Many have said, they were waiting on it and it almost happened. Our biggest game weakness is Mario and we wouldn't be here without him. Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
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Lofton has been hurt. Should be fully healed soon.
 
DMoney said:
You can buy it or sell it. But it actually happened, and it worked. The kicker made the kick and Notre Dame ran out of time.

I think it’s fair to question the decision. But to act incredulous about something that worked as designed is a little strange.
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D$ - you’re telling me that the design was to run student body right 3 straight times and gain whatever it was (3 yards or whatever) and kick a FG with an unproven commodity vs the proven commodity?

It worked out this time (thankfully) but that doesn’t mean it was the right decision.

Again - I am talking about mostly from the 21-7 point after we stopped them and we had a 3rd & 2 and we did what Mario always does late in games.
 
One thing I noticed was that the field looks small when our defense is out there. Outside of the couple breakdowns which I attribute to early season miscommunication, there was no uncontested space for ND skill players.

Even the 50/50 ball that Fields caught was well defended and probably a PBU 75-85% of the time. Fields just made a **** of a catch.

Really looked like games we played where we were on the receiving end of defenses like that (Bama in 21, Clemson the multiple times we played them).

As it’s been said a bunch, it looks like what it’s supposed to look like.
 
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PennsylvaniaCane said:
One thing I noticed was that the field looks small when our defense is out there. Outside of the couple breakdowns which I attribute to early season miscommunication, there was no uncontested space for ND skill players.

Even the 50/50 ball that Fields caught was well defended and probably a PBU 75-85% of the time. Fields just made a **** of a catch.

Really looked like games we played where we were on the receiving end of defenses like that (Bama in 21, Clemson the multiple times we played them).

As it’s been said a bunch, it looks like what it’s supposed to look like.
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Pretty cool way to put it honestly

That was my immediate comment after the busted coverage on their TE

Those 64 yards were HARD WORK for them most of the game. Very very few easy yards and as you said sometimes they just had a playmaker step up and that happens
 
PIPO said:
Vanilla play designs will do that but let’s say I were to buy your argument (which I don’t) you are telling me you rather put the game in the hands of an unproven college kicker than in the hands of Beck???

Think about that lunacy for a few seconds.

I will bet every day on thrusting Carson Beck’s decision making over a first time kicker trying to make a 45+ FG to win a game.
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I get what you are saying and I know you understand that the result actually undermines your point. But the option wasn't trusting Carson Beck and the receivers or Carter Davis. It was trusting Carson Beck and the receivers or your veteran tailbacks and mostly dominant offensive line.

Brown ran for 6 yards on pretty much the same design just two players earlier when Notre Dame knew we were going to run the ball, so maybe it was a bit predictable, but we also didn't execute on 2nd and 3rd down.

I am with you on the play designs, I thought we could have mixed it up a little. But if the plan was to make Notre Dame use the last timeout, watch Carter Davis make a kick (which he absolutely drilled btw) and then force Notre Dame to march the field, the plan worked pretty perfectly.
 
It wasn’t just the offensive play calling that was too conservative; the defense was giving was too much cushion the entire 4th quarter. Mario got up a few scores and tried to take the air out of the ball. It’s who he is. We survived in spite of him with the whole country watching. Great win.

Mesidor looks like a different player. Bain deserves his flowers (the amount of ground he covers on run plays is insane), but mesidor had just as big an impact as a pass rusher. Can’t believe how much more explosive he looks year over year.

Bell played well. I’ve been critical. Props to him. He did get beat twice, and coincidentally beck threw TDs both times. Watch beck feel the pressure and climb/slide both times. ****.

Cooper moves people. The center is good. The OL as a unit is championship caliber.

Kevin Beard has lots of apologists here. How do we recruit blue chips every year and somehow start transfers every year? 2 transfers and a true freshman started. This guys needs to go.

Speaking of WRs, trader had no separation on either ball thrown to him. Yes, ND has good DBs. But still..:

Toney cooked everyone. We got a good one there.

Props to ray ray and trader for blocking. They get hats on people.

If this game was any indication, Thomas was the better portal pickup at safety than poyser. I’ll reserve judgment, but 8 looks better than 7 to me.

Can anyone explain the unnecessary roughness call near the goal line on day? Cause his helmet came off? Refs kept ND in this game just as much as the conservative play calling did.

Overall, I agree with D$ in that I watched every game all weekend and this team can compete. Beck is the blueprint of what we’ve been asking for here for 25 years: quick processor, accurate, gets the ball to the playmakers. This is behind a championship quality OL. This team will only get better with more reps.

I’m excited.
 
Just finished listening to Mario's interview by Don Bailey Jr. and Joe Zagacki on the Mario Cristobal Show that was posted on YouTube earlier today, and thought I'd throw some gas onto the fire regarding second-half run game decision.

Mario: "We view offensive linemen as playmakers here, right, and we've invested a lot in them ... they are as big a playmaker as a wide receiver or a running back. So it was time to lean on them just like at other times we really, you know, lean on the quarterback or a tight end or a receiver to make a play."

I appreciate that ND has a great DB room. I appreciate that Beck was injured for half the offseason and needs more reps with our receivers. I appreciate we have a couple of very young receivers. But that statement tells you Mario still has a lot of caveman in him. He just loves running it down the throat of the opponent, especially a team like ND.

Personally, I think it's a flaw. Hope it doesn't cost us more games. And if we're going to pound the rock by putting the ball in the hands of our OL "playmakers", let's at least run outside the tackles or run a reverse or throw a RB screen or anything but that dive play once in a while.
 
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