This was an excellent analysis. I believe the defense did as much as it could, with the exception of the point of attack on 2nd half running plays. I do believe the egregious off-sides call changed the complexion of the game. Cal's drives could have resulted in field goal attempts, and put pressure on Notre Dame to catch up rather tha…
This was an excellent analysis. I believe the defense did as much as it could, with the exception of the point of attack on 2nd half running plays. I do believe the egregious off-sides call changed the complexion of the game. Cal's drives could have resulted in field goal attempts, and put pressure on Notre Dame to catch up rather than vice-versa. I especially agree that failure to use three-step drops, slants and quick 5 yard passes, and the absence of the tight end, was completely perplexing.
To be fair to the Cal D-line, Notre Dame has an established history, especially recently, of absolutely churning out 1st and 2nd round, Pro-Bowl-caliber NFL offensive linemen, with Quinton Nelson, the Martin brothers, McGlinchy, Aaron Banks, etc. all excelling in South Bend. That made it so much easier for ND to literally keep their backup QB completely out of harms way with short passes.
This was an excellent analysis. I believe the defense did as much as it could, with the exception of the point of attack on 2nd half running plays. I do believe the egregious off-sides call changed the complexion of the game. Cal's drives could have resulted in field goal attempts, and put pressure on Notre Dame to catch up rather than vice-versa. I especially agree that failure to use three-step drops, slants and quick 5 yard passes, and the absence of the tight end, was completely perplexing.
To be fair to the Cal D-line, Notre Dame has an established history, especially recently, of absolutely churning out 1st and 2nd round, Pro-Bowl-caliber NFL offensive linemen, with Quinton Nelson, the Martin brothers, McGlinchy, Aaron Banks, etc. all excelling in South Bend. That made it so much easier for ND to literally keep their backup QB completely out of harms way with short passes.
Thank you for this insight.