While many are discouraged that the Irish needed a late score to put away Purdue, there are lots of positive trends and successes that came out of this game. Personally, I feel better after this game than after the Michigan State game. It feels like we won the game - not relying on the opponent to lose it.
The positives:
Less Blitzing & More Cover 2 - It has been estimated that the Irish blitzed 80% of passing situations in the first 3 games. The Irish blitzed about 55% vs Purdue (per Tim Prister - Irish Illustrated), employing much more cover 2 zone. The zone coverage and blitz anticipation preceding no blitz clearly helped the Irish defense. Purdue finished with 289 yards passing (same amount as vs Oregon), which is not great at all - but clearly better than Michigan State.
Rushing Offense - The Irish rushed for 167 yards, winning the rushing battle, and putting Charlie Weis at 18-0 when he wins the rushing battle (If that's not a telling stat, I don't know what is). Unfortunately the 2nd half run game slowed down a bit, or rather failed to result in 2nd half points. The Irish finished at 3.9 ypc for the game, a tick below ideal of about 4.5 ypc or more.
Less Penalties - The Irish were penalized less than their opponent for the first time in 3 weeks, earning 6 penalties costing 43 yards (Purdue had 13 for 103 yards). A few procedural illegal formation penalties negated big plays, and one TD to Golden Tate in particular was called back because Duval Kamara (WR) was not on the line of scrimmage. Amazingly - a Big East officiating crew handled the game, not a Big 10 crew. SURPRISE SURPRISE.
Field Goals - Freshman Nick Tausch continues his solid placekicking, nailing a 42 yarder in the 1st quarter. He is now 5/6 on the season including 3/4 on the road.
Clutch Finish on Offense - 3 minutes to go, down by 4. Clausen made numerous big time throws. Best throw of the game was a perfectly thrown pass to Robby Parris on 3rd and 14 from about midfield. The rifle (and I mean rifle) pass to win the game to Rudolph on 4th and goal was an NFL caliber throw - both via the accuracy and power. Clausen and the offense expected to score on that final drive - and it showed.
Poor Coaching Decision by Weis - Going for a 4th and 10 late in the 3rd quarter on the Purdue 34 yard line. After the ensuing timeout preceding the play, the Irish stuck with the pass play for the 10 yards. Dayne Crist was sacked for a 7 yard loss, as Ross-Ade Stadium erupted, clearing giving Purdue momentum they didn't have. Purdue followed on the first play on offense with a game changing 28 yard gain. If Weis punts the ball, less momentum if any is transferred, and the Boilers are forced to go an additional 20 to 40 yards. 4th and 5 or 6 - maybe - but not 4th and 10 when your defense was clearly winning the battles and you have a limited offense with a rookie QB.
Run Defense - Irish limited the Boilers and the #2 overall rusher in the country (Bolden) to 74 yards rushing. Interestingly enough, the Boilers rushed for 170 yards vs Oregon at Autzen Stadium. Success.
Less Blitzing & More Cover 2 - It has been estimated that the Irish blitzed 80% of passing situations in the first 3 games. The Irish blitzed about 55% vs Purdue (per Tim Prister - Irish Illustrated), employing much more cover 2 zone. The zone coverage and blitz anticipation preceding no blitz clearly helped the Irish defense. Purdue finished with 289 yards passing (same amount as vs Oregon), which is not great at all - but clearly better than Michigan State.
Rushing Offense - The Irish rushed for 167 yards, winning the rushing battle, and putting Charlie Weis at 18-0 when he wins the rushing battle (If that's not a telling stat, I don't know what is). Unfortunately the 2nd half run game slowed down a bit, or rather failed to result in 2nd half points. The Irish finished at 3.9 ypc for the game, a tick below ideal of about 4.5 ypc or more.
Offensive Wrinkles - Missing 3 of their best offensive players in Armando Allen, Michael Floyd, and Clausen (1/2 the game), many knew this game would be difficult for the Irish offense. The 2nd and 3rd quarters (until the 4th and 10 call) were easily the most brilliant stretch of offensive playcalling I have ever seen from Weis. Employing a genius dose of the Wildcat, 4 running backs (Gray, Hughes, Riddick, & even WR Golden Tate), and numerous new running plays from varying formations, the Irish were able to control the 2nd and 3rd quarters with minimal pass attempts by rookie QB Dayne Crist. The strategy looked to be the perfect way to grind out a win on the road with injured stars. Unfortunately the momentum changed and the Irish were not able to continue this approach - but for awhile, the Irish rushing attack was unstoppable. Don't think Weis will not build off these successes and look to include more of this in his gameplans going forward.
Less Penalties - The Irish were penalized less than their opponent for the first time in 3 weeks, earning 6 penalties costing 43 yards (Purdue had 13 for 103 yards). A few procedural illegal formation penalties negated big plays, and one TD to Golden Tate in particular was called back because Duval Kamara (WR) was not on the line of scrimmage. Amazingly - a Big East officiating crew handled the game, not a Big 10 crew. SURPRISE SURPRISE.
Field Goals - Freshman Nick Tausch continues his solid placekicking, nailing a 42 yarder in the 1st quarter. He is now 5/6 on the season including 3/4 on the road.
Clutch Finish on Offense - 3 minutes to go, down by 4. Clausen made numerous big time throws. Best throw of the game was a perfectly thrown pass to Robby Parris on 3rd and 14 from about midfield. The rifle (and I mean rifle) pass to win the game to Rudolph on 4th and goal was an NFL caliber throw - both via the accuracy and power. Clausen and the offense expected to score on that final drive - and it showed.
Certainly there were negatives:
Blown Coverage on Purdue's 4th quarter TD to take the lead
Poor punting most of the game
Still too many offensive line/procedural penalties
Poor punting most of the game
Still too many offensive line/procedural penalties
Poor Coaching Decision by Weis - Going for a 4th and 10 late in the 3rd quarter on the Purdue 34 yard line. After the ensuing timeout preceding the play, the Irish stuck with the pass play for the 10 yards. Dayne Crist was sacked for a 7 yard loss, as Ross-Ade Stadium erupted, clearing giving Purdue momentum they didn't have. Purdue followed on the first play on offense with a game changing 28 yard gain. If Weis punts the ball, less momentum if any is transferred, and the Boilers are forced to go an additional 20 to 40 yards. 4th and 5 or 6 - maybe - but not 4th and 10 when your defense was clearly winning the battles and you have a limited offense with a rookie QB.
Despite the past 3 games being closer than they should have been, you can't deny the following: the Irish are on pace to meet the Trojans with a 4-1 record in what will be THE defining game of the Weis era. Also, the Irish have found a way to win 2 games the past 2 weeks that they wouldn't have won in previous years. This Irish team has now overcome three 4th quarter deficits in each of the last 3 weeks, going 2-1 in those games. Clausen and the offense clearly have shown they can score when the game is on the line - which will certainly come in handy later in the year. Later in the season, the Irish are going to greatly benefit from these close victories and late offensive successes. You watch.
This week - Irish vs Washington. Irish are 13 point favorites over the improving Huskies. Jimmy Clausen and Armando Allen will play and practice today, and should be at or very near 100%. I expect a high scoring game that the Irish better show up for. The Huskies will be a tough opponent, coming off a loss. Based on how the season has gone thus far, a close down to the wire finish would not be surprising - in fact that seems more likely than a blowout.
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