Obviously Denard played an outstanding game down in South Bend, but he wasn't alone. Who would you nominate for best non-dilithium-fueled performance?
I would have to give it to Jonas Mouton. I thought he played very well all-around and his interception and tip-drill on Kovacs' interception were two very big plays. Who do you guys think played best (aside from the Nard Dawg)?
I agree with you on Mouton.
Mouton or Roundtree
Mouton or Roundtree
"Everybody want's to be a bodybuilder but no one want's to lift no heavy ass weights, I DO!!! " Ronnie Coleman
D: Mouton
O: Omameh for a
D: Mouton
O: Omameh for a single play, putting 2 irish defenders on their wallets on Denard's 87 yarder. (realistically Roundtree and Odoms both deserve it)
Roundtree. This guy is hands
Roundtree. This guy is hands down our most clutch receiver. That catch on 3rd and 5 at end of the game was amazing. As DRob continues to garner more experience, his rapport with Roundtree will only increase to develop into a great QB-WR tandem. If Roundtree continues his play from his last 8-9 games, he is well on his way to the #1 jersey.
Also, no penalty called on
Also, no penalty called on the play for CLEAR pass interference.
Good topic
And a good choice with Mouton.
Not to just copy it though, so I'll say Roundtree. 2 HUGE scoring position catch and runs.
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
Mouton on Defense - had a
Mouton on Defense - had a co-worker who is an ND fan at my house to watch the game, and all he kept saying was "friggin' Mouton". Sweet words.
Roundtree on offense - he made some excellent blocks (especially on Denard's big run) and was back to his old self receiving.
Who's the best basketball
Who's the best basketball player of all time? And you can't pick MJ. /s
I think I'd go with Roundtree. He made some incredibly impressive catches, including the one at the end of the game, obviously. His confidence, and Denard's confidence in him, are going to be absolutely key for us throughout the season.
Crist
I want the kid to have some memory of the game.
I'll go with Mouton or Roundtree
Probably also a couple of unsung guys out there doing the right thing every time that don't get attention. Kovacs was in the right place most of the time. Saved a few big plays.
Mouton is turning into an
Mouton is turning into an all-conference LB (Yes, I said it). He is a beast. 3 great plays for every 1 bad play is ok by me.
Roundtree is my offensive vote because he is tough as nails and set a great example for the team by getting out there and playing through the pain - Oh, and being a clutch receiver
Class of '97: 4 Years -- 4 Four-loss seasons
Mouton would be a good one
I was also particularly impressed with Thomas Gordon. Didn't look like a liability at all, and made some nice tackles (as well as our only sack).
Roundtree and Odoms both played like mini-ninjas, took some hits, and threw some key blocks.
Gordon's sack was my favorite
Gordon's sack was my favorite play of the game. He flew in there seemingly out of control and I thought to myself "Well he's got a snowball's chance in hell of making this play" and he actually did it. Great play and great game by that young man.
I might have yelled the
I might have yelled the loudest at that play. Only because it seems like I have seen 100 Michigan defenders in a row have a clear shot at a QB and somehow miss. I was so glad that one turned out as it should have.
Second
I second Gordon. He was amazing for a first ever start, had a HUGE sack, and effectively shut down all short routes. Rudolph did nothing short (which is when Gordon was covering him) and Allen had few (maybe 0) catches where he slipped out of the backfield on deep routes. This is 100% on Gordon being aware and not forgetting about the RB when Crist was holding onto the ball forever.
Mouton was good but did what I expect out a 4 year starter. Gordon was solid in his first ever start.
Alex: Backup QB is the best position in sports. In fact I get drunk all the time, I don't have to show up to class, and it's just like being a real QB but without all the pain.
OK, I give up
Who is your avatar?
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
I'd also like to see JT Floyd
I'd also like to see JT Floyd get some love too. He's been playing with a bunch of, well, scrubs, in the secondary, and he's kept them together. With the exception of a few big plays, the secondary not only held, but provided turnovers. And Floyd managed to keep the Michael Firebreathing Floyd in check all afternoon long.
This is home...
reserving a small piece of the ball
I'm focusing on only a single play here, but I thought Thomas Gordon's sack of Crist was pretty cool. For those keeping score, that was a redshirt freshman and (for what it's worth) a low 3-star Rivals recruit. He has arguably contributed more this year than his higher-rated Cass Tech teammates (Will Campbell and Teric Jones).
"..."
In all due respect, neither
In all due respect, neither Big Will or Teric have "Prison Abs"
"Everybody want's to be a bodybuilder but no one want's to lift no heavy ass weights, I DO!!! " Ronnie Coleman
Ouch
Sorry for being Picky McPickster, but...
It's "with all due respect"
And it's either "neither... nor," or "either... or."
Kovacs
Mouton had a good game as well. I would give it to Kovacs. He made a rough play early and really came back from it and was all over the field.
"A flute with no holes is not a flute. A donut with no hole is a danish"
mouton on D. roh and martin
mouton on D. roh and martin played good games as well. they were held often though it wasn't called like it was on us. schilling had a good game, as did molk. roundtree of the skill players.
My first thoguhts were Mouton
My first thoughts were Mouton or Roundtree. Then I thought of your question, what Wolverine. I choose Coach Rod.
Forcier. His sideline
Forcier. His sideline behavior should have shut up the presses just as much as the W did.
Tay Odoms
I would actually vote for Odoms. Obviously, everyone mentioned so far had great performances, but it seemed like almost every catch he had went for a first down. Definitely very reliable. And even though he didn't find the end zone, he only came about 1 yard short.
Gibbons...
/sarcasm
Coaching
I would give the game ball to the coaching staff. The offensive play calling has, in my opinion, been perfect. A great mix of run and throw (even if all of those runs are Denard, but that is a result of ND's D strategery and Denard's live reads). Great job of playing to Denard's strengths and putting him in situations where he can succeed.
Same goes on D. Given the young, thin and, somewhat cobbled together, secondary, our defense has held up better than I thought. 6 three and outs. A bunch of big stops. And, while bend-but-don't-break is always frustrating to watch, they have done it well, mixing in just enough pressure on the QB while still allowing the safeties to hang back and help out our weak secondary.
Well coached game for the second straight week.
It's been above average, maybe even excellent
But I wouldn't go to the extent of "perfect". There's room for improvement everywhere. I actually think last Saturday, at least, the defensive coaching did a better job than the offense. The breakdowns were more "player, oops" than calls.
Again, don't get me wrong...it hasn't been anywhere been anything near bad coaching. It's way above the median. But there were a few time on third and short at midfield/ND territory on 3rd and short we're throwing the ball, when one or two runs would almost assure a first down, instead of leaving us with a long field goal. (They weren't SUPER long...but they weren't chip shots either). So, I wouldn't call it perfect.
But the coaching was probably very much the same. And would have looked horrible if we had lost, and always looks great when we win. It's amazing what a difference the final score makes to the Coach's intelligence. ;-)
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
I thought the play-calling
I thought the play-calling was pretty poor, to be honest. I was livid when they decided to try the second field goal attempt. I think everyone knew Gibbons was going to miss that kick.
Ok, using "perfect" was
Ok, using "perfect" was channeling my inner Fred Jackson, but I don't disagree with the 2nd field goal try. Yes, Gibbons is not looking to be a strong point, but it was only a 40 yard fg. A D1 kicker should have a more than 50% chance of hitting that one, and if he does, then ND's final TD only ties the game and doesn't give ND a lead.
Mouton
and its not even close
Um.....okay, but first you
Um.....okay, but first you have to name an MVP for the Warriors/Knicks game on March 2, 1962, and you can't pick Chamberlain.
(Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, what stood out to you about the play?)
(Blogger alias: "Misopogon") This team is under construction. We thank you for your patience.
Easy-
Warriors- Guy Rodgers. 20 assists to go with his 11 points.
Knicks- Richie Guerin. 39 points and 6 assists.
Gotta agree with Mouton
He's really stepped up so far this season, and made some big plays.
I do not mean to pry, but you don't by any chance happen to have six fingers on your right hand?
Good choices
So many good selections so far, but personally I was most pleasantly surprised to see James Rogers and not in an "OH GOD NO!" type scenario. I noticed him make a couple of plays that I didn't expect given the apocalyptic talk about our secondary. Of course, given my frenzied (drunk) and uneducated (more drunk) watching of football, I may have missed deficiencies in his performance.
Martavious Odoms is my pick.
Martavious Odoms is my pick. Ever since he has been on campus the kid has done nothing but show up and play his ass off. The kid is a great blocker and has great hands and very excellent toughness. Any team in the country wants a kid like Martavious, I'm just glad we've got him and no one else.
Roy Roundtree is the obvious choice for most, he is also very tough, sure handed, and had a crucial block in sending Denard 87 yards to the house. His last catch set up the game winning TD.
Honorable mention: The entire offensive line!
Champions of the west, GO BLUE!
Cam Gordon. If he doesn't
Cam Gordon. If he doesn't get burned on that Rudolph play, we don't have enough time to score at the end.
For today, goodbye. For tomorrow, good luck. And forever, Go Blue.
{chuckle} I'm sure that's
{chuckle} I'm sure that's exactly how GERG will evaluate his performance this week in the film room. I felt bad for Cam because the kid did not have a good day.
"...what do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?"
"Fix the cigarette lighter."
James Rogers
I am impressed that he has stepped up and not been a HUGE liability in the black hole known as our secondary.
"If they ever catch me, they can have 'em." -Denard Robinson
What a difference in the OL...
with MOLK in there.
"If this was an isocracy, you'd be in charge just like me." AIFM
Have to say Mouton.. He
Have to say Mouton.. He reminds me of Crable. And he just seemed to be in every defensive play.
I agree with you on Mouton. He has impressed me thus far with his play. Hopefully, he can keep getting better every week and leading the defense.
“What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve and those who stay will be champions.” - Bo
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