This ND game should not have been this close

Submitted by dsshma on

It is great to win this game but we could have open up the game when Crist was out in the first half. But give credit to ND's special team. Their punts were terrific (most within 20 yard line, a couple within 10 yard line) and made a tough start point for our offense. Of course another reason for lacking of points in 2nd Q is way too many drive-killing penalties.

 

This special team is really getting me worried. RS frosh and true frosh serving kicking and punting could really be a big problem when we are in another close game.

VictorsValiant09

September 12th, 2010 at 10:23 AM ^

True, but how many points did we leave out on the field, how many drives stalled?  I agree, we should've won this game by two touchdowns.  Execution needs cleaning up, but I'm happy we got the win.

Go Blue.

BIN

September 12th, 2010 at 10:35 AM ^

it seemed that Mich went conservative after their third touchdown.  At least it seemed that way to me.  Maybe the ND defense stepped up.  I don't really know but it seemed like the Mich coaches and/or players relaxed a bit instead of going for the throat in the second quarter.

MGlobules

September 12th, 2010 at 10:49 AM ^

had a number of abortive drives in the second half, and while that is what it is, I think it's a glass full, glass empty scenario. On one hand you regret leaving points on the field; on the other hand, we were able to move the ball; sooner or later, you hope you have a breakthrough. 

What was not so cool was all the missed third-down opportunities. I understand why RichRod refused to go to Denard every time, but when he watches tape I bet he'll wish he'd sent him a few more times. 

acs236

September 12th, 2010 at 10:23 AM ^

I think Hagerup will get better over the season.  As far as the field goal kicking, I'm with you.  I'm hoping it's a mental thing that will go away once he nails a few.

newfoundhbomb

September 12th, 2010 at 10:26 AM ^

this game should have been over mid way threw the 2nd quarter.  we should have had 28 or 35 points at the half.  and even in the second half notre dame/our defense gave us chances to score and go up by 10 or 14 and put it out of reach

MileHighWolverine

September 12th, 2010 at 10:34 AM ^

By next year, we will be up 35 at the half and Robinson won't have to win the game by himself.  We are still young, somewhat undersized and lacking depth (especially upperclass depth).  All these little problems will solve themselves once we are fully up to speed.

For now, enjoy the win and cackle knowingly at the carnage that awaits our opponents next season and beyond.  This year will still be rough but next year, WATCH OUT!!

go16blue

September 12th, 2010 at 10:27 AM ^

while were complaining about things, heres a quote from mike martin   "There was one play where the ref gave 59 (left guard Chris Stewart) a warning. He held the heck out of me and I looked at the ref and he just went over to 59 and was like, 'Hey, watch it.' And I'm like, 'This isn't like a speeding ticket, where you get a warning!' But that's something you just can't control."

bacon

September 12th, 2010 at 10:29 AM ^

Yes.  A lot of drives killed by penalties and ineffective plays in the middle.  We always seem to hit a wall in the 3rd quarter and then come roaring back in the 4th.  Get used to it.  I'm glad we won in the end because it could have easily gone the other way.

bluebrains98

September 12th, 2010 at 10:31 AM ^

If every team converted every play they "could have" or were "supposed to," it wouldn't be a very interesting sport. Characterize it however you want--we missed fewer opportunities than they did or we converted more key plays than they did--but either way, we get the W. There aren't many games I can remember where the final score was what it should have or could have been. I guarantee you, ND fans can make all the same gripes we can and come up with plenty of scenarios where they "easily could have won." Guess what...doesn't matter!

victors2000

September 12th, 2010 at 10:36 AM ^

given the threats we offered and I thought they made some good adjustments to limit our effectiveness. Could we have won by more? Maybe, those penalties sucked, but they could (I imagine are) saying some of the same things had Crist not been hurt; he was pretty effective in the first half and him being knocked out of the game for most of the first have could of been a difference maker for the Domers as well.

No games perfect, some far from it and it's difficult to take the good with the bad, but yesterday's fell into that zone where I didn't feel cheated thinking back to woulda/coulda/shoulda's. Because we won! So yeah, I feel good, we move on, Rurrha!

Tubes

September 12th, 2010 at 10:43 AM ^

Total yardage was 535 for ND vs. 532 for Michigan.  They outgained us without Crist for like 4 or 5 possessions.

 

So say what you want, but in my mind if Crist plays the whole game we probably don't win

swdude12

September 12th, 2010 at 10:46 AM ^

1.  2 missed field goals...badly missed fgs

2. i thought the holding call and crack back block call were total BS calls...ruined both drives

3. our punter gave them great field position....both kickers had horrible gms...i could come in and punt better than that.

4. 3rd down conversions were not good...convert a few more to keep the defense off the field and possibly score more pts.

5. great gm tho for sure...HAIL!

6. a win is a win dont care how you do it.

the_dude

September 12th, 2010 at 11:26 AM ^

Let's get real here.  Michigan must really be back if we can nit pick a game we won in S. Bend.  The offense is very good but can get better if the running backs become more of a threat and the receivers make the catches they should make.  Rich Rod said Denard probably had a dozen or so plays that when he looks at film he'll see he could have made a better play.  But we won and Denard is getting Michigan tons of good press which should help on the recruiting trail.

The defense can and should get better but they just went up against a team that has about a half dozen NFL'ers.  On offense.  Oh and the defense forced 3 TOs which is something that rarely happened last season.  The signs are pointing in the right direction and they'll get better.

This game was an incredibly valuable experience for what is still a very young team.  And the experience is so much sweeter being that they pulled it out once again in the final minute of play.

markusr2007

September 12th, 2010 at 11:30 AM ^

I'll give you Crist and raise you Troy Woolfolk, Carvin Johnson, JR Hemingway and Will Heininger.

If you're going to depreciate Michigan's win because of an Irish player that was out then at least be fair about it.

Michigan won this game on the road against an explosive, fast-paced offense and a brilliant coach (Kelly) with a thin depth chart and minus some its best defensive players.  

Fill that thimble of yours with some happiness. Michigan won the game.

Magnus

September 12th, 2010 at 3:11 PM ^

...and yet, you and I both know that losing your starting QB is way more devastating than losing your fourth-best WR, your true freshman Spur, or even your #1 corner.

By the way, Notre Dame was also missing its starting center and one starting safety, so it's not like Crist was the only injury Notre Dame was dealing with.

Bottom line: The game would have been different (how much, I don't know) with Crist available for the entire thing.

chunkums

September 12th, 2010 at 2:29 PM ^

Pop over to ESPN some time and take a gander at 2007 WVU.  They were putting 40-60 points on the board with the type of offensive yardage we've had the last two games.  Is a win a win?  Absolutely.  Could we have easily scored more points with all that offense?  Definitely.

maddogterry

September 12th, 2010 at 3:45 PM ^

Don't forget about the ND touchdown that wasn't. when Jones lost control of the football before crossing the goal line and the Refs missed it and the boys in the review box ignored it. It was obvious that he did not have control of the box. Maybe a little home cooking? 

TheOracle6

September 12th, 2010 at 5:56 PM ^

I agree that we should have won rather easily but we have to give some kudos to the ND defense for keeping us in check on 3rd down all day long.  Had we converted some of those it would have probably been at least a two score game.  Also we missed 2 field goals that should be chip shots by the time Gibbons is a second / third year guy.  Being able to win without playing our best football is a very rewarding feeling.  Going forward we have to get back into the groove on 3rd downs like we were aginst UConn, and the special teams and safties will step up with practice, and further experience.