It was against Hawaii! Not Texas, not Florida, not Oklahoma, not Syracuse. They finished 7-7.

 

Sorry for being a wet blanket and....

 

Merry Christmas.

HawaiiIrish, that guy who threw the touchdown at the end of the game of UH, has he seen playing time before? He seemed pretty good what little I saw of him. BTW, thanks for taking us through UH football after bowl selection, your insight was truly appreciated.

I watched the game on the big screen in the basement with my (Ga Tech grad) father in law. He was talking about how bad we were going to get beat and blah blah blah. Then........our freshman and sophomores stuck it right in Hawaii's a**! I slept so good last night! Finally, I went to bed and wasn't tormented. Sure it was Hawaii but we called the dogs off in the late 3rd and could've and should've drilled their asses for 70!! About damn time!

Please don't get me wrong. I'm very very happy that the Irish won. But I think a lot of people are forgetting the fact that Notre Dame still can't run the ball. Yes they had bursts up the middle at times but the fact remains they had only 75 yards total on the ground.

A passing attack will only get the Irish so far next season.

 

The long pass completions contributed to the lack of rushing yards. When you have 2 touch down passes that total more than 100 yards and a kick off return for a touch down that cuts down on the number of rushing attempts.

 

I see everyone complaining about the 34 rushes for 65 yards with a 1.9 yard average but if you take away the sacks which do contribute to rushing numbers and take away junk time in the fourth quarter its actually 21 rushes for 64 yards and a 3.04 average. That is a decent average. Granted their were some negative plays in there, mostly anything ran towards the sidelines was for a loss. But overall the rushing attack wasn't as bad for this game as everyone is making it sound.

the Qb was inoke funaka ' more or less'--he started four games and played great in two not so in two-- he got beat beat out by alexander-- anyhow he is like 32 years old a 6th year senior mormon mission etc--alexander was the best hawaii had this year--- it was a case of the most underachieving team in the NCAA against one of the more overachieving teams-- i still dont understand what herbstriet and so many pundits were thinking-- some of it was giving hawaii too much credit-- BUT MOST OF IT WAS JUST A LOW OPINION OF THE IRISH THAT IS REALLY IN VOGUE___ hopefully this lights out perfromance will temper the ND WILL STINK chatter next year and let this team be what they can be-- and that can be very very good

I predicted an ND loss in the bowl. I'm so glad I was so terribly wrong. The Irish looked great. Still some areas for improvement such as the running game, but even though it was Hawaii, I will enjoy this victory for everything that it is rather than focussing on everything that it is not. Thank you ND for breaking the streak. The coaches and guys deserve credit for manning up on that one.

 

There will be plenty of time in the offseason for judging the underachievements in 2008 but I'm going to enjoy this for a little while.

You're my boy mcd, part of the Left Coast Irish Syndicate, or LCIS for short, but this was more than just a win against Hawaii.

This was an absolute massacre!

.. he got beat beat out by alexander-- anyhow he is like 32 years old a 6th year senior mormon mission etc--

Good for him for on his hard work, the mustache though was a bit much

i could care less if we beat maine st....next season no one can talk about how we havent won a bowl in 15 years, and thats the most important thing

 

I completely agree, thank god we wont have to hear and read about that bowl streak anymore!

 

On the game itself, i am going to be cautiously optimistic. I am a pessimist at heart but will do my best to put that aside at least for a while and enjoy this victory. This is easily the most impressive victory in over two years, the irish were nearly flawless on offense and special teams and aside from a play hear and there played a terrific game on defense. The overall complete game that we played was amazing. I understand that a win over a very mediocre hawaii team isnt anything to brag about but it is a great starting point for next season and hopefully the victory will propel this team to a strong finish to recruiting, a solid off season and 10+ wins next year.

I knew this thread was coming as soon as we won, because those who predicted us to lose against hawaii seem to have difficulty finding any positives. The whole team looked really good last night with exception to the kickoff team that blew a couple of coverages, but that was only a couple of kickoffs. Hawaii isn't Syracuse awful. I think we were just ready to play and Charlie took over. Project "Get Haywood Hired" is over thank god.

Watching the presser this morning (@ und.com), it seemed mission (or project like you said) to get Haywood Hired, are you kidding me? A recommendation sure, but working hard and not having a replacement as quickly as he's been announced as head coach at Miama (Oh) .. come on .. this disappoints me knowing Charlie had a heads up on this .... unless ND wants to make one of its new years press releases and or announcement .. ala George O'Leary (or was it Tyrone Willingham) .. I need to google this

 

I knew this thread was coming as soon as we won, because those who predicted us to lose against hawaii seem to have difficulty finding any positives. The whole team looked really good last night with exception to the kickoff team that blew a couple of coverages, but that was only a couple of kickoffs. Hawaii isn't Syracuse awful. I think we were just ready to play and Charlie took over. Project "Get Haywood Hired" is over thank god.

I knew this thread was coming as soon as we won, because those who predicted us to lose against hawaii seem to have difficulty finding any positives. The whole team looked really good last night with exception to the kickoff team that blew a couple of coverages, but that was only a couple of kickoffs. Hawaii isn't Syracuse awful. I think we were just ready to play and Charlie took over. Project "Get Haywood Hired" is over thank god.

 

 

Wave, thanks for keeping me honest. We've disagreed about CW before and I have to admit, that he has not convinced me yet.

 

You knew this thread was coming because IMO we were in a no win situation-if we win, it was against Hawaii, but if we lost I'd be calling for CW's head--again. Having said all this, we ended up winning big and I was a bit satisfied.

You're my boy mcd, part of the Left Coast Irish Syndicate, or LCIS for short, but this was more than just a win against Hawaii.

This was an absolute massacre!

 

 

Lol. LCIS, I like it and I'm honored.

Willing to admit that Jimmy looked absolutely spectacular yesterday (I've only watched the first half...) Going to watch second half now.

As I said in another thread: It wasn't impressive that Notre Dame beat Hawaii, it was impressive the way they beat them. First time all year we got consistent pressure on a QB. Jimmy was absolutely stunning as was several others.... I'm optimistic for a solid season and a New Years day bowl (or later) next season.

i could care less if we beat maine st....next season no one can talk about how we havent won a bowl in 15 years, and thats the most important thing

 

Leopard...I hate to burst your bubble, but the headline next year will only change from "ND hasn't won a bowl game in 15 years" to "ND is 1-10 in the last 15 years in post season play". Don't expect the haters and ESPN to let up because we beat the crap out of Hawaii.

I do agree with you DomeandDomer. The "beat and put downs" will go on, I forget the name of it but like that many headed snake. Cut one head off and another will grow. I believe we are moving in the right direction. Now it's shake up the assistants some. Charle and ND was pilliaried and insulted at every twist and turn.

I knew this thread was coming as soon as we won, because those who predicted us to lose against hawaii seem to have difficulty finding any positives. The whole team looked really good last night with exception to the kickoff team that blew a couple of coverages, but that was only a couple of kickoffs. Hawaii isn't Syracuse awful. I think we were just ready to play and Charlie took over. Project "Get Haywood Hired" is over thank god.

 

No doubt much of the team looked good if not great in this game. But make no mistake about it, we would have struggled against a top 25 team. What we saw in this game is what happens when JC plays to his potential and has some protection. The question is, can we find a way to do that consistently next year? I don't know the answer to that question. JC's int's in the second half of the season were the difference between 6-6 and 9-3. Hawaii's CBs really sucked too which led to some great plays. Don't get me wrong...JC had the ball on a string in this game, but his pass into double coverage to Tate in the back of the endzone get's picked off by most teams in the top 25 because their CB's would have made a play on the ball as opposed to "chasing the route" like UH did.

 

I'm also very concerned about McNeil's play. He looked pretty bad for the umteenth game in a row. If GG transfers, then I'm going to be concerned about McNeil getting too much playing time. As of right now...he is certainly another Lambert.

 

Next year I'm also concerned about the loss of Turk (Never thought I'd hear myself say that). IMHO, Turk is the most improved player on this team with Tate a close second. Tate get's the glory, but when you remember how bad Turk was last year and compare it to his pretty darn consistantly good play this year....the transformation was incredible.

 

BTW, am I the only one that FEELS like we ran for way more than 65 yards? I was shocked to see that stat. And another question...did Aldridge play a single down? What happened there?

 

One things for certain....we're all feeling a little better this Christmas.

IF and I say IF any new staff can help us develop a running game to suppliment JC's arm we have it made. (Knocking on wood.) Remember Charlie wanted to pound the ball and that went nowhere. A desire does not translate into reality. We are still too one demensinal. I'm not knocking our win but obiously something is broke here and needs to be rectified pronto. I know that's all pretty obvious but needs to be re forged into steel and hammered home.

 

I'd have some of our past great runners and O men give talks to the team in 2009. I know there is some anti Pawlus feeling, but I recall Weis in giving up the QB coaching situation to him stated "Ron's been there I have not." An HC wheres many hats and I think giving the assistants (some responsibility) is a good thing.

 

I am anxious to see who is no longer there and who we can hire. It means long hours for me to study the new people. Ahahahah

We need some stud O-linemen...PLAIN AND SIMPLE.

No doubt much of the team looked good if not great in this game. But make no mistake about it, we would have struggled against a top 25 team. What we saw in this game is what happens when JC plays to his potential and has some protection. The question is, can we find a way to do that consistently next year? I don't know the answer to that question. JC's int's in the second half of the season were the difference between 6-6 and 9-3. Hawaii's CBs really sucked too which led to some great plays. Don't get me wrong...JC had the ball on a string in this game, but his pass into double coverage to Tate in the back of the endzone get's picked off by most teams in the top 25 because their CB's would have made a play on the ball as opposed to "chasing the route" like UH did.

 

I'm also very concerned about McNeil's play. He looked pretty bad for the umteenth game in a row. If GG transfers, then I'm going to be concerned about McNeil getting too much playing time. As of right now...he is certainly another Lambert.

 

Next year I'm also concerned about the loss of Turk (Never thought I'd hear myself say that). IMHO, Turk is the most improved player on this team with Tate a close second. Tate get's the glory, but when you remember how bad Turk was last year and compare it to his pretty darn consistantly good play this year....the transformation was incredible.

 

BTW, am I the only one that FEELS like we ran for way more than 65 yards? I was shocked to see that stat. And another question...did Aldridge play a single down? What happened there?

 

One things for certain....we're all feeling a little better this Christmas.

 

Excellent post d&d. Embarrased to admit that I forgot about Turk. He did a hell of a job this year and his hopefully Romine can step up next year.

 

As far as the rushing yards, I thought the same thing. Don't remember being sacked too many times either. And Aldridge..........I don't know what's going on here but I think he is not being utilized correctly. IMO, he has the potential to be a star.