Northwestern 43 Notre Dame 40 In OT

Late Saturday afternoon lost in Nortwesterns celebrating, the fat lady was singing ringing down the curtain on this 2014 Notre Dame season.

So much continues to go wrong for this team capped by Mr. Reliable Cam McDaniel’s inopportune fumble that essentially was the game. It’s the only reason he was in there and not Folston who played the whole game and ran for 106 yards. In this kind of weather I go with Folston not Cam who only had 3 carries.

A lot will be made about Kelly going for 2 as opposed to a PAT. It didn’t really matter. What mattered was the time management at the end of the game. ND could have run the clock down, kicked and Northwestern would have had about 20 seconds with 50 or so yards to go and no time outs.

So much for that but we had a team out there that looked bewildered all game except for WR Fuller. Fumbles and Picks continue to cripple ND. 5 turnovers, but then again Northwestern had 5 also, but these overachievers took it to ND, didn’t quit and prevailed in OT for the win.

The ND defense was particularly bad, don’t remember it now, but I don’t think there were any sacks. In fact, we made a very mediocre QB look like an All American both running and passing the ball.

The ND defensive line looked completely gassed even early in the game. Did we even blitz? It looked like the old prevent defense.

With a slew of freshman running all over and usually in the wrong direction, Northwestern banged out like 560 yards. This is a team that’s lucky to get 300 all season.

Safety Redfield was benched and freshman Tranquill played the whole game or at least tried. Don’t know what the deal is with Redfield but he’s found himself in Kelly’s doghouse and once there it’s tough to get out of.

The ND inside linebackers were non factors frequently getting manhandled by Northwestern OG’s. When that wasn’t happening they were running themselves right out of the play leaving a big effing hole in the middle which Northwestern exploited all game.

This game doesn’t go to OT if Northwestern doesn’t drop the ball on wide open plays. There must have been at least 6 of them and 3 sure TD’s.

Finally, the ND OL continues to play God awful. Way too late in the year but I would yank all 5. There is no way the reserves could play any worse. It won’t happen but for 2015 I’m looking for 5 new starters starting in the Spring.

Predictions:

• Notre Dame loses to Louisville and gets blasted by USC – finishes 7-5
• If they get a Bowl Game they have a month to work with a new OL.

Here is the Brian Kelly Post Gam Press Conference: