Notre Dame 62 UMASS 27

Class Guy – UMASS coach Mark Whipple. Mark probably gave ND every possible offensive formation that they will see all year. Also every screen play, he really threw everything possible at them and UMASS had 20 points in the first half.

The ND defense, early on looked awful. Almost like a sandlot team. While passing all over they also caught ND with a 80 yd draw play for a TD. What surprised me was how easy it was for them to run the ball in for TD’s when they were on the 1-2 yd line. So UMASS had 20 points and 276 yds in the first half.

Offense:

• The ND offense was just great with the OL just mauling the overmatched defense.
• Everybody had long runs for TD’s and we finally got a punt return for a TD.
• Boy these freshman sure are good and just mighty confident.
• Kizer and Wimbush both look relaxed and raring to go – not like the head cases from Crist, Hendriks and Golson. Zaire is the same way as K&W.
• What we saw of Wimbush leads me to think he will be the best of the 3 whether this year or next. That will lead to a very interesting Spring when all 3 go all out for the starter role. I think one will leave.

Defense:

• Outside of Day, a lot of these guys coasted along and once again the Safety play was suspect.
• I don’t know what the deal is with Redfield, but I would go with Mathias Farley.
• Watching this game USC’s Cody Kessler kept popping into my head. Brian VanGorder really is going to have to straighten out the D for from now on out. There will be no easy games. His blitzes aren’t working with a QB with a quick release.

ND finished with 681 total yards – so I’ll take it, but we really don’t want to have 8 shoot out games going forward.

Clemson will tell us a lot about this team. It is really the first test since Texas and GT both lost yesterday.

Jackass – Doug Flutie

Brian Kelly Postgame Press Conference vs UMASS