Don’t miss the forest for the bushes. Don’t miss the forest for the bushes.
It’s one thing I’ve needed to repeat to myself since Notre Dame’s opening drive of the 2024 season.
Notre Dame did a really massive factor Saturday night time of their 23-13 win over Texas A&M.
The Irish have been in a position to beat the boogeyman that’s been haunting them for a minimum of the final decade: profitable massive video games. Take away all the current buzz matters (i.e. the “atmosphere”, the warmth, roster questions) and concentrate on the bigger context. They pulled off a marquee win towards a stable workforce in a way that even essentially the most pessimistic of observers can’t fault (for per week 1 workforce).
It wasn’t the prettiest win and for many who’ve been following this system intently in current seasons, there have been lots of triggering moments/patterns. However I ask of you all, and myself, to withstand these intrusive ideas and actually respect a very promising begin to the season for a Notre Dame soccer workforce that may do nice issues.
Let’s see if the information analytics will assist us bolster these defenses.
Scoring Overview
It was a slog early on for each groups. Neither offense seemed notably potent throughout their early drives and the defenses weren’t nicely outlined. Within the second it felt like Notre Dame was struggling extra to get issues collectively. On either side of the ball, bot more-so offensively.
And the penalties didn’t assist both. However constructive ideas.
Whereas there have been indicators within the 2nd quarter that ND was getting comfy, the squad actually discovered its stride within the sport’s second half. The Irish scored the primary landing of the sport and shut out the Aggies within the 3rd quarter and went on to outscore them 10-7 within the 4th quarter. It was a gradual begin, one thing we’ve gotten used to, however over the stretech it didn’t appear fairly as ominous as in current seasons.
Scoring Element
Whereas particular groups, specifically the sphere objective models, performed pivotal roles in Saturday’s sport the dashing stables have been the deciding elements. Notre Dame was in a position to outscore Texas A&M 3-2 in subject objectives made and 2-1 in dashing touchdowns. Neither program ought to stroll away feeling spectacular about passing efficiency, a minimum of when it got here to precise scoring.
Drive Particulars
Lengthy drives, by way of yards, weren’t actually a factor. The Irish succeeded when it counted by capping off their longest drives with touchdowns and avoiding pressured turnovers. Turnovers on downs and two interceptions actually doomed the Aggie efficiency. Thankfully for ND followers, lots of these misfires have been pressured by the Irish protection and never A&M’s inflicted wounds.
Excessive-Degree Offensive Benchmarking: 2023 Season
Information from the primary sport of the season doesn’t actually present us with lots of room for giant comparisons, however let’s strive any manner. In most classes, Notre Dame was under its 2023, per-game benchmarks.
The workforce had 356 yards of whole offense towards A&M, in contrast with 432 yards per sport for the 2023 season. The most important offensive deficit and/or tradeoff got here within the passing sport. Riley Leonard threw for 158 yards, in contrast with 246 passing yards per sport for Sam Hartman final season. The workforce was barely above its 2023 benchmark for dashing yards, coming in at 198-185.
The passing accuracy additionally wasn’t fairly the place it was, however the squad beat final season’s dashing effectivity benchmark. This technique could be fairly deceptive, although, particularly contemplating how 2023’s offensive decline is hidden by averages.
Riley Leonard Highlight
For many of the sport I used to be punching the air about a few of the passing ”struggles” however Riley Leaonard’s skillset is in contrast to most of our current quarterbacks He’s demonstrated that he’s able to making up for passing deficiencies by including to the already deep working again room. And whereas I used to be/nonetheless am searching for one thing just a little totally different it labored towards Texas A&M and if it retains working I received’t be complaining.
Speeding Particulars
Three Notre Dame gamers dominated the workforce’s dashing assault and Riley Leonard contributed in a really possible way. Jeremiyah Love led the best way with 14 carries for 91 yards and 46% of the Irish’s whole yards on the bottom. Leonard fell into the #2 spot with 63 dashing yards and 31.8% of the workforce’s collective manufacturing. Jadarian Worth contributed 44 yards on 8 carries. Love and Worth walked away from the sport with a dashing landing a chunk. The dashing technique delivered, however there have been some prices and tradeoffs. Texas A&M’s protection tallied up seven tackles for loss, unfold throughout eight gamers.
Receiving Particulars
The offensive line obtained lots of consideration going into this season however I used to be essentially the most involved in regards to the vast receiver/tight finish teams. We nonetheless didn’t get all the solutions we’d’ve favored in regards to the two place teams, however the ceiling is excessive in my view. Clemson switch Beaux Collins led the workforce with 5 receptions for 62 yards. And he seemed excellent. Outdoors of Jaden Greathouse there, weren’t every other important particular person standouts however the depth/expertise is totally there.
Issues began to open up via the air as the sport progressed and I think about because the offensive line will get extra comfy and we play much less “formidable” defenses, the Irish receivers and tight ends shall be actually enjoyable to observe. And it’s been a very long time since I’ve even remotely felt that manner.
Defensive Excessive Lights
Up Entrance
As soon as the defensive position and linebacker group settled in, the Notre Dame protection excelled. Aggie quarterback Weigman by no means actually discovered a groove. Though Texas A&M put up 146 whole dashing yards, they weren’t in a position to run persistently towards the Irish and so they solely averaged 3.8 yards per carry. Howard Cross III accounted for the workforce’s single sack in addition to considered one of three tackles for loss. Fellow defensive lineman Jordan Bothelo completed with six whole tackles, three of which have been solo. Linebackers Jack Kiser and Jaylon Sneed stood out. Kiser had eight tackles (4 solo) and sneed tallied up 5 tackles (4 solo) and a deal with for loss.
Secondary
The Notre Dame secondary reminded us why they make this workforce’s protection one of the crucial thrilling to observe in all of faculty soccer. Safeties Adon Shuler and Xavier Watts each pulled in interceptions and defensive backs Benjamin Morrison and Christian Grey had three, collective go deflections.
The numbers don’t do the ND protection justice at this stage of the season.
Last Ideas
Let’s get pleasure from this people.
We knew that whereas there may be lots of continuity that Marcus Freeman brings to this system in his third season, main personnel adjustments on the employees and participant rosters meant that we couldn’t make sure about how this workforce would win. However the potential to win was there.
On this first gamer the offense didn’t appear like what we’ve seen from Notre Dame through the late Kelly years and even from Freemans’ squad final season, however they received. And received in a manner that we are able to foresee persevering with to achieve success. That’s fairly thrilling, if you issue within the defensive strengths. Plus, this win implies that I don’t should pack up my baggage and depart Texas as a result of I actually do like dwelling right here now.
Cheers and Go Irish!!