ND defended the triple about as well as Pitt did -- which is to say very well. But they did it just a bit differently. While Pitt focused on the fullback on each and every play, ND brought up its secondary. Jarod Bryant's inability to keep them honest with a long ball every now and then didn't help. (I've got my doubts as to whether his shoulder had really healed.) Not sure why it took so long for Navy's coaching staff to turn to Dobbs, who was able to connect on a couple of balls late, but that's a bit of coulda-shoulda-woulda.
In any event, I can't deny that it was a solid defensive plan, well executed by ND.
Navy Fan | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 4:52 pm | #

NICE post, Jay, kudos for having written and clipped what most of us have known. After reviewing my tape of the game, along with your clip, I'm amazed at the great progress of the D this year. They appear to have improved game after game, which should provide the opportunities in the next two games...

Now how about a little (actually, a LOT!) of the same progress on the part of the O-Line? What will it take to establish a series of sustained drives that open up the secondary? I know I'm old school, but I also know this works, and when it's done with spirit, it's almost impossible to stop.

Speaking of spirit, it might be present at the pep rallies, but it's MIA on the field and the sidelines, except for a few minor displays. It would be nice to see a CW coached team have the emotions that dominate other teams. That has to have some kind of effect on the outcome of the game.

Thanks again for you insights! You guys are the reason this is the best blog on the web.
ND_Dad | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 5:12 pm | #

To me, it seems like FSU and ND are in similar situations. Both were very good in parts of the '80s and '90s. In fact, I believe FSu had a span where they were in the top 5 for at least 10 years straight. ND has had 3 coaches since Lou and FSU has the same head coach. In the 2000s both have had good recruiting classes but both continue to underperform. Can anyone tell me why FSU has underperformed? Is it the assistant coaches? Is Bobby getting senile? I do know that Bobby's son was OC for awhile but their new OC does not seem to be doing any better. Is Bobby domineering as a coach like possibly Weis? Any thoughts at all?
GB | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 5:19 pm | #

The Navy vs. ND game film will be the first viewed, analyzed, and otherwise dissected by Navy opponents for years to come.
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 5:23 pm | #

Since I am already looking forward to next year, will one of you gentlemen post a projected 2009 depth chart along with the players remaining eligibilty after the 2009 season? I only have so long.
Wild Jay Bevearman, ND '46 | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 5:35 pm | #

Just goes to show how good any defense can look, when they know the offense can't pass. Navy couldn't pass and we knew it, our defense is not that good, but I will agree they have improved from last year.
Trevor | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 5:36 pm | #

Hold up, Trevor. Is it not true that EVERY team that plays Navy knows that they're going to run. Yet, Navy still manages to put up 300 yards per game.

Wake Forest, a pretty good, disciplined defense allowed 292 yards rushing and 5 ypc. Pitt, a pretty good defense, allowed 244...and that's even in winning by 21 points, meaning Navy would have been forced to pass at some point (255 yards passing, their season high).

The bottom line is that everyone knows Navy is running, and team's still can't stop them sometimes. Notre Dame did, and that was a damn impressive defensive performance.
Josh | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 5:49 pm | #

Our defense was very impressive on Saturday. Shame that the breakdowns late in the game nearly mader the D's great effort for naught.

Seeing the clip reminded me how good I thought the CBS coverage was of our game, and how poor the NBC coverage has been and will continue to be.
IdSoonerBeIrish | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 5:55 pm | #

You may not want to hear this, but this Navy offense is probably the worst in the last five years.

Our head coach was promoted from O-line coach, can't devote his time. Both current O-line coaches are in first year. We lost a great center to graduation and great tackle to injury. Rest are inexperienced - I know ND fans can understand O-line troubles (2007 ND).

Our QB play has been weak. Take a look at the counter-option starting at the 0:37 point. JB missed the pitch read, Shun White had lots of daylight. The next play on your video shows a pitch where he doesn't have to. There are many more.
midwatchcowboy | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 6:26 pm | #

Should amend my comment to say that there were some pretty slick alignments that led to blocking confusion. You already remarked that the D played very solid assignment-wise.
midwatchcowboy | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 6:31 pm | #

This may very well be the worst offense in years, but you guys are still averaging 300+ yards a game. I don't know whether Midwatch read's this blog's comments much this year, but if so, you can appreciate how nice it is to see at least half the team get some credit for their improvement. After two years of watching the defense get blown up while Quinn and the offense played well, it is kind of nice seeing our young defenders start to jell. Frankly I am not sure why more credit wasn't given to the D in the BC game. BC's only offensive TD came on a short field after Tate's fumble. I believe we held them to somewhere around 100 yards less than their average as well.

I was also impressed by Blanton's play to start the game (and video) and throughout. His coverage has been solid, but his tackling during the Pitt game left a lot to be desired. It was great seeing him play so well. Dback is an easy position to get hung out to dry and for a true freshman he is more than carrying his own.
Michael | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 7:50 pm | #

It is frightening that each week another aspect of Notre Dame Special Teams is exposed. I am concerned about the coaching.

Sometimes I think the only reason I continue to watch is to see which Irish player will commit what bonehead penalty that will kill a drive or pump life into the opponent.

Charlie needs to store in this in his Memory Banks. Navy never quits. Navy never gives up. It’s not part of the culture, psychic or Academy environment. As recently as the Tempe v. Navy game this year or our loss to them last year, Navy would never throw in the towel. Next time, score the touchdown, then let the depth chart boys on the field.

Let me be the first to say GO IRISH, get a shut-out in the last home game this year.
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 8:44 pm | #

I too was very impressed with our defense for the most part. We gave up a couple of big runs on pitches to Shun White for TDs that didn't look very good... but on the whole I think we played very well, I just wish the D had been able to play this well against Pitt's rushing attack! Oh well.

And thanks to all of the Navy fans for their very nice comments. I hope you guys win out, I'm always rooting for you guys and I hope your new coach continues the success that Johnson had. I'm glad that ND and Navy have a nice mature and respectful rivalry (unlike ND and BC for example), I wish this was more typical in college football.
wkurtz94 | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 9:07 pm | #

This is indeed a good post; I would add this question to the litany:

Why was Navy so successful on its TD drive in the second quarter (5 rushes for 58 yards)?

 
Louie | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 9:09 pm | #

Ian Williams had a really nice game last Saturday.
Mike | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 9:57 pm | #

Hey Trevor, we are all hurting because the Irish have lost games that perhaps they should have won, but true Irish fans can still find positives.

Thanks Jay.
tednict | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 10:26 pm | #

"Why was Navy so successful on its TD drive in the second quarter (5 rushes for 58 yards)?"

Louie, I am also wondering that. Best place to look is at our best offensive tutor blog. thebirddog.wordpress.com

If you want to know how the Navy TO works, that's the site. He should have the post mortem up mid week.
midwatchcowboy | Email | Homepage | 11.18.08 - 10:57 pm | #

Come on now. That's Navy we're talking abOut. Six and four Navy without Paul Johnson and boasting big wins over Towson State (1AA, 3-8), Temple (3-7), and SMU (1-10) where stats get padded. Granted they have a couple of quality wins over Air Force and Wake, but no one considers this an elite Program given their issues in recruiting and size restrictions. You may want to see the silver lining in this thundercloud but most of see it for what it is -- a monsoon coming.
mespo727272 | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 12:04 am | #

I was intrigued by the improvement of the D over the past few weeks, and started looking at the yardage against ND as compared to each team's average for the season. The results were quite telling (note + is more yardage against ND then their average)

SDS - +49
UM - +90
MSU - (8)
PU - +109
SU - +1
UNC - (1)
UW - (139)
Pitt - (35)
BC - (81)
Navy - (119)

I am not sure what happened after the UNC game, but it is pretty impressive. Keep in mind too that the Pitt game includes an additional 4 overtimes worth of yardage, and the Irish Defense still held them 35 yards below their average. I wonder whether the change is a function of continuity, some young kids adding depth, or some change in scheme or formations. Maybe someone smarter then I can opine?

Note there didn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to the decrease. Some teams rushed for more and passed for less. Some passed more, etc. For example, both UW and Navy ran for far less than their average while Pitt and BC threw for significantly less. At first I thought this might be because they were ahead most of the game, but Pitt never took a lead until the final field goal, and BC ran for only 13 yards more than their average. The defense just played well.
Michael | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 12:09 am | #

I think the D is getting help from young guys. I really like seeing Fleming in there on occasion, and I love having speedy Harrison Smith at linebacker. I would prefer he doesn't move back to Safety. Blanton is doing a job when he's in there, as does Ethan Johnson.

That being said, this defense does not have the capability to stay with a respectable offense. USC's offense is nowhere near the Leinart offenses, and they might put up 500 yards. It will continue to be like this until ND gets reinforcements on the d-line.
www.southbendblarney.com | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 12:22 am | #

Navy has 2950 rushing yards in 10 games or 295 per game for the season

however 970 of those yards came in two games (1AA towson which should never count & horrific SMU who is 1-10 and their lone win is a 1AA win over Texas State woo hoo)..

So in games against teams that can breath the middies are 247 a game.. or 4.03 ypc

someone mentioned total plays.. well Navy ran 59 total plays.. they had four other games this year with 59 or less plays.. and have had four games with 60+ plays.. so its not that out of the ordinary for Navy to have taken 59 total snaps...

this was not the great defensive effort that we are being told

Although ND held them to 69 yards under.. its not quite as impressive as it first looks.. but 188 yds/45 carries = 4.17 ypc..

its not as impressive as you are led to believe
Fiji4Free | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 12:25 am | #

Someone please tell McNeil to stop the throat-slash-type gesture he makes when he makes a tackle.

I don't know exactly what he's doing, but it has come to the point where I look for it after every tackle and he always does it.

Going to result in a 15 yarder somewhere down the line.
Johnson | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 1:22 am | #

Their lowest offensive output in awhile, even with a debatable last minute catch, a drive against the second team, and 2 onside kicks...

The 'comeback' was annoying. Before that, which began against the second string, no one would have called the output anything but dominating. Everything isn't perfect forever but the defense is really the last place to be looking after this week. It was one of, if not the, best defensive performance against Navy in a long time. Concentrate on the weirdness that made it look otherwise if you want..
M | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 1:26 am | #

Mike Ragone is practicing now.
GB | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 2:08 am | #

Sweet! Can't wait to see Ragone back on the field.
Clear and Present Danger | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 9:33 am | #

I like the look of the Defence. Now lets get the offence and defence on the same page and it looks promising for next year.

I have a couple of points about the Navy game:
On thing I did notice that Navy's CB's, were giving a 10 yd cussion to the WR. I wonder why the coaches didn't use quick slants and bubble screens? They did use one and it gained 11 yds. It would have gotten the ball into Tates hands more.
The CB's didn't want the deep ball to beat them why not gain 8-15yds at a time.

The regular screens were looking great all day. Everytime ND ran one it seemed to get at least 8yds.

Also the Safety's were 20 yrds off the ball. Why wasn't ND dumping the ball off to the TE just over the backers zone.

Finally the run game showed up. The OL looked great smacking the DL and then chipping off the backers. The safeties made most of the tackles when ND was rushing.

Hopefully ND can fix all the little fumbles and mess ups.

One final question, did Navy sack Jimmy Clausen? At this point last season ND was the talk of the town for allowing sacks. I'm not sure if they did or not.

Cheers, Go Irish
Noel | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 10:40 am | #

ND has allowed 14 sacks this year and is 34th in the country for sacks allowed. Thats awesome improvement from #119 last year.
Noel | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 10:52 am | #

Michael, that's nice work up above on yardage vs ND compared to average yardage.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 11:20 am | #

Because of NBC's "green week," the University is asking fans to wear green in support of the first "carbon neutral" game in ND history.

Anyone else see the handwriting on the wall?

Seems to me the Irish will show up in the "green" jersey's this weekend.

I love the green jersey's, and I don't see them doing any harm (much like '06 against Army.) Although I do think the whole green week on NBC is pretty lame.
Mark | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 11:43 am | #

I love the green uniforms. I'd like to see a gold uniform, with navy(colour) pants. A gold uniform might give a team a bit of a boost. Has a gold uniform ever been done at ND?
Noel | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 11:46 am | #

Off topic, but over on MGOBLOG they are reporting mcguffie is transferring.
Rich Rod is telling his fans to "get a life".
Wow, those poor skunkbears.
We have our own myriad of issues, but it seems at least one of our rivals has it much, much worse.
I hope they figure it out, The UM/ND rivalry is legendary and to have a totally classless guy at the helm over there really disappoints.
Although it was fun to see them totally wet the bed against us this year.
EGIrish | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 11:53 am | #

Has a gold uniform ever been done at ND?
Noel

For football? No, and I pray to God that it never will be.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 11:59 am | #

EGIrish,
Think of how we were feeling last year, now UM has to deal with a really bad season. Right now Rich Rod doesn't have the players to run the spread. He has good players just not the right players to run the spread. I think its great that he fired back at the ignorant people.

I did enjoy they way UM screwed the potch this year thou...hehe
Noel | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 12:02 pm | #

Permit me to clarify/correct. A couple of years ago, for the Blue-Gold Game, the Gold team wore gold jerseys. It appeared that Adidas requested it to publicize the new gold "fan jerseys" they were selling.

Fan jerseys are okay, and I could live with the players wearing them for that proscribed purpose, but not in an actual intercollegiate game.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 12:09 pm | #

I received notice about Lou's last game coming up next year:

"Holtz will lead the Legends in a two-day minicamp in South Bend from July 17-18, 2009, before heading to Tokyo from July 19-26 for the ND football program’s fifth international experience. Past foreign football locales for the Irish include Mexico City ’71, Tokyo, Japan’79, Dublin, Ireland ’96, and Hamburg, Germany ’00."

I know Japan '79 & Dublin '96 were real games. However, what took place in Hamburg 2000 and Mexico City '71?

Lou's last game sounds like it would be quite the experience.
Jacque Du Lac | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 12:31 pm | #

However, what took place in Hamburg 2000 and Mexico City '71?

Alumni games.

Was the Mexico City game at UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico)? It'd be fitting: UNAM (associated with the professional soccer team UNAM Pumas of the Mexican League) took gold and blue as its colors because the students of the 20s had become Notre Dame fans while listening to Rockne's teams on the radio.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 12:45 pm | #

Looks like Spurrier is still holding a grudge against ND for the '92 Sugar Bowl.

From the Sporting News:
"I saw Charlie Weis on TV today. He's happy as he can be Notre Dame has got their sixth win and they're bowl eligible," Spurrier said. "Sometime you have to keep everything in perspective."
kmf | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 1:06 pm | #

Does anyone else think that the more they wear the green jerseys, the less "special" they get? The Irish have worn them once each of the past three years, and only one of them was really a special game (USC in '05). I don't know; I guess I just think they should be reserved for special occasions. I would be okay with never seeing them again until the Irish play in a national championship game.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 1:20 pm | #

kmf, more likely Spurrier holds a grudge against Charlie for a comment he made a few years ago about Spurrier's failed NFL career. I don't recall the quote, but it was something along the lines that Spurrier's offenses were bound to fail since he tried to carry over the same tricks that brought him college success. I have a much deeper appreciation of the irony of Charlie's statement given the problems of the last 2 years. I can't say I blame Spurrier for gloating a bit about Weis's failures.
scott | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 1:25 pm | #

Noel and EGIrish -

Rodriguez's comments about U-M fans were measured and thoughtful. The media took a few words out of context and made him appear to be far less classy than he actually is. Go over to mgoblog for the full comments with analysis.
Joe Magarac | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 1:56 pm | #

Joe,
The media taking things out of context....no...they wouldn't do that....would they? I do, understand there is a level of frustration at UM and he has to answer for his teams preformance.Gezz who put that broken reccord back on? I was just happy about beating them this year.
Cheers
Noel | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 2:57 pm | #

green uniforms, gold uniforms...whatever. let's just shut out syracuse and play a competetive game against sc.
as for michigan and mgoblog specifically, those guys were as big a bunch of a-holes as could be towards charlie and the irish last year. so whatever karma comes their way now is perfectly and completely fitting.
oakvilleirish | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 4:24 pm | #

Not sure if you were intending to reference Happy Gilmore there, oakvilleirish, but I like it. I also agree with both of your sentiments. I do think that most Irish fans did a good job of turning the other cheek to the skunkbear fans last year, and are also doing a good job of not rubbing it in their faces this year (which is good considering where we were last yaer and still are this year.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 5:05 pm | #

You keep mentioning in the Paul Johnson era. It's no longer the Paul Johnson era at Navy. PJ is at Georgia Tech. So while I agree that we played a great defensive game, I don't think the comparisons to Paul Johnson coached teams are well tailored.
Drew '05 | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 6:21 pm | #

I'm with Jade. Green jerseys should be reserved for once-a-decade games, if then. The were novel and dramatic in '77. Then became a cliche. The best thing Faust did for the program was scrap the late-Devine era all-green-all-the-time, by saying, emphatically, Notre Dame's colors are blue and gold.
Mike81 | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 7:57 pm | #

tell the players they can wear green the 1st game after the beat USC or in a BCS bowl.

otherwise, forget it
belocki | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 8:01 pm | #

and I was called "absurd" for saying ND dominated them.
cp | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 8:29 pm | #

Off-topic (and may have been posted already), but the reason Haywood is missing practice this week is to interview for the Washington job. Has ties to the AD from his days as an assistant at LSU.
The Rat | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 8:34 pm | #

Here are the average losses/season from 2002-2007 inclusive for several major college football teams:

Alabama - 5.5
Auburn - 3
Boston College - 3.5
Florida - 3.8
Florida State - 4.7
Georgia - 2.5
LSU - 2.5
Miami - 3.66
Michigan - 3.3
Missouri - 5
Nebraska - 5.3
Oklahoma - 2.5(not including forfeits)
Ohio State - 1.8
Penn State -4.8
Texas - 2
Texas Tech - 4.3
USC - 1.33
Utah - 3.66
Wisconsin - 3.8
Texas - 2
Lush | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 9:01 pm | #

and nd?
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 9:04 pm | #

I purposely did not put ND because any true fan should know the number almost off the top of his head. My point is, many ND fans complain about a 3 loss season. Of the teams listed above, only 7 have averaged less than 3 losses/season, only four have averaged two or less.
Lush | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 9:11 pm | #

'77-'80 green jerseys nicely fit the (Devine) era.

'81-'83 "Madonna"? blue made ND look like a high school team or the U. of Montana or a MAC school or something.

'84-'85 boring practice-looking jerseys.

'86-'89 The best ever with the smaller numbers in front, ND on the sleeve and bottomed off'd by the black Adidas cleats.

I didn't like the v-collars of the early '90s with the Golden Dome logo like it was an I-Zod alligator. The Converse and Reebok shoes were a step down from the tough looking Adidas.
Gold Wave | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 10:04 pm | #

Starting in 2009, get ready for a streak of ND football that will include 9 to 12 wins per season, not including the bowl.

I am surprised we have not yet seen a post that compares Brady Quinn's freshman (5-7) and sophomore (6-6) seasons to Jimmy Clausen's freshman (3-9) and sophomore (6-4 so far) seasons. We all know what happened when Charlie came in for the BQ's junior and senior season. There is no reason to expect anything different here... In fact, I expect more in 2009, 2010, and beyond, and I am willing to bet that we get more!

GO IRISH!
Domer97 | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 10:18 pm | #

ND is 5.16 losses per season (2002-2007). If we win out (unlikely) this year, that number will drop to 5.0. There is a huge difference between AVERAGING 5 losses versus 3 losses. Also the average loss per season between 1988-1993 was 1.5.

By the way, I didn't have those numbers off the top of my head, so I guess I'm not a true fan.
Mike | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 10:27 pm | #

Mike 81, Faust had to dump the green jerseys so he could institute that dreadful Cincy Moeller royal blue. He called it "Our Lady's Color" or something to that effect.
Faust then gets the prize of first coach to bastardize the wearing of the green when he had the boys switch out of their blue jerseys at halftime of the '85 USC game, when the Irish were in complete control and didn't need a gimmick. Luckily the Irish held on and won, but the displeasure in the locker room was vocal and salty as Faust-weary players resented yet another junior high school motivational ploy.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 11:19 pm | #

I remember that 85 game against USC. Was my sophomore year. ND was up by like 3-4 TDs when they went in at halftime wearing their blue jerseys. Came out after halftime in the green jerseys. Seems like everyone around me was excited, but also kind of scratching thier heads about the move. ND won the game comfortably though the 2nd half was not exactly inspired play.

To Gold Wave's comments about the Champion jerseys from 86-89, I agree. Those looked good. I have heard other comments over the years from various others who say the same thing.

Any way to bring those jerseys back?
WS Dave | Email | Homepage | 11.19.08 - 11:42 pm | #

Domer97-
I expect Clausen to tear it up next year. He is slumping right now, but I expect it to be a learning experience.

I wonder if Charlie will get on Clausen the way he did on Quinn ("You're gonna be a 50% passer your whole life")when he got to ND. I hope he can still light a fire in players.
www.southbendblarney.com | Email | Homepage | 11.20.08 - 12:01 am | #

1. You be the judge of whether you are a true fan.

2. Did Holtz hhave an 85-player scholarship limit?

3. 1994-1996- 3.33 loses per season; over Holtz's 11 seasons, 2.66 losses per season.
Mike | Email | Homepage | 11.20.08 - 7:23 am | #

Actually the '86 team had numbers on top of the shoulders, for one year.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 11.20.08 - 7:37 am | #

'84-'85 boring practice-looking jerseys.

They were a return to Ara's jerseys.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 11.20.08 - 8:23 am | #

Paul Johnson is no longer the coach at Navy. He's at Georgia Tech. So referring to stats from this season as part of the "Paul Johnson era" is incorrect.
Michael | Email | Homepage | 11.20.08 - 8:58 am | #

Mike 81, Faust had to dump the green jerseys so he could institute that dreadful Cincy Moeller royal blue. He called it "Our Lady's Color" or something to that effect.

The color Faust picked really is called Madonna blue and was used early in ND football history:

Faust's return to blue came after the new Irish coach suggested some research into the University archives to determine the history of Notre Dame's gold and blue colors.

Those findings indicated the blue color was actually Madonna blue,a light blue shade, as opposed to the navy blue shade that has been most common in recent Notre Dame uniforms.

Historic or not, they were also sort of gay, and I think Holtz's switch back to navy blue was wise.
Joe Magarac | Email | Homepage | 11.20.08 - 9:03 am | #

I went to ND in the 50's...class of '58.....They always wore green. I didn't realize until my junior year that the school colors were blue and gold.
captain jack | Email | Homepage | 11.20.08 - 9:21 am | #

And god forbid our players wear a "gay" color. Grow up Joe.
imnd | Email | Homepage | 11.20.08 - 9:32 am | #

Guys, Jay explained why this is still the Paul Johnson era: It's the same offense (and it's most of his players). If Niumatalolo ran a different system then the comparison would not be applicable, but it's the same plays with the same guys so I think it's valid enough. Their biggest problem this year is they did lose some of their stars to graduation and injury, including the QB.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 11.20.08 - 9:35 am | #

Thanks Erik. I thought I had made it clear in the post why it's sensible to consider this an extension of the Paul Johnson era: it's still the same triple option, and it's run by a protege of Johnson's who apprenticed with him for literally decades. Niumatalolo goes back with Johnson all the way to the University of Hawaii in the early 90s.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 11.20.08 - 10:26 am | #