Notre Dame displays yet another flat performance this week against Miami Ohio.
Photo by The Irish Tribune
Marcus Freeman continues his slide against inferior opponents as the Irish came out flat against the Miami Ohio RedHawks, but ending up escaping, 28-3.
The passing attack was again nowhere to be found in the majority first half. Riley Leonard displayed his yips on the second drive of the game, missing back-to-back layups in the passing department.
However, he bounced back in the two-minute drill at the end of the first half and recorded his first passing touchdown of the season to Beaux Collins for a 38-yard score. Collins, along with Jordan Clark, has been the best transfer portal acquisition for the Fighting Irish. Fellow receiver Kris Mitchell had a great catch in traffic on the drive, as well, and delievered his best game of the year so far.
On the offensive front, it appeared Mike Denbrock is somewhat handcuffed in his ability to call an effective game because the lack of overall passing attack. The RedHawks were stacking the box a ton in the first half of the game, and the Irish were bailed out by penalties that led them down the field in their first touchdown drive.
Yet, in the second half Riley Leonard showed more confidence airing the ball out downfield and had better timing and footwork in the intermediate passing game. This eventually opened up holes for running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price.
Leonard finished the game with 154 passing yards, on 16/25 throwing and adding 143 rushing yards, and two touchdowns on the ground.
On the defensive side of the ball, the RedHawks matched their season total in rushing yards in the first half of this one. However, Al Golden and the Fighting Irish defenses bended, but didn't break. The defensive stars that shined in this one were Jordan Clark, Jaden Mickey, and Junior Tuihalamaka. Tuihalamaka had a great day replacing Jordan Botelho who had a season-ending injury last week against Purdue.
Tuihalamaka recorded an interception on a deflected pass by Christian Gray, who had an interception of his own later in the game.
Cornerback Jaden Mickey, who is respected by his peers for being a spark plug for the Fighting Irish, went up to the offensive team huddle and was inspiring his fellow teammates when the offense was dragging in the first half.
The biggest central theme in this game was indiscipline, and it could be seen on all sides of the ball. The special team's unit was significantly the least disciplined unit. Jordan Faison muffed a punt, which lead to Miami OH to get the ball in plus territory. The kicking department also had a botched snap and hold that led to Mitch Jeter scrambling for his life.
On offense, Sam Pendleton had a holding call and had two false start penalties that killed the Fighting Irish momentum. Riley Leonard and Jeremiyah Love both let go of the ball, as Leonard’s led to a turnover and Love barely broke the plane of the endzone to widen the Irish’s lead.
Then on defense, as all the momentum was heading Notre Dame's way before the half, Adon Shuler threw the ball at the Miami Ohio sideline after an incompletion on third down. While the RedHawks didn't go onto score on that drive, Shuler's youth potentially took points off the scoreboard for the Fighting Irish.
Nonetheless, the Irish escaped with a victory and did enough to keep their playoff hopes alive. The next, the Irish must play a significantly more polished game against the Louisville Cardinals in a revenge contest from last year.
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I think your article is informative but generally bullshit. Notre Dame won the game. These are college kids, some just out of high school. I see pro athletes muff a punt, jump off sides and throw interceptions all day every game. I see Georgia barely winning. There is no pre-season. These kids just moved out of their childhood home, go across the country, enroll in college, get their books, go to class and then put their jock and shoulder pads on and crash into another 300 pound athlete at full speed and you’re gonna whine about starting slow and bash our coaches. We WON, give me a break. Go Irish.
Central theme and title is "Freeman's lack of preparation again" but then in paragraph 11, you claim "indiscipline". Included here, a botched snap, a muffed punt return, fumbles, holding penalties, false start penalties: "Shuler did not throw the ball at the Miami sideline" it was a very light underhand toss, into a throng of Miami players, Ok, a penalty is a penalty, but "potentially lost points??" Well you know nice play, long pass TD Completion, but....potentially you know the QB might have blown out his knee making that pass!" Yeah, Duh, anything is potential!! You really think Freeman and Denbrock just shy away from harping about such things. IF Faison muffs a punt, he muffs a punt, What is Freeman…