Notre Dame wasn't perfect in its 49-20 win over Boston College on Saturday, but the Irish showed promise and delivered some big plays at the right time.
Offensively, the Irish racked up 611 yards--nearly twice as many as Boston College had allowed in either of its first two games this season--and averaged over 10 yards per carry.
Defensively, Notre Dame gave up 20 points and 400 yards of offense, a season-high for the Eagles, to a team that, according to ESPN's analysts, was missing its top four offensive linemen.
Notre Dame held just a 14-10 lead at halftime then wore down the Eagles in the second half.
Thanks to Josh Adams, who carried 18 times for 229 yards, and Brandon Wimbush, who threw for 96 and added 207 rushing yards on 21 carries, the Irish dominated the ground game.
Wimbush, who rushed for four scores--a pair coming on short runs after Adams was brought down inside the 5--but was less than impressive in the passing game.
Notre Dame's defense came through with some big plays but allowing 20 points to a weak Boston College team should be cause for concern as the Irish progress through another difficult schedule.
Let's take a look at each aspect of the game and how the Irish fared:
PASSING OFFENSE
That won't be the case at Michigan State on Saturday or in the future and the Irish are going to have to find a solution to Wimbush's passing woes.
Here's what veteran NFL scout Greg Gabriel had to say about Wimbush:
Here's what veteran NFL scout Greg Gabriel had to say about Wimbush:
Notre Dame QB Brandon Wimbush struggles to find receivers downfield. They have no vertical passing game— Greg Gabriel (@greggabe) September 16, 2017
If I were Brian Kelly I would bench Wimbush. He's pathetic— Greg Gabriel (@greggabe) September 16, 2017
For those who didn't realize, when I said Brandon Wimbush is pathetic I was referring to his ability to throw. He's outstanding as a runner— Greg Gabriel (@greggabe) September 17, 2017
Whether you agree with Gabriel or not, you have to respect his opinion. The stats don't lie and neither does the naked eye.
Wimbush hasn't been accurate and the Boston College and Temple defenses certainly don't compare favorably to the Georgias, Michigan States and many of the other quality units the Irish will face in 2017.
Wimbush's highest efficiency rating came against Temple (123.52). His lowest (71.10) was on Saturday at Boston College. He has completed just 51-percent of his passes through three games.
Adams isn't going to break 60-yard runs every game and the Irish certainly aren't going to rush for 500 per game. That's going to force the Irish to adjust their passing game to create some higher percentage opportunities for Wimbush, both to gain some confidence and to move the football.
It's on Brian Kelly and Chip Long to design plays that don't require Wimbush to roll to his left and then throw across his body. That's just asking for trouble.
Grade: D
Notre Dame averaged 10.1 yards per carry. Teams can win a lot of football games with that kind of success in the running game.
That said, let's be honest, we aren't going to see that kind of production on a week to week basis.
Adams rushed for just 53 yards against Georgia. Wimbush ended up with -1 yard against the Bulldogs.
Obviously, with the troubles in the passing game, Notre Dame will have to lean on the running game--something fans have been calling for--and, hopefully, that will lead to a bit more success in the passing game with softer defensive fronts and a bit of play-action mixed in.
Boston College just had no answer for the Irish ball carriers as even Dexter Williams averaged over eight yards per carry.
Grade: A+
Without four of its top offensive linemen, the Boston College offense still passed for a season-high 215 yards.
Tight end Charlie Callinan caught seven balls for a team-high 82 yards and two scores. The Irish seemed to forget about Callinan at times.
Quarterback Anthony Brown has been less accurate than Wimbush but even he completed over half of his passes (24-40). Of the nine players Brown connected with, seven had two receptions or more.
The Irish played much better in the second half, which helped improve their grade.
Grade: C
Wimbush hasn't been accurate and the Boston College and Temple defenses certainly don't compare favorably to the Georgias, Michigan States and many of the other quality units the Irish will face in 2017.
Wimbush's highest efficiency rating came against Temple (123.52). His lowest (71.10) was on Saturday at Boston College. He has completed just 51-percent of his passes through three games.
Adams isn't going to break 60-yard runs every game and the Irish certainly aren't going to rush for 500 per game. That's going to force the Irish to adjust their passing game to create some higher percentage opportunities for Wimbush, both to gain some confidence and to move the football.
It's on Brian Kelly and Chip Long to design plays that don't require Wimbush to roll to his left and then throw across his body. That's just asking for trouble.
Grade: D
RUSHING OFFENSE
That said, let's be honest, we aren't going to see that kind of production on a week to week basis.
Adams rushed for just 53 yards against Georgia. Wimbush ended up with -1 yard against the Bulldogs.
Obviously, with the troubles in the passing game, Notre Dame will have to lean on the running game--something fans have been calling for--and, hopefully, that will lead to a bit more success in the passing game with softer defensive fronts and a bit of play-action mixed in.
Boston College just had no answer for the Irish ball carriers as even Dexter Williams averaged over eight yards per carry.
Grade: A+
PASSING DEFENSE
Tight end Charlie Callinan caught seven balls for a team-high 82 yards and two scores. The Irish seemed to forget about Callinan at times.
Quarterback Anthony Brown has been less accurate than Wimbush but even he completed over half of his passes (24-40). Of the nine players Brown connected with, seven had two receptions or more.
The Irish played much better in the second half, which helped improve their grade.
Grade: C
RUSHING DEFENSE
The Irish allowed 185 rushing yards for the second consecutive week, which was a season-high for Boston College.
Jon Hilliman ran for a team-high 122 yards on 22 carries. For perspective, Hilliman ran for just 58 against Northern Illinois and 23 against Wake Forest this season. His career high is just 148 yards in a 2014 game against Penn State.
Notre Dame's defense--at least on the surface--is vastly improved from last season, as should be expected, but the Irish have plenty of work to do.
Once again, Boston College's talent and depth on the offensive line was depleted and the Eagles still ran for a season-high 185 yards and they averaged a season-high 4.2 yards per carry.
Freshman A.J. Dillon ran for a career-high 58 yards against the Irish after being limited by Northern Illinois and Wake Forest to 20 and 43 yards, respectively. Dillon is the grandson of former Irish standout Thom Gatewood.
Again, the Irish played better in the second half after the BC offensive line fatigued.
Grade: C-
Boston College also averaged 9.5 yards on two punt returns while the Irish gained just five yards on four returns as Chris Finke fair-caught most of his chances.
Justin Yoon was a perfect 7-for-7 on extra point tries and Tyler Newsome averaged over 46 yards on seven punts.
BC's Michael Walker did return one of his three kickoffs 30 yards. The Irish were fortunate he didn't break a tackle.
Grade: B
Overall, the Irish played well but had some moments where they struggled against a team they should have dominated from whistle to whistle.
The final score gives the appearance the Irish were more dominant they actually were.
When it comes down to it, a win is a win and the Irish improved to 2-1.
They'll certainly need a better effort on Saturday in East Lansing.
Jon Hilliman ran for a team-high 122 yards on 22 carries. For perspective, Hilliman ran for just 58 against Northern Illinois and 23 against Wake Forest this season. His career high is just 148 yards in a 2014 game against Penn State.Notre Dame's defense--at least on the surface--is vastly improved from last season, as should be expected, but the Irish have plenty of work to do.
Once again, Boston College's talent and depth on the offensive line was depleted and the Eagles still ran for a season-high 185 yards and they averaged a season-high 4.2 yards per carry.
Freshman A.J. Dillon ran for a career-high 58 yards against the Irish after being limited by Northern Illinois and Wake Forest to 20 and 43 yards, respectively. Dillon is the grandson of former Irish standout Thom Gatewood.
Again, the Irish played better in the second half after the BC offensive line fatigued.
Grade: C-
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Irish special teams didn't make any critical mistakes but the unit's were anything but special. From a kickoff that went out of bounds to a facemask penalty, the Irish committed a few gaffes.Boston College also averaged 9.5 yards on two punt returns while the Irish gained just five yards on four returns as Chris Finke fair-caught most of his chances.
Justin Yoon was a perfect 7-for-7 on extra point tries and Tyler Newsome averaged over 46 yards on seven punts.
BC's Michael Walker did return one of his three kickoffs 30 yards. The Irish were fortunate he didn't break a tackle.
Grade: B
Overall, the Irish played well but had some moments where they struggled against a team they should have dominated from whistle to whistle.
The final score gives the appearance the Irish were more dominant they actually were.
When it comes down to it, a win is a win and the Irish improved to 2-1.
They'll certainly need a better effort on Saturday in East Lansing.
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