USC-ND in game...

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 7:32 pm

Sucks that the OU-Texas game is running so long that I'll miss most of the end of it, but there are few things in life I'll choose over watching USC-ND.

Look for the USC running game to win this game. ND will make plays on O, but so will the USC D, and the ND D won't do enough to do their part.

This is a big game for USC. USC wins these types of games. Lotta excitement in ND Nation for this one, but they're going to come away disappointed.

Btw, Terrell Pryor is just awful.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 7:34 pm

One thing that blows here is that we're getting this on the NBC/ND network, so it'll be an ND homer call of the game.

Sucks that we're got getting a national call for this one.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Sat Oct 17, 2009 7:35 pm

Btw, Terrell Pryor is just awful.

Yes, he is. Count me as guilty for believing this would be a developmental breakout year for him. The guy just blows.

He'll look great in the CFL.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 7:37 pm

AWESOME looking stadium/atmosphere. That one corner of the stadium cloaked in shimmering green looks badass.

ND boos USC as they charge onto the field.

:twisted:

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 7:45 pm

Obvious P.I. against ND on the first play from scrimmage.

Awfully short pass though to be covering him that closely. SC needs to stretch the field to push those defenders back off those receivers a bit.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 7:47 pm

Good to see RoJo back, for the first time this season...

USC's 3rd down conversion rate has been horrible all season, and here they are with 3rd and long...

Bad first series. A P.I., followed by a three and out.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 7:56 pm

Great pressure on Clausen that first drive.

This is going to be a low-ish scoring game.

ND winning the early battle for field position though, which has been USC's biggest problem all season long. Poor field position has even further limited their already limited play calling, which is killing their 3rd down conversion rate.

And here they are again, starting from their own 10 yard line. Gotta do something to tilt this field the other way, before this begins to look like the OSU game all over again.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 7:59 pm

GREAT 34 yard catch by McCoy! That'll shift the field...

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:00 pm

GREAT catch by Williams! That'll stretch the field and open up everything else...

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:04 pm

GREAT pass by Barkley to just drill Williams for the TD!

Three quick long passes! YES! THAT'S what USC been missing all season long!

That opening set of first down runs by McKnight was huge, to get them out from beneath the shadow of their own goal line.

ND getting no pressure on Barkley. They cannot win this game if USC can maintain a healthy balance of run/pass. They have to pressure Barkley to the point that USC reverts back to their ultra-conservative short passing game. If Barkley is allowed to look downfield like that, forget it, USC will run at will on 'em.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:06 pm

Nice play by Clausen to be patient and find the short four yarder for the clutch 1st down.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:07 pm

Clausen is already having to run for his life on every play.

THIS is what Clausen has not had to face all season: a real D, with speed up front.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:09 pm

Another sack by Everson Griffin.

USC's D-line pressure is destroying ND's O-line again, and they're not even having to send anyone else. It's just the front four getting the pressure.

This is already a crucial series for the ND D. If USC just kills them again on this drive to go up 14-0 this is going to turn into another USC-ND game. If ND is forced to completely abandon their already anemic running game Clausen will be forced into looking awful again, and it won't be his fault again either.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:13 pm

Then again USC didn't convert on 3rd down, so good stop by ND.

Fucking Mante Te'o. You dick. You shoulda been a Trojan.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:17 pm

Generous spot, it looked.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:18 pm

Well, if nothing else, ND is managing 1st downs. That's a huge improvement.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:19 pm

Wow, nice play call.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:20 pm

Wtf??

What, did that guy just sneak onto the field? How was nobody out there with him??

Huge play for ND, with a fake FG!

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:20 pm

This wildcat stuff is nice and cute, but they'll need Clausen late in the game on these situations.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:21 pm

ND turns it into a TD.

How was that guy so open? They need to show a replay, to see where that guy came from.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:22 pm

Man, I hope that cheesy fake FG crap just pisses off USC.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:23 pm

An ND player with PINK hair streaks? Wtf??

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:24 pm

Van wrote:An ND player with PINK hair streaks? Wtf??

Breast cancer awareness has become a fashion statement.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:25 pm

Damn, I would've liked to see what would've happened there with that reverse on the kickoff return. Fucking fumble.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:26 pm

MgoBlue-LightSpecial wrote:
Van wrote:An ND player with PINK hair streaks? Wtf??
Breast cancer awareness has become a fashion statement.

Thought that meant wrist bands and gloves, not hair streaks.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:29 pm

Awesome pass by Barkley!! Finally, a 3rd down conversion.

End of the 1st quarter. I'm pretty encouraged. ND got themselves a gimick play for a score, but USC's D is doing pretty well, and their O line is allowing Barkley time to throw downfield.

I can't believe NBC still hasn't shown a replay of that fake FG, in terms of showing that guy split way out to the side, and how he came to be so wide open like that. He couldn't have been part of the huddle.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:30 pm

Wooo, good break on the ball by the ND DB. Nearly a pick.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:31 pm

Nice 32 yard run my McKnight. Great pulling guard play, and Havili was right out there leading it.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:31 pm

Now they're running downhill. Better stop this, ND. If USC runs downhill you're through.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:32 pm

BWAAAAAHAAAAAAAA!!

Bradford just PLOWED that fucker!! Ran RIGHT over him!! AGAIN!

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:33 pm

Papa Willie wrote:
Van wrote:Nice 32 yard run my McKnight. Great pulling guard play, and Havili was right out there leading it.
Looking a little to me like ND has zero fucking defense.

That's certainly my theory heading into this game.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:39 pm

Horrible way to end that drive. They're running it right down their throats, then they try to get cute with the low probability passes. Just finish the drive and demoralize them by stampeding into the end zone.

They called a time out just to set up that fucking play? Gah. Run it in, until they prove they can stop it.

10-7 USC.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:42 pm

Another sack on Clausen, with only a three man rush??

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:43 pm

Jesus, he got mauled there. No call.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:44 pm

Big third down and long for ND...

ND calls a time out, and Clausen is pissed...

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:46 pm

So far it's been pretty amazing how much pressure USC's been getting on Clausen, using just their D-line.

Clausen missed on 3rd and long.

Welcome to the USC D, Jimmy. You'd better watch your ass if they ever start sending the LBs, much less the DBs.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:49 pm

McKnight waited too long to make a decision on that run.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:50 pm

ND still needs to get more pressure on Barkley. He's getting too much time.

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:52 pm

USC burns another T.O. as the clock winds down on 3rd and 4...

Now they're talking about Barkley as being another Tebow like Jesus figure, playing guitar and building homes in South Africa for orphans.

:vomit:

Van · Post by **Van** » Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:54 pm

What the hell happened there?? Miscommunication between Barkley and Ausberry on what was otherwise a really well designed play.