Let’s assume this year is not last year – and a 2-0 start with convincing wins over good opponents is not a forerunner to a disastrous collapse. Why should we have faith? What is different about this year? The season is still young – but the Nevada game leaves legitimate reasons to think big.
By FK Friedman
First, our approach to offense truly seems to be refined. The between the hashes smashmouth tendencies that have been the hallmark of the Mason years have given way to a run-pass mix that is using the whole field and keeping opponents off-balance. Part of this can be attributed to the resurgence of our o-line – effective blocking helps any call look smarter. With the running game succeeding, play action is a threat that opposing defenses have to take seriously. Kyle Shurmer is doing a nice job of “managing” the offense – while also looking like a big-time prospect. He has tossed four TDs with no picks so far. Our dominant time of possession numbers are a tribute to the fact that we are keeping drives rolling and converting first downs. The stable of running backs has offered a good combination of speed, brawn, hands and pass protection. The go-to wide receiver and tight end, similarly, are in place with Kalijah Lipscomb and Jared Pinkney. If secondary receivers step up – and there were signs of that against Nevada – our offense could really become dangerous. Both Sam Dobbs and Cam Johnson made positive impacts last Saturday.
On defense, our depth has been a surprise. We entered the season banking on stars to carry us. Through two games, however, we have discovered a wealth of unexpected playmakers. The number of defenders capable of making game-altering plays had to leave Nevada stunned. Against the Wolf Pack Josh Smith turned in his finest game as a Commodore. He took up residence in Nevada’s backfield – contributing 10 tackles and three for loss. Alim Muhammad and Jordan Griffith recorded six stops apiece. LaDarius Wiley saved a touchdown single-handedly busting up a trick play. Kenny Hebert – while being openly held – stripped and sacked Nevada’s QB and then came out of the pile with the ball. Joejuan Williams grabbed an INT that would make any NFL scout salivate – reading the QB’s eyes, sliding off his man, and stealing the ball in front of an open receiver. The defense recorded four take-aways – and this was minus three starters.
Meanwhile DC Tarver’s defense has been “active” and swarming, where last year’s defense looked “reactive” and wooden. The aggressive attitude shift on defense seems palpable. Half-time adjustments have led to goose-eggs in both games so far. And after two games, we have accumulated six turnovers compared to nine all last season. In 2017 Vanderbilt recorded the second lowest total of forced turnovers nationwide.
Last year the schedule left us reeling with a gauntlet of difficult games that ground our starters down and left us for dead. We seemingly have emphasized “depth” on defense in response and it has worked mightily so far. But this week we step up in weight-class.
As for the offense, stats told the story against Nevada. Kyle Shurmur was 23 of 32 for 258 yards and 2 scores. Ke’Shawn Vaughn ran to paydirt twice and gained 94 yards on 11 carries. Jamauri Wakefield rolled for over five yards per carry – and Khari Blasingame ran well and delivered several bone-crushing blocks protecting his quarterback. Kalijah Lipscomb grabbed 10 catches and two TD’s, while Jared Pinkney amassed 98 receiving yards including the longball of the day. We had 25 first downs and 468 yards of offense while holding the ball over 36 minutes. We punted once – in the fourth quarter, with the starters resting.
So, if we are so impressive, why are we 14½ point underdogs in South Bend?
Despite the solid start there are actually still a few kinks in the system. Notre Dame will help us determine just how serious these problems are. We had three major breakdowns in the secondary versus Nevada. Only one resulted in a score – Wiley’s lightning sack on a reverse dumped Nevada’s runner before he could loft an easy pass to a totally uncovered receiver in the end zone. Earlier, a big pass rush forced Nevada’s Ty Gangi to uncork a bomb a bit early to another receiver open by five yards. The aggressive pass rush has covered for these mistakes – but Notre Dame’s o-line will not be so porous. We need to tighten things up against the deep ball. On a positive note, starting safety Zaire Jones is back on the depth chart this week.
We also remain vulnerable to the “big back.” Both MTSU and Nevada have resorted to the pass over the run, but Notre Dame is likely to test the battering ram approach more seriously. We will need to show we can stop it – or we will get a steady diet of steamroller. Again, DC Tarver has been pretty good at stopping “pass first” teams. With Notre Dame qb Brandon Wimbush off to a mediocre start (he had 3 INT’s last week) throwing the ball, we still have to worry about his legs. The running quarterback has plagued us historically and Wimbush fits the prototype.
Another haunting concern is raised by our redzone performance which left a lot to be desired last week. Nevada may have done us a favor by stuffing our one red zone smashmouth series last Saturday. Similarly, the Wolfpack stymied our ever-popular fourth down throw to the tight end short of the sticks (the same one WKU crowed they knew was coming on a key two point conversion several years ago.) That play should be retired for short yardage. Our predictability in the red zone was a problem early Saturday – we had two empty trips and later settled for chip shot field goals before making some progress in the second half. We did score 41 points and still left the impression we were keeping some tricks up our sleeve. Expect new wrinkles this week, including the “hurry up” and more passes to backs.
Ultimately in both games to date, we have failed to take advantage of early opportunities. This has resulted in slim 14-7 and 17-10 halftime leads on the scoreboard, despite dominating on the field. This will not work in South Bend. If we open the game slowly this week, we may be playing uphill all day. Our offense clicks when play action works and the run sets up the pass. Falling behind early eliminates this – so a good start is doubly important. (Notably, we have outscored opponents 45-0 in the second half.) Similarly, Shurmur’s poise with the ball has been a function of throwing when he wants to – not when he has to.
Against Nevada, after grabbing a quick 14-0 lead, we showed a distinct lack of killer instinct. In fact, we decidedly took our foot off the pedal. The good news is: in South Bend adrenaline should not be a problem. Against Nevada we delivered about 45 minutes of good football. In South Bend we will need 60. Notre Dame, for its part, seemed to have similar motivational problems last week in a lackluster showing against Ball State. That could have been a hangover coming off a big win over Michigan the week before. As an SEC opponent, we can expect the Golden Domers’ best shot.
Vegas has installed Vandy as a two touchdown underdog. While Vegas is smart – the oddsmakers have badly underestimated us in each of our first two games this year. The Fighting Irish will be a good test – but after two dominant wins, Vandy could use a good test.
Be the first to comment