Was it 30,000 or 40,000 Georgia fans? At the end of the day, who cares.
For starters, people have a right to sell their tickets. Period. Notre Dame even has an officially sanctioned secondary market now.
We live in a different time. This is a phenomenon that is in all sports now. I think it is heavy-handed to judge people who sold tickets. Do we know their financial situation? Season tickets (with the building fund) cost people thousands of dollars. An individual could have made up a huge portion of that in one sale.
Thirty years ago this wouldn’t have happened, but the secondary market now makes it possible. Additionally, the advent of 70 inch high-definition flat screen TVs also makes it possible as fans can create their own gameday experience at home. We need to get over it.
However, here are some other numbers that do matter and played a huge role in Notre Dame’s loss.
0
The number of carries that Dexter Williams got. On a night when you could not run at all (I’ll get to that) Tony Jones Jr. and Dexter Williams, had one carry combined. Williams received zero with the official answer being the cryptic “coach’s decision”.
1.5 and 3
The average yards per rush and sacks allowed by an offensive line that has been touted as one of the best in the nation. Two of the sacks resulted in fumbles against a four man rush.
Cue the film–in both cases Notre Dame protected with six blockers versus four rushers and couldn’t prevent a sack/fumble. The second one, which everyone will talk about featured All-American candidate Mike McGlinchey, being badly beaten by Davin Bellamy.
What likely won’t be discussed is the fact that the running back (Josh Adams) on both plays blocked exactly no one. I get that Georgia’s defense and SEC defenses are good; however, you will not beat anyone if you cannot protect against a four man rush with six blockers.
1 and 9
Brian Kelly’s record in the last ten games decided by one score. For whatever reason, Kelly’s teams of late cannot finish.
6 and 12
Brian Kelly’s record versus ranked opponents since 2013. Brian Kelly is a good coach. His career and record say that. Recently, however, the fact of the matter is that Notre Dame cannot seem to beat ranked teams or win close games. I said this last year, so I’m not going to continue to hammer home any further, but realize that all coaches have a shelf life.
11
The number of Jacob Fromm, Georgia’s freshmen quarterback, making his first start. He didn’t win the game for Georgia, but he didn’t lose it either. Still, the simple fact remains that the Irish failed to beat a ranked SEC team, at home, plus starting a freshmen quarterback. Given this, what kind of team can we expect ND to consistently beat?
3 and 9
Three plays and nine yards starts your demise.
Leading 17-16 with 8:30 remaining, Notre Dame took over after a Georgia punt. The Irish defense had just authored a three and out and the momentum was clearly with the Irish. This was an opportunity to perhaps take some time off the clock and hopefully add another score.
They did neither.
Three runs, nine yards, and a punt. Kelly in my opinion played the series not to lose and wound up doing just that, underscoring Notre Dame’s struggles in tight games.
_____
I’m angry Notre Dame lost as our most fans. So I get the thoughts by some to blame ticket sellers, the lack of “home field” advantage, etc. However, those are things that will always be outside the control of Notre Dame. Until Notre Dame takes care of the numbers they can control, like the ones listed, above they will continue to be a mediocre football team.
- Restoring Faith in College Athletics - April 3, 2018
- Notre Dame and the Citrus Bowl…Heck Yeah! - December 6, 2017
- Looking for Answers in Another November Meltdown - November 27, 2017
guest
Kelly needs to go. The Georgia game solidified that need. His decision making sucks, and it would be nice if the offense had more than 10 plays to run.
Jimmy Grant
I agree but they will stay the course at this point. They gave all the new assistants “2 year deals”.
ecall
It was disappointing that so many ND ticket holders sold out, but it’s difficult to resist when sonebody is waving a thousand dollars or more under your nose. ND gave them 8,000 tickets which I think is too many, but that was probably part of the price they demanded to venture north of the Mason-Dixon Line. At least the vast majority of Georgia fans were decent people and they didn’t bring those obnoxious southern shakers or pon poms.
Jimmy Grant
Agree on giving up tickets, more angry about the chance to win a big game was squandered again.
David Knight
If that game was played last year, that score is 50-10. If you remove Bryan Kelly, who do you put in his place? What I saw in those first two games is reason to be optimistic. If you want to question a coach, what about Mr. Heistand? Every year, top 5 in the country and every year, not so much. You guys take care.
Jimmy Grant
That is a really good point on the OL coach. On the score yes, you are maybe correct. That said, is there a good loss? This has been a pattern of poor performances in big games.
David Knight
JImmy, no, there is not a good loss. Optimism does not equal acceptance. I am just waiting to see each game unfold and hope improvement can be made.
Jimmy Grant
Fair enough.