Talent Gap

[scru]

Still there, but we hung in there with a top 5 team. Most evident in the trenches. They consistently got pressure with a 4 man rush while Book was playing video game football with all day to throw in the 2nd half. After that, the WR talent disparity was evident to me, just in terms of size, speed, and athleticism at X and Y. Nagel is on the level in the slot. Then at CB where our island coverage is a bit more like SPF 15 to their SPF 50... we're not getting completely burned, but not covered enough to be out all day on the island.

Team showed a lot of heart and made me a proud alumnus tonight. I definitely wish we had another shot at them in 2 years.

Good game boys!

Students... I'm disappointed. Even the announcers and ESPN called you out on national TV.

 

[thewildcat2011]

Still there, but we hung in there with a top 5 team. Most evident in the trenches. They consistently got pressure with a 4 man rush while Book was playing video game football with all day to throw in the 2nd half. After that, the WR talent disparity was evident to me, just in terms of size, speed, and athleticism at X and Y. Nagel is on the level in the slot. Then at CB where our island coverage is a bit more like SPF 15 to their SPF 50... we're not getting completely burned, but not covered enough to be out all day on the island.

Team showed a lot of heart and made me a proud alumnus tonight. I definitely wish we had another shot at them in 2 years.

Good game boys!

Students... I'm disappointed. Even the announcers and ESPN called you out on national TV.

Huh? Students were late arriving but filled up all sections allotted to them I thought.

 

[HawkCat]

Huh? Students were late arriving but filled up all sections allotted to them I thought.

I disagree, based on the TV angles. Looked to me like the student section never came close to filling up.

 

[NUCat320]

ND’s ability to get pressure with four men was the difference in the game.

 

[thewildcat2011]

I disagree, based on the TV angles. Looked to me like the student section never came close to filling up.

I was there but didn’t think to take a picture or anything. Not sure what they showed on TV.

 

[timbfischer]

Had to listen to the game from Argentina, and Eanet and Albrecht said the students showed up in force.... This was early second quarter'.

 

[scru]

I was there but didn’t think to take a picture or anything. Not sure what they showed on TV.

They showed it clearly on TV. A big area of the student section was only half filled. It was the only area of the stadium not fully packed. They showed it on national TV and talked about it for a couple minutes. Embarrassing.

 

[thewildcat2011]

They showed it clearly on TV. A big area of the student section was only half filled. It was the only area of the stadium not fully packed. They showed it on national TV and talked about it for a couple minutes. Embarrassing.

When, though?

 

[HawkCat]

When, though?

It never filled up. Anyone who says to the contrary is deluding themselves. It was an obvious empty area in an otherwise filled stadium throughout the game. We need to reduce the size of the student section.

 

[thewildcat2011]

It never filled up. Anyone who says to the contrary is deluding themselves. It was an obvious empty area in an otherwise filled stadium throughout the game. We need to reduce the size of the student section.

Shrug emoji, I guess. I’ll watch the replay and look.

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

All I know is the Stadium was absolutely packed. Lines for bathrooms and food were atrocious. Not nearly enough portable johns and getting into parking was a big mess. These are much bigger complaints to me than worrying about what the student section looks like on TV.

 

[stpaulcat]

I disagree, based on the TV angles. Looked to me like the student section never came close to filling up.

No, it came close, but still embarassing. My class was well represented.

 

[scru]

All I know is the Stadium was absolutely packed. Lines for bathrooms and food were atrocious. Not nearly enough portable johns and getting into parking was a big mess. These are much bigger complaints to me than worrying about what the student section looks like on TV.

Sounds frustrating. Impact on recruiting? Zero.

I've been to many stadiums for packed games and it is always lines for bathrooms and concessions. Parking varies depending on venue, but many are rough. This includes Soldier Field.

My concern is that recruits leave a visit with the impression that the student body isn't really behind the team.

If we can field a consistently great product, there will likely be support to upgrade facilities and perhaps solve the bathroom and concessions challenges you faced.

 

[lunker35]

Huh? Students were late arriving but filled up all sections allotted to them I thought.

No. The third section was awful once again. We need to get rid of it. If they won’t fill it for tonight they never will!

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Sounds frustrating. Impact on recruiting? Zero.

I've been to many stadiums for packed games and it is always lines for bathrooms and concessions. Parking varies depending on venue, but many are rough. This includes Soldier Field.

My concern is that recruits leave a visit with the impression that the student body isn't really behind the team.

If we can field a consistently great product, there will likely be support to upgrade facilities and perhaps solve the bathroom and concessions challenges you faced.

So who cares about the students attending? Easy fix, Reduce the student section. Sorry, but the type of students being admitted are quite different than good ole State U. They are from all over the country/world. Rarely are they legacy. They generally come in with no affiliation to NU or any point of reference from a sports perspective. They graduate and most move out of the area. They then watch the game on TV if they get any interest to begin with. Every season and now it seems like every week we hear about the students not attending, frankly I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

 

[zeek55]

No. The third section was awful once again. We need to get rid of it. If they won’t fill it for tonight they never will!

I'm sure things will change when the stadium renovation happens. Wouldn't be surprised if overall capacity is reduced by 2-3k to around 44,000-45,000 and the student section takes a hit.

 

[BobbCat14]

They showed it clearly on TV. A big area of the student section was only half filled. It was the only area of the stadium not fully packed. They showed it on national TV and talked about it for a couple minutes. Embarrassing.

If you take a good, hard look at our student body, it’s obvious what the issue with atrendance is.

 

[charcat]

Best student showing in years. The usual student section was full, and the overflow section in the end zone was mostly full. The students kept flowing in through the first quarter. My son left the student section because it was too full and joined us on the west side.

 

[DkeCat]

They also showed close-ups of our student body. Enough said. It’s obvious what the issue with atrendance is.

Is the issue all that unloading they are doing?

 

[purplebirder]

Maybe some students did not show because they were studying for mid-terms (?)

 

[Sheffielder]

Here's the question (can anyone confirm?) - are the students allocated two sections, or three?

The third section was sparsely populated, and it was clear from my view that the third section (closest to the end zone) was occupied mostly by fans who looked like they had moved out of their assigned seats in an otherwise packed stadium. My impression has always been that students are allocated three sections and there's never enough to fill the third, and it looks bad.

If there are only two sections, then half of the second section is filled by the band. And in that case, those two sections looked good, for whatever that's worth.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

Just replace the bleacher seats with real seats and everyone will be happy (including my wife). Comfortable seats, less "HS stadium" blah blah blah,lower capacity

I love our stadium. Do whatever you need to do for restrooms and concessions, change to actual seats, and leave the rest alone.

It's like a claàsic car. No power steering or brakes, manual windows, etc, but classic lines. Beautiful

 

[BobbCat14]

No. The third section was awful once again. We need to get rid of it. If they won’t fill it for tonight they never will!

Totally agree. Take it away. NU needs to learn what every parent knows. If you take something away from kids, they’ll want it all that much more!

 

[Pukecat]

Maybe some students did not show because they were studying for mid-terms (?)

Don’t you know if you don’t show up for a football game that you’re sub-human? Some of the things spouted here are stupid. We had a decent showing by the students. Only a few upper rows empty. When the students sat on the west side those empty rows were under the deck and couldn’t be seen. Now they’re exposed.

 

[Pukecat]

Totally agree. Take it away. NU needs to learn what every parent knows. If you take something away from kids, they’ll want it all that much more!

I doubt that matters to the students. They are all paying for tickets through the student fee and still don’t all show up and I personally couldn’t care less if the next cancer treatment pioneer doesn’t have time for a football game. There were three rows empty at the very top. Big deal.

 

[zeek55]

Just replace the bleacher seats with real seats and everyone will be happy (including my wife). Comfortable seats, less "HS stadium" blah blah blah,lower capacity

I love our stadium. Do whatever you need to do for restrooms and concessions, change to actual seats, and leave the rest alone.

It's like a claàsic car. No power steering or brakes, manual windows, etc, but classic lines. Beautiful

It's going to happen fairly soon.

I expect stadium renovation announcement within 18-24 months.

 

[NUCat320]

NU should allot three sections for students, but only set aside sections based on demand. A very, very simple reservation system - claim your seats online or on an app, with only your student ID number by, say, Wednesday before game day. If only two sections’ worth are selected, then the remaining section goes on sale to the public.

Mobile tickets would automatically update to identify whether it’s 212-214, or only 212-213 for the students, still requiring ID for entrance. Shoot, even make student-to-student transfer possible.

Empty sections in a game like that - a huge game, a night game, on a beautiful night - absolutely convey that NU is not *big time*.

It’s news when Michigan has empty pockets - it means they’ve gotten reallllly bad. It’s news when NU does not.

 

[jactheko]

Still there, but we hung in there with a top 5 team. Most evident in the trenches. They consistently got pressure with a 4 man rush while Book was playing video game football with all day to throw in the 2nd half. After that, the WR talent disparity was evident to me, just in terms of size, speed, and athleticism at X and Y. Nagel is on the level in the slot. Then at CB where our island coverage is a bit more like SPF 15 to their SPF 50... we're not getting completely burned, but not covered enough to be out all day on the island.

Team showed a lot of heart and made me a proud alumnus tonight. I definitely wish we had another shot at them in 2 years.

Good game boys!

Students... I'm disappointed. Even the announcers and ESPN called you out on national TV.

iTHINK IT HAD MORE TO DO WITH THE COVERGE

Still there, but we hung in there with a top 5 team. Most evident in the trenches. They consistently got pressure with a 4 man rush while Book was playing video game football with all day to throw in the 2nd half. After that, the WR talent disparity was evident to me, just in terms of size, speed, and athleticism at X and Y. Nagel is on the level in the slot. Then at CB where our island coverage is a bit more like SPF 15 to their SPF 50... we're not getting completely burned, but not covered enough to be out all day on the island.

Team showed a lot of heart and made me a proud alumnus tonight. I definitely wish we had another shot at them in 2 years.

Good game boys!

Students... I'm disappointed. Even the announcers and ESPN called you out on national TV.

I think it had more to do with the coverage. Clayton had time but no where to throw.

 

[zonairish]

I watched a few NW games this year. And not just the Notre Dame game. Your team amazes me how they are able to get back in games. Where you should not be in. A few events seem to happen in your favor like timely penalties or Turnovers but it goes your way constantly. I scratch my head about it. How did they do that? In this game. You had zero penalties called although I would have a could 2-3 holding calls. On the Irish second drive that ended in a miss FG there was that interference call that appeared to me to be within 5 yards of the line so it should of been a no call. great break for you. The best play was I was watching the Irish line up for a punt and I watched your D line up and I said to my Son NW is going to block the punt. And sure enough you did. Your offense was not good your D was OK yet somehow Fitz and the staff puts your guys in position to force better teams to step it up or win games that somehow you would think the other team should win, Good luck against Iowa.

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

I watched a few NW games this year. And not just the Notre Dame game. Your team amazes me how they are able to get back in games. Where you should not be in. A few events seem to happen in your favor like timely penalties or Turnovers but it goes your way constantly. I scratch my head about it. How did they do that? In this game. You had zero penalties called although I would have a could 2-3 holding calls. On the Irish second drive that ended in a miss FG there was that interference call that appeared to me to be within 5 yards of the line so it should of been a no call. great break for you. The best play was I was watching the Irish line up for a punt and I watched your D line up and I said to my Son NW is going to block the punt. And sure enough you did. Your offense was not good your D was OK yet somehow Fitz and the staff puts your guys in position to force better teams to step it up or win games that somehow you would think the other team should win, Good luck against Iowa.

Apparently we are just lucky to stay close to a superior team like the (really angry, on the verge of) fighting, Irish. That, and we bribe the refs, as you seem to imply in your other post. ACC refs. Remind me, who is your "Ho" oops part time conference?

Get over it. We don't get penalized a lot

 

[DarthCat]

I'm sure things will change when the stadium renovation happens. Wouldn't be surprised if overall capacity is reduced by 2-3k to around 44,000-45,000 and the student section takes a hit.

They reduced 8,117 seat Welsh Ryan by almost that much. That reduction came to what, 13.3%? The reduction at Ryan will be far more significant. Same percentage holds, you’re looking at about 6,300 seats removed. Considering the restraints on the current amenities, I’d expected the cut to be as much as twice that amount.

What’s easier, built up the amenities to support 47,130 fans, which never show up anyway, or reduce capacity, alleviate the embarrassment and perception of weak fan support due to swaths of empty seating, and work within your existing restricted framework to make it a more pleasant experience for those who do attend? All signs point to their doing the latter, as it’s what they just did at Welsh-Ryan, to rave reviews.

 

[loyolacat]

I watched a few NW games this year. And not just the Notre Dame game. Your team amazes me how they are able to get back in games. Where you should not be in. A few events seem to happen in your favor like timely penalties or Turnovers but it goes your way constantly. I scratch my head about it. How did they do that? In this game. You had zero penalties called although I would have a could 2-3 holding calls. On the Irish second drive that ended in a miss FG there was that interference call that appeared to me to be within 5 yards of the line so it should of been a no call. great break for you. The best play was I was watching the Irish line up for a punt and I watched your D line up and I said to my Son NW is going to block the punt. And sure enough you did. Your offense was not good your D was OK yet somehow Fitz and the staff puts your guys in position to force better teams to step it up or win games that somehow you would think the other team should win, Good luck against Iowa.

No offense...or maybe a little....but have a hard time taking seriously an evaluation of our team from a school that wont join a Conference and put their feet to the fire of a game after game conference struggle with at least half of these at legitimate away stadiums ...seems , if you dont mind , a little arrogant. My view of you not joining the B10 is that you think your record would be diminished and you would lose control of your narrative...I will take my CATS and the B10. So I guess this ends as a backhanded slight vs a backhanded compliment.

 

[zonairish]

Apparently we are just lucky to stay close to a superior team like the (really angry, on the verge of) fighting, Irish. That, and we bribe the refs, as you seem to imply in your other post. ACC refs. Remind me, who is your "Ho" oops part time conference?

Get over it. We don't get penalized a lot

they do not call it.

 

[zonairish]

No offense...or maybe a little....but have a hard time taking seriously an evaluation of our team from a school that wont join a Conference and put their feet to the fire of a game after game conference struggle with at least half of these at legitimate away stadiums ...seems , if you dont mind , a little arrogant. My view of you not joining the B10 is that you think your record would be diminished and you would lose control of your narrative...I will take my CATS and the B10. So I guess this ends as a backhanded slight vs a backhanded compliment.

Notre Dame will not join a conference period unless it is forced and it won't be the B10. What is in it for Notre Dame? i would agree that Notre Dame's record could be impacted because they would not attract the talent they get now because the B10 is not a good conference from top to bottom. They have 2-3 teams every year that are good after that it is bad or mediocre teams beating each other

 

[phatcat_rivals223240]

they do not call it.

Yep, we are a bunch of cheaters

 

[ThePurpleKnight]

The biggest talent gap was at QB. Can you guess which QB was more accurate and faster ?
Other than maybe the DB’s, the rest of the squads were shockingly close in talent level. Hunter Johnson may have won that game.

 

[EvanstonCat]

The biggest talent gap was at QB. Can you guess which QB was more accurate and faster ?
Other than maybe the DB’s, the rest of the squads were shockingly close in talent level. Hunter Johnson may have won that game.

And yet Thorson was the 4 star QB and Book was a lowly 3 star...

 

[Pete Purple]

I watched a few NW games this year. And not just the Notre Dame game. Your team amazes me how they are able to get back in games. Where you should not be in. A few events seem to happen in your favor like timely penalties or Turnovers but it goes your way constantly. I scratch my head about it. How did they do that? In this game. You had zero penalties called although I would have a could 2-3 holding calls. On the Irish second drive that ended in a miss FG there was that interference call that appeared to me to be within 5 yards of the line so it should of been a no call. great break for you. The best play was I was watching the Irish line up for a punt and I watched your D line up and I said to my Son NW is going to block the punt. And sure enough you did. Your offense was not good your D was OK yet somehow Fitz and the staff puts your guys in position to force better teams to step it up or win games that somehow you would think the other team should win, Good luck against Iowa.

Congrats on the win. I thoroughly enjoyed the game! I’m not feeling sore, angry, or bitter. ND is good, but not great. I don’t think ND looks like a top 5 team. Can’t believe you are whining about officiating. Turnovers and blocked punts count. They aren’t “breaks”. You just can’t help sounding arrogant-it’s quite amazing. You also lack class. Classier would be, “Good game, you guys played tough. Good luck against Iowa”

Now, please listen: I’m over this game and don’t have any interest in discussing it with ND fans. Discussing your win is what your msg board is for.

 

[wildcatson]

Huh? Students were late arriving but filled up all sections allotted to them I thought.

According to my granddaughter, the section with the band and the one North are student sections. She was initially turned away because those were full. Later she was allowed in to sit in the empty sections. I don’t know what they are supposed to be, but apparently aren’t student sections. Unbelievable!
While I am p*****g and moaning, I have had a reserved spot in the West lot for over twenty years. Arrived an hour before game time and was told the lot was full and would have to find another spot. Eventually parked on campus and took the shuttle. Missed all the pregame and kickoff with friends who had driven from Kentucky to join us for this great experience. Bulls***t!

 

[zonairish]

Yep, we are a bunch of cheaters

didn't say that. but you got the benefit of the 1 bad call and the 2-3 non calls.