A good game by the Irish and a whole lot of fun to watch. There is certainly a shift in the way the offense is run, and I think this adjustment of Kelly’s spread could evolve into a very potent weapon.

I really liked Golson’s confidence in those short passes. Last year I saw way too many lob passes that resulted in the defense closing long before the slot receivers had a chance to break open. Golson’s timing on those swing routes could really open up the defense and allow our track stars to get steps towards the open field.

Speaking of track stars, I think we’re done talking about that lack of team speed that separated Notre Dame from top SEC programs. There is a lot of young talent on this team and I really like that Kelly has enough trust to put them on the field. For all the fallout from his comments about “his” guys last year, I don’t think it is a stretch to say that this team does seem to have a very different identity than those in years past. Even the seniors play seem to approach things differently. I loved to see Riddick punish those would-be tacklers. I don’t remember him ever really running through people last year, but today he was certainly not shying away from contact.

The turnovers and mistakes were still present to a certain extent, but mistakes happen, especially on opening day. Maybe I’m taking more than I should from a blowout victory, but I like the fact that the defense made plays and forced turnovers that turned the tide of the game. There was no deflation after the interception or the quick second half Navy touchdown, and I think this could be the biggest and most important change for the Irish.

Let’s not lie. The corners are terrifying. I’m going to tell myself that the defensive gameplan was such that it didn’t necessarily mind giving up yards through the air, but still….Russell looked every bit as young as his true freshman status. Let’s hope when those safeties aren’t looking to defend the option they’ll be able to shore up that defensive backfield. Another bright spot was Manti’s improved pass coverage, which could give Diaco some flexibility against the throw.

I don’t know what this game shows yet, but I’ll be happy if I see this spirit and execution from the coaches and players for the rest of the season. The team is young and may be over-matched throughout this schedule, but I feel good that there is something deeply different about the spirit and athleticism of the squad.

Note a bad game overall, but the secondary is terrible. Navy had some excellent movement at times through the air. Now let’s think about this. Navy moving the ball through the air? Huh! So, the Irish have to be very concerned if they are going to even go 6 – 6 with such a weak secondary. Let’s hope that they can be ‘trained-up’ very shortly and injuries to not further decimate an already weak secondary. I was raised just outside of Annapolis. I hate to see the Irish lose to Navy, so you may say I am a happy camper this Sunday. I fear for other Sunday mornings after the Purdue game!

While its too early to say this is points to a huge season, it was a pleasure to watch a well managed, well executed game plan with few errors. That is a good omen.

Like Martin, who wrote earlier, I have list to offer.

1. We looked more polished and just better in all phases, except pass coverage.
2. I think our line play will be strong all year and match us well with even our best opponents.
3. Did everyone note how many players contributed and looked good!
4. With Wood and Carlisle both coming back soon, the running game is very strong.
5. Is it possible that with so many solid players in the skill positions, that we might be hard to defend down the road–as people gain confidence?
6. While we have no deep threat, the wide receiving group has fine ability.
7. Is it possible that the CBs are maybe not as bad as they looked some of time; since I must believe they did not prepare an elaborate passing game plan for Navy?
8. If receivers grow over the next few games AND Gholson does the same; including becoming somewhat of a running threat, we might be difficult even for the better teams.

Great potential

Go Irish.

Love to see all ND fans unite and be happy after a victory.

Gosh, I really wanted Shepard and Darby here. And, I still have serious questions about why neither of them wanted to come when they would have been starting on TV every week, as true freshmen. But, that’s not going to help us. And, more importantly, we did what we were supposed to do. We used our size/strength/athleticism advantage to manhandle them up front on both sides of the ball. That is a huge change from 5-7 years ago. So, kudos. (Doing what you’re supposed to do is worth praise.) Our main mission on defense HAD to be to stop the option attack, in all of its forms. We did that. We forced them to throw. Too bad they had success with it. I also agree with the comment by JasonC that the secondary probably did not have a lot of practice with the deep throws (because they were concentrating on job #1). I hope to see more running of the football on offense and an aggressive front 7 on defense against Purdue. If we have that, we should win. After that, I think that an aggressive front 7 can lead to turnovers against teams, because their QB’s will have to throw quickly, and our safeties can ball hawk. (Perfect against Robinson.) I am ready for Kelly’s offense to start “out-scoring” people (like he did in Cincy). Let’s hope our receivers can generate some separation and provide the QB’s some open targets.

Motta is WAY too stiff and slow.

Hard to say what to make of this game as Navy really looked like one of the I-AA creampuffs that the SEC tunes up on, Having said that it would be nice to have them on the schedule to open every year, but Temple will do for next year.

Like all the other posters here I was crying for Gary Gray after watching watching Navy (!!) pass its way into the end zone in three plays.

The running game looked really good but with the holes the O line was blasting into an undersized Navy D again hard to say.

Golson was OK and no one here wants to hear it but TR would have done just as well.

Lou Holtz always said the biggest jump a team makes is between game one and game two, let’s hope so.

After watching Alabama crush Michigan and Michigan State just get by a weakened Boise State and reading about Stanford just getting by San Jose State, the schedule looks more manageable.

I will be much more interested in watching the Purdue game next week than the Navy game this week and it will be at a decent hour. Go Irish!

Pertaining to Martin’s play calling: I doubt we will see much more variance all season than what happened Saturday. I played college linebacker against Grand Valley State when they were coached by Chuck, and film study was ALWAYS a half hour shorter for the fact that he doesn’t run complex offense: under center, multiple TEs inside/outside zone, or shotgun empty, verticals with a RB or TE in the flat. Against Navy, I was calling 85% of ND’s plays pre-snap, but it didn’t matter as the O-line looked solid, and the RB’s went crazy. I also played college ball against the double wing, triple option in Northwood University, and I will say the best defense against the option is a simple one that allows LBs and Safetys to fly and make plays. I could care less about the 75 yard drive to start the 3rd; it broke EVERY Navy tendency since Roger Staubach, and notice how they didn’t score again the rest of the game. The CBs are young, yes, but I believe they’ll get more help in subsequent weeks from ND going back to their base 3-4 (ran a 4-3 against Navy) and the Dick LeBeau style blizes that come with said defense. Overall, I’m happy ND won big, regardless of opponent. Navy is always tough. PERIOD. Now lets go 1-0 this week agasint the Boilermakers!