It wasn't the cleanest performance, but a sparkling performance from Ian Book and timely stops by the Notre Dame defense prevented Boston College from posing a real threat. While the Eagles surprisingly created seven scoring chances, they settled for early field goals while the Irish offense piled up touchdowns early (when not fumbling for dramatic [...]
The advanced stats match the eye-test in that there was nothing cheap about this victory. The Irish went toe-to-toe with Clemson, outgaining the Tigers in yards per play overall, in the 3rd & 4th quarters, and overtime. Both teams were decently explosive, not reeling off a ton of chunk plays but each hitting two of [...]
Breaking down a business-like win in Atlanta with an eye towards the showdown with Clemson - can the Irish expect some positive regression creating explosive plays and gaining turnovers? How does the efficiency of rushing and passing this year compare so far? And what else should Brian Kelly, Clark Lea, and Tommy Rees be thinking [...]
Notre Dame dominated Pitt behind an explosive passing game, grinding out an efficient run game, and defensively abusing poor Joey Yellen and an abysmal Pitt rushing game. The Irish were due for some interceptions and came through with three, with a special teams touchdown added for good measure. A look at how Tommy Rees and [...]
An anticipated shootout turned into a slow, grinding affair thanks to a low possession game, red zone struggles, long fields, and a lack of explosive plays from both teams. The advanced stats liked the Irish offensive performance more than most fans, and the defense impressed by creating havoc while simultaneously limiting big plays from a [...]
The Irish nearly matched their offensive efficiency against USF versus a far more talented opponent and threw in more explosive plays for good measure. Defensively, the effects of a two-week lull were far more visible as Clark Lea's typically steady unit was boom (with havoc and three-and-outs) and bust (giving up chunk plays). Confused? Check [...]
The dominant win over USF featured an efficiency massacre, defensive disruption from unlikely sources, and a nearly 30-yard per possession field position advantage for Notre Dame. This game reached garbage time at the half, and the Bulls failed to convert a single successful play through the air or on a passing down. Confused? Check out [...]
The past several seasons have provided Irish fans with exposure to every ACC team, but for 2020 that gets to be taken to an entirely new level. Advanced stat projections agree with the ironic storyline that Notre Dame joining a conference for a season has actually eased their strength of schedule. Would that have been [...]
As COVID-19 cases continue to climb again, athletes are tested, and schools declare intentions for students to return to campus (or not), plans for the college football season change by the day. But for a second, let's live in a world where football will be played this fall and indulge in some analysis. The most [...]
Ian Book had a strange season in his second year as a starter, winning 11 games yet struggling with consistency and seeing a decline in all major passing stats. The Notre Dame passing offense as a whole was less productive and efficient compared to 2018 but finished the year on a strong note. What led [...]
Let's begin breaking down Notre Dame's 2019 advanced stats starting with the unit that enters the fall under the most scrutiny, the Irish running game. Since 2017's record-setting efforts on the ground, the Irish have struggled to run efficiently, especially in big games, and been plagued by high stuff rates. What improved last season, and [...]
As the dust settles on the last games of the 2019 season, taking (with video!) a look at Notre Dame's advanced stats in the Camping World Bowl win over Iowa State. The Irish dominated the key categories of explosiveness, efficiency, and creating and converting scoring chances. But things were closer than they appeared in the [...]
A dominant defensive effort led Notre Dame to a 40-7 route of Boston College that could have been an even bigger blowout on senior day. The Irish offense created nine scoring chances in ten drives before garbage time compared to just one all game for BC. But the ND offense settled for four field goals [...]
The Irish checked all the boxes for a perfect game against Navy - scoring every possession early, forcing turnovers and passing downs, and limiting first down yardage. Second-half garbage time stats obscure in the final box score what was an incredibly dominant performance by Notre Dame against a Navy team that's still competing for the [...]
Notre Dame dominated the Hokies in the most important categories that decide games, but the Irish shot themselves in the foot in all of the less predictable and more random facets of the game. Turnovers and special teams blunders that cost valuable field position nearly led to a horrendous loss reminiscent of South Florida loss [...]
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