Notre Dame Postgame Press Conference: Jim Harbaugh
[Barron]
(Thanks to David Nasternak for providing audio from South Bend)
Jim, what do you think of the team’s performance and is there a level of disappointment with how it all went today?
“Yeah, we would’ve liked to come out victorious. Congratulations to Notre Dame,thought they played a very good ballgame.”
Jim, not many explosive plays offensively, what wasn’t happening there?
“Just a few, not enough. What was happening? Yeah, we didn’t make enough explosive plays. Probably didn’t run the ball as well as we would’ve liked. Credit to Notre Dame’s defense.”
Jim, Ambry (Thomas’) 99-yarder, can you talk about what you saw in terms of maybe some key blocks and also what Ambry did on that play?
“Yeah, it was a middle return. He was able to break some arm tackles and then show some real burst when he got into the open field. Was able to finish off that, gave us a great spark.”
Jim, was there any communication issues between Shea and the offensive line. It looked like maybe with the snap counts he was hurrying, were they off-balance, were they not on the same page?
“No, I thought they were. I didn’t see any communication issues between Shea and the offensive line.”
Jim, the way your team came out, Notre Dame hit some big plays, third down, on your team right out of the box. Did you feel like your team came out slow, trying to ease its way in or something? Even on offense, with some of the playcalling, did you feel that way at all?
“No, I didn’t feel like our team was trying to ease their way into the game.”
How about the defense on third down? They hit some huge plays, defended, were they picking on you guys? Blitzes, or what do you think?
“Third down conversions were about the same for both teams. Definitely some big penalties that kept drives alive and were converted into touchdowns.”
Jim, what’s missing from your program now? You guys are not winning big games.
“You know, onward. Just good old-fashioned resolve. There’s more we can do, there’s — this can be a very good football team. We have confidence in it.”
How would you evaluate Shea tonight?
“I thought he competed well. Thought he was doing the things that we were asking him to do and, for a first time out, with his new team, I thought he did a good job.”
Coach, what are your biggest takeaways from tonight, about your team?
“I don’t really have all the biggest takeaways. I thought our guys, thought they played fast. Thought they competed hard. Yeah, there was — there’s improvements to be made. Mistakes were made, but I thought they fought hard.”
You gave up 21 points in the first half, then cut that down to three in the second half, and I think only 60-aught yards for the offense for Notre Dame. What changed for your defense? What got better, what improved?
“Really, I thought we were stopping the run well. Brandon Wimbush made some big plays throughout the game, running the ball, getting out of the pocket. Credit to him. He played a heck of a ballgame. Thought we limited that in the second half.”
Can you talk about how Dylan (McCaffrey) played when he got in there?
“Yeah, I thought Dylan played well. He showed some real moxie in there and ran the offense, made some good throws. Coming in off the bench like that, I thought he acquitted himself really well.”
Why did you make that decision to go with him over Brandon (Peters)? Was that this week that you knew he’d be second-string?
“Yeah, that was this week. Brandon in practice, on a rollout, had tweaked his knee. And he hadn’t taken any reps since Tuesday, so wasn’t 1000 percent for today. So, elevated Dylan to second-string.”
Jim, Brandon Watson, big interception and pinning the ball down, I think it was in the first quarter, on a punt. Can you just talk about Brandon’s play and what he brought tonight?
“Yeah, I thought that was a spectacular play Brandon made, and like I said, there’s good play to be pointed out throughout the team, and a lot of good things to build on. But didn’t come out the way we wanted it, but, it’s not the end, it’s the beginning for us. That’s the way we’re approaching. I was really impressed by the play Brandon made, the way he played all night.”
Jim, still had a lot of pass protection issues that were sorta similar to what we saw last year. Is that what you guys saw in camp? Is that coming along, or is that not what you expected?
“Yeah, they got us on the one inside blitz that we didn’t pick up. They were — there was good pressure that their front was bringing the entire night, some we blocked, yeah. Could be better, yes. We’ll work to improve it.”
How much has, overall, offensively, still limited on what they can do? Shea (Patterson), new quarterback, new guys, new spots, still working through all that?
“Yeah, sure, sure. The guys really, really prepared well for this ballgame. Not the outcome we anticipated or wanted, but we just gotta dig deep. Make no excuses. Give credit to Notre Dame and move onto the next week.”
Where are you in terms of finding that identity on your offense? Is it gonna — are you close? Does it take a little while in your mind to getting the identity that you want for this offense?
“Where are we at? We’re at the beginning.”
Jim, with all the excitement of a new season, does this feel like a setback for you guys?
“It was a big opening game. Did not come out the way we wanted, but we gotta dig down.”
Does it feel like a setback though?
“It’s the beginning. It’s the beginning for us. We’re not treating it like the end.”
Jim, despite everything that kinda went sideways in this game at times, you had the ball with a chance to drive and tie the game late, where you wanted it. What does it say about your team that you were in that position despite all that went wrong?
“They fought hard. We did well. There’s things to build on.”
Thoughts about Will Hart, and any update on Brad Robbins at all?
“Brad’s gonna be out for a while. He did have a back surgery.”
And how Will performed, other than the dropped snap?
“Yeah, he had the — he pinned them in. Did a great punt, down to I think like the 4, 3, 4-yard line. Had some other good punts. Things to build on there, for Will.”
September 2nd, 2018 at 1:54 PM ^
Jim, Chris Evans and Dylan were really successful with the short screens. Where the fuck was that all night while Patterson was in the game, and WHY THE FUCK DID YOU STOP WHEN IT WAS WORKING TO MOVE THE BALL DOWN FIELD?????
September 2nd, 2018 at 2:03 PM ^
Shea threw at least three WR bubble screens that worked decently. Netted about 5 yards average. Those were well executed. I would've like to have seen more quick hitter slants across the middle to make ND pay for bringing blitzes.
I think we need to abandon play action. Maybe run it once a game. At least until Warriner gets the OL pass blocking situation fixed.
September 2nd, 2018 at 2:14 PM ^
Our best play of the night came on Sunday play action. Do not want to abandon it.
September 2nd, 2018 at 2:39 PM ^
I half-heartedly agree in that we need to keep play-action looks that are not RPO quick-reads to a minimum unless the run game is functional. If we're moving the ball successfully on the ground the play-action game will open up. Otherwise it's just time spent without the QB looking downfield.
The quick-slants, bubble screens, RB screens and short wheels, and various jet sweeps and such need to be used to force opposing defenses to stretch horizontally to open up the running room inside. It really looks like the line can't open up holes all on their lonesome against a ND-level line. That needs to (and will) improve over the coming weeks before we head to Northwestern.
September 2nd, 2018 at 2:47 PM ^
Perhaps if you run it all the time it is vanilla and predictable.
September 2nd, 2018 at 1:54 PM ^
It's ok. I'm fine with an 11-1 regular season.
September 2nd, 2018 at 3:14 PM ^
Well, Harbaugh better produce this year or next year or he should be gone. He was hired and given $8,000,000 a year (what the second or third highest coaching salary) to WIN. Not to bring back nostalgia of Bo. Not to play hard. He got hired and PAID to get us to win games others couldn't. So far he has been a failure. And I hate saying that. I want the guy to succeed.
September 2nd, 2018 at 5:02 PM ^
He better, huh?
September 2nd, 2018 at 5:47 PM ^
I agree.
September 2nd, 2018 at 6:13 PM ^
Give me a realistic coach that is better that would come here and the blue haired alumni wouldn't drive off due to being an "outsider". And no, Bob Stoops and Les Miles are not that. I'll wait...
September 2nd, 2018 at 6:53 PM ^
You're gonna be waiting a long time, this fanbase is full of mouth breathing idiots.
September 3rd, 2018 at 6:31 AM ^
Edited
September 2nd, 2018 at 7:01 PM ^
Show me a team with a pulse that a Harbaugh-coached team can beat on the road.
I'll wait.
September 2nd, 2018 at 7:20 PM ^
Ok, so say we fire Harbaugh. Tell me, what coach is going to come here, check all the boxes you have to check so alumni et al don't immediately railroad you, and be able to do the things you think Harbaugh apparently won't ever be able to do??
I'll keep waiting...
September 3rd, 2018 at 6:23 AM ^
Got it, Jim is our coach forever.
September 3rd, 2018 at 10:53 AM ^
Huh, still no answer to the question, just more deflecting and non sequiters.
Still waiting...
September 2nd, 2018 at 7:31 PM ^
2007 Stanford over #1 USC at USC. 2009 Stanford over #11 USC. Your wait is now over.
September 2nd, 2018 at 7:24 PM ^
We were screwed when they started naming the head coach position after big donors. It shows where the priority is.
September 2nd, 2018 at 10:36 PM ^
I think the blue haired alumni and their attitude towards modern college football is the problem. Didnt Lloyd call the spread "communist football"?
Shit, I'd take Joe Moorehead in a heartbeat. We'd at least see some exciting football.
September 3rd, 2018 at 12:02 AM ^
Shit, I'd take Joe Moorehead in a heartbeat. We'd at least see some exciting football.
Isn't that what we all said about RR?
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:20 AM ^
RR's tenure was sabotaged from the beginning, when LC was passing out transfer slips like crackerjack prizes after his last bowl game.
It's obvious that the rebuilding process is going to take a full five years thanks to the buffoonery that would follow after the initial sabotage of RR. And the biggest part to rebuild, as Brian has mentioned numerous times, is the OL.
In the meantime, this team can still recover and win the next five. 5-1 going into the Wiscy game isn't a bad position to be in.
September 3rd, 2018 at 1:44 PM ^
Didnt Lloyd call the spread "communist football"?
It was an assistant (Szabo), IIRC.
September 3rd, 2018 at 9:59 AM ^
Now that he's been put on notice for the 8,000,000th time, improvement will come. Send a message to Warde to make sure he's on the same page.
September 3rd, 2018 at 12:10 PM ^
Great idea! Now name one coach that we could get that would be anywhere near the caliber of a coach that JH is. Anyone that thinks we can get a better coach is living in a fantasy land.
September 4th, 2018 at 1:53 PM ^
What Caliber of coach is he exactly? He hasn't won a damn thing, at Stanford or here. You keep saying at his caliber, so what is it? A coach that will finish 2nd-5th in the conference every year? Hell, might as well bring Hoke back, you can save 2/3 of his salary/year to get those kind of results. You act like he is some elite coach, but he has never sustained any success. Had one good year @ Stanford, has 2 decent years here out of 8 years coaching. He is being paid at an elite level, elite results should be the expectation and reality. You can pay any young up and coming coach 1/3 of his salary and get the same W/L results.
September 2nd, 2018 at 1:54 PM ^
“Jim, what’s missing from your program now? You guys are not winning big games.
“You know, onward. Just good old-fashioned resolve. There’s more we can do, there’s — this can be a very good football team. We have confidence in it.””
———-
How about an offensive line that can hold their blocks? I think that’s been missing for about 10 years now Jim.
September 2nd, 2018 at 2:08 PM ^
It's been the one common denominator with this team's struggles last 10 years. Pretty dissapointing that we've seen little if any progress with the Oline yet in Year 4.
September 2nd, 2018 at 3:00 PM ^
and dismal recruiting prospects.
September 2nd, 2018 at 3:10 PM ^
Really!?
Dammit...
September 4th, 2018 at 10:42 PM ^
I disagree. The 2015 line was meh and improved improved throughout the year and then improved greatly in 2016.
They've took a step back in 2017 at C and RT. This year both tackles are a problem.
September 2nd, 2018 at 2:27 PM ^
What do you expect Jim to say here, exactly?
"Yeah we're really disappointed that Runyan didn't get it done tonight."
Do you really expect to hear him say that in press conference? Really?
Some people on this blog are so damn dumb.
September 2nd, 2018 at 3:50 PM ^
Agreed. And I appreciate the way that Harbaugh DOESN'T throw particular players under the bus.
September 2nd, 2018 at 4:27 PM ^
Yup. Totally agree. He aint gonna give anything to media. Like poker keeping it close to chest.
September 2nd, 2018 at 4:39 PM ^
Nope. I wasn't expecting him to "say" anything. It's four years later and I am expecting him to "do" something. He was a QB and knew the importance of an OL. He understood the defense had problems and went out, brought in DB and recruited players. What's the excuse here?
September 2nd, 2018 at 5:51 PM ^
Uhhh what the hell are you talking about? The D never had problems.
The D under Mattison was good when Harbaugh took the job. It was good under Durkin in Harbaugh’s first year and it’s been good under Brown since
September 3rd, 2018 at 11:32 AM ^
He brought in Warinner. I am sorry that Rome wasn’t built in a day.
September 2nd, 2018 at 5:11 PM ^
Runyan was a G/C prospect. By playing him at tackle you are putting him in a position to fail. That is on the coaching staff and an indication on how bad our Oline recruiting has been.
September 2nd, 2018 at 6:07 PM ^
Agreed
September 2nd, 2018 at 7:36 PM ^
10? At least 12-13 maybe more. It's incomprehensible how bad the O-Line has been and coach after coach, starting with Carr, hasn't been able to fix it. Crazy
September 2nd, 2018 at 10:40 PM ^
The 10 year crap with oline started with Martin hiring RR , spread offense recruits different types of lineman, we have not recovered. Newsome would have been a phenomenal cornerstone foundation to build around **(He is a phenomenal human)
September 2nd, 2018 at 11:37 PM ^
I believe this goes here:
That was 2007. Around this time Brian wrote an analysis of Michigan's severe dropoff in OL play around 2001 -- something like 10-12 NFL OL in the five years prior, and 3 or so in the five years after. RR's approach certainly didn't help, but the denigration of a one-time pipeline to the NFL was in process long before he showed up.
September 2nd, 2018 at 2:04 PM ^
I watched the OLine closely all game. I saw all 5 starters get beat for pressures or sacks at some point. JBB is really terrible at pass pro, which has been well documented. I didn't see the excellence in Ruiz that has been getting hyped on this blog. He just looks like a guy. Same with Dwumfour and Solomon, almost irrelevant. We really missed Hurst in this game. Higdon missed a huge cut back lane early in the game. His lack of vision continues to be an issue. Ross was a liability at times. That missed sack by Gill was pathetic. The botched fg hold was pathetic. Looked like they weren't prepared at all for this game. Last 2 games where coaches had extended prep time, this game and bowl game we came out flat and were outcoached. That says something about the staff. I saw players laughing and smiling on the sideline when we were down 24-10. I question this team's will to win. Where was Gary at all night. Tired of hearing about all his double teams. He needs to produce. Pathetic performance.
September 2nd, 2018 at 2:08 PM ^
I thought Gary, Winovich (minus the dumb penalty) and Bush played excellent games. Khaleke was a non-factor, hardly heard his name called. That was disappointing. Nico Collins was easily the best WR. And I think Jmarick Woods is going to be pretty good.
September 2nd, 2018 at 2:10 PM ^
Not sure what you're seeing from Gary. 0 sacks once again.
September 2nd, 2018 at 2:57 PM ^
How many five step drops did you see out of Wimbush? How many pressures did you see and how many arm punts were fielded yesterday? Gary and Winovich were up in Wimbush's shit all game long.
September 2nd, 2018 at 5:53 PM ^
Ah yes. Because the only measure of a player’s impact is the number of sacks...
September 2nd, 2018 at 2:10 PM ^
Bush played well while he was in there, which wasn't much.
September 2nd, 2018 at 2:11 PM ^
I saw Gary give up on multiple plays. Don't hate me for saying it because it's true. He does not have the motor to match his natural talent. Either that, or mattison is way over rated and isnt getting him ready to play. I doubt that though because Winovich plays as hard as he can at all times...
September 2nd, 2018 at 2:20 PM ^
A lot of these guys are more focused on the NFL draft than winning.
September 2nd, 2018 at 2:20 PM ^
A lot of these guys are more focused on the NFL draft than winning.
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