Upon Further Review 2012: Offense vs. Purdue (1st Half)

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Upon Further Review 2012: Offense vs. Purdue (1st Half)

By pburns2010  @pburnsOFD on Sep 11 2012, 1:12a 16

Alright folks, I'm sure many of you are very familiar with our friends' (that hurt to type) over at MGoBlog. I'm sure many of you are also familiar with their (exhaustive) review articles they put out religiously after each Michigan game, a little video analysis they like to call Upon Further Review.

For those of you not in the know (or just not in the habit of checking rivals' blogs for glaring weakness and schadenfreude), Upon Further Review (UFR for short) is a play-by-play breakdown of every single player on the field, or at least those players wearing the familiar colors. Each play is described by down/distance/formation/result, etc. and then a short blurb about each play is written.

"But pburns," you may ask, "how is this breakdown a good tracker of how individual players did? Who is to blame for our inefficiencies in the run game? When can we fire Brian Kelly?"

All valid questions, and the answer is in the points system - Good plays give players +1, great plays +2. Similarly, bad plays give players -1, and all out epic fails give players -2 (or worse potentially). The best part of these ratings? They're completely arbitrary and given out by me and me alone!!! (Note: they are not completely arbitrary, I do try to make them legit.).

Still confused? Of course you are! The best way to learn something new is to just jump into it, so hit the jump and let's party. If you have ANY questions (especially about abbreviations) please ask in the comments and I will let you know what they're standing for.

FIRST HALF - NOTRE DAME OFFENSE V. PURDUE

Formation Notes: Lots of Tyler Eifert playing WR.

Substitution Notes: None really outside of the injuries, the video was quite blurry (NDSPREAD - is this just a NBC thing?)

[Note: I have absolutely no idea how the table formatting really works, I just kinda tried to put it together as best I could. If it's completely unreadable, blame the software (per usual)]

LN	DN	DS	O FORM	RB	TE	WR	D FORM	TYPE	PLAY	PLAYER	YARDS
ND25	1ST	10	Shotgun 3-Wide	1	2	2	4-3 Over	Pass	Fade	Eifert	22
Golson (+1) throws a Catchable (CA) pass to Eifert (+1), who does a great job of being 6'6". Golic Jr. (-2) gets blown off the ball by Short and lets EG take a knock from a large man. (CA, 1, Protection 0/1)
ND47	1ST	10	Shotgun 3-Wide	1	2	2	3-4 Base	Pass	Hitch	Eifert	INC
Golson (-1) has a Marginal (MA) throw here. Eifert's hitch against man-to-man is almost a bad read (BR), especially since the backside receiver was open on the slant. Purdue rushes 3, doesn't get close.(MA, 0, Protection 1/1)
ND47	2ND	10	Shotgun 3-Wide Trips	1	2	2	4-3 Over	Pass	Comeback	Daniels	9
Golson (+1) strong throw to Daniels (+1), who runs a great comeback route, driving the CB back. Protection is very good here.(CA, 1, Protection 1/1)
PU44	3RD	1	1Back Jumbo	1	3	1	4-3 Over	Run	HB Cutback	Riddick	PEN
Cave (+2) annhiliates the man across the ball from him. Chris Watt (-1) gets stood up and shedded by Short (story of the day?), who makes the tackle against Riddick who gets a 1 yard gain -- But wait. Illegal motion penalty against the Irish. It gets assigned to Riddick (-1), who was out of position and moved at the same time as Eifert.
PU49	3RD	6	Shotgun TE Empty	0	2	3	3-4 (Nickel?)	Pass	??	Golson	-9
Pressure right up the middle from Short. Cave is lined up head up on him and has a bit of a whiskey tango moment (-3). I really don't know what he was expecting there. Credit to Watt (0.5) & Martin (0.5) for handling a stunt on the left side of the line. (PR, NA, 0/3 Protection). ND Punts.
LN	DN	DS	O FORM	RB	TE	WR	D FORM	TYPE	PLAY	PLAYER	YARDS
ND8	1ST	10	Shotgun Trips	1	1	3	4-3	Pass	Wheel	Riddick	17
Golson (+1) puts this one in a good spot (CA+) for Riddick (+1), who runs a smooth wheel route down the sideline. Nice gainer setup by a great formation. Short got dangerously close to knocking the pass down after putting the bull-rush on Cave. (CA+, 1, Protection 1/1)
ND25	1ST	10	Shotgun 3-Wide	1	2	2	3-4 Base	Pass	Hitch	D. Smith	3
Daniel Smith (+1) runs a good hitch route and makes a good catch on Golson's marginal ball. (MA, 0, Protection 1/1)
ND28	2ND	7	Shotgun 3-Wide	1	2	2	4-3 Over	Pass	Scramble	Golson	0
Golson pumps, but keeps the ball to avoid a potentially risky throw. Scrambles back to LOS -- Counts as a throwaway (TH). O Line did give him plenty of time to make an initial throw (TH, 0, Protection 1/1)
ND28	3RD	7	Shotgun TE Empty	1	2	2	4 Down Nickel	Pass	Scramble	Golson	8
Purdue drops 7 back into coverage. Right side of O-line does a great job of dealing with a stunt (Golic, Lombard, Cave +0.5), giving Golson loads of time. He does what he do, and takes advantage of the dropped back defenders, scrambling for the first down (+1) (SCR, 1, Protection 1/1)
ND36	1ST	10	Shotgun 3-Wide	1	2	2	4-3 Over	Pass	Out and Up	Jones	INC
TJ Jones can't quite get open on an out and up, and it doesn't matter because EG put the ball straight OB (-1) (IN, -1, Protection 1/1)
ND36	2ND	10	Shotgun 3-Wide	1	2	2	4-3 Over	Run	Reverse	Jones	8
Golic (+1) gets to the second level and tells the MLB to sit down. Golson (+1) throws a just-enough block against the backside DE that helps TJ (+1) break contain on a solid run.
ND44	3RD	2	1Back Jumbo	1	3	1	5-3 (?!)	Run	Power O	Riddick	2
Niklas (+1) kills the poor Sam linebacker. Golic (-1) comes over on the power block, but doesn't cut through the hole to the second level, instead getting caught up on the playside DT. The MLB that Golic should have been blocking makes the tackle in the hole, but the Irish get a good spot and a 1st Down. (Note: There's a chance this was supposed to be a trap play, in which case Martin should have let the DT free)
ND46	1ST	10	Shotgun 3-Wide	1	1	3	4-3 Over	Run	Quick Toss	Riddick	16
I love this play design. Three D Linemen (Both DTs and playside DE) go UNBLOCKED and are taken out of the play by the quick toss to the playside. Great blocking by Daniels (+1) and Martin (+1) getting down the field make Riddick's (+0.5) life extremely easy. BUT then Martin's brain lost function temporarily resulting in a 15 yard personal foul (-2).
ND47	1ST	25	Shotgun TE Empty	0	2	3	4 Down Nickel	Pass	Inside Screen	Daniels	8
Here's the first (only) WR inside screen. Niklas gets to his target very well, but can't hold the block (-1), which doesn't allow Daniels (+0.5) to advance the ball towards the desired middle of the field. He has to cut it back outside, and gets caught by pursuit. Golson's throw is his first Dead On (DO). (DO, 1, Protection 0/0)
PUR45	2ND	17	Shotgun 2x2	1	1	3	4 Down Nickel	Pass	PA Sluggo	Eifert	29
Great playfake from Golson gets the entire 2nd level of Purdue's D to hesitate. He delivers the ball perfectly (+1) to Eifert (+1), who rumbles for a big gain. (DO, 1, Protection 1/1)
PUR16	1ST	10	Shotgun 3-Wide (Jumbo)	1	3	1	3-4	Pass	QB Zone	Golson	4
Designed QB keeper for Golson. Martin (+1) and Watt (+1) execute their double-team zone block perfectly. Niklas (-1) can't hold onto his block, but Golson (+1) makes a move in the backfield to make him miss. Eifert could have done a bit more on his downfield block, but Golson didn't read it very well, running directly into the force defender. Cave (-1) has a false start on the next play, not snapping the ball.
PUR17	2ND	11	Shotgun 2x2	1	2	2	4 Down Nickel	Pass	??	Golson	-6
Quick playaction fake. Martin (-0.5) gets blown back a touch at the snap, but recovers. EG (-1) looks like he's just drifting back, but he had plenty of space to step up in the pocket. He steps up too late and is brought down from the backside. This one's mostly on EG for either not getting the ball out quickly to Eifert (who remember, is really good at being 6'6"), or stepping up in the pocket and maybe taking off for a few yards.
PUR23	3RD	17	Shotgun TE Empty	0	2	3	4 Down Nickel	Pass	4 Verticals	Niklas	INC
Purdue reaches into their bag of tricks and calls a zone blitz, dropping both DTs back into coverage. Watt & Martin are thus one player too far inside, and the blitz off the edge is going to get to EG. EG makes the right read (+1), for Niklas running past the LBs in the middle of the field, but horribly overthrows a sure TD due to the pressure (-2). That's a throw he has to make, or at least make it semi-catchable. With zone blitzes, those outside rushers are going to get there more often than not, and its up to the QB to find the open receiver (there will be a VERY open receiver on this type of blitz too). ND shanks the hell out of the FGA (IN, -1, Protection 0.5/1)
LN	DN	DS	O FORM	RB	TE	WR	D FORM	TYPE	PLAY	PLAYER	YARDS
ND16	1ST	10	1Back 3-Wide	1	2	2	4-3 Over	Run	HB Lead	GAIII	0
Eifert motions into backfield to block. Golic (-1) is driven two yards back into the backfield by Short, which causes Eifert to take some extra steps to go around him to lead Atkinson through the hole. The Purdue Will does a great job of filling the hole, meeting Eifert at the LOS, and forcing GAIII back into the mixer, where he's tackled for no gain.
ND16	2ND	10	1Back 3-Wide	1	2	2	3-4	Pass	PA Flood Right	Eifert	INC
Same motion/formation as the previous play, trying to catch Purdue cheating with the PA rollout. They did -- Purdue had 9 guys within 7 yards of the LOS (foreshadowing). EG most likely could have thrown to one of the two playside receivers down the field, who were in one-on-one coverage. Eifert stumbled out of the backfield, which allowed his defender to catch up and deflect the pass. Bad read by EG (-1). (BR, -1, Protection 0/0)
ND11	3RD	15	Shotgun TE Empty	0	2	3	4 Down Nickel	Pass	4 Verticals	Daniels	12
Following a false start, ND comes out with 4 verticals to try and reach the first down. Golson (+1) makes an OK read (personally I don't like it when you throw short of the sticks) given our field position and hits a wide open Daniels (+1) on the comeback outlet on the outside. (DO, 1, Protection 1/1)
LN	DN	DS	O FORM	RB	TE	WR	D FORM	TYPE	PLAY	PLAYER	YARDS
ND12	1ST	10	1Back 3-Wide	1	1	3	3 Down Nickel	Run	HB Inside Zone	Riddick	-1
Miscommunication between Golic & Lombard here (-1 each). They both double team the end, instead of taking up one on one blocks. This is OK for the inside zone, but then they both think the other is taking over the block and it's time to move up to the second level. I'm not 100% how this should have been blocked, but this wasn't it.
ND11	2ND	11	Shotgun 3-Wide	1	1	3	4 Down Nickel	Pass	Swing	Toma	2
Fine read by EG. Could have had TJ Jones on the underneath portion of the backside drive route concept for a few more yards, but the pass to Toma out of the backfield was fine. Roby just needs to make one guy miss to have a 7-8 yard gain. (CA, 0, Protection 1/1)
ND13	3RD	9	Shotgun TE Empty Tight	1	2	2	3 Down Nickel	Pass	4 Verticals	Niklas	30
Purdue brings the heat with a nickel back blitz. The O line picks up the interior rushers as they should. EG misses his immediate hot read of Niklas (-1), but makes a nice move in the backfield to escape the rush (+0.5). He sends an absolute missile downfield (+2) and hits Niklas (+1) perfectly in stride. Great improv, but would have been even better to see him get it out on the hot read. (DO, 1.5, Protection 1/1)
ND43	1ST	10	1Back 3-Wide	1	2	2	4-3 Over	Run	HB Outside Zone	Riddick	5
Good zone blocking from the whole O Line - Lombard (-0.5) had some issues getting away from his double team to move up to the backer, but Riddick (+1) hits the edge hard and gets some good yardage despite this.
ND48	2ND	5	1Back 3-Wide	1	2	2	4-3 Over	Run	HB Counter?	Riddick	2
Not 100% sure who to give fails to on this play. Both Martin and Watt went to the second level untouched. If I had to guess from Riddick's steps, I would guess this was a counter play that Watt (-2) just totally blew the play call on. Riddick certainly gets (+1) for toughing out two yards when Purdue had two defenders in the backfield.
ND50	3RD	3	1Back Jumbo	1	3	1	4-3 Over	Pass	PA Flood Right	Daniels	41
The play we talked about all week. The safeties BOTH bit on the playfake. HARD. (+1) for EG. Golson sets and fires to Daniels over the top, but it is just underthrown. Daniels (+1) had 7 yards between he and the next closest defender. If EG puts that ball out there like we know he has the ability, this is a no doubter TD. (CA, 1, Protection 1/1)
PUR9	1ST	9	Shotgun 2 TE	1	3	1	3-4	Run	QB Outside Zone	Golson	6
Designed run for EG. He does a great job of waiting for his blocks, then picking his spot and driving upfield (+1). He had a huge cutback lane all the way to the backside, but that would have required vision level 99.
PUR3	2ND	3	Shotgun 2TE Empty	0	3	2	4-3 Over	Pass	Fade	Eifert	PI
Tyler Eifert, folks. (CA, 0, Protection 0/0)
PUR2	1ST	2	Shotgun 2 TE	1	3	1	Goal Line	Run	QB Lead	Golson	1
EG follows Theo into the muck. Maybe had a chance had Niklas (-0.5) been able to hold his block.
PUR1	2ND	1	1Back Jumbo	1	3	1	Goal Line	Run	Power O	Riddick	-2
Simple Power O, but Niklas (-1) whiffs on his block of the playside DE. Golic can't get around the edge to lead Riddick, and the free LB makes the play easily.
PUR3	3RD	3	1Back Jumbo	1	3	1	Goal Line	Pass	Run-Pass Option	Golson	TD
Run pass option to the right. Similar to the PA Flood Right play. Eifert gets caught up, so EG only has 1 receiver. He makes the only decision he can and dives for the pylon (+1) TD Irish.

PBURNS, WASN'T THIS SUPER EASY

I have absolutely zero idea how those dudes from MGoBlog do this each week so quickly. Props to them, especially for doing this for horrible losses.

WHY DIDN'T WE RUN OUTSIDE MORE

Again, I really don't know. The one time we ran the quick pitch in the first half, it was a big gainer. Then this happened at the goal line:

via i.imgur.com

Doesn't a quick pitch to the wide side of the field look pretty amazing as a playcall seeing how Purdue is lined up? The edges were open, my friends. They were open and not often utilized in the first half - much to many's dismay.

SO WHAT'S THE DAMAGE

Here's the +/- by player (not in table form because I gave you one amazing table already):

O-Line:

Golic: +1.5/-5 = -3.5

Cave: +2.5/-4 = -1.5

Watt: +1.5/-3 = -1.5

Martin: +2.5/-2.5 = 0

Lombard: +0.5/-1.5 = -1

Receivers:

Eifert: +2/0 = +2

Daniels: +4.5/0 = +4.5

Smith: +1/0 = +1

TJ Jones: +1/0 = +1

Niklas: +2/-3.5

Backs:

EG: +14.5/-7 = +7.5

Riddick: +3.5/-1 = +2.5

EG's Throws:

Dead On - 4 | Catchable - 5(1) | Marginal - 2 | Inaccurate - 2

Pressure - 1 | Throwaway - 1 | Scramble - 1 | Bad Read - 1

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?!

Well, it means our O-line and Mr. Niklas didn't play a great first half. Personally, I think this goes to show just how good Purdue's D-line really was. Other than that, the biggest thing I would take from it is how good EG's first half was. There were no really big errors, and even his one bad read wasn't terribly "that should always be picked off" bad.

2nd half coming soon? Maybe?