[Snorlax94]

Just finished my Hawaiian-themed viewing party with friends (kalua pork sliders, spam musubis, and poke) and another thrilling ending to a Stanford-Notre  Dame game.

My 5 Positive Takeaways from the Game
#1  It's a win, and on the road.
#2. It's a win without Holder, Marx and McCaffrey -- wow! (And others...?).
#3. It's a win and Love is looking like the featured back of the future -- hopefully not for another 2 years.
#4 It's a win and the offensive line, which still had some problems with pass protection, was able to assert its will late to Shawgrind out the end with a physical running game.
#5. It's a win and the defense with Meeks back almost singlehandedly outscores N-D 9-10, and hopefully gets Holder back soon

[Snorlax94]

Just finished my Hawaiian-themed viewing party with friends (kalua pork sliders, spam musubis, and poke) and another thrilling ending to a Stanford-Notre  Dame game.

My 5 Positive Takeaways from the Game
#1  It's a win, and on the road.
#2. It's a win without Holder, Marx and McCaffrey -- wow! (And others...?).
#3. It's a win and Love is looking like the featured back of the future -- hopefully not for another 2 years.
#4 It's a win and the offensive line, which still had some problems with pass protection, was able to assert its will late to Shawgrind out the end with a physical running game.
#5. It's a win and the defense with Meeks back almost singlehandedly outscores N-D 9-10, and hopefully gets Holder back soon

[rudruff]

No kalbi ribs? Wth

[rudruff]

No kalbi ribs? Wth

[martyup]

And . . . that 2 point conversion was a thing of beauty.  It almost made a brobdingnagian difference in the outcome of the game.

[martyup]

And . . . that 2 point conversion was a thing of beauty.  It almost made a brobdingnagian difference in the outcome of the game.

[JJJ]

Just curious why the Hawaiian themed party. Assuming you're not related to Nate "big island " Herbig or Jet Toner or Luke Kaumatule.

[JJJ]

Just curious why the Hawaiian themed party. Assuming you're not related to Nate "big island " Herbig or Jet Toner or Luke Kaumatule.

[Spiny_Norman]

How about this nugget (h/t to Tom Fitzgerald of the Chronicle) - Stanford’s defense has scored in six of the past eight games.

Also Husak credited Solomon Thomas with 12 (!!) tackles.  When has any down lineman recorded 12 tackles?  Very impressive performance.

[Spiny_Norman]

How about this nugget (h/t to Tom Fitzgerald of the Chronicle) - Stanford’s defense has scored in six of the past eight games.

Also Husak credited Solomon Thomas with 12 (!!) tackles.  When has any down lineman recorded 12 tackles?  Very impressive performance.

[Snorlax94]

Well JJJ,
I like to have a theme for every game, and a Hawaiian theme is a popular cuisine I like to repeat.

Notre  Dame initially got the theme years ago, in memory of the tragic passings of imaginary Stanford student Lennay Kekua, and the tradition just stuck.

If Stanford starts scheduling a home-and-home with Hawaii, I'll switch it.

[Snorlax94]

Well JJJ,
I like to have a theme for every game, and a Hawaiian theme is a popular cuisine I like to repeat.

Notre  Dame initially got the theme years ago, in memory of the tragic passings of imaginary Stanford student Lennay Kekua, and the tradition just stuck.

If Stanford starts scheduling a home-and-home with Hawaii, I'll switch it.

[BostonCard]

Well JJJ,
I like to have a theme for every game, and a Hawaiian theme is a populat cuisine I like to repeat.

Notre  Dame initially got the theme years ago, in memory of the tragic passings of imaginary Stanford student Lennay Kekua, and the tradition just stuck.

If Stanford starts scheduling a home-and-home with Hawaii, I'll switch it.

I like what you did there.

BC

[BostonCard]

Well JJJ,
I like to have a theme for every game, and a Hawaiian theme is a populat cuisine I like to repeat.

Notre  Dame initially got the theme years ago, in memory of the tragic passings of imaginary Stanford student Lennay Kekua, and the tradition just stuck.

If Stanford starts scheduling a home-and-home with Hawaii, I'll switch it.

I like what you did there.

BC

[JJJ]

[quote author=Snorlax94 link=topic=15914.msg176082#msg176082 date=1476589709]
Well JJJ,
I like to have a theme for every game, and a Hawaiian theme is a populat cuisine I like to repeat.

Notre  Dame initially got the theme years ago, in memory of the tragic passings of imaginary Stanford student Lennay Kekua, and the tradition just stuck.

If Stanford starts scheduling a home-and-home with Hawaii, I'll switch it.

I like what you did there.

BC
[/quote]
Mahalo for the response!

[JJJ]

[quote author=Snorlax94 link=topic=15914.msg176082#msg176082 date=1476589709]
Well JJJ,
I like to have a theme for every game, and a Hawaiian theme is a populat cuisine I like to repeat.

Notre  Dame initially got the theme years ago, in memory of the tragic passings of imaginary Stanford student Lennay Kekua, and the tradition just stuck.

If Stanford starts scheduling a home-and-home with Hawaii, I'll switch it.

I like what you did there.

BC
[/quote]
Mahalo for the response!

[OutsiderFan]

I think another positive is the energy and passion Shaw showed all game long.  Really demonstrated how much he cares, and it's possible the team fed off that.

One other thing was the crowd noise. I don't know if it's because the Stanford section was near the field mic, but on the broadcast, you could clearly hear "defense" being chanted when ND had the ball on Zaire's last series.  Clear evidence of a Stanford presence. 

Would have been nice to hear the band, but I'm assuming the band is still banned from ND Stadium?

[OutsiderFan]

I think another positive is the energy and passion Shaw showed all game long.  Really demonstrated how much he cares, and it's possible the team fed off that.

One other thing was the crowd noise. I don't know if it's because the Stanford section was near the field mic, but on the broadcast, you could clearly hear "defense" being chanted when ND had the ball on Zaire's last series.  Clear evidence of a Stanford presence. 

Would have been nice to hear the band, but I'm assuming the band is still banned from ND Stadium?

[martyup]

We have six games remaining and we are only two wins from accomplishing what Elway could not -- bowl eligibility.  And, five of the six remaining games are against teams that are a combined 9 and 19.  We win those five and we end up 9 and 3 with a chance to go 10 and 3 with a bowl win.  8)

[martyup]

We have six games remaining and we are only two wins from accomplishing what Elway could not -- bowl eligibility.  And, five of the six remaining games are against teams that are a combined 9 and 19.  We win those five and we end up 9 and 3 with a chance to go 10 and 3 with a bowl win.  8)

[BostonCard]

Who would have thought that our toughest remaining game would be against... Colorado!

BC

[BostonCard]

Who would have thought that our toughest remaining game would be against... Colorado!

BC

[Velodoc]

We have six games remaining and we are only two wins from accomplishing what Elway could not -- bowl eligibility.  And, five of the six remaining games are against teams that are a combined 9 and 19.  We win those five and we end up 9 and 3 with a chance to go 10 and 3 with a bowl win.  8)

Vegas Bowl, baby!!!!  :)

I liked the 2 pt conversion call as well...while the obvious call pre-snap from TV, I truly expected the usual straight ahead power run approach that hasn't worked all year.  Had to be tough for Shaw to give-in, especially in light of the penalty-aided short distance to goal.  Showed some flexible thinking, the ability to try optimize the limitations at OL. 

[Velodoc]

We have six games remaining and we are only two wins from accomplishing what Elway could not -- bowl eligibility.  And, five of the six remaining games are against teams that are a combined 9 and 19.  We win those five and we end up 9 and 3 with a chance to go 10 and 3 with a bowl win.  8)

Vegas Bowl, baby!!!!  :)

I liked the 2 pt conversion call as well...while the obvious call pre-snap from TV, I truly expected the usual straight ahead power run approach that hasn't worked all year.  Had to be tough for Shaw to give-in, especially in light of the penalty-aided short distance to goal.  Showed some flexible thinking, the ability to try optimize the limitations at OL. 

[Hurlburt88]

I feel like Shaw gets more flexible and creative with play calling as the season goes on . . . the chess-match.  Early in the year have to establish the film with vanilla. 

I also liked the reverse to Rector where Love was behind Rector going the opposite way . . . plenty of options in the future for which direction to take that general plan based on defensive tendencies. 

[Hurlburt88]

I feel like Shaw gets more flexible and creative with play calling as the season goes on . . . the chess-match.  Early in the year have to establish the film with vanilla. 

I also liked the reverse to Rector where Love was behind Rector going the opposite way . . . plenty of options in the future for which direction to take that general plan based on defensive tendencies. 

[JJJ]

I think another positive is the energy and passion Shaw showed all game long.  Really demonstrated how much he cares, and it's possible the team fed off that.

One other thing was the crowd noise. I don't know if it's because the Stanford section was near the field mic, but on the broadcast, you could clearly hear "defense" being chanted when ND had the ball on Zaire's last series.  Clear evidence of a Stanford presence. 

Would have been nice to hear the band, but I'm assuming the band is still banned from ND Stadium?

The band is still banned from regular season road games. Post season TBD.

[JJJ]

I think another positive is the energy and passion Shaw showed all game long.  Really demonstrated how much he cares, and it's possible the team fed off that.

One other thing was the crowd noise. I don't know if it's because the Stanford section was near the field mic, but on the broadcast, you could clearly hear "defense" being chanted when ND had the ball on Zaire's last series.  Clear evidence of a Stanford presence. 

Would have been nice to hear the band, but I'm assuming the band is still banned from ND Stadium?

The band is still banned from regular season road games. Post season TBD.

[French Rage]

[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=15914.msg176114#msg176114 date=1476625164]
I think another positive is the energy and passion Shaw showed all game long.  Really demonstrated how much he cares, and it's possible the team fed off that.

One other thing was the crowd noise. I don't know if it's because the Stanford section was near the field mic, but on the broadcast, you could clearly hear "defense" being chanted when ND had the ball on Zaire's last series.  Clear evidence of a Stanford presence. 

Would have been nice to hear the band, but I'm assuming the band is still banned from ND Stadium?

The band is still banned from regular season road games. Post season TBD.
[/quote]

I thought that was just 2015?  Is this still from the drinking, or did anything come through from the Rose Bowl?

[French Rage]

[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=15914.msg176114#msg176114 date=1476625164]
I think another positive is the energy and passion Shaw showed all game long.  Really demonstrated how much he cares, and it's possible the team fed off that.

One other thing was the crowd noise. I don't know if it's because the Stanford section was near the field mic, but on the broadcast, you could clearly hear "defense" being chanted when ND had the ball on Zaire's last series.  Clear evidence of a Stanford presence. 

Would have been nice to hear the band, but I'm assuming the band is still banned from ND Stadium?

The band is still banned from regular season road games. Post season TBD.
[/quote]

I thought that was just 2015?  Is this still from the drinking, or did anything come through from the Rose Bowl?

[JJJ]

[quote author=JJJ link=topic=15914.msg176153#msg176153 date=1476649984]
[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=15914.msg176114#msg176114 date=1476625164]
I think another positive is the energy and passion Shaw showed all game long.  Really demonstrated how much he cares, and it's possible the team fed off that.

One other thing was the crowd noise. I don't know if it's because the Stanford section was near the field mic, but on the broadcast, you could clearly hear "defense" being chanted when ND had the ball on Zaire's last series.  Clear evidence of a Stanford presence. 

Would have been nice to hear the band, but I'm assuming the band is still banned from ND Stadium?

The band is still banned from regular season road games. Post season TBD.
[/quote]

I thought that was just 2015?  Is this still from the drinking, or did anything come through from the Rose Bowl?
[/quote]
I'm checking with son now but I don't think there were any negative outcomes from the Rose Bowl. It was more about the ban they had from the old allegations (which prevented road appearances during the regular season of any sport starting last year), and the current band doesn't feel like the punishments are justified so they're doing their own thing.

[JJJ]

[quote author=JJJ link=topic=15914.msg176153#msg176153 date=1476649984]
[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=15914.msg176114#msg176114 date=1476625164]
I think another positive is the energy and passion Shaw showed all game long.  Really demonstrated how much he cares, and it's possible the team fed off that.

One other thing was the crowd noise. I don't know if it's because the Stanford section was near the field mic, but on the broadcast, you could clearly hear "defense" being chanted when ND had the ball on Zaire's last series.  Clear evidence of a Stanford presence. 

Would have been nice to hear the band, but I'm assuming the band is still banned from ND Stadium?

The band is still banned from regular season road games. Post season TBD.
[/quote]

I thought that was just 2015?  Is this still from the drinking, or did anything come through from the Rose Bowl?
[/quote]
I'm checking with son now but I don't think there were any negative outcomes from the Rose Bowl. It was more about the ban they had from the old allegations (which prevented road appearances during the regular season of any sport starting last year), and the current band doesn't feel like the punishments are justified so they're doing their own thing.

[Extra Point]

I believe the Stanford Band is banned at ND because of a half time skit they did 10 years ago about the potato famine turning the Irish into fighters. Shortly after this performance ND wanted to cancel all scheduled games with Stanford, but Lealand talked them out of it.

[Extra Point]

I believe the Stanford Band is banned at ND because of a half time skit they did 10 years ago about the potato famine turning the Irish into fighters. Shortly after this performance ND wanted to cancel all scheduled games with Stanford, but Lealand talked them out of it.

[BostonCard]

"The Irish, why must they fight" show must be approaching 20 years now.

BC

[BostonCard]

"The Irish, why must they fight" show must be approaching 20 years now.

BC

[OutsiderFan]

Seriously? ND still won't let Stanford's band play there because of that issue?  I was at that game and it was before the stadium renovation, over 10 years ago!  Don't they realize everyone associated with that performance is gone?  Stanford shouldn't allow ND's band (or any school's band for that matter) in its stadium if the Stanford band isn't allowed to play in other stadiums.

[OutsiderFan]

Seriously? ND still won't let Stanford's band play there because of that issue?  I was at that game and it was before the stadium renovation, over 10 years ago!  Don't they realize everyone associated with that performance is gone?  Stanford shouldn't allow ND's band (or any school's band for that matter) in its stadium if the Stanford band isn't allowed to play in other stadiums.

[CTcard]

I liked the 2 pt conversion call as well...while the obvious call pre-snap from TV, I truly expected the usual straight ahead power run approach that hasn't worked all year.  Had to be tough for Shaw to give-in, especially in light of the penalty-aided short distance to goal.  Showed some flexible thinking, the ability to try optimize the limitations at OL.

Except ...

It has worked this year. In that very game, we had already had two third and ones where we ran the heavy package and Scarlett ran for two yards - and hadn't missed on a third and short.

It is also a fairly standard play for Stanford, we've run it several times over the past few years. It's not new.

But, it is a play that ONLY works if the defense is completely fooled. Otherwise you have the back out all alone with nobody blocking and it's set for being blown up. And the defense is only fooled if they have reason to believe you're going to blast away.

The one worrisome thing to me is that we had Love in at tailback, and I think he has never carried the ball on one of those straight ahead blast shots. That could be a tipoff.

[CTcard]

I liked the 2 pt conversion call as well...while the obvious call pre-snap from TV, I truly expected the usual straight ahead power run approach that hasn't worked all year.  Had to be tough for Shaw to give-in, especially in light of the penalty-aided short distance to goal.  Showed some flexible thinking, the ability to try optimize the limitations at OL.

Except ...

It has worked this year. In that very game, we had already had two third and ones where we ran the heavy package and Scarlett ran for two yards - and hadn't missed on a third and short.

It is also a fairly standard play for Stanford, we've run it several times over the past few years. It's not new.

But, it is a play that ONLY works if the defense is completely fooled. Otherwise you have the back out all alone with nobody blocking and it's set for being blown up. And the defense is only fooled if they have reason to believe you're going to blast away.

The one worrisome thing to me is that we had Love in at tailback, and I think he has never carried the ball on one of those straight ahead blast shots. That could be a tipoff.