Notre Dame 16, Boston College 14: Post Game Thoughts
by A.J Black on Nov 19, 2011 9:41 PM EST
in Boston College Football
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PrintIn Notre Dame, the Eagles gave the Irish all they could handle. And as a Boston College fan, I don't know how to feel.
On one hand, BC kept themselves in this game the entire 60 minutes, something they have struggled to do all season. But on the other hand the Eagle' blew numerous opportunities and capped off the first half with a signature Spaziani "piss away the end of the half."
There were a few stories here that dominated the game. The first was the impressive play the BC defense. Notre Dame looked like they were going to dominate the game early with a quick score by Jonas Gray and a field goal by David Ruffer. But BC wasn't going to let themselves get run out of South Bend.
Tommy Rees -- who as a side note has a long way to progress -- never looked comfortable and the BC secondary continued to keep Michael Floyd and the Irish wide receivers in front of them limiting them to the short stuff. This forced Notre Dame to punt the ball a whopping eight times during the game and gave Max Holloway the opportunity to snag an interception in the third quarter. The Kuechly monster finished with 14 tackles, just one shy of the all-time school record of 523.
While the BC defense kept the Eagles in the game, the BC offense did everything possible to allow the Irish to take over the game. Chase Rettig had one really solid drive in the first half where he hit Chris Pantale for a 21 yard pass. But after that it was just a giant mess for the sophomore QB. At one point Rettig threw 10 straight incompletions, which kept the BC defense on the field and prevented the Eagles from establishing any sort of offensive rhythm. Was it the fault of the wide receivers, the offensive line, coaching or Rettig himself? That is a question to be debated.
It's hard to be too mad about this game. Most of us, this author included, completely wrote off the Eagles before the game even started, yet BC stuck around the entire game. Notre Dame, on the other hand, did just enough to win, but they should count their blessings. A better coached team would have been able to take advantage of the Irish offensive ineptitude. But to quote Spaz "it is was it is." For the Eagles, that is another loss, to our rival, a loss that was filled with missed opportunities.
This is just another loss which has added to the misery of being a BC fan. Another alum and a fan of the blog said it more eloquently than I ever could have:
"I remember really looking forward to college football Saturdays. It wasn't so long ago, really. I would start early in the morning, hang the BC flag up outside the house and try to finish the chores by 11 while watching Herby and Corso on College Gameday. Then I might write an opinionated, ironic post on some message board, get a pot of chili going, and watch pieces of the other games that were on before enthusiastically settling in for Clemson or FSU or ND with my wife, the dog and a few Octoberfests. For home games, we'd trek up to Chestnut Hill early to watch warmups, roam the stadium during the game to mingle and cheer with friends, and hang out afterwards until being evicted from campus.
I forgot there was a game today until 9:30 this morning when I tired of Alex Witt on MSNBC and changed the channel to ESPN to watch what I assumed would be Sportscenter. Instead, it was College Gameday and bunch of SEC highlights. I remembered that we're playing too, but to be honest I still don't know what time the broadcast starts. It's Notre Dame, and it's on national television. Don't get me wrong - I'll tune in for some of it, but that's not really the point. Today, it feels like a joyless obligation borne out of our shared history rather than an established rallying point for my fellow alums and, along with pumpkin pie and apple picking, one of the primary staples of an excellent New England autumn.
Gene and Spaz, you've destroyed what I loved about college football.
- Steve (Boston College '05)
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Honestly, I kept a respectable distance.
I planned for the worst, I’ll be honest. I had next to no hope for this game – not because of the offense, or defense, but because of the coaching. To expect Spaz to play for a win would be to fool oneself.
His decision to piss away the end of the first half merely confirmed that, and by the time my fried turkey had been consumed, Rettig had led a drive to cut the deficit to 16-14. But at no point did I actually figure that Spaz would play for a win.
Unfortunately, this season devolved long ago into a scenario in which only losing could result in the ouster of Spaz. As bad as I feel for the senior class, Luke Kuechly and anyone else who may graduate, leave early or transfer, if it leads to the removal of Frank Spaziani, the 2011 season has served as a means to an end, as unfortunately as it may be.
Auto racing writer, SB Nation Indiana. Because in 49 other states, it's just sports!
That sounds like what a lot of fans and alum are saying
Writer at BC Interruption SBN's Boston College Eagles blog
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by A.J Black on Nov 19, 2011 9:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Think it's the vast majority, at this point.
Unfortunately, for GDF and Spaz, I live in Indiana. It’s only natural that I should travel 2 hours from my home to go to the BC-ND game. It’s the closest one to my house. In theory, I should be buying tickets from BC for this game.
And I didn’t go.
It wasn’t because I couldn’t afford tickets, or that the BC Alumni Club of Indianapolis did next to nothing for the game (that’s another story). It’s that I didn’t want to put forth the financial expense to go to the game, knowing what I know and feel about the program.
That’s what should (and will be) most concerning GDF: the loss of financial support for Boston College athletics. With each passive week brought forth by the football program, the athletics department risks losing those who underwrite the entire enterprise.
Auto racing writer, SB Nation Indiana. Because in 49 other states, it's just sports!
by Bill Potter on Nov 19, 2011 10:11 PM EST up reply actions
The AD is gonna bank on a strong 2012 home football sched and increased revenues from new ESPN TV contract to see him through. Doesn’t seem overly concerned with the drop off in Flynn Fund donations, which will be significant if Spaz is retained.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Nov 19, 2011 10:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
And that is the shame of it, in my opinion.
With Spaz, the program seems adrift, without direction. Three OCs in three years (and two in one) speaks for itself. If GDF really thinks that Boston College football can survive another season of 25,000-seat crowds and general ambivalence surrounding the program, he’s lost touch with reality.
Auto racing writer, SB Nation Indiana. Because in 49 other states, it's just sports!
by Bill Potter on Nov 20, 2011 12:07 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
IMO, a close loss to Notre Dame was as good as a win for Spaz. If we were embarrassed on national TV in front of all the deep pocket alumni who only watch one BC game a year, there’d be a chance he was gone. Now, I think GDF takes the “youth and injuries” excuse to the house after this, points to how much “improvement” we’ve seen to the point where we could stay on the same field as Notre Dame, and we end up with Spaz next year.
At this point I don’t think Spaz is going anywhere. He had a solid span of bombing big games, but right now he is doing just enough to keep his job. It sucks, but I can’t imagine he doesn’t return in ’12
Writer at BC Interruption SBN's Boston College Eagles blog
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by A.J Black on Nov 19, 2011 10:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yup
Spaz will be back next season.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Nov 19, 2011 10:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Thankfully, you can’t get much worse than the 100+ ranked offense in the country. Nowhere to go but up!
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Nov 19, 2011 10:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
When BC was 109th in offense last year, I didn’t think it could get any worse…
Soaring to Glory: On the #FireSpaz bandwagon before it was cool
by SoaringtoGlory on Nov 19, 2011 10:21 PM EST up reply actions
Never say that
You didn’t suffer through four years of Greg Robinson as your coach.
We will not rest until we see these capitalist octopuses annihilated.
-Che Marrone
I learned my lesson. There were only a few spots BC could drop, and this year, somehow, we did.
Soaring to Glory: On the #FireSpaz bandwagon before it was cool
by SoaringtoGlory on Nov 19, 2011 10:50 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Worst-case scenario for fans?
BC loses to ND anyway and blows hard at 3-8, yet fans are still resigned to another year of gutless, play-not-to-lose coaching. This is the lowest the program has sunk in a long time and I actually thought something kind of similar to what that dude e-mailed you guys today. When I watch Mark Herzlich play tomorrow for my Giants, I’m going to be passionate, interested, and engaged. When I watch BC play now, I’m quiet, usually sitting down, and emotionally non-invested for the most part. I used to enjoy this. To think, during my senior year I was on campus when BC beat VT behind Matt Ryan. I can’t believe we’ve fallen this far in just a few years, when BC was the model of a consistent football program.
I feel bad for the players, again.
Soaring to Glory: On the #FireSpaz bandwagon before it was cool
by SoaringtoGlory on Nov 19, 2011 10:20 PM EST reply actions
Not our rival
And for the Eagles that is another loss, to our rival, filled with missed opportunities.
Our rival? I think not, just another OOC game. Our rivals are all in the ACC
Really?
I think so. It’s a natural rivalry. Good rivalries are often (sometimes) OOC games.
if that "really?" comes off snotty, not how i meant it.
i meant like “think so?”
Nah
Just some arrogant catholic school we would be better off not playing. Extremely disrespectful to BC for decades and decades.
For the first 90 years of BC football we rarely played them. So it is not a natural rivalry. As you may know, simply being Catholic is hardly enough a basis for a relationship. The ND mindset is 180 degrees different from normal BC mindset. Schools really do not jive at all.
And really, who wants to have anything to do with these jerk offs. As we saw today, ND is a crappy football team, and has been for 15 years. Yet they insist being considered a national power. Pathetic.
I’d rather play Penn State or some other big name school that does not have the jerk quality the IS ND.
(ps I’ve hated ND’s arrogance for decades, so my views may differ from the newbies who think the ND game is all that)
by eagleosprey on Nov 19, 2011 11:56 PM EST up reply actions
One of my favorite anti ND plays was Anthony Davis for USC running back a kick off just before half time, to make the score 24-7 ND.
USC came out 2d half and steamrolled ND 55-24. Great stuff circa 1976!! I still remember! Fondly!!!
by eagleosprey on Nov 20, 2011 12:02 AM EST up reply actions
arrogant, for sure
jag-offs, for sure. douche nozzles, for sure. the fact that they have been disrespectful of BC for so long and that you—and I—and ALOT of people-hate them makes for a good rivalry. we just disagree. no big deal. but playing a penn state instaed of them would be fine with me. I’ve hated ND for a very, very long time, too.
Sure, no pRoblem whatsoever. We’ll be playing them for Some time to come in any event.
by eagleosprey on Nov 20, 2011 12:32 AM EST up reply actions
Interesting
I guess I would not be opposed to dropping Notre Dame for a long-term OOC with Penn State, Army or Navy, or a rotation of these three.
Frankly, all of our major non-conference rivals will either now be shortly in the conference anyway (Syracuse, Pittsburgh) or are the once-Eastern independents.
Editor, BC Interruption
Don't like being dumped on do ya?!
Nah
Just some arrogant catholic school we would be better off not playing. Extremely disrespectful to UMass for decades and decades.
For the first 90 years of UMass football we rarely played them. So it is not a natural rivalry. As you may know, simply being in-state is hardly enough a basis for a relationship. The UMass mindset is 180 degrees different from normal BC mindset. Schools really do not jive at all.
And really, who wants to have anything to do with these jerk offs. As we saw today, BC is a crappy football team, and has been for 15 years. Yet they insist being considered a national power. Pathetic.
I’d rather play Penn State or some other big name school that does not have the jerk quality the IS BC.
by Go Minutemen on Nov 20, 2011 9:03 PM EST up reply actions
Moving to Division I-A without a head coach not a good look for the Zoo.
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/college/football/view.bg?articleid=1382754
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Nov 21, 2011 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
My Biggest Post-Game Thought
Watched the Virginia-Florida State game and wept what could have been with Mike London at Boston College.
by Wisconsineagle on Nov 19, 2011 11:18 PM EST reply actions
Virginia is ahead of schedule but not convinced they have staying power in the Coastal to be honest.
Editor, BC Interruption
Maybe not, but they did beat two ranked teams this year.
by Wisconsineagle on Nov 20, 2011 11:34 AM EST up reply actions
Sure, but they own Georgia Tech in Charlottesville and Florida State was ranked because … they’re Florida State.
Editor, BC Interruption
ahem. My post-game thoughts
well put by Steve ‘05, above. not alot to say. good game, great defensive effort and that damn play-calling pisses me off to no end. yeah, spaz will be back but don’t think this game (or any game) changed that one way or another. what else? rettig has a good ways to go- good OL or not good OL-and i don’t know that he’s capable of doing it. spaz sucks; bon jovi sucks; noter dame sucks. Go Eagles!
see LSU
taking 4 knees at the Ole Miss 1 yrad line. wih 3 minutes left??!!!!
Spazmosis
Ordinarily the score at half time means a BC team is in a good spot to win. With Spaz I had no hope – I left the house and went and got Mexican food near where I live north of Boston (how little buzz do we generate now? They were showing a replay of English soccer on TV, not the live BC game, btw GDF). By the time I was heading back I got myself to turn on the radio and heard the TD with 3 mins left. But I knew we weren’t going to win it. I watched hoping some kid would overcome Spazmosis and win us the game, but of course it’s not to be. Spazmosis has been allowed to settle in too long.
Might have been nice to try a 2 minute offense when we had 2 minutes left in the first half too, coach.
Why
Is everyone so resigned to his coming back next year? How much further can this program sink? Just weeks ago, after we lost to Duke, everyone had him gone. I am not trying to be argumentative here, but the thought of another year of Spaz is just unbelievably depressing and kills my enthusiasm for BC football. Doesn’t anybody think he will do the decent thing and resign? He has shown no ability to do the job, and certainly does not act like he wants it. Unless it really does just mean that GDF cannot admit his monstrous mistake in hiring him, but that is pretty obvious.
Well said, Steve 05 and Janebc
Spaz must go
lost b/c we don't have a QB
Rettig was horrible, bottom line. It is EXTREMELY difficult to win w/o a QB, and we have had a QB problem for 3 yrs now. Yup, I agree, there’s questionable play-calling, and it was frustrating as heck to sit on the ball for the last 1:05 of the 1st half, but I really think both of those things occur[ed] b/c there is no faith/belief in Rettig (for good reason IMO)., thus the coaches are “managing” the game. He missed a ton of throws that could have made a difference, whether they were long balls to open receivers or throws for 1st downs. In a close, tight, field-position game, these missed opportunities are huge.
The “missed opportunities” video montage Mayock did in the 4th Qrt summarized the game (dropped interceptions, missed throws, etc.) . I know the consensus here is that everything is Spaz’s fault, but that’s shallow analysis. I know everyone hates the "we are what we are, line, but what I think he is saying there, and he has AMPLE REASON to say it, is that (a) we just don’t have the personnel right now to compete with some teams on our schedule (it’s true), and (b) when we are playing a team we can compete with, someone has to STEP UP and make plays, and we don’t.
Many I think are missing the cause and effect analysis. You can’t just say, “we’re losing,” or “we look awful,” and automatically conclude that the HC must go. WHY are we losing? WHAT causes us to lose? Yes, Spaz is the HC and our record is awful, but you need to analyze the roster, the players, and the game, and figure out the CAUSE, not just look at the effect.
As I’ve said previously, I do see us improving from here forward due to maturity, both experience-wise and physically (VERY imp for the lines), but we REALLY have to solve the QB situation because it is THE most imp position in football BY A WIDE MARGIN. I’m not sure anymore Rettig’s the answer, and what’s most disturbing about that is he’s beaten out everyone else on the roster for the position (but Suntrup, and obviously we’d be back to a RSF, 1st year starter if he’s the answer).
“I’m not sure anymore Rettig’s the answer, and what’s most disturbing about that is he’s beaten out everyone else on the roster for the position (but Suntrup, and obviously we’d be back to a RSF, 1st year starter if he’s the answer).”
Don’t really agree on a lot of the above but I think we can agree on this point.
Frankly, you can’t expect to have any success throwing out a one-dimensional QB (Rettig all arm, no legs) in a one-dimensional offense. This is why we’ve seen our fourth string QB take snaps this season because he can run the ball. In an offense as unimaginative as BC’s, you need a QB that can both throw the ball and run. Otherwise, you are encouraging opposing Ds to just sit back and beg Rettig to beat you through the air.
Not convinced Rettig is the long-term answer at QB.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Nov 21, 2011 10:44 AM EST up reply actions
one-dimensional offense
I don’t think we’re a one-dimensional offense by design – we’re a one-dimensional offense because our QB is so inaccurate (that’s his primary problem anyway).
Early in the year, we were having trouble running b/c of o-line problems. I think our o-line has settled down some and we’ve been much better running the ball, but even so, if defenses don’t think your QB can beat them throwing, then they can stack the line/box, and sell out to stop the run and dare you to throw. Offenses have to be able to run AND throw – that means both be willing (play-calling) and be able (have the ability).
I think at BC that accuracy is huge. Reason being, for the most part, our receivers are not that fast and/or gifted athletically and we do not get a great deal of separation. Hence, accurate throws are hugely important. Same for the occasions we DO get separation – it doesn’t happen that often, so when it does, we have to have a QB who can CONSISTENTLY hit those plays. We don’t.
So this plays out as an unimaginative offense, bad play-calling, etc. (and I’m not saying it’s perfect by any stretch), but what it is really is BC not having the tools to both run and pass well, or well enough, to keep defense honest. So since we can run better than we can pass, they commit to stop the run, we try to pass b/c we have to (to get them out of the box), and we can’t. We can’t b/c we have a lousy (inaccurate) QB.
So, the end result is the coaches have to “manage” the offense in order to get to the 2nd half, or the 4th Qtr, with a chance to win the game. Like it or not, Spaz on offense is managing/coaching this team to give us a chance to win against superior personnel. To be honest, my optimistic/pessimistic meter has gone down for next year because while the rest of the team will be better, we have a REAL BIG PROBLEM AT QB and I don’t know that there’s a solution in the program.
There’s this, but there’s also hiring the wrong guy twice at OC (and Brock isn’t the answer, either). That’s on Spaz.
Editor, BC Interruption
by Brian Favat on Nov 21, 2011 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
Andretti-Studebaker argument
But Brian, that presupposes that our offense could.should have succeeded with the “right” OC hire. Not if we don’t have the personnel, not if we’re overmatched. As I said, we’ve had no QB throughout Spaz’s 3 yrs (best scenario was his 1st year and IIRC, that was stop=gap at best). Last year, the Shinskie experiement didn’t work (for gosh sakes, we brought in a guy who had been out of football for 7 yrs to be our QB! What’s that tell you for who was on the roster?). A QB is EVERYTHING to an offense.
So yes, a HC is responsible for his Coordinator and Assistant hires, but it’s like asking Mario Andretti to win the Indy 500 with a Studebaker. When he comes in last, did we hire the wrong driver?
Cause and effect.
A HC is also responsible for determining who the best QB is on the roster. Spaz and Tranquill made the determination that Shinskie was more talented than Rettig for the 2010 opener (aside: I’m not sure they actually reached this conclusion, but instead were just praying that Shinskie would have been a good-enough stop-gap to get them through a year so Rettig could redshirt, but I digress). Anyway, we all know how that turned out.
If Bordner ends up being more serviceable than Rettig, that’s the second QB that Spaz/coaching staff have whiffed on in determining who the most talented QB is on the roster / the QB that best fits whatever offensive identity Spaz and Tranquill / Rogers / Brock are trying to establish.
Again, that falls on coaching.
Editor, BC Interruption
This speaks nothing to the rumors that Spaz and Rogers didn’t get along, or that Rogers should have ever been hired in the first place. But I will respect Rogers’ privacy.
Similarly, Tranquill should have never been coaxed out of retirement. Two very bad decisions on Spaz’s part.
Editor, BC Interruption
Bordner
Bordner is definitely not the answer either. Bordner was effective v. Fla. St. because he was a complete surprise. You’ve seen how in each succeeding week, he’s been less and less effective. To be effective, they’d have to let him pass too and they haven’t. Why not? Because he’s not a strong passer and it’d be too risky. This offense is all about minimizing risk because of the hole at QB.
To your poitn about choosing the wrong QB – the coaches have only chosen the wrong QB if were were to find out someone else who was available was better. Haven’t seen that. I’m not willing to say Rettig is better than Shinskie – from what I’ve seen, they’ve both been ineffective.
You can just keep saying Spaz has made bad choices, but you’re saying that because the choices he’s made haven’t worked out. They’re not bad choices unless a BETTER choice could have been made. We haven’t had a decent QB on the roster in Spaz’s 3 years. It’s like saying you shouldn’t have put Andretti in a Studebaker when there was a perfectly suitable Pinto he could have used in the pit area. Well…no…he isn’t going to win in a Pinto either, or a Rambler. Spaz has had no answers at QB b/c there haven’t been any answers available.
Have there been problems with the OC hires? It appears so, but we don’t really know b/c we’ve handed these guys Studebakers and Pintos to drive. We need to improve in many areas Brian – and as you know, I think we will, under Spaz – but right now, Quarterback is a HUGE PROBLEM.
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