I'm still stunned by ND's total collapse. The team literally fell apart after losing to Arizona State. Then again, they didn't look right against Navy, so maybe the loss to Florida State really fucked with their heads considering they dominated that game.
They're lucky Sarkasian was content to take his foot off the gas once the game was clearly out of reach, although that actually happened in the first half. Kessler may have set some team records if they let him keep on picking on that pathetic, depleted secondary.
Navy always gives ND fits, they have mostly failed to contain the triple option since I've been watching them. I'm sure the ASU game got in their heads but injuries and inexperienced depth are the biggest problem.
Started the season without their projected #1 CB, #1 WR and a starting DE, who were lost to suspension and the defense is just plain decimated. 9 of the 11 expected preseason starters are out for one reason or another and only a couple of starters have played every game. They had 5 defenders go down yesterday, some of those guys were 3rd stringers to start the season and I think they finished the game with only one player left at DT. At one point, I think around 15 of all 22 starters were either freshmen and sophomores. It probably didn't hurt that early in the season, nobody was completely sure what the D was going to look like but after teams got some film on them, they started exploiting the D's weaknesses. Sucks because until the USC debacle, they managed to stay in every game even they were down big early. The only silver lining to this shit show of a collapse is the young guys are gaining a lot of experience for next season.
Regarding Golson, skill wise he doesn't suck but he sure sucks between the ears, has crappy pocket presence, holds the ball too long and he doesn't seem to take coaching well. He's like the NCAA version of Romo. When he's good, he's really good and when he's bad, he's really bad. His turnovers have killed ND the last five games and frankly, I'm surprised he wasn't benched sooner. ND fans bitched about Rees' turnovers and rightfully so but Golson has been just as bad or worse. Rees was physically limited, made some bad mistakes and throws but he had a good football IQ and was cool as a cucumber in the pocket. Golson has all the potential in the world but can't keep his head on straight and isn't a good leader. He also displays terrible body language when things go downhill.
ND and Dallas have basically mirrored each other this season and it's been hard to watch. Hot start with defenses that were pretty much exceeding expectations early but became depleted by injuries and offenses that can move the ball and score but turned the ball over too much, often at the worst time or possible.
