Notre Dame Football Grades: Offense vs. Georgia

After gaining 606 yards against Temple, the Irish offense completely fell apart on Saturday night

Several times in the past few years, the defense failed to uphold their part of the bargain. Against Georgia, the offense floundered and let the defense down. Here are the grades for the offense for the Notre Dame football team against Georgia:

After playing a nearly perfect start against the Owls, Wimbush struggled in his second contest. Although the Offensive Line and Wide Receivers failed to help, Wimbush missed nearly every opportunity during the game. He threw late and high frequently.

The Offensive Line failed to protect Wimbush. However, several of the sacks actually occurred because the Junior Quarterback missed protection shifts. For example, in the play below, Wimbush needs to shift the protection to the right. Josh Adams picks up the player coming free on his left side. This allows all players in the pass protection to fan out correctly.

via GIPHY

Wimbush competed well. His used his legs where able. He did not flinch. Wimbush threw for 210 yards. He scored Notre Dame’s lone touchdown.

The Notre Dame Running Backs did not find many holes to run through against the Bulldogs. In fact, the Irish backfield averaged 1.5 yards. Josh Adams performed well in the passing game. He gained 60 yards on 6 receptions. His catches helped set Notre Dame scores.

Dexter Williams received no carries during the game. He played on special teams as a gunner/coverer. Williams most likely received no offensive touches because of his inability to pick up the blitz. His speed and big play ability were needed in the backfield on Saturday. However, the coaches choose not to use him.

The Notre Dame Wide Receivers failed to produce at a high level, again. This week’s leading receiver, Cam Smith, generated 4 receptions for 40 yards. Former Walk-on Chris Finke added 36 yards on 3 catches. Notre Dame’s best receiver, Equanimeous St. Brown, grabbed 2 passes for 16 yards. Freshman Michael Young added 1 reception for 4 yards.

What does all this add up to? A unit that features only one standout receiver, St. Brown, who was shut out by the Georgia secondary.

The receiver group desperately needs a younger play to step up and perform at a high level. Chase Claypool, CJ Sanders and Freddie Canteen must find a way to push this group forward.

Alize Mack was the only Tight End to catch a pass on Saturday night. Mack snared 2 passes for 41 yards. All other Tight Ends failed to find their names in the box score.

Pass catching is not everything for a Tight End. They must block effectively in order to add value to the offense. The Tight Ends did not block well either.

There was not much to like about the group’s performance. Offensive Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach Chip Long must be extremely disappointed with how this group performed in the first two games of the season.

The key to the failure of the Offense stemmed from the Offensive Line. The group really struggled to gain a footing against the Georgia Defensive Line in all areas of the game.

Senior Left Tackle Mike McGlinchey struggled against Defensive Ends and Outside Linebacker that possessed more speed than he is capable of handling. McGlinchey’s draft stock may take a hit after a less than stellar showing.

As a unit, they allowed 3 sacks and 7 Quarterback hurries. The group only paved the way for 55 net rushing yards. This offense is built around this Offensive Line performing well. 55 yards will not cut it against any team.

It is simple.  The offense possessed the ball 3 times late in the 4th Quarter with an opportunity to win the game. They failed. The Offense kicked field goals when it needed to be scoring touchdowns. This less than stellar performance doomed the Notre Dame football to defeat.