Notre Dame's offense struggles again in 1st half vs. Cal
Notre Dame’s offensive issues continued in the first half against Cal on Saturday afternoon.
The Fighting Irish managed just 1 touchdown drive before the break.
Notre Dame’s first 5 drives — before ultimately finding the end zone — gained a total of 16 yards when adjusted for penalties. Notre Dame also lost a fumble in that span.
The Fighting Irish committed 4 false starts in the first half and all 4 came on 3rd down.
Notre Dame averaged just 3.8 yards per play in the first half. The offense gained only 118 total yards and 6 first downs.
Quarterback Drew Pyne, making his first career start, completed 7-of-12 passes for 57 yards and 1 touchdown in the first half. His lone TD pass was to running back Chris Tyree, who had 12 touches before the break.
At the end of the first half, Notre Dame was trailing Cal 10-7. This continued the trend of Notre Dame’s offense struggling after losses in the first 2 weeks to Ohio State and Marshall.
Here’s some of the reaction to Notre Dame’s first half on offense:
This Notre Dame team might be worse than 2016
— Justin Roy (@jroy4242) September 17, 2022
Notre Dame is really, really bad.
— Daniel Black (@danielcblack) September 17, 2022
Be a goldfish Drew Pyne. pic.twitter.com/RkkJg4C9Lk
— Aimee (@Indy_Aimee) September 17, 2022
#NotreDame has gained 118 yards, which is about 50 more than I realized.
1-of-7 on third down.
3.8 yards gained per play.
Drew Pyne is 7-of-12 for 57 yards.— Douglas Farmer (@D_Farmer) September 17, 2022
I have no words after that half.
— Drew Pyne Enthusiast 🍀 (0-2) (@Okkayyyyyyyyyy) September 17, 2022
Tommy Rees is an horrendous play caller.
— jack cronin (@JackCronin22) September 17, 2022
Tommy Rees & Freeman didn’t have the wherewithal to realize they should try a Hail Mary with 6 seconds left?!?!
— King Dedede (@kingdedede24) September 17, 2022
Somebody tell Tommy Rees that if he did his job he wouldn’t be starting a 5’9” QB and calling draw plays on third and long https://t.co/9Y1tnmj2hX
— Mark Ambrose (@clambrose) September 17, 2022
Notre Dame’s offense is hard to watch. But….GO IRISH!!!!!
— Nathan Waddell (@NathanWaddell78) September 17, 2022
Notre Dame's defense and giving upna long drive after the offense finally does something. Name a more iconic duo.
— FrankieV UHND ☘️ (@FrankieV_UHND) September 17, 2022
Vanderbilt’s offense looks far superior to Notre Dame’s…. Long season ahead.
— Sean M. (@zetaphi1057) September 17, 2022