Nov. 17--Saturday's 43-40 shocker against Northwestern was the kind of loss Notre Dame fans thought had been left behind in the Charlie Weis years. But the Irish couldn't get out of their own way, and it cost them.
Offense: F
Four more turnovers, with two coming inside the Northwestern 10-yard line and one with under two minutes in regulation. Plus the offense failed to move the ball in overtime.
Defense: F
The unit was banged up, but the Irish allowed 547 yards to a team that had not topped 394 the rest of the season. The Irish overcame personnel losses better earlier in the season.
Special teams: F
Another botched snap on a point-after led to a three-point swing in the first quarter, and Kyle Brindza missed two field goals, including one in overtime. Coach Brian Kelly had such little faith in the kicking unit he decided to try for a two-point conversion while leading by 11 when going for one made much more sense.
Coaching: F
Kelly bungled the two-point attempt. His decision not to kneel on the ball prior to Cam McDaniel's late fumble was more defensible. But the Irish still haven't corrected their miscues on offense, and the defense was porous.
