Irish and the Ugly Stat

UGLY STATISTIC

Ever since the start of spring practice through fall camp and as of today, there has been two themes revolving around the quarterback position.

** Competition for the job, (even though most everyone knows Everett Golson will start in Dublin).  It is expected that Andrew Hendrix will see the field though.

** The quarterback had better not turn the ball over.  It is suspected that if he does, it will be next man in.  Last year Brian Kelly did not have that luxury unless it was an unready Andrew Hendrix or an unsteady Dayne Crist.  When Crist was called upon in the USC game he promptly fumbled the snap and it went 97 yards the other way.  Hendrix came in to spell a struggling Rees against FSU and quickly threw a pick.

The anatomy of the Ugly Stat:

* In 2011 the Irish were 118 out of 120 FBS Teams in the turnover margin.  Only SMU and East Carolina were worse.

** 6 fumbles gained

** 8 interceptions

** 12 fumbles lost

** 17 interceptions lost

** 14         29         minus 15  Ouch.

*  Of the 29 turnovers, 7 were in the Red Zone.  Gads that hurts.

*  The quarterbacks were responsible for 23 of 29.

*  Tommy Rees had 19 turnovers 14 interceptions and 5 fumbles.

*  Dayne Crist and Andrew Hendrix combined for 4 turnovers 3 interceptions 1 fumble.  Each one of those really hurt.

*  Of those 29 turnovers, the Irish were only outdone by nine teams in the FBS.

*How bad were those 7 nasty Red Zone turnovers?  Only SMU had more.

On the bright side, it can only get better.  After Dublin Kelly will have available four quarterbacks, he should not hesitate benching anyone of them for sloppy ball control

Speaking of side, have you voted?  No, no, the national election is months away, although we wish it tomorrow as the political ads are revolting.  Voting for the starting QB against Purdue.  It’s on the right side of the Blog.