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Key Matchups Against Michigan State

Steve Price — Fri, 16 Sep 2016 14:27:37 +0000

In one of the featured college football games this week, the #12 Michigan State Spartans will make the short trip to South Bend to take on the #18 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Both teams see this game as an opportunity to add a notable, significant win to their postseason resume. For the Spartans, a win essentially guarantees them a top-ten ranking in next week’s polls, especially with #2 Florida State vs. #10 Louisville and #3 Ohio State vs. #14 Oklahoma also on this week’s schedule.

For the Fighting Irish, they need to seize any opportunity they get against a top team in the country. After a heartbreaking loss to Texas in week one, the Irish cannot afford another loss this early in the season. The Spartans are coming off a bye week and had two full weeks to prepare for this game. Let’s see how the Irish stack up against Sparty as we dive into this week’s matchups.

Top: Richard Shiro / Associated Press
Bottom: Mike Carter / USA Today

Torii Hunter Jr. vs. Darian Hicks

Senior captain Torii Hunter Jr. may not be the leading receiver for the Irish so far, but is still the number one receiver. Hunter did not play in Notre Dame’s game against Nevada due to a concussion he suffered in the third quarter against Texas. Hunter is very confident he will play against MSU, as he was basically a full participant in practice this week, going through one-on-ones, seven-on-sevens, and 11-on-11. Hunter acted as a leader, as he did not make this about himself. He said: “It was also a good time for the younger guys to make some plays and put some pressure on them, get them some experience and everything like that.”

Equanimeous St. Brown stepped it up with Hunter on the sideline, as the sophomore grabbed six balls for 85 yards. Even though St. Brown has better numbers than Hunter, MSU senior cornerback Darian Hicks will still focus on Hunter. DeShone Kizer and the offense will probably go after Hicks, who is prone to pass interference penalties for Michigan State. It’ll be fun to watch this matchup of seniors all night.

Mike McGlinchey & Offensive Line vs. Chris Frey

Senior tackle Mike McGlinchey and the offensive line will have figure out how to stop linebacker Chris Frey. Frey was all over the field for the Spartans in their only game this season, totaling nine tackles in the MSU victory. McGlinchey is excited about the matchup saying, “It’s why I play college football. It’s a really great opportunity against a really great defensive front. They’re a hard-nosed, well-coached football team, and they’re going to do a fantastic job of competing and playing hard.”

The offensive line will have their hands full with a terrific linebacker trio that includes Frey, Andrew Dowell, and Byron Bullough, along with standout defensive tackle Malik McDowell.

Notre Dame’s Nick Coleman (24) breaks up a pass to Massachusetts’ Shaquille Harris (14) during the Notre Dame-Massachusetts game. SBT Photo/ROBERT FRANKLIN

Young Irish Secondary vs. Young MSU Receiving Core

The Irish secondary got thinner last week as they lost sophomore cornerback Shaun Crawford, who went down with a torn Achilles. Cornerback Devin Butler remains suspended indefinitely. Safety Max Redfield was dismissed from the team. Sophomore Nick Coleman and freshmen Julian Love and Donte Vaughn will be thrown into the fire in this big game. With R.J. Shelton banged up but ready to go, sophomores Felton Davis III, Madre London, and freshman Donnie Corley will have their chances to make plays against the young Irish secondary. Corley was recently suspended for prioritizing the Yankees schedule over Notre Dames. The Irish secondary has allowed 439 passing yards in two games this season.

The Irish have more at stake in this game, as they can’t afford another loss this early in the season. The offensive line will be challenged up front, along with the young secondary. Brian Kelly will have to instill confidence in his young team, in what will probably be a playoff atmosphere at home on Saturday night.

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Analyzing the Fall Camp Depth Chart

BJ Konkle — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 09:00:05 +0000

Fall camp produces the perfect mix for any college football junkie – immeasurable aspirations coupled with unlimited potential. The 2016 Fighting Irish are no exception. Many positional battles follow #NDFB into fall camp and understandably so with the solid depth at all positions. Let’s do a quick rundown of what to expect.

Depth, baby! Everything this fall will revolve around the exceptional depth that has slowly been built year over year. The coaching staff has recruited exceptionally well over the past few years (the 2017 class aka #IRISHEL17E and the 2018 class aka #IrishBouND18 are stacking up quite nicely as well) especially addressing specific positional needs.

The depth is far and above where it has been in years past. The offense returns multiple assets at every position. Proven running backs Tarean Folston and Josh Adams will lead the ground game along with Dexter Williams guaranteed to be fighting for carries.

The offensive line depth is nothing short of incredible considering it lost two future NFL starters from last year in Ronnie Stanley and Nick Martin. Junior guard Quenton Nelson has been named a Sports Illustrated preseason All-American and senior tackle Mike McGlinchey is garnering elite status as the 64th best player in the nation – according to ESPN. These two woolly mammoths will anchor the left side of the offensive line, and the right side anticipates a battle between junior Alex Bars and seniors Hunter Bivin and Colin McGovern.

Tight end, once a surging position of depth, took a hit in the academic ineligibility ruling against Alize Jones. As reported, Jones will miss the entire 2016 season. The return of transferring/not transferring Tyler Luatua provides the group with a huge (255 lbs. pun intended) veteran h-back, and his decision to not transfer now proves to be vital to the position group. Nic Weishar and Durham Smythe are both capable and consistent targets from a three point stance and split wide – this groups presence and overall utility within the red zone should not be understated.

Credit: Matt Cashore

The wide receiver cupboard is full – yet unproven. The only shoe-in to start is senior Torii Hunter Jr. Behind him will be an intriguing battle between Equanimeous St. Brown, Corey Holmes, Miles Boykin, C.J. Sanders, and potentially true freshman/early enrollee Kevin Stepherson. Finishing on the offensive side of the ball, who could forget the quarterback situation, in which the Irish arguably have the most collective talent at the position in the entire nation (including Brandon Wimbush)? *Insert your own opinions about the QB situation* and find my own here.

The defensive line (also unfortunately known as the Irish’s Achilles heel in recent years) is loaded with talent and (FINALLY) depth. Isaac Rochell, Jarron Jones and Daniel Cage are battle tested veterans while Andrew Trumbetti, Jay Hayes, Jerry Tillery, Jonathan Bonner, Micah Dew-Treadway and Elijah Taylor all look to make significant impacts and potentially break out. Also, look for the word “sub packages” to be thrown around as highly talented true freshman defensive ends Daelin Hayes and Khalid Kareem could be utilized as pass rushers in such schemes.

Nyles Morgan (Credit: Chicago Tribune)

Nyles Morgan is an automatic upgrade at the Mike linebacker position, and while replacing the “once in a century” freakish athleticism of Jaylon Smith is no small task, the linebacker corps is well stocked with young talent. Te’von Coney saw limited action last year and is reported to be fully recovered from a shoulder injury suffered in the Fiesta Bowl. His classmates and other blue chip linebacker recruits, Asmar Bilal (2015 defensive scout team player of the year) and Josh Barajas redshirted last year. This young talent will push upperclassmen, Greer Martini and James Onwaulu for reps.

The secondary returns Jekyll and Hyde aka Max Redfield along with sixth year Cal transfer Avery Sebastian and fan favorite Drue Tranquil – all at safety. Garnering spring ball notoriety was true freshman and early enrollee Devin Studstill, who was my “most likely to make an immediate impact” of the 2016 recruiting class.

Rounding out the secondary at cornerback is senior multi year starter Cole Luke along with juniors Nick Watkins and Devin Butler. They are surrounded by younger talent in sophomore Nick Coleman and Shaun Crawford, who was slated to be the team’s starting nickel back last year until suffering a torn ACL in fall camp. Crawford drew incredibly high praise during the 2015 fall camp before his injury, and his return provides a massive athletic boost to the secondary.

Credit: UHND.com

Over the past few years the Notre Dame special teams have often been regarded as the “not-so-special teams.” Last year, however, the group made great strides and improvements. Returning “The Big Three” key specialists in kicker Justin Yoon, punter Tyler Newsome, and long snapper Scott Daly should pay dividends for the special teams in 2016. DeShone Kizer has been relieved of his holding duties and he will be replaced by Montgomery VanGorder. The Irish also have the luxury of Sanders’ electric and ever-elusive return skills. As a true freshman, Sanders returned both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown last season. The special teams should continue to build off of last year’s success.

With the well-rounded depth in place, #NDFB is primed for an entertaining fall. Don’t forget that it is your civic duty as a Domer to recite one Hail Mary each day of camp for the shake of keeping this vital depth healthy!

Cheers and Go Irish!

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Four Irish Footballers Turning 21 During Fall Camp

andrewwinn — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 10:00:32 +0000

Credit: Gameface Media

Perhaps you’ve heard of the “beer mile,” where participants drink a full-sized beer and then run a quarter mile four times over. It’s a competitive event, sure, but not one I’d suggest doing during the hot August heat in South Bend, Ind.

Fall camp under Brian Kelly usually opens in the first week of August, which is great if you’re not happening to reach legal drinking age soon thereafter. So let’s pour one out for senior TE Durham Smythe, junior RB Justin Brent, junior S Drue Tranquill and junior DE Jay Hayes who will be turning 21 between Aug. 9 and Aug. 16 this year. (Incidentally, Smythe was born on the day Jerry Garcia died.)

Here are some other facts about the Notre Dame football team, some stranger than others:

The most popular day to be born among scholarship players is Wednesday. The least popular day is Sunday.
The most popular month to be born was October – 11 players. The least popular was February, May and November – three each.
Four of the players born in October were born on a Wednesday – junior OL Jimmy Byrne, sophomore NG Brandon Tiassum, sophomore S Nicco Fertitta and freshman WR Kevin Stepherson.
Six players will have game this year on their birthdays: OL Hunter Bivin & LB James Onwualu (vs. Texas); Stepherson (vs. Syracuse); OL Colin McGovern & RB Josh Adams (vs. Miami); and TE Jacob Matuska (vs. Navy).
The Notre Dame football team went 5-0 on days their players were born, beating Washington twice and Vanderbilt, Navy and Michigan once apiece.
There’s a whopping 2,025 days difference between the team’s oldest player (OL Mark Harrell, 23) and its youngest (LB Jonathan Jones, 17).
Harrell is the team’s lone 23 year old. There are three 22-year-olds, 16 21-year-olds, 17 20-year-olds, 21 19-year-olds, 21 18-year-olds and 2 17-year-olds.
Credit: C’est La Vie Cakes

Freshman DE Ade Ogundeji is likely the only player on the team whose shoe size (18) is higher than his age (17).
Harrell, a fifth year senior, is older than 6th year safety Avery Sebastian.
DL John Montelus is the youngest senior on the team. He won’t be 21 until September. Sophomore K Justin Yoon is 29 days younger than Montelus.
WR Corey Holmes is the oldest junior on the team. He’s already 21. TE Tyler Luatua is the youngest junior; there are nine sophomores older than him.
DT Micah Dew-Treadway is the youngest sophomore. He’s 18 and there are six freshman older than him.
S Spencer Perry is the oldest freshman. He’s 19.
Players who share the same exact birthdate (day, month & year): Bivin & Onwualu; junior OL Alex Bars & Montelus; junior OL Quenton Nelson & NG Peter Mokwuah; Luatua and sophomore CB Nick Coleman; sophomore QB Brandon Wimbush & long snapper John Shannon; freshmen WR Chase Claypool & S Jalen Elliott.
Yoon was born four days after O.J. Simpson was found not guilty of double murder.
Freshman S Donte Vaughn was born on the same day that musician John Denver died.
Wimbush and Shannon lived on the same Earth as comedian Chris Farley for just one day.
The Drudge Report gains national notoriety after breaking news of President Bill Clinton’s affair with intern Monica Lewinsky. The Eichenberg family welcomes their son Liam the following day.
Freshman S Devin Studstill and J.K. Rowling’s second Harry Potter novel, “Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets” emerged on the same day.

Thanks to Blue & Gold Illustrated’s fall preview for the birthdates of most Notre Dame players.

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A Trio of Irish Injuries

andrewwinn — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 18:46:06 +0000

Devin Butler / Credit: 247 Sports

Senior cornerback Devin Butler, junior running back Justin Brent and junior cornerback Nick Watkins are among Irish injured during recent football activities, with Butler’s injury expected to sideline him until late September.

Coach Brian Kelly revealed Monday that Butler sustained a second fracture to his left foot. After starting in place of the injured KeiVarae Russell, Butler missed the Fiesta Bowl after breaking the long bone on the outside of his foot that connects to his little toe.

Kelly said Butler has had “a great semester academically. We really see him trending in the right way. And then to have an injury like that was very disappointing for him. And we’re disappointed for him.”

The 6-foot-1/2, 200 pound senior was expected to compete for an open position opposite fellow senior cornerback Cole Luke. Watkins, who suffered a fractured left humerus April 2, was also vying for the position. The junior is expected back when camp reconvenes in August.

Redshirt freshman Shaun Crawford, who may have already hopped Butler before his recent injured, is now a favorite to open the season with Luke at cornerback. Irish Sports Daily’s Jamie Uyeyama said sophomore Nick Coleman, who played primarily on special teams last year, and redshirt freshman Ashton White will probably get more attention for a spot behind Luke, Crawford and Watkins.

The Irish certainly lack experience at the corner position, with Butler giving them a little more than they’ll obviously have without him.

Justin Brent / Credit: 247 Sports

Butler started against Arizona State and USC in 2014; against the Trojans, he recorded a career-high 7 tackles. The junior also made seven tackles on special teams last year, third highest among the Irish. Butler also recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half against Navy, which ultimately resulted in a touchdown. He started against Stanford last year, recording three tackles.

Brent, who has struggled to crack the depth chart at running back, suffered a Lisfranc injury and had a screw inserted into his foot.

“He could be slowed for the first week or two,” Kelly told Blue Gold Illustrated’s Lou Somogyi.

Other injury news:

Corey Robinson, who suffered multiple concussions during his football career, will announce Wednesday if he will continue to play. Robinson, who is the university’s student body president, is a senior with one year of eligibility remaining.
Sophomore wide receiver C.J. Sanders is progressing nicely from surgery to repair a hip flexor. Kelly told Blue Gold Illustrated that “CJ is ahead of schedule by almost three weeks, which is really good news.” Sanders is expected to compete for the starting role at the slot position with redshirt sophomore Corey Holmes and may also be the Irish’s primary kick and punt returner.

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