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The observer | FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022 | ndsmcobserver.com
kEYs TO vICTORY
Keys to victory against bYU: Will the Irish regain strong offensive start in first quarter?
SARAH GRISHAM | The Observer
Irish sophomore running back Logan Diggs finds three-back system success as Notre Dame attempts to regain traction in the 2022-2023 season. Diggs looks for the ball in ND’s recent away game against UNC.
By NATE MOLLER
senior sports Writer
The Irish return to action after their bye week in a shamrock series showdown against no. 16 bYU in Las vegas. The Irish looked impressive in their road victory over Unc, but they will need to be on top of their game this weekend against a very talented cougars team. Let’s take a look at the keys to victory for the Irish this weekend.
1. Find the end zone in the first quarter
The Irish have only scored three points in the first quarter throughout their first four games of the season, and that came in week one against ohio state. Fortunately for the Irish, their defense has been stellar in the first quarter as well, allowing the Irish to remain within striking range, but some first-quarter offense would be useful.
Against a bYU offense that is averaging nearly 35 points per game this season, the Irish will have to come ready to play out of the gates. bYU quarterback Jaren hall has been spectacular this season, completing 70.2% of his passes for 1,438 yards and 12 touchdowns. even if the Irish defense plays well in this one, the cougars are going to put up some points. For that reason, falling behind early against an experienced, disciplined bYU team will be difficult to overcome later in the game. In past years, offensive coordinator Tommy rees has been very successful at scripting successful first quarter drives, but that has been non-existent this year. The Irish must go after the cougars from the start in this one and take some early shots down field. An early Irish touchdown is exactly what the Irish will need to shake off any lingering rust from the bye week. If the Irish start the game with a couple of three-and-outs, frustration
see bYU PAGE 14
ND wOmEN’s sOCCER
Albert scores twice as Irish thrash Wolfpack
By J.J. POST
sports Writer
Thursday night, notre dame soccer moved to 10-2 on the season with a 3-0 win over north carolina state.
The Irish started off hot, generating a couple of nice early looks at goal before drawing a penalty in the 25th minute. Without senior midfielder and regular penalty taker maddie mercado on the field, the duties fell to senior forward Kiki van Zanten, who made no mistakes sending Wolfpack keeper maria echezarreta the wrong way to give notre dame the lead.
After resting up at halftime, a refreshed Irish press took control of the game in the second half, limiting nc state to just two shots. It was sophomore midfielder Korbin Albert who provided the insurance, firing home a pair of goals to give notre dame a comfortable 3-0 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
The first was one of her best this season, curling the ball into the back of the net from just outside the box. The finish was made more impressive by the fact the sophomore was falling down, celebrating from the ground after the ball hit the back of the net.
The next came on the back of a setup by graduate student forward olivia Wingate, who picked up the ball at the halfway line and drove forward, eventually splitting the defense with a pass to Albert.
Albert opted not to shoot the ball on sight, deftly dribbling her way around three Wolfpack defenders to find space and fire home.
caused Patterson to switch gears, but he has focused on building continuity. The chemistry seen in that game gave hope to the team, especially in establishing the run game. There was much that the offensive line did well against the Tar heels, yet Patterson also stresses the importance of focusing on the mistakes.
According to Patterson, the Irish’s bye week has helped them with their individual critiques. The team has spent extra time at practice focusing on technique and what will allow them to stand up to a competitive oponent in 16th-ranked bYU this weekend. The Irish are ready for vegas and ready to write the story of the rest of this season.
“If we take care of business the way we are supposed to, most people are going to forget what happened in the beginning of the season,” Patterson said.
Perhaps this is wishful thinking on Patterson’s part, but only time will tell. This weekend’s vegas matchup will be the litmus test for the Irish and how they have been able to handle a tough beginning of the season — both physically and emotionally.
Contact Madeline Ladd at mladd2@nd.edu
Thomas
conTInUed from PAge 2
impact. despite starting and playing the majority of offensive snaps, Thomas is sitting on three receptions for 32 yards in four games. That needs to improve from a player that has the talent to become the Wr2 in this offense.
3. Senior linebacker JD Bertrand
Part of this is on bertrand, and part of it isn’t. for the second straight game, bertrand will miss the first half of the game after a second-half targeting penalty in the prior contest. The first one was a pretty clear-cut targeting call, and it was really a mental mistake from the senior captain. The second call was far more questionable, and notre dame appealed the decision, albeit unsuccessfully. but beyond the targeting calls, bertrand hasn’t been the impact player the Irish need at linebacker.
That unit has been the weak spot of the defensive corps, although they took a step forward against the Tar heels. bertand himself has 18 tackles, which ties for fourth on the team. however, he really hasn’t created much in the way of disruption, with zero tackles for loss, sacks, pass breakups, forced fumbles or interceptions. The Irish need some more dynamic play from their linebackers, and that starts with their senior captain.
Three years ago, Lenzy was the former track star that the Irish plugged into gadget plays. Lenzy utilized his speed well, and he figured to be a weapon at wide receiver. Injuries marred his development at times, but now fully healthy, Lenzy has looked almost lost at times on the field. Whether it’s poorly timed drops, a failure to get open or anything else, Lenzy has simply not made an impact. he’s touched the ball eight times in four games for 76 all-purpose yards. between him and Thomas, they need to solidify the wide receiver corps for the Irish.
1. Sophomore offensive line Blake Fisher
The offensive line has improved greatly since the start of the year, but right tackle blake fisher has continued to struggle. he’s consistently been one of the weak links on the line, and he has missed blocks in key moments that have hurt the Irish. Think back to Week 1, with the Irish up 10-7 at the start of the second half. sophomore quarterback Tyler buchner had sophomore wide receiver Lorenzo styles open down the sideline but rushed the throw as fisher got beat around the edge. The Irish missed on the potential touchdown, and didn’t score again. fisher has monster size and potential and he needs to translate that into on-field production in the coming weeks.
The observer | FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022 | ndsmcobserver.com
KIsER FEATuRE
‘creating chaos’: Kiser prepared to lead the Irish to victory over bYU
MAX PETROSKY | The Observer
Irish graduate student linebacker Jack Kiser demonstrates preparedness to lead the Notre Dame team against BYU with confidence and valuable perspective. The Irish will face BYU in Vegas on October 8.
PATTERsOn FEATuRE
By MANNION McGINLEY
managing editor
The linebacker room will be one man short for the first half of this week’s game as J.d. bertrand got called for targeting again against the Tar heels two weeks ago. The rest of the squad has practiced filling in for the senior captain, shifting over and running different packages but a lot of those adjustments have fallen on graduate student Jack Kiser. The Indiana native has been prepared for a moment like this though. since high school, he’s played a wide range of positions. Then, he played anywhere from quarterback to defensive back. now, he trains in every linebacker position and even sometimes in the vyper role on the line. having played all over the field, Kiser has a clear perspective on the defense as a whole, their goals and what the Irish need to work on to strengthen their defensive presence through the rest of the season. The main focus, he says, is turnovers. “If you want to be a great defense, you’ve got to create chaos,” Kiser said. “We haven’t created as much as we want but we certainly do believe when we get the thing rolling, they’re going to come in bunches. every day we’re reminding people ‘Punch at the ball, rip.’ Anytime you’re around that ball it has to be some type of attempt to create that turnover. That’s something that’s always on our mind. certainly
see KIser PAGE 2
‘I still love what I do’: Patterson provides leadership amidst start-of-season adversity
By MADELINE LADD
Associate sports editor
In a public display of anger and frustration, fifth-year senior offensive lineman and captain Jarrett Patterson stormed off the field after the clock hit zero in notre dame’s devastating 26-21 loss to marshall last month. Patterson had a rough game at left guard, only adding to his turmoil. ripping off his jersey and having to be forcibly pulled back for the alma mater seemed inappropriate to many Irish fans — especially for a captain. nevertheless, as time has passed, Patterson has taken it as a learning situation and described the emotions he felt that day.
Patterson’s history makes it clear why he got especially emotional. he postponed nFL plans to return to notre dame for a final season. but he suffered from a torn pectoral muscle in the spring causing him to miss the ohio state game. coming back for a frustrating marshall loss was the straw that broke the camel’s back. nevertheless, Patterson continues to remember why he plays the game.
As the leader of a young but talented offensive line, Patterson was pleased with their performance at Unc. moving from center to guard this season
