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INSidER
The observer | FRIDAY, september 28, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com
DOMINIQUE DeMOE and MICHELLE MEHELAS | The Observer
By CONNOR MULVENA Associate Sports Editor
The Irish have a long tradition of exceptional play on the offensive line and of producing exceptional offensive linemen. Last season was no different. Left guard Quenton Nelson, now a member of the Indianapolis Colts, and left tackle Mike McGlinchey, now a member of the San Francisco 49ers, led a powerful unit to a stellar season, a comeback Citrus Bowl victory and a Joe Moore Award, an honor given to the best line in collegiate football. Both former Notre Dame football leaders are now staples on their respective NFL teams. And this year, though the two All-Americans are gone, the bar is still set high, especially for graduate student captains Sam Mustipher and Alex Bars. Although Bars and Mustipher may not be the legendary duo that Nelson and McGlinchey was, they’ve certainly helped keep the offensive line, and the Irish in general, on track so far in the hunt for a playoff spot this season. There have been bumps along the road — the line has struggled at times this season, specifically against Ball State. But the unit has ultimately buckled down each game, even considering the extensive conversation surrounding the quarterback position for the Irish this season. Amidst all of this talk, the offensive line has quietly ensured that Notre Dame’s defense is on the field as little as possible and has paved the way for backs like junior Tony Jones Jr. and sophomore Jafar Armstrong, who have been asked to step up in senior Dexter Williams’ absence.
For Mustipher, the key to the offensive line’s success lies fundamentally in communication. The graduate student captain has emphasized the importance of seeing the field as a unit and communicating clearly and efficiently throughout the season. “Communication-wise, and seeing through one set of eyes. Clear, concise communication on each and every snap, and I think, you know, [Vanderbilt] threw a lot of things at us … so it’s really just continuing that and not letting there be a drop off,” he said after the Irish beat the Commodores. “It’s an emphasis really every week for us, seeing through one set of eyes. Because if we do that, and we stick to our basics, I think we give this offense a chance to make plays and the weapons that we have.” Regardless of the year, a staple for Irish offensive lines has always been physicality. For Mustipher, that physicality is the basis, but not everything. The unit’s goals of keeping the defense off the field for as long as possible and giving the offense, as a whole, the best opportunity to get in the red zone and punch it in still play an important role. “I think, right now, we’re physical, and that’s something we take pride in,” Mustipher said. “And it’s really just honing in on those fundamentals and techniques necessary in order to finish drives and not put [senior kicker Justin] Yoon out there, even though I love him. Our goal is to punch it in the end zone. … Don’t get behind the chains on first and second down, and convert third downs. Just simple, basic football to keep [the defense] off the field
ANNA MASON | The Observer
Sophomore offensive lineman Josh Lugg protects senior quarterback Brandon Wimbush during Notre Dame’s 24-17 win over Michigan.
as much as possible.” In line with Mustipher’s emphasis on “seeing through one set of eyes,” graduate student offensive lineman Alex Bars has expressed similar sentiments about the offensive line’s strengths, goals and mindset throughout the season so far. Through growth, the unit has the chance to maintain its pedigree. “I think we’re very cohesive as an offense, complementing our defense,” Bars said. “ … I think we do a great job of making sure the defense stays off the field and putting up points at the same time. We just want to be the best that we can be, live up to our potential. Like I said, before the season started, we can be that group, so it’s just preparing the right way, and mastering your technique, and trying to progress each week, week in and week out.” During last week’s victory
against Wake Forest, the unit stepped up considerably as a whole, as production was up across the board, something the scoreboard showed after the game. For Bars, this step forward was a result of a new sense of urgency, which Irish head coach Brian Kelly has attempted to instill in the team throughout the year. The captain said it is the reason the Irish were able to really close the door last week. “Like coach Kelly preached, we had that sense of urgency, so that when we had them on the ropes and we needed to have that finishing blow, we were able to do that, and then keep scoring and keep scoring, and then put them away,” Bars said. And for all of this to be achieved, for the offensive line to live up to its potential, Bars and Mustipher thoroughly understand that the unit must practice what the coaches preach — preparation. At this Paid Advertisement
point in the season, the unit knows where its level of preparation needs to be each week, and it must execute on that preparation. This awareness of the importance of preparation is “what makes this team great,” Mustipher said. “They understand that preparation is necessary no matter what team that we’re going to play, and I think coach Kelly does a great job of letting us know that the opponent is faceless,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who we line up against — we just need to be ready to go. We need to be prepared to play the best guy who’s going to line up across from you, everyday — during practice, during lifts, during meetings — you need to be prepared that same way everyday. And I think that’s what helps make this team special.” Contact Connor Mulvena at cmulvena@nd.edu
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History repeating itself in quarterback debate By CHARLOTTE EDMONDS Associate Sports Editor
Like a broken record, Brian Kelly once again finds himself in the middle of a quarterback debacle. In the eight seasons the head coach has been with the Irish, only twice has the same quarterback started the entire season. Some years — like the Everett Golson–Tommy Reese combo that led Notre Dame to the 2012 national championship game — found a rhythm, with each accepting their respective roles. Other times, the situation more closely resembled the saga that came to be Malik Zaire or DeShone Kizer. Now, the question that’s been looming since the 2018 Citrus Bowl has finally surfaced — Brandon Wimbush or Ian Book? The critical difference between the Golson–Reese and Zaire–Kizer duels was the coaching staff’s approach. In 2012, after some trial and error, Golson and Reese came to complement each other, the latter being less athletic but with more experience. Of course, it always helps team chemistry when you run the regular season schedule. Only three years later, Kelly failed to take a lesson from his own playbook in understanding the quarterback dynamic, starting Zaire before Kizer took
over three games in, with Zaire ultimately transferring the following year. Arguably, this is an unfair example, comparing apples to oranges, with each quarterback making different contributions on and off the field. Now, for the third time in the Kelly era, the battle for the Notre Dame quarterback was been thrown back into the spotlight and Kelly seems intent on preventing the Zaire–Kizer drama from repeating. “I think that their skill sets — and I think I’ve been pretty clear on this from preseason camp our first press conference together, that they complement each other, but I don’t think that they have the same skill sets,” he said. “They’re different in that sense.” Wimbush, the starter for all of last season with the exception of the North Carolina game for which he was injured, seemed to secure the starting position over the summer, with Kelly repeatedly emphasizing that although Book would be included in the rotation, the senior was the guy for the Irish. However, despite a solid showing against Michigan, Wimbush failed to capitalize in the next two games against lackluster opponents, even getting picked off three times by Ball State. So naturally,
Notre Dame offensive coordinator Chip Long turned to Book, the junior who had been waiting on the sideline for this shot. And he didn’t disappoint. Book’s 325 yards were nothing to scoff at, and the junior certainly didn’t lose the starting position (although it remains to be seen who will be starting against the Cardinal). But the season’s only a quarter of the way done, with many of the tougher opponents awaiting the chance to end Notre Dame’s playoff hopes. The Irish are going to need more than one toolbox of weapons in their artillery. “Look, it’s important that everybody knows that both of these quarterbacks can win football games for us. … So as coaches, we have to keep both of them sharp,” Kelly said in a press conference Tuesday. There’s no doubt where each quarterback’s strengths lie — Wimbush in running and creating out of the pocket, Book in passing and executing the offense. This has all the potential to play out like the Golson–Reese narrative, with each player putting the team’s best interest first. This Saturday’s matchup could define how Kelly approaches each player, depending on their unique personalities, and more importantly, how they respond. The Cardinal defense has Paid Advertisement
ANN CURTIS | The Observer
Irish senior quarterback Brandon Wimbush runs upfield with the football during Notre Dame’s 24-17 win over Michigan on Sept. 1.
held opponents to an impressively low 13.5 points per game, a daunting number for a Notre Dame team that has struggled to put up effective secondhalf offensive production. Additionally, they’ve done this as a dual threat, limiting long gains before shutting down the run game in the red zone. It’s not unlikely that both Wimbush and Book will be called on at one point throughout the evening to deliver for the Irish. “We don’t want to look back,” Kelly said. “We don’t want to
look forward. It’s in the moment. And so whatever is going to get us a win against Stanford this week, if we feel like playing both of them every other series is the best thing to win, we’ll do it. We’re not here to please any one group. We’re just trying to win games.” Now, as Notre Dame fans await the first snap on Saturday, it’s clear that this question may not be answered come Sunday. Contact Charlotte Edmonds at cedmond3@nd.edu
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HEAD T
7:30 p.m. ET | Notre Dame Stadium EDDIE GRIESEDIECK | The Observer
CARDINAL PASSING Last year in Palo Alto, quarterback K.J. Costello completed 14 of 22 passes for 176 yards and four touchdowns, torching the Irish in the red zone on the way to Stanford’s 38-20 win. Through four games this season, the junior has recorded a 64 percent completion rate and thrown for 1056 yards and 10 touchdowns to only three interceptions. Seven of those 10 touchdown tosses have gone to senior wide receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, who poses a dynamic red-zone threat to any secondary. This Irish secondary is much-improved from the one Costello faced last year, but may still face many of the same problems in South Bend as it did in Palo Alto. For one, the Stanford wide receiver and tight end corps are a tough matchup physically, often using their height to bully shorter defensive backs and win 50-50 balls. Notre Dame had trouble containing Vanderbilt’s big tight end Jared Pinkney, and I envision it might have similar trouble against Stanford tight ends Colby Parkinson (6 foot, 7 inches) and Kaden Smith (6 foot, 5 inches). With Bryce Love also a receiving threat out of the backfield, an improved and experienced K.J. Costello will have too many weapons for the Irish to shut down. EDGE: STANFORD CARDINAL RUSHING For as much attention as the Stanford run game receives, it revolves around one player — Bryce Love. Shut Love down, and you’ve shut down the Stanford run game. However, that’s a tall task considering the 84.67 yards-per-game the 2017 Heisman runner-up is averaging this season. No, it’s not his staggering 162.9 yards from last season, but it’s enough to be problematic for an Irish defense that has allowed teams to rush for 145 yards on average, including 290 yards by Wake Forest last weekend. Although Love had a relatively quiet night against the Ducks, only totaling 89 yards, he was dominant against Notre Dame last year, torching the Irish for 125 yards and will likely come into Notre Dame Stadium looking to make a statement. EDGE: STANFORD
STANFORD
EDDIE GRIESEDIECK | The Observer
CARDINAL OFFENSIVE COACHING Stanford’s offensive unit is led by former Cardinal quarterback Tavita Pritchard, who is famous for leading Stanford to a comeback victory over USC in 2007, connecting to teammate Richard Sherman on fourth down in a crucial play of the game. Pritchard’s offense has been runheavy so far, giving senior running back Bryce Love over 17 carries in each of the games he’s played so far this year, and Pritchard’s passing unit seems to be focused on making key completions when needed. But despite Stanford’s No. 7 rank as a team, its offensive unit places in the top-50 in only one NCAA FBS offensive category — passing offense. With a back like Bryce Love, who was in the Heisman conversation before the season even started, it’s puzzling that Pritchard hasn’t gotten more out of his offense so far this season. The Cardinals have scored often, but when they have, it has been against weak defenses. Clark Lea and Notre Dame’s defensive talent should be able to limit Pritchard’s unit here. EDGE: NOTRE DAME CARDINAL SPECIAL TEAMS Stanford kicker Jet Toner has been pretty consistent so far this season, hitting all of his extra points and going five-for-six in field goals so far this season. In the return game, Cameron Scarlett and Trenton Irwin have ability, but have yet to make a real impact this year. After giving up a return touchdown to Michigan in Week 1, the Irish have made defending special teams a priority and seem to have improved week-by-week. EDGE: EVEN
(Sr.) J.J. Arcega-Whiteside 19 9
(So.) Osiris St. Brown
(So.) Walker Little 72 (Sr.) Bryce
Love
20
(Jr.) K.J. Costello
3
(Sr.) Cameron Scarlett 22
(So.) David Mills 15
(Sr.) Reagan Williams 6 (So.) Houston Heimuli
34
(Jr.) Devery Hamilton 74
RB QB FB
(Jr.) Devery Hamilton
74
(R-Sr.) Brandon Fanaika 71
(R-Sr.) Jesse Burkett 73 (So.) Drew Dalmon 51
(Jr.) Nate Herbig 63 (Sr.) Nick Wilson 54
(R-Sr.) A.T. Hall 75 (Jr.) Devery Hamilton
74
(Jr.) Kaden Smith 82 (So.) Colby Parkinson 84
(Sr.) Trent
Irwin
(Fr.) Michael Wilson
(R-Sr.) Alijah Holder 13 (Jr.) Obi Eboh 22
(Sr.) Frank Buncom IV 5 (R-Sr.) Brandon Simmons
2
FS
(R-Sr.) Joey Alfieri 32 (So.) Gabe Reid 90
(R-Sr.) Bobby Okerere 20 (Sr.) Mustafa Branch 31
(Sr.) Sean Barton 27 (Jr.) Andrew Pryts 25
2 4
WR LT LG C RG RT TE WR
CB
OLB
(Jr.) Jovan Swann 51
ILB ILB
(Fr.) Thomas Booker 34
(Jr.) Michael Williams
57
(So.) Dalyn Wade-Perry 24
(Sr.) Dylan Jackson 97 (So.) Ryan Johnson 23
(Sr.) Casey Toohill 52 (Jr.) Malik Antoine 3
(So.) Noah Williams 19
(Jr.) Jordan Fox 10
SS
DE DT DE
OLB
(So.) Paulson Adebo 11 (R-Sr.) Alameen Murphy 4
CB
CARDINAL SCHEDULE (4-0) Aug. 31 San Diego State (W 31-10) Sept. 8 USC (W 17-3) Sept. 15 UC Davis (W 30-10) Sept. 22 @ Oregon (W 38-31 OT) Sept. 29 @ Notre Dame Oct. 6 Utah Oct. 18 @ Arizona State Oct. 27 Washington State Nov. 3 @ Washington Nov. 10 Oregon State Nov. 13 @ California Nov. 24 @ UCLA
(Jr.) Jet Toner 26 (Jr.) Collin Riccitelli 37
(Sr.) Jake Bailey 14 (Sr.) Charlie Beall 27
(Sr.) Trent
Irwin
(Fr.) Michael Wilson
2 4
PK P PR
Tobias Hoonhout
Elizabeth Greason
Joe Everett
Managing Editor
Assistant Managing Editor
Sports Editor
I’m going to be honest, this game has me completely torn. Notre Dame seemed to put a lot of demons to rest last week with a dominant display against Wake Forest. Yes, the Deacons don’t play defense. But Michigan does, and the Irish still found a way to win at home. Chip Long’s offense seems to be clicking with Ian Book, and the junior has a chance to win the job outright if he can pull off the win on Saturday. And on defense, the Irish have played up to the preseason hype. But Stanford is very good. The Cardinal haven’t lost much from the team that ruined Notre Dame’s chances at a New Year’s Six bowl last year and are coming off a big win on the road against Oregon last weekend. David Shaw has had Brian Kelly’s number for a while now and that might not change. So I flipped a coin. And hey, maybe it’s the luck of the Irish — a win, and the dominoes to the Playoff fall into place. FINAL: Notre Dame 42, Stanford 24
Every year since I’ve been here, Notre Dame has led Stanford. And every year Notre Dame has lost. So I have the deep-seated fear that Saturday is going to be a deja vu situation. But honestly, there’s another part of me that thinks Notre Dame is due for a win against the Cardinal. Who’s going to start for the Irish this weekend at quarterback? Who knows! My guess is as good as yours, and while I think most of the country would go with Ian Book after last weekend’s performance, Brian Kelly is unpredictable. The Irish defense has done a good job of containing the run so far this season, and despite his superior talent, Bryce Love should be no different. The real question will be whether Notre Dame can play a full four quarters. I think riding the offensive momentum from last weekend will help them finally take back the Legends Trophy and remain undefeated. FINAL: Notre Dame 45, Stanford 30
(Sr.) Jake Bailey 14 (Sr.) Cameron (Jr.) Richard
Scarlett
22
McNitzky
69
(Fr.) Kyle Petrucci 49
H KR LS
It’s the biggest home game of the Brian Kelly era in a matchup with serious College Football Playoff implications. David Shaw saw two different teams during Stanford’s comeback win over Oregon. In the first half, Oregon’s offense picked apart the Cardinal with speed and quick, accurate throws. That’s something the Irish offense can learn from and aim to replicate with the offensive weapons they have at their disposal — including running back Dexter Williams. On the opposite side, the Cardinal offense is scary. Quarterback K.J. Costello has gotten better and has the ability to make tight throws in coverage. Stanford has big, physical wide receiver and tight end corps, and Bryce Love is a touchdown threat every time he touches the ball. In my time here at Notre Dame, the Irish haven’t beaten the Cardinal. I think that trend continues. FINAL: Stanford 31, Notre Dame 27
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O HEAD on NBC
Notre Dame
EDDIE GRIESEDIECK | The Observer
EDDIE GRIESEDIECK | The Observer
IRISH PASSING
CB
8 Donte Vaughn (Jr.)
BUCK DE NG DT DE
23
Drue Tranquill (Gr.)
2 Jordan Genmark Heath (So.)
WR WR RT RG C LG LT TE WR
H KR LS
FS
Khalid Kareem (Jr.) 91
53
Adetokunbo Ogundeji (Jr.)
Jonathan Bonner (Gr.)
55
41 Kurt Hinish (So.)
99
Jerry Tillery (Sr.)
9
Daelin Hayes (Jr.)
MLB
4
11
Alohi Gilman (Jr.)
14 Devin Studstill (So.)
Te’von Coney (Sr.)
45 Jonathan Jones (Jr.)
57 Jayson Ademilola (Fr.)
SS
42 Julian Okwara (Jr.)
Rover CB
Notre Dame, under t he play ca lling of Ian Book, who t hrew for an impressive 325 yards and t wo touchdow ns against Wa ke Forest, is a force to be reckoned in t he passing game. However, t he Irish may meet t heir match in Stanford’s staunch defense, as t he Cardina l are holding opponents to an average of 13.5 points t hrough four games. That show ing has been highlighted by t heir containment of t he passing game, as t hey’ve only a llowed one t hrow ing touchdow n leading up to t heir epic comeback against Oregon. Stanford’s defense, led by four senior linebackers and senior cornerback A lija h Holder, is a specia l unit, unlike any t hing t he Irish have faced t his season. Notre Dame’s offensive rebranding w ill need to show up strong to ta ke on t he Cardina l secondar y. EDGE: STANFORD
Julian Love (Jr.)
27
5
22
21
Jalen Elliott (Jr.)
24 Nick Coleman (Sr.)
Asmar Bilal (Sr.)
33 Shayne Simon (Fr.)
Troy Pride Jr. (Jr.)
35 TaRiq Bracy (Fr.)
83
Chase Claypool (Jr.)
87 Michael Young (So.)
10
Chris Finke (Sr.)
IRISH RUSHING
18 Joe Wilkins (Fr.)
Robert Hainsey (So.)
72
69 Aaron Banks (So.)
Tommy Kraemer (Jr.)
78
57 Trevor Ruhland (Sr.)
53
Sam Mustipher (Gr.)
57 Trevor Ruhland (Sr.)
RB QB
8
Jafar Armstrong (So.)
6 Tony Jones Jr. (Jr.)
7
Brandon Wimbush (Sr.)
12 Ian Book (Jr.)
Alex Bars (Gr.)
71
76 Dillan Gibbons (So.)
Liam Eichenberg (Jr.)
74
55 Jarrett Patterson (Fr.)
86
Alize Mack (Sr.)
82 Nic Weishar (R-Sr.)
81
Miles Boykin (Sr.)
4 Kevin Austin Jr. (Fr.)
Ian Book (Jr.)
12
85 Tyler Newsome (Gr.)
8
Jafar Armstrong (So.)
87 Michael Young (So.)
54
John Shannon (Jr.)
65 Michael Vinson (Fr.)
PK P PR
19
Justin Yoon (Sr.)
39 Jonathan Doerer (So.)
85
Tyler Newsome (Gr.)
42 Jeff Riney (Sr.)
10
Chris Finke (Sr.)
11 Alohi Gilman (Jr.)
Notre Dame vs. Temple
Stanford’s defense is solid this year, and its efforts against the run have been significant — it is currently ranked as 38th in the countr y. Sophomore running back Jafar Armstrong and junior running back Tony Jones Jr. really broke out last weekend against Wake Forest, a great sign for the Irish, but their efforts lose some luster when you consider Wake Forest’s abysmal defense. In fact, the Demon Deacons fired defensive coordinator Jay Saw vel after Saturday’s game against the Irish. Stanford’s defense is its crutch. It’s what has kept them in the top ten, and it’s what allowed them to fend off Oregon last week in a contest that could have gone south for the Cardinal. The Irish have the capacit y to put up some solid numbers on the ground against Stanford, especially w ith the return of Dexter Williams this week, but it’d be tough to say Notre Dame has the edge here. EDGE: EVEN IRISH OFFENSIVE COACHING After some f lashes but largely frustration w ith Brandon Wimbush under
Charlotte Edmonds
Connor Mulvena
Associate Sports Editor
Associate Sports Editor
For the first time since the first half of the Michigan game, Notre Dame put up the dominant performance we know they’re capable of against Wake Forest. Now, prepare for the complacency to set in. Despite all the hype surrounding this weekend, being the first top-10 matchup at Notre Dame Stadium since 2005 against USC, I expect the Irish to once again fall short to this other California rival. Coming off a huge comeback at Oregon, Stanford is riding a wave of momentum and is unfazed by Notre Dame Stadium, having won seven of the last nine meetings between the two teams, including two of four on the road. Although this past weekend has made me optimistic about the outcome of this game, and while I’m excited to see if the Wimbush-Book combo can work, it’ll be too little, too late for the Irish to overcome the Cardinal. FINAL: Stanford 35, Notre Dame 27
Last week was a great step forward for the Irish. Ian Book played wonderfully, the backs broke out and the defense was solid, as it should be. Kelly and his staff looked organized and tactful, controlling the tempo of a quick Wake Forest offense. But it was Wake Forest. Book played fantastic, and there’s no reason he can’t do it again this week, but Wake Forest’s defense was simply awful. The Deacons fired their defensive coordinator the day after the game. Book could be the key to a playoff season, but I’m not yet convinced. For the first time this season, the Irish will face a top-10 defense, one that held USC to only a field goal. Maybe the Irish have gotten it together after last week’s victory, but it takes more of a hurdle than Wake Forest to do so. But my score predictions have been as bad as Wake Forest’s defense. So this may be a good sign for all of us. FINAL: Stanford 27, Notre Dame 24
center, particularly against Ball State and Vanderbilt, the Irish seem to have reached a crossroads. Thanks to Saturday’s performance against Wake Forest, Ian Book seems to have the keys to the kingdom in his hands. The junior made a strong case against the Deacons why he should be the guy w ith over 350 total yards of offense and five touchdow ns. In Long’s system, he looked to be a natural fit, running through multiple progressions, spreading to the ball to play makers and play ing w ith poise. Stanford’s defense has played ver y well this year, but lost several pieces from last season and is coming off of a shak y performance on the road against Oregon. EDGE: NOTRE DAME IRISH SPECIAL TEAMS Justin Yoon is poised to take over the top spot on Notre Dame’s all-time scoring list. If that doesn’t tell you how successful the senior kicker is, what does? It’s not hard to feel confident w ith Yoon lining up to kick a field goal,a although the senior hasn’t been perfect this season. And then there’s the return game. Punt returner Chris Finke has made marked improvement this season — highlighted by his 61yard return against Wake Forest last week — while the whole squad has made progress in the spread formation and in blocking for the senior, allowing him to make some more significant returns. The Irish haven’t settled on a steady kickoff returner yet, but the rotation of players have been solid. EDGE: NOTRE DAME
IRISH SCHEDULE (4-0) Sept. 1 Michigan (W 24-17) Sept. 8 Ball State (W 24-16) Sept. 15 Vanderbilt (W 22-17) Sept. 22 @ Wake Forest (W 56-27) Sept. 29 Stanford Oct. 6 @ Virginia Tech Oct. 13 Pitt Oct. 27 Navy Nov. 3 @ Northwestern Nov. 10 Florida State Nov. 17 Syracuse Nov. 24 @ USC
Follow Observer Sports on Twitter for live updates and analysis during the game this weekend and all season long. @ObserverSports
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Offensive success critical factor for Cardinal By JOE EVERETT Sports Editor
No. 7 Stanford travels to Notre Dame Stadium this Saturday to provide the first top-10 home matchup of the Brian Kelly era in a prominent Week 5 contest that will go a long way in clarif ying the College Football Playoff race. The Cardinal (4-0, 2-0 Pac12) are coming off a dramatic, come-from-behind 38-31 win over No. 19 Oregon (31, 0-1 Pac-12) on the road at Autzen Stadium, and Irish head coach Brain Kelly sees a complete team on each side of the ball with elite physical and mental traits. “[They’re] very versatile on the offensive side of the football,” Kelly said. “We know about Bryce Love — the best back in the country, once you think he’s down he’s gone — [but] I think K.J. Costello has come into his own this year distributing the football. He’s got a number of weapons … Arcega-W hiteside has been a go-to guy, but now a number of their tight ends are outstanding, big-body types that he can get the ball to. … Looks like he’s really in control
of that offense. They’ve got speed and size which gives them great versatility, and you know Stanford’s always going to have a big, physical offensive line.” “ … On the defensive side of the ball they continue to employ a very aggressive, muti-dimensional defensive unit. A very physical and tough group. Tough-minded. Swann, from right here in the state of Indiana, plays with a great motor. Linebackers are veteran players, really been impressed with the depth and versatility at the linebacker position. At the back end, again [you see] veteran players back there, so a very talented group across the board at all three levels on the defensive side of the ball.” One of the biggest explanations for Stanford’s ability to continue its recent level of success has been quarterback K.J. Costello. The junior, who threw for 176 yards and four touchdowns against the Irish last November in Palo Alto, has tossed for 1,076 yards and 10 touchdowns to only three interceptions through four games this season, and his ability to make big throws from the pocket is
what has impressed Stanford head coach David Shaw most this season. “The great quarterbacks can operate at a high level in very little space,” Shaw said. “Young quarterbacks tend to move too much in the pocket. K.J. has gotten a lot better at subtly moving in the pocket and staying clear of the big guys trying to protect him. At the same time, still being able to make those throws with guys in your face [is what he’s been able to do]. I think he’s going to continue to grow and continue to improve — I think the ceiling’s very, very high.” At the same time, Shaw realizes Stanford has a lot of room for improvement, and specifically pointed to the Cardinal offensive line, which has struggled to provide room for Love to operate so far this season. “We still have some inconsistency up front, and [Monday] we talked about individual accountability,” Shaw said. “It ain’t just the new o-line coach, it ain’t just the defenses we play, it’s about taking the proper footwork, taking the proper targets and then once you’re
blocking a guy, he’s got to stay blocked. … We still have one of the most explosive backs in America, and he’s only gotten a couple of legitimate shots to make plays.” Stanford will need its offense to be firing on all cylinders to keep up with the Irish, Shaw noted, as Notre Dame showed its potential to be an offensive juggernaut after putting up 56 points last week with junior quarterback Ian Book at the helm. “[Book’s] got an accurate arm, he’s got a quick release — he’s a good athlete,” Shaw said. “He can get out and escape and get first downs, so that’s another thing you have to deal with when a guy can beat you in the pocket and outside the pocket.” “ … We gotta be prepared for [Notre Dame’s offense] to come after us, because they can move the ball, they can throw it and run it. I still anticipate seeing both quarterbacks, but they have an explosive offense that we have to try to contain.” Thanks to several close games in recent history and the fact that both schools boast elite academics, Shaw said Notre Dame and
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Stanford have developed quite a rivalry over the years. “Notre Dame is right up there with our other rivals,” Shaw said. “We recruit nationally — we don’t just have guys from the West Coast, we have guys from the Midwest and from the East Coast that either grew up watching Notre Dame and liking Notre Dame, so that rivalry has been really good and the games have been outstanding over the years — lots of late-game victories on both sides, lots of great players on both sides.” W hile the Cardinal just won in a hostile environment in Eugune, Oregon, last week and defeated the Irish in South Bend in 2016, Shaw said he expects the atmosphere of Notre Dame Stadium to be tough Saturday night, especially with playoff hopes on the line. “It’s a difficult place to win,” Shaw said. “Over the years it’s gotten louder. With all the renovations to the Stadium, they’ve done a very good job of creating a big home-field advantage.” Contact Joe Everett at jeveret4@nd.edu
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recruiting
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commentary
Stanford matchup brings recruiting to forefront By ELIZABETH GREASON Assistant Managing Editor
Since Notre Dame’s massively hyped season opener against Michigan at Notre Dame Stadium, the recruiting trail has been fairly quiet. However, a top-10 matchup under the lights against No. 7 Stanford is set to change that. The No. 8 Irish (4-0) have their eyes set on two specific players this weekend, who will be on official visits to the University, Blue and Gold Illustrated recruiting analyst David McKinney said. The first is Isaiah Foskey, a class of 2019 four-star tight end, according to recruiting website Rivals, and the No. 133 player in the country. While Foskey plays tight end in high school, McKinney said he is athletic enough to fill the class of 2019’s need for a defensive end, which is where Foskey would most likely end up if he were to come to Notre Dame. “They don’t really have a lot of use for a tight end in this class, based on what they already have on the depth chart and what they already have committed in the 2020 class,” McKinney said. “But they like his athleticism enough that I could see them taking him as a defensive end and if it turns out offense is what he’s best suited for, he could do that down the road. But the beginning, it would be a defensive end situation.” McKinney said Foskey’s opinion of Notre Dame has grown over time. “Not a guy a year ago I
would’ve said I would expect in serious consideration to be in this class, but I think that’s changed,” he said. “He visited unofficially on his own dime, which I think says a lot, and he’s coming back and has Notre Dame in his top five. So, again, it’s changed over the course of when he was offered over a year ago to now, I think there’s legitimate interest and I think Notre Dame likes him as a defensive end.” The second recruit Notre Dame has its eye on this weekend is Gensen Hooper, a class of 2019 wide receiver and a Rivals three-star recruit. While the Irish already have two receivers committed in the class, McKinney said Notre Dame would add a third in a heartbeat if Hooper decided he wanted to join the class, as “Chip Long specifically sees him as a guy who could be kind of the gamechanger” for Notre Dame. “Notre Dame likes him because he’s 205-pounds and he’s got some speed and Chip Long likes that,” McKinney said. “ … Obviously, the class is getting close to filling up with 18 guys in it now, but this is the guy that Chip Long really likes and they will take him, I’m pretty sure no matter what, from what I’ve been told by people who would know.” McKinney said Hooper is “not a big talker” in terms of recruitment, which makes his other options difficult to pin down. McKinney said Baylor might be another school on Hooper’s list, but if Hooper’s first official visit with the Irish goes well, McKinney said
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he “could see [Hooper] potentially making a big move here and considering Notre Dame the frontrunner.” This weekend, there will be a number of recruits on campus who have already committed to join the class of 2019, including defensive end Howard Cross, safety Litchfield Ajavon and safety Kyle Hamilton. McKinney noted the main purpose of the visits for them is to help next year’s freshman class build a rapport with one another and get to meet one another face to face. “There are guys from Texas, there are guys from New Jersey, there are guys from California, there are guys from Georgia. They don’t meet,” he said. “A lot of guys haven’t even met each other, let alone spent any time together. They text and they talk on the phone or whatever, but they haven’t gotten any face time. So, I think that’s the biggest thing is just spending time with the rest of the commits.” The biggest thing about this weekend, however, is the opponent. Between their athletic and academic standards, Notre Dame and Stanford (40, 2-0 Pac-12) typically go after many of the same football players, and in the past few years many recruits’ decisions have come down to the two schools. “Stanford’s kind of had Notre Dame’s number in the recruiting department the last couple of years,” McKinney said. “Thomas Booker, a defensive end last year, chose Stanford over Notre Dame. Walter Rouse, an offensive tackle this year, chose Stanford over Notre Dame. Paulson Adebo, who’s one of Stanford’s best defensive players, was committed to Notre Dame in 2016 and now plays a significant role for Stanford. Had two, what you could call, game-winning pass break-ups against Oregon, which obviously hurts. They go back and forth. A lot of guys who are at Notre Dame right now had Stanford offers. Stanford really wanted Kyle Hamilton, who’s in Notre Dame’s class. They really wanted NaNa Osafa-Mensah, who’s in Notre Dame’s class. They really wanted Zeke Correll, who’s in Notre Dame’s class, so they’re battling for guys all the time. “A game like this when both guys are in the top-10 and in the playoff discussion, I think whoever wins this game will resonate with guys like that for a while.” Contact Elizabeth Greason at egreason@nd.edu
Irish won’t make playoff without win Tobias Hoonhout Managing Editor
Three years ago, Notre Dame played Stanford with a chance at the Playoff hanging in the balance. The Irish had already lost to Clemson earlier in the year, but still had a shot, albeit an outside one, at making the final four with a win in Palo Alto. With 30 seconds left in the game, Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer scored on a bootleg rollout to give Notre Dame the lead, and suddenly it seemed like the Irish would be able to defend the Legends Trophy and maybe sneak into the Playoff. But I don’t need to recount how the rest of that game, or that season, turned out. The point is, David Shaw and the Cardinal have had the number of Brian Kelly’s program, and that matters this coming Saturday. No, it’s not at the end of the year, and no, it’s not on the road. But after last week, this matchup definitely has the same Playoff implications. While the preseason schedule for Notre Dame often looks tougher than it pans out, this year there seems to be the opposite. Other than Stanford, the only other team currently undefeated on Notre Dame’s schedule is Syracuse, and that start looks to be in danger with the Orange traveling to play No. 3 Clemson this week. Traditional powerhouses USC and Florida State both sit at 2-2 and have looked unconvincing, and Virginia Tech, a team that many circled on the Irish schedule as a potential Playoff deal-breaker, is in shambles after a shock loss to Old Dominion last weekend. What does this all mean? Well, it’s looking increasingly likely that the Irish will have to win out in order to have a legitimate shot at the Playoff. Like 2015, some things will have to fall into place besides an Irish win to give Notre Dame a berth. While it’s still relatively early in the season, there are teams with tougher schedules ahead of Notre Dame that will have to lose for any sort of upward momentum. But these things do happen. Georgia and Alabama both have to go to Death Valley and play LSU. Oklahoma has a number of games that don’t look to be shoe-ins, particularly taking into account the scare against Army last weekend. And Ohio State faces Michigan — a team the Irish beat — in the Big House to close out the
year. It’s highly unlikely that all of these teams run the gauntlet unscathed. Plus, we can factor in the entirely different beasts that are conference championships. There are certainly people that support the conference championship as another game against a quality opponent to boost the resume, seemingly putting Notre Dame at a disadvantage. But I disagree. In this case, the Irish independent status has a huge impact. Notre Dame’s scheduling capabilities means that every year the Irish likely play at least one team which plays for a conference championship. This year, it could be three — Michigan and Stanford still control their own conference destiny, and Virginia Tech still could theoretically play Clemson for the ACC title. If Notre Dame has a win over a Power Six conference champion, it makes the resume look that much better. That’s why Stanford has serious implications. Because the schedule doesn’t look like people thought it would, it seems reasonable to assume that the Irish need to run the table and go undefeated, especially with the chances of marquee wins shrinking as the season goes on. There’s no margin of error this time around — against Stanford, it’s win or go home. I wrote a column earlier this year stating that for Notre Dame to be a serious contender, a quality win on the road is a must. But now, even that seems to be no guarantee. The Irish don’t look to have the opportunity to make that kind of statement; instead, what’s on deck is a storied rival coming to South Bend for the first top-10 matchup at Notre Dame since 2005. It’s also a chance for Brian Kelly to make a statement against the one coach who has had his way since Kelly’s tenure began. David Shaw has proven repeatedly that he knows how to coach against the Irish, and he has the record to prove it. After losing for the past three years, Notre Dame finally seems to have the chance to get the monkey off the back. The Irish are still a long way from the promised land. But without a win against Stanford, they won’t even have a ticket. Contact Tobias Hoonhout at thoonhou@nd.edu The opinions in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.