Print Edition of The Observer for Friday, October 22, 2021

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MAGGIE KLAERS | PHOTOs BY erin fennessy

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INSidER

The observer | friday, OCTOBER 22, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

HEAD-TO-HEAD

7:30 p.m. ET notre dame stadium on nbc

notre dame

(Sr.) Braden

USC

Lenzy

0

(Fr.) Lorenzo Styles Jr. 21

(Gr.) Avery

Davis

(Jr.) Lawrence Keys III

(Jr.) Kyren Williams 23 (So.) Chris Tyree 25

3 13

(Fr.) Micahel Carmody 68

RB

(So.) Tosh Baker 79

(Sr.) Zeke Correll 52 (Fr.) Rocco Spindler 50

(Gr.) Jack Coan 17

(So.) Drew Pyne 10

QB

(Sr.) Jarrett Patterson 55

(So.) Andrew Kristofic 73

(Gr.) Cain Madden 62 (Sr.) John Dirksen 56

(Gr.) Josh Lugg 75 (Sr.) Tosh Baker

79

(So.) Michael Mayer 87 (Fr.) George Takacs 85

(Gr.) Kevin

Austin Jr.

(So.) Clarence Lewis 6

(Sr.) TaRiq Bracy 28

(Jr.) Jack Kiser 24 (Gr.) Isaiah Pryor 10

(Sr.) Houston Griffith 3

(Jr.) KJ Wallace 16

SS

4

(Jr.) Joe Wilkins Jr. 18

WR WR LT LG C RG RT TE WR

CB

(Jr.) Kyle Hamilton 14 (Jr.) DJ Brown 12

(So.) Riley Mills 99

(Gr.) Kurt Hinish 41 (Jr.) Howard Cross III 56

(Jr.) Isaiah Foskey 7

FS

(Sr.) Justin Ademilola 19

(Jr.) JD Bertrand

27

(Fr.) Prince Kollie 35

(So.) Ramon Henderson 11

(Gr.) Jonathan Doerer 39 (Jr.) Jay

Bramblett

(Sr.) Matt

Salerno

Notre Dame Passing Neither Notre Dame’s passing offense or USC’s secondary have found much of a groove this season. Notre Dame has struggled due to their young offensive line, which has failed to protect Jack Coan or whoever has played at quarterback for the Irish. USC’s secondary, however, has been atrocious, as they allowed over 300 passing yards in their loss to Utah last week.

Notre Dame’s pass protection has looked much improved as of late and with tight end Michael Mayer expected to return alongside playmakers Kevin Austin, Avery Davis and Braden Lenzy, the Irish should be able to take advantage of a weak USC secondary.

EDGE: Notre Dame Notre Dame Rushing Chris Tyree and Kyren Williams were banged around a bit against Virginia Tech two weeks ago.

While that should put stress on the Irish run game, freshman running back Logan Diggs proved there was no need to worry, and there won’t be a reason for a good while.

The one threat to the run game will be outside linebacker Drake Johnson, but without the USC defensive line on his level, he will be the main focus for the O-line. If

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PK P PR

Tommy Rees is faced with one of the toughest challenges early on in his coaching career as he is forced to be ready to call plays for three different quarterbacks at any given time in a game. It has worked to a degree thus far, but it is clearly not sustainable and a decision on a QB1 needs to be made quickly.

Once this decision is made Rees will be able to open up his offense, tailoring it more towards one quarterback as opposed to three.

The Irish wont be up against a stellar defense, as the Trojans give up an average of 27.3 points per game but the Irish will need to get their ducks in a row if they wish to have an advantage here.

EDGE: USC Notre Dame Offensive Special Teams John Doerer and Jay Bramblett have been on the top of their game this entire season. In the middle of a game Doerer hasn’t been perfect

Nick Figueroa (R-Sr.)

50

00 Korey Foreman (Fr.)

Tuli Tuipulotu (So.)

49

DE DT NG DE

CB

44 Tuasivi Nomura (R-So.)

Jamar Sekona (Fr.)

Greg Johnson (R-Sr.)

1

27 Calen Bullock (Fr.)

OLB CB

99

7

Chase Williams (R-Jr.)

30 Chris Thompson Jr. (So.)

Drake Jackson (Jr.)

31 Hunter Echols (R-Sr.)

Chris Steele (Jr.)

8

14 Jayden Williams (Jr.)

WR Drake London WR Tahj Washington RT Jonah Monheim RG Liam Jimmons C Brett Neilon LG Andrew Vorhees LT Courtland Ford TE Erik Krommenhoek WR Michael Trigg (Jr.)

(R-So.)

79

(R-Fr.)

70 Jalen McKenzie (R-Sr.)

71

62

78 Andrew Milek (R-Fr.)

QB

(R-Sr.)

72 74

1 Gary Bryant Jr. (So.)

9

Kedon Slovis (Jr.)

(R-Fr.)

(R-Sr.)

(Fr.)

1

Gary Bryant Jr. (So.)

59

Damon Johnson (R-Sr.)

EDGE: Notre Dame USC Passing USC quarterback Kedon Slovis has failed to live up to high expectations set for him this season, as he has five interceptions on the year and has taken seven sacks. That being said, Slovis does have the talent to exploit the Notre Dame defense, as he almost led the Trojans to victory at Notre Dame Stadium two years ago. Slovis will be reliant on wide receiver Drake London to have a big game with London having been his top target on the year with already over 800 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Slovis and London will look to exploit a Notre Dame secondary that has shown some weak spots in corners Clarence Lewis and Cam Hart so far this season. Despite the Trojans’ struggle throwing the ball, Slovis and London have too much talent

Keaontay Ingram (Sr.)

6 Vavae Malepeai (R-Sr.)

2 Jaxson Dart (Fr.)

Ben Griffiths (R-Jr.)

but no one is perfect. In every clutch moment, though, he’s been there.

He was there to close out FSU, there time and again against Wisco, and against VT, he came in clutch yet again. Bramblett has been on his game too. The pair can only do so much as the offense and the defense have to do something with it but they definitely have not been a disappointment.

28

(R-Sr.)

57 Justin Dedich (R-Jr.)

24

RB

(R-Sr.)

68 Liam Douglass (R-Jr.)

H KR LS

Kana’i Mauga (Sr.)

26

Stanley Ta’uf’ou (R-So.) 77

47

8

H KR LS

Mac SS

97 Jacob Lichtenstein (R-Jr.)

18 Jude Wolfe (R-So.)

(Jr.) Michael Vinson 65

Notre Dame Offensive Coaching

Ralen Goforth (Jr.)

84

(So.) Chris Tyree 25

EDGE: Notre Dame

Isaiah Pola-Mao (R-Sr.)

29 Xavion Alford (R-Fr.)

18 Scott Raymond (R-Jr.)

76 Mason Murphy (Fr.)

(Jr.) Jay Bramblett 19

Tyler Buchner steps onto the field, there will be some opportunities for him to take off as well, especially with Williams’s blocking capabilities, there’ll even be space for designed runs.

10

81 Kyle Ford (R-So.)

Buck

(Jr.) Cam Hart 5

Rover

21

16

(Sr.) Jayson Ademilola 95 (Jr.) Bo Bauer 52

FS

21 K.D. Nixon (Gr.)

(Jr.) NaNa Osafo-Mensah 31

Mike

DE DT NT NB

Issac Taylor-Stuart (R-Jr.)

6

23 Joshua JacksonJr. (Fr.)

15

Rover

(Gr.) Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa 95

(Sr.) Drew White 40

CB

for the Irish secondary to successfully limit their production.

EDGE: USC USC Rushing USC has not been able to rely on their rushing this season, by any means. Their offense has been pass-heavy. Out of this season’s six games thus far, three of them have had less than 100 yards rushing for the Trojans. In only one game they’ve had more than 200 yards rushing, in another two they’ve broken 100 yards. Against Stanford, they ran for 185 yards and still couldn’t come away with the win so even with the run game present, it has limited points to show for it. The Irish defense, if capable of anything, is significantly strong at stopping the run game.

Especially with Hinish back at nose guard, and the productive success Notre Dame has seen from Drew White and J.D. Bertrand, the Irish should be able to shut the Trojans down.

EDGE: Notre Dame USC Offensive Coaching Graham Harrell has been an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the collegiate level for six seasons now, and his results are middling. He turned a North

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48

48

Parker Lewis (So.)

Parker Lewis (So.) 1

Gary Bryant Jr. (So.)

Texas offense ranked 99th his first year in points per game into a top30 unit, but he’s somewhat underwhelmed with better talent since being at USC. The Trojans ranked 33rd and 37th in points per game in his first two seasons, and this year, with arguably the best receiver in the nation and a quarterback that has received Heisman hype for two seasons now, USC has produced exceptionally inconsistent results. Outside of feeding Drake London the ball as frequently as possible, Harrell hasn’t really figured out how to move the ball and his offense has struggled in the red zone, when London isn’t as much of a big-play threat.

Harrell is a bit of a one-dimensional threat, and if there’s anything he shouldn’t do against Marcus Freeman, it’s be predictable. Freeman has been rocksolid in the past five games after a shaky opener with Florida State.

Cincinnati’s 24 points are the most his unit has given up. If Freeman limits London, then Harrell is going to be at a loss in this matchup.

EDGE: Notre Dame USC Offensive Special Teams Parker Lewis has been a bright see H2H PAGE 4

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Column

Moller: Irish gains ground on powerhouses

By NATE MOLLER Sports Writer

The state of Notre Dame football has been great over the last five years. Since 2017, the Irish boast an outstanding 48-9 record, and they have recorded at least ten wins every year. Despite being great, the Irish have not been able to propel themselves to the elite level. One of the major reasons for this is the gap in recruiting between Notre Dame and powerhouses such as Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Ohio State.

As the 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes are starting to take shape for the Irish, though, it appears that Notre Dame might be on the fringe of competing with some of these schools in terms of recruiting.

The Irish already have commitments from 15 four star recruits in the class of 2022, putting them as the fourth best recruiting class so far, behind Penn State, Alabama, Georgia and Texas according to 247Sports. The traditional powerhouses are not doing significantly better than the Irish with Alabama having commitments from 2 five stars and 11 four stars, Georgia with 1 five star and 11 four star commitment, Ohio State with 1 five star and 13 four star commitments and Clemson with 2 five stars and 9 four star commitments. Although it is worrisome that the Irish have not landed a five star recruit yet, they remain on pace with these teams in terms of quality talent and depth, which should pay dividends as these

players mature throughout their time in college.

Just by comparing Notre Dame’s class of 2022 to previous classes, it is apparent that the Irish have never recruited like this before. In its 2020 and 2021 recruiting classes, for example, the Irish had a combined 20 four star recruits and just one-five star recruit (running back Chris Tyree) over that two year period.

The pure volume of quality talent the Irish have coming their way in 2022 should set them up for future success.

Of the recruits that Notre Dame has landed so far in 2022, they have a good variety of skill positions on defense and offense, which should pay off for them as well.

One of the headlines of the 2022 class is linebacker Jaylen Sneed, who has reminded many of former Irish linebacker and NFL star Jaylon Smith for his physicality and speed.

Clint Brewster of 247Sports discussed Sneed’s talents.

“Sneed is a rocked-up outside linebacker/edge player with long arms and a good looking frame,” Brewster said. “Sneed possesses great play-strength and knock back tackling power. He’s got raw physical tools with upside potential as a defensive prospect.”

Joining Sneed at linebacker in the 2022 class are four star recruits Niuafe Tuihalamaka and Joshua Burnham, which should provide a lot of depth for the Irish going forward at one of the most important positions on the defensive side of

the football.

This boost in recruiting can likely be attributed to new Irish defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman, who has been pulling in recruits from all over the country.

If Freeman can continue to recruit from high schools and areas that the Irish have previously not been able to recruit from, the Irish should be getting talent like they have never seen before.

On the defensive side of the football in 2023, the Irish have already landed commitments from a handful of top recruits, which can likely be attributed to Freeman’s presence. Some of these names include five star defensive lineman Brenan Vernon, four star edge rusher Keon Keeley and four star safety Adon Schuler.

Arguably the most exciting aspect of the 2022 class is on the offensive side of the ball with the talent the Irish are receiving at the wide receiver position. Four star recruits C.J. Williams and Tobias Merriweather rank 12th and 19th, respectively, at the wide receiver position per 247Sports. The wide receiver position has been an area of concern for the Irish in terms of depth as of late, but the recruitment of these two top wide receivers shows that the Irish might be able to attract some of the nation’s top talent at the position going forward.

Looking ahead to the class of 2023, the Irish will hope to get a commitment from wide receiver Carnell Tate. The Chicago native is the ninth best wide receiver in his class, and he will likely choose

RYAN VIGILANTE | The Observer

Irish freshman quarterback Tyler Buchner evades a defender during Notre Dame’s 32-29 win over Virgina Tech at Lane Stadium on Oct. 9.

either Ohio State or Notre Dame.

If the Irish can pick up Tate, then it is evident that recruiting is at an all time high at Notre Dame.

It is apparent that Notre Dame recruiting is headed in the right direction with Marcus Freeman racking up recruits on defense and with a talented group of wide receivers coming to play for the Irish as well. The only way that Notre Dame is going to have a chance to compete against the likes of

Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson and Georgia is if they can establish themselves in the recruiting game. While there is no doubt still a long way to go, the program that head coach Brian Kelly has built at Notre Dame has set the framework for success in the future, and it appears that Notre Dame is headed in the right direction.

Contact Nate Moller at nmoller2@nd.edu

USC

USC looks to salvage season with upset at ND

By AIDAN THOMAS Sports Writer

In rivalr y games, records are throw n out. And while Notre Dame has had the recent edge over USC, their rivals are not to be taken lightly, despite an odd and under whelming start to their season. The Trojans are 3-3 w ith no game hav ing been closer than 14 points.

They are also 2-0 on the road and 1-3 on their home turf.

The Obser ver sat dow n w ith Nathan Ackerman of Annenberg Media Sports, USC’s student-run newspaper, to discuss the upcoming rivalr y clash, to take place Saturday, October 23.

“Inconsistency is the biggest thing. Coming into the year, people could have conceivably seen them w inning 11 games this season,” Ackerman said of the preseason expectations for USC. Yet, USC, after a solid opening performance against defending Mountain West champions San Jose

State, dropped a home clash to Stanford, 42-28.

“W hen they lost that Stanford game, people became apathetic — there were expectations but we knew Clay Helton wasn’t good.

And people just reached a breaking point,” Ackerman said. “Losing at home by 14, 18 [to Oregon State] and 16 [to Utah] doesn’t help.”

No doubt, USC has been a mess at times, but the offense has remained prett y solid, scoring at least 26 points in ever y game and delivering 45-14 and 37-14 beatdow ns of Washington State and Colorado, respectively. The defense has been the X-factor, as USC has given up 42, 42 and 45 points in their three losses, getting particularly gashed by the run game.

At 3-3, USC is in a bad position w ith a trick y schedule left to nav igate.

“The season is prett y much lost if I’m being honest,” Ackerman noted. “After the Stanford loss, they could

have still won the Pac-12 and go to the Rose Bowl — theoretically you could even contend for the Playoff … but when you lose t wo more — you’re not even going to w in the Pac-12 and you might not even go bowling.”

That makes USC almost a more dangerous opponent.

The Trojans have next to no expectations, meaning one of the biggest prizes left in their season would be snapping a three-game losing streak in this rivalr y series w ith Notre Dame. A team w ith little to lose and the talent that USC boasts, particularly on offense. Kedon Slov is, before an underwhelming start to 2021, was considered a potential top10 draft pick at quarterback.

And while Slov is hasn’t been fantastic — receiver Drake London has been about ever y thing the Trojans could ask for, and the main reason for their offense’s continued potency amidst a poor season. Averaging over 138 receiv ing yards per game plus

five touchdow ns on the season, London has been v irtually impossible to stop.

“Nobody can stop Drake London. It’s what the other receivers can do and what the running game can do is always a question mark, but nobody can stop that guy,” Ackerman said when asked about USC’s offensive keys.

“Notre Dame is probably best in realizing they won’t stop him, but just tr y to limit him and contain ever yone else. That’s worked for other teams.”

However, London is not enough, Ackerman noted — stating that others would need to step up, particularly in the red zone, in order for USC to reach their offensive potential. After the Irish surrendered 38 points in their season opener, they haven’t allowed more than 24 points as a defense — t wo teams notched 29 points but scored on pick-sixes. If the Irish can keep London to around his season averages or slightly below

and minimize contributions from elsewhere on the USC roster, they have a solid chance of holding the Trojans under that 26-point threshold they’ve crossed in ever y contest.

However, there is some uncertaint y regarding the USC offense. Reminiscent of 2019, when true freshman Kedon Slov is came in and nearly stunned Notre Dame at home, after starting the year as a back-up, the Trojans boast another talented freshman quarterback. Ja xson Dart has been injured since he put together an outstanding effort against Washington State.

In his only extended action of the year, Dart went 30-46 for 391 yards and four touchdow ns. The injur y has made Slov is the only truly v iable option, but w ith Dart doing well in his recover y, he could be ready to play against the Irish. And according to Ackerman, in a v irtually lost see USC PAGE 5

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spot for USC, going 17-17 on extra points and 10-11 on field goals, so the Trojans’ red zone struggles have been somewhat overlooked.

Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s kick coverage has been solid but nothing spectacular. USC is solid enough to maintain an advantage in this area, but they’ll hope not to have to utilize it, as too many field goals means more fruitless trips inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.

EDGE: USC USC SCHEDULE (3-3) Sept. 4 San Jose State (W 30-7) Sept. 11 Stanford (L 28-42) Sept. 18 @ Washington State

(W 45-14) Sept. 25 Oregon State (L 27-45) Oct. 2 @ Colorado (W 37-14) Oct. 9 Utah (L 26-42) Oct. 23 Notre Dame Oct. 30 Arizona Nov. 6 @Arizona State Nov. 13 @California Nov. 20 UCLA

IRISH SCHEDULE (5-1) Sept. 5@Florida State (W 41-38) Sept. 11 Toledo (W 32-29) Sept. 18 Purdue (W 27-13) Sept. 25 Wisconsin (W 41-13) Oct. 2 Cincinatti (L 13-24) Oct. 9 @ Virginia Tech (W 32-29) Oct. 23 USC Oct. 30 North Carolina Nov. 6 Navy Nov. 13 @ Virginia Nov. 20 Georgia Tech Nov. 27 @Stanford

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USC Continued from page 3

season, there’s little reason not to start him over Slov is.

“It’s clear that Slov is’s freshman season was probably his ceiling. He’s regressed to the mean a little bit. I never really thought he was the problem — his f loor wasn’t that bad,” Ackerman said. “He’s not the issue, but he’s definitely not the solution. You get what you’re gonna get from him.

He’s going to be fine — the

ndsmcobserver.com | friday, OCTOBER 22, 2021 | The Observer

decision-making isn’t always great, and the pocket awareness is something I’ve had issues w ith, but he’s going to have his moments.”

Certainly, for a program searching for answers after firing their head coach earlier in the season, starting the younger quarterback w ith two years left w ith the program seems logical. And if the ultra-talented — but raw — Dart enters the game, then Irish defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman w ill have to deal w ith some major

unknow ns. However, the approach may not change, Ackerman says, as success against USC’s offense centers around one major facet: “If they can get pressure on Kedon Slov is — or whoever is at quarterback, they’re going to have a prett y easy time. W hen you don’t have much time, Drake London can only do so much.”

However, even if the Irish don’t necessarily stif le the Trojans offensively, USC’s defense does not stack up well against Notre Dame.

The Irish finally looked like a team that could run the ball against Virginia Tech, and that doesn’t bode well for USC’s ailing run defense.

“I mean if running it up the middle 100 times is a strateg y, then that’s the way to beat [USC]. They haven’t been able to scheme opponents away from that, and then Notre Dame can attack the secondar y which hasn’t been great at times either,” Ackerman said. “If [USC] can’t stop that … I could see Notre Dame putting up 50.

5

If they can do those things effectively, it’s not going to be that competitive.”

USC enters this game much like a wounded animal — and whether they simply lay dow n and take another bloody beating is yet to be seen. But Notre Dame must be ready for one final desperate lunge from the Trojans, as they tr y to salvage pieces of a once-promising season.

Contact Aidan Thomas at athoma28@nd.edu

Small

Kevin Austin Jr. solidifies position as playmaker

By EMILY DeFAZIO Associate Sports Editor

ERIN FENNESSY | The Observer

Irish senior wide reciever Kevin Austin Jr. celeberates after a touchdown during Notre Dame’s 41-13 win over Wisconsin Sept. 25.

Senior w ide receiver Kev in Austin Jr. has had an explosive start to the season. In the season opener at Florida State, Austin notched a career-high of 91 yards in four catches. That same game, he scored his first touchdow n in the third quarter, demonstrating that he could be an invaluable force on the field for the Irish.

And he has proven to be so. Austin has become a goto receiver for whichever quarterback is at the helm, consistently facilitating key plays in the Irish’s road to v ictor y. To date this season, Austin boasts 18 receptions, three touchdow ns and 317 yards to his name. Most recently against Virginia Tech, the receiver was instrumental in securing the comeback road w in. Freshman quarterback Tyler Buchner completed a 46-yard pass to Austin, setting the team up at the 4-yard line for their first touchdow n of the night.

Austin later soared into the

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endzone for a t wo-point conversion that would tie the score 29-29 and ultimately springboard the Irish towards the w in. Austin spoke about his role in this 2021 offense, and what it means for him going for ward.

“I’m always tr y ing to be the guy to go in and tr y to make plays happen,” he said.

Being a force in an inconsistent offense is perhaps Austin’s greatest strength in his role, as well as for all receivers. Most notably in the Shamrock Series against Wisconsin, when the quarterback shifted constantly, he focused on the trust shared among the team that kept the game mov ing for ward.

“It was the same t y pe of conversations that we’ve had,” he said. “Just trust.

Trust your bros, trust me, trust all the receivers on the team and that we’re going to make the play and come dow n w ith the ball.”

Though the team has been dubbed a “work in progress,” Austin noted the determined mindset that keeps him and

his teammates going tirelessly. According to the receiver, Kelly has been pushing his players to step up each day to be “that team of being physical, and fast, and tough and mentally strong,” and it prov ides motivation to continue to progress. W hether it be in blasting opponent fight songs in practice, to rebounding after an incomplete play, the notion is always the same: Keep mov ing for ward and keep getting better.

“We’re non-stop. We’re gonna continue to grind.

We’re gonna continue to fight,” Austin said. “We’re gonna continue no matter what quarter it is, what dow n it is, no matter how bad we’re dow n or whatever the case may be. We’re gonna continue to just keep driv ing and keep fighting to get to our goal.”

Austin himself is thankful to play the part he does in this process. Being a playmaker on the field, he is able to aid his team and contribute to the v ictor y, a task he does not take lightly. After being sidelined w ith an injur y for a decent part of last year, he is not taking any moment for granted in this new season. He thinks he has taken a large step forward w ith respect to how much he can contribute, and looks for ward to continuing to prove himself as the season progresses.

“Obv iously the ultimate goal is helping my team w in, and being able to be a part of that,” he said. I just feel great being out here, great competing w ith all my brothers.”

Contact Emily Defazio at edefazio@nd.edu

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Predictions

Staff predictions: USC Trojans 2021 anticipate this one being a close game, but the home atmosphere at Notre Dame Stadium will prevent the Trojans from pulling off the upset.

Notre Dame 38, USC 34 Jimmy Ward — Associate Sports Editor I have a bad feeling about this game. A majority of the student body will likely be away from campus on Gameday still enjoying their Fall Break and USC will be coming into Notre Dame hungry to take advantage of a team that has just had a 26-game home win streak snapped. USC isn’t looking stellar right now, but I believe that they have a chance to pull off the upset in this one. Notre Dame drops another game at home, this time under the lights.

Notre Dame 21, USC 28 RYAN VIGILANTE | The Observer

Irish graduate student kicker Jonathan Doerer boots through the game-winning field goal during Notre Dame’s 32-29 victory over the Virgina Tech Hokies in Lane Stadium on Oct. 9 in Blacksburg, Virgina.

By COLIN CAPECE, MANNION McGINLEY, JIMMY WARD, EMILY DeFAZIO, AIDAN THOMAS, and NATE MOLLER

Notre Dame is rested after a bye week, but so is USC, and the Irish are play ing at home for the first time since they lost their 26-game w inning streak at Notre Dame Stadium. Can Notre Dame topple the Trojans in this rivalr y clash? The Obser ver Staff makes their picks.

Mannion McGinley Sports Editor

—

While I usually break down some of the opponent’s strengths, USC has proven to be nothing but a wild card this year after their starting QB was injured so they had a bit of a quarterback competition until that QB got injured so now we are back to the first starter, they are 1-3 at home but much more successful away. None of it makes any sense but then again, neither does anything in college football this year. So. This week’s prediction is all about the mental game.

The Irish need their home game mojo back. After almost three full weeks away from Notre Dame Stadium, the USC game is the time and place to reclaim it. And, as my roommate says (totally un-researched except through personal opinion entirely) “they play better at night.” While that may be true (and there are hundreds if not thousands of games to compare and analyze) that doesn’t negate the fact that, despite Ted Lasso’s hopes, humans are not goldfish.

The Irish have to appropriately use the momentum from a win in Blacksburg and shed the energy that Cincinnati fans brought to the House that

Rockne Built. USC fans are known to bring a competitive atmosphere to Notre Dame Stadium but Irish fan energy should be through the roof though coming off a restful fall break, especially considering the fact that it’s a night game and arguably the most consistently played Irish rivalry as of late. I expect Nov. 7, Clemson game energy and with the focus from the team, especially from the defense and from the pocket, to be at an all-time high.

With all of those pieces in place and the wobbly stance, USC has the Irish will come away with this one.

Notre Dame 28, USC 17 Aidan Thomas — Sports Writer After another game day and another heart attack related to Notre Dame Football, the Irish enter a bye week at 5-1 with an eye on their upcoming rivalry game against USC. Their backto-back primetime clashes with the Trojans and then UNC look far less formidable, with both preseason top-15 teams having fallen outside the rankings. USC is a weird game – before the season, it was the one game I picked Notre Dame to lose. I still think 11-1 is realistic, but USC has been dynamite on the road this season, despite a 1-3 record at home. USC has been far less lethal than expected on the offensive side of the ball, with Kedon Slovis underwhelming.

For the Irish, the defensive key is shutting down Drake London.

Meanwhile, the offensive line has to find a way to contain jackof-all-trades linebacker Drake London and get the run game going. USC is giving up 148 rush yards per game and have allowed a 100-yard rusher in each of their three losses. Kyren

Williams – complemented by Chris Tyree and Logan Diggs – need to get going and find holes created by an improving offensive line. If they do that, it’ll take pressure off the messy quarterback situation. It’s a rivalry clash, so throw records out the windows, but I’ll take the Irish in a tight one.

Notre Dame 31 USC 30 Nathaniel Moller — Sports Writer Watching last weekend’s game from the pressbox in Blacksburg was a roller coaster ride, and that seems to be the trend with this year’s team. I’d love to see the Irish come out firing on all cylinders and blow out the Trojans in this one, but I don’t see that happening. Despite their 3-3 record this season, the Trojans still possess a multitude of playmakers on offense.

Quarterback Kedon Slovis has been underwhelming so far this season, but he has the talent to tear apart any defense in the country if he limits the number of interceptions that he throws.

He will likely look to wide receiver Drake London, who has been terrific for the Trojans this season with already 800 receiving yards. London should have a favorable matchup against a Notre Dame secondary that has had some issues limiting big plays this season. On the other side of the ball, the Irish offense should have an edge against a Trojan defense that has given up over 40 points in three separate games this season. I expect the Irish to establish a run game early and open up the passing game as the game progresses.

Against a sub-par defensive line, the offensive line should be able to provide Jack Coan protection, allowing him to be quarterback for the Irish all game. I

Colin Capece — Assistant Managing Editor I really don’t have a great feeling about this game for the Irish despite coming off a bye week, especially after watching how the coaching staff handled the Virginia Tech game. I could have told you that Jack Coan wasn’t going to last long when he came trotting onto the field to start the game. Despite a complete lack of mobility coupled with slow decision making, a lethal combination for a quarterback according to just about anyone, Brian Kelly doubled down on his pivotal mistake against Cincinnati. Tyler Buchner gave the team a spark, but he showed his inexperience in the fourth quarter with a pair of costly interceptions that almost sunk the Irish for the second week in a row.

There is zero continuity with

the Notre Dame offense right now, and Kelly only has himself to blame. The kid from Connecticut is the best quarterback for this team. By default, you know who I’m referring to.

Drew Pyne rode the pine against Virginia Tech for no good reason, and you can be damn sure he’ll do the same against USC with Kelly calling the shots. USC has been a mediocre team at best so far this season, but the Trojans always have this game circled on their schedule and will come in ready following their own bye week. They will play fast on the defensive side and are going to blitz whoever is under center.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the Irish are going to have to establish the run to win this game. If Kyren Williams gets going, this Trojans defense giving up 148 yards per game on the ground is going to have a hard time stopping him. USC Quarterback Kedon Slovis hasn’t played like the Heisman candidate some thought he could be at the start of the season, and with only one real dangerous receiver to throw to in Drake London, the Irish shouldn’t have a hard time keeping him contained. Notre Dame will control the clock for much of this game and make enough stops to start another home winning streak, but I sure wish we’d put the right guy under center for the rest of the season.

Notre Dame 21, USC 13 Contact Colin Capece at ccapece@nd.edu; Mannion McGinley at mmcginl3@ nd.edu; Jimmy Ward at wward@hcc-nd.edu; Emily DeFazio at edefazio@nd.edu; Adian Thomas at athoma28@ nd.edu and Nate Moller at nmoller2@nd.edu

RYAN VIGILANTE | The Observer

Irish graduate student wide reciever Avery Davis runs upfield during Notre Dame’s 32-29 win over Virgina Tech in Lane Stadium on Oct. 9.

insider

ndsmcobserver.com | friday, OCTOBER 22, 2021 | The Observer

7

BIG

Drew White intends to improve through season

By MANNION McGINLEY Sports Editor

Drew White has been on the field for the Irish since 2018.

Back then, he played four games on the season with 2 tackles of his own and 6 assisted. Since then, he’s had only one goal: to improve.

In 2019, White saw all 13 games. 8 total tackles became 80, 48 of them on his own. His career total is currently 171 tackles, 95 on his own and 19 for a loss (TFL) with 3.5 sacks.

None of his stats compare to this year though where, in six games alone, he’s had 27 tackles, 16 of them solos with 2 for a loss. He can expand that tally to include 2 deflected passes and one interception that he was able to take back to the house for a touchdown.

The interception came during Notre Dame’s 41-13 win over Wisconsin.

The numbers shape up to improvement, but despite his individual success, White notes that every guy on the defense, including him, has to really execute. Especially now that he’s a captain, he says they’ve done the work, they just need to get the results.

“We were prepared for everything,” White said about the home loss against Cincinnati, “But at the end of the day, you just got to make plays.”

White said the adjustment from the loss would be within

reach though, as it was an execution issue more than anything else.

“Really, at the end of the day, I think Notre Dame beat Notre Dame, made too many mistakes. Didn’t execute well, that was that.”

Specifically, White said they found themselves caught in the red zone, a space where the defense can usually make the stop and hold a team to a field goal, but Cincinnati was able to convert on their first trip down. In the spirit of improvement though, White highlighted that the second drive they were able to hold the Bearcats better.

“We stopped them to a field goal, the second time. The first time they were down there, we got to be better than that. Held them to third down and then they were able to do a pop pass, which we practiced all week.

We were prepared for and we just got to execute,” White said.

In true captain fashion though, White kept the team focused on their games and goals ahead, letting the Cincinnati game fuel them but not hang over their heads.

“I told the guys it’s the 24hour rule,” White said, “Same as a win. So you know, we’ve had a lot of wins. We celebrate that win for 24 hours, then we’re back into work.

And that’s exactly how we’re gonna handle this loss. For 24 hours these guys are going

ERIN FENNESSY | The Observer

Irish graduate student linebacker Drew White runs with the ball after a turnover during Notre Dame’s 1324 loss to Cincinnati at Notre Dame Stadium on Oct. 2. White recovered the fumble for a 28- yard return.

to be down. We’re going to be watching film, we’re not going to feel good about it. But coming in Monday, and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday, we’re going to be ready. We’re going to prepare, we’re going to be ready for Virginia Tech

ERIN FENNESSY | The Observer

Irish graduate student linebacker Drew White lunges at a field goal attempt during Notre Dame’s 13-24 defeat to Cincinnati at Notre Dame Stadium on Oct. 2. White would record four tackles and one QB hit.

because it’s going to be a good game. And they’re going to try and beat us too. And so we can’t let one game define the rest of our season. We need to continue to battle and come back.”

Cut to a week later on the Virginia Tech field. Come back is exactly what the defense did and White was proud of what they could accomplish. It was a turnaround for the Irish from the week before.

“I thought we prepared really well,” White said. “I think we had a good idea of what kind of game plan they were going on with or going to come in with you know, at some point guys are gonna make plays. Their offensive players, made plays. I thought Burmeister was great.

The way he’s able to use his feet. You know, but I thought the defense played really good.

The best part about it was the reciprocalness of the offense and defense kind of bouncing off of each other is great and it really tells the story of what kind of guys we have.”

One of those guys White says is integral to both the entire team’s success and his own success is fellow graduate student, Kurt Hinish, the Irish’s starting nose guard. Hinish was back for the first time against Virginia Tech after a concussion that took him out before the Wisconsin game.

White was thrilled to have his best friend back.

“It’s amazing. I mean Kurt’s one of my best friends on team I’ve played with the guy for like three years, maybe four years now and just to know that he’s

in front of me taking on double teams, and he ain’t moving so yeah, you were able to see him making TFLs and disrupting the running game. So it’s great.” White said. “It just, it feels better when one of your best friends is lining up right in front of you. Like, just personally. I mean, all of our defensive tackles and nose guards are capable, but having a veteran guy in there, a captain on our team, to just have that look in his eye and have him communicate with us through the line is very useful.”

Now, looking to the rest of the season, White wants to continue to push the team and to execute and that requires being on their A-game.

“We have the mindset to come in and be physical, every game,” White said.

But, he says the work is not over yet either and he intends to take the good and work on the bad.

“We have a lot of things to work on,” White said. “But you can’t sell yourself short for you know what you can accomplish and it’s a W on the schedule.

That’s a lot better than an L so it’s easier to take lessons from the covenant of being positive and bring the extra juice you got to keep keep improving during the season.”

White and the rest of the Irish will take the field against the Trojans this Saturday, Oct. 23 at Notre Dame Stadium with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. The game will be broadcast on NBC. Contact Mannion McGinley at mmcginl3@nd.edu

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MAGGIE KLAERS | PHOTO BY MAX PETROSKY