Play of QBs, rush defense plague Notre Dame
Today, Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis will reportedly name his starting quarterback for this week's game at Penn State.
If this past Saturday is any indication, it might not matter.
All three of Brady Quinn's predecessors had trouble moving a young Fighting Irish offense during a 33-3 loss to Georgia Tech.
Sophomore Evan Sharpley completed 10 of 13 passes but for only 92 yards. He was sacked seven times. Sophomore Demetrius Jones started and threw only three passes, completing one for 4 yards. He ran the ball 12 times for 28 yards to finish as the team's leading rusher. He also lost two fumbles, both in his own territory.
True freshman Jimmy Clausen was 4-of-6 for 34 yards in his anticipated debut but led the Fighting Irish just five yards into Georgia Tech territory in two fourth-quarter drives.
More of a concern for Weis are the game's rushing totals: 265 yards on 43 carries for Georgia Tech, minus-8 yards on 41 carries for Notre Dame. Those numbers will need to be much closer together if the Irish are to beat a balanced Penn State team on Saturday.
Here's a closer look at a Notre Dame team that is a lot different from the one Penn State saw last season in South Bend.
Offense
Gone are Brady Quinn, top receivers Jeff Samardzija and Rhema McKnight and 1,200-yard rusher Darius Walker. Whoever winds up as the full-time starter at quarterback will need some playmakers to emerge.
Tailback Travis Thomas, a starting linebacker last season, had minus-7 net yards on seven attempts against Georgia Tech. Freshman Armando Allen (3 carries, 25 yards) should also see carries Saturday.
In just one season, the Irish receivers have gone from green giants (Jeff Samardzija was 6-foot-5; McKnight 6-2) to leprechauns (new starters George West and David Grimes are 5-8 and 5-10, respectively).
Sophomore Robby Paris is 6-3 and led Notre Dame with three catches for 30 yards last week, and 6-6 tight end John Carlson, who should have Penn State's full attention after a six-catch, 98-yard performance last year, provide some size and balance to the offense.
The offensive line averages 6-5, 295 but has just two returning starters -- senior center John Sullivan and massive sophomore right tackle Sam Young. Weis was, to no one's surprise, critical of this group during his Sunday press conference.
Defense
The strength of this group might be the secondary, led by senior free safety Tom Zbikowski and senior corner Terrail Lambert. But the secondary made way too many tackles Saturday as Yellow Jackets tailback Tashard Choice stormed through the line time and again.
Considering Georgia Tech had an average starting field position of its own 42-yard line, things could have been much worse for the Notre Dame defense.
Linebackers Maurice Crum and Joe Brockington and defensive end Trevor Laws highlight Notre Dame's 3-4 front. Junior David Bruton (9 tackles, six solos Saturday) is a potential star at the other safety spot.
Special teams
Placekicker Brandon Walker, a true freshman, made his only field goal attempt Saturday, a 24-yarder. Senior punter Geoff Price had a mediocre afternoon by his standards (38.3-yard average on seven kicks) but should still be a threat. The dangerous Zbikowski totaled minus-1 yard on his lone punt return of the afternoon.
Skinny
Notre Dame needs to establish identities on both sides of the football -- and fast. The quarterbacks and receivers, though young, are good enough to move the football but will need the running game to pick things up. The defense has a chance to be strong but again, will need to be better against the run. Don't be surprised if Weis gives some younger players opportunities this week.
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