(Photo: Chad Ryan/Fighting Irish Preview)
First and Fitzharris: A Weekly Look at Notre Dame Football
Notre Dame football is back — and I speak for everyone when I say thank GOODNESS, especially with how last season ended. I might not be able to forget it (even though I desperately wish to), but Coach Freeman and his team must put it behind them.
Unlike last season, the Irish opened with a victory, beating Wisconsin 41-13 at Lambeau Field and moving to 13-0 all-time in the Shamrock Series. Despite the lopsided scoreline, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows — or cheese and beer, as my fellow Wisconsinites would say.
Notre Dame struggled offensively in the first half and led just 13-10. But that changed after halftime, especially in the run game.
“I thought the coaches made some really good adjustments for the run game and our backs were hitting holes,” Marcus Freeman said. “And we challenged them a little bit at halftime.”
Perhaps the most encouraging development was Notre Dame’s new-look backfield. Aneyas Williams ran for 90 yards and two touchdowns, both in the second half. The Irish have some big shoes to fill after losing Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price to the NFL, but Williams won’t have to do it alone. Nolan James Jr. and Kedren Young will also be part of the equation.
“I don’t expect to replace J Love and JD with just one or two guys,” Freeman said. “It’s going to be a committee.”
The 13-10 halftime score certainly wasn’t what Irish fans — including myself — expected. But the second half looked much more like the Notre Dame team we had been hearing about all offseason. The Irish took control and never gave it back, turning a three-point halftime lead into a 28-point victory.
Unfortunately, Notre Dame didn’t leave Lambeau completely healthy.
Starting safety Brauntae Johnson and defensive lineman Jason Onye will miss multiple weeks. Johnson is dealing with a left foot injury, while Onye has a left ankle injury. The good news is that both are expected to return this season.
Luke Talich will take on a bigger role at safety, and true freshman Joey O’Brien could also see more playing time.
I may eat my words for this, but the Irish have some time to get Johnson and Onye healthy. Notre Dame’s first “tough” game — and I can’t emphasize those quotation marks enough — isn’t until October 17 in Provo against No. 15 BYU.
For now, Notre Dame’s attention turns to Rice.
The Owls are 1-0 after beating Houston Christian 31-3, and they will give Notre Dame something very different to prepare for. Rice ran for 465 yards in its opener behind a unique option offense led by quarterback Jacurri Brown.
Notre Dame is bigger, faster and more talented, but defending this offense will require discipline and assignment football.
As many of you know, I already predicted this game in my opening article, when I went Game-By-Game to 12-0 for the Irish this season.
Nothing I saw at Lambeau changed my mind.
Notre Dame is 1-0. Now it’s time to come home and make it 2-0.