Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 12, 2018 11 UNDER THE DOME Two years ago during a 4-8 campaign, the Notre Dame tight end position that had been so produc- tive during head coach Brian Kelly's tenure was AWOL in the pass game, despite the presence of current NFL player Durham Smythe. That year Irish tight ends totaled only 12 catches. The 2017 hiring of offensive coordinator Chip Long — who also is the tight ends coach — has changed that dynamic. The position group, which often em- ploys multiple tight end alignments, snared 45 passes for 476 yards and four touchdowns last year. This sea- son, after only eight games, the tight end quartet of senior Alizé Mack — sidelined at Northwestern (con- cussion) — sophomore Cole Kmet, fifth-year senior Nic Weishar and sophomore Brock Wright combined for 43 catches, 365 receiving yards and four scores. It was on a pace to eclipse the most ever tight end receptions in one season at the school, 66 in 2011 (63 by future first-round pick Tyler Eifert). When asked what made Long an appealing candi- date in 2017, Kelly listed several factors. "The style of offense that I wanted to employ — which included the utilization of tight ends," he replied. "An intuitive play caller. Somebody that could get us to throw the ball at a high percentage completion rate. Those things had avoided us. "Having said all that, you have to have the pieces in place. I thought we had an offensive line and the tight ends in place and the wide receivers. The quarterback position had to continue to develop. Obviously we've struck a pretty good chord there with Ian Book. I think all the pieces are in place." Where Kelly does want to see improvement is getting the tight ends the ball in better space after averaging only 8.5 yards per catch (Smythe's 15 receptions last year averaged 16.3). "One of the frustrations that they all have is they're getting cut tackled," Kelly said. "We have to create situations where we've got to get them stacked with a receiver over the top of them. If you want to come down and cut tackle them, we have an option over the top of them. "… Each one of [the tight ends] is doing all the jobs that are required. "We're able to take the workload off of one particular guy. It's worked out really well for us." Holy Cross Village is a continuing care retirement community, sponsored by the Brothers of Holy Cross, with a tradition of caring, compassion and trust. Holy Cross Village welcomes people of all faiths. 54515 State Rd., 933 North, Notre Dame, IN 46556 www.holycrossvillage.com ... AND ENJOY THE GAME OF LIFE AT HOLY CROSS VILLAGE I magine making new friends and developing new talents, where everything you need to enjoy the game of life is right outside your front door. Nestled among three institutions of higher learning, Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame is a senior living community unlike anything else around. Our warm and inviting community offers: Independent Living Homes and Apartments Assisted Living Apartments Skilled Nursing Memory Care Rehabilitation Services Call (574) 251-2235 today for more information and to schedule a tour. The Tight End Position Is Growing Amidst 'Cuts' Senior Alizé Mack is part of a tight end group that had already accounted for 43 receptions, 365 receiv- ing yards and four touchdowns through eight games. PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL