2019 Notre Dame Football Preview

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Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2019 Notre Dame Football Preview

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BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ✦ 119 BY BRYAN DRISKELL When Notre Dame kicks off its 2019 home schedule, there will be a familiar face on the other sideline. The New Mexico Lo- bos are led by head coach Bob Davie, who served as the head coach at Notre Dame from 1997-2001 and as defensive coordina- tor from 1994-96. After taking over the moribund Lobos in 2012, Davie led them to back-to-back bowl games in 2015 and 2016. New Mexico's nine wins in 2016 were the program's most since 2007, but since then the Lobos are just 6-18. The former Irish head coach is now under fire in Albuquerque. "After back-to-back 3-9 seasons, which included a 30-day suspension last spring [2018], it's logical to think that Davie is on the hot seat," Albuquerque Journal assistant sports editor Steve Virgen explained. "New Mexico athletics director Eddie Nunez did not hire Davie. In fact, one of Nunez's first encounters with Davie was to notify him about the suspension after three investiga- tions led to the ruling that Davie's conduct warranted a 30-day ban. "After another losing season it would seem Nunez would have no choice other than to fire Davie." Athlon Sports, Lindy's Sports and Street & Smith's all predicted the Lobos to finish dead last in the six-team Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference. New Mexico rushed for an average of 293.5 yards per game from 2012-17 while running the triple option, which Davie scrapped in 2018. The Lobos averaged just 153.2 rushing yards per game last season, and Davie once again made a change, bring- ing in former Liberty offensive coordinator Joe Dailey to run the show. "Dailey's offense is based on the spread and [run-pass option]," Virgen said. "… He seems a bit more open to using more option plays. "Dailey is expected to play to the strengths of his athletes, and that will depend on the quarterback who wins the job." Both redshirt sophomore Tevaka Tuioti and senior Sheriron Jones started games un- der center a season ago. Tuioti is expected to win the job, but he has missed 12 games the previous two years. New Mexico gave up 36.2 points per game last season, but first-year defensive coordi- nator Jordan Peterson is expected to bring some excitement to his side of the ball. "The defense showed remarkable im- provement during the spring," Virgen said. "… Peterson has brought in great energy. He was seen celebrating with defensive players after turnovers and he's also known to actu- ally run some of the drills to demonstrate how he wants it done." Reasons For Optimism • Team speed • Offensive line experience • Young coordinators An anonymous Mountain West coach noted in the Athlon Sports College Football Preview that New Mexico is "one of the fastest teams in the country" … The Lobos have four returning starters along the offensive front to build around … Davie put in place a pair of young, energetic coordinators in Joe Dailey (offense) and Jordan Peterson (defense). Reasons For Concern • Massive losses on defense • Quarterback issues • Lack of offensive firepower New Mexico ranked 113th in scoring defense last season, and now it must replace nine starters from that group … Injuries and inconsistency have plagued the quarterback position, and those questions carry over into the fall … Whoever starts at quarterback will have an unproven group of skill players. NEW MEXICO LOBOS GAME 2 • SEPT. 14 • NOTRE DAME STADIUM X-FACTOR: Injuries kept redshirt sophomore quarterback Tevaka Tuioti from putting his talents on full display last season and limited him to three games. If he can stay healthy, he brings the arm strength and running ability to thrive in the New Mexico offense. PHOTO BY ROBERTO E. ROSALES/ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL 2019 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2018 Result Aug. 31 Sam Houston State — Sept. 14 at Notre Dame — Sept. 21 New Mexico State W, 42-25 Sept. 28 at Liberty L, 52-43 Oct. 4 at San Jose State — Oct. 11 Colorado State L, 20-18 Oct. 19 at Wyoming L, 31-3 Oct. 26 Hawai'i — Nov. 2 at Nevada — Nov. 9 Air Force L, 42-24 Nov. 16 at Boise State L, 45-14 Nov. 30 Utah State L, 61-19 QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: First meeting Head Coach: Bob Davie, 33-54 at New Mexico (8th year) and 68- 79 overall (13th year) 2018 Results: 3-9 overall, 1-7 Mountain West (6th) Returning Starters: 9 (7 offense, 2 defense) Prediction: Notre Dame 56, New Mexico 13 RETURNING LEADERS Rushing: QB Sheriron Jones (286 yards, 0 TD) Passing: Jones (1,417 yards, 13 TD) Receiving: WR Elijah Lilly (375 yards, 5 TD) Tackles: LB Brandon Shook (40) Sacks: DE Erin Austin (2.5) Interceptions: CB De'John Rogers (1)

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