Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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8 SEPT. 30, 2019 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED UNDER THE DOME Avery Davis Can Be A Stop-Gap Measure By Lou Somogyi Notre Dame's running back corps took a couple of hits in early September. First, junior Jafar Armstrong — the starter — tore an abdominal muscle on the opening series of the year at Louisville that required surgery and could sideline him at least until mid-October. Then during the bye week, sophomore Jahmir Smith suffered a "sprained" toe, per head coach Brian Kelly, that could linger. It sidelined him versus New Mexico and had him listed as "doubtful" for Georgia. That left sophomore C'Bo Flemister, freshman Kyren Williams and junior Avery Davis — shifted to cornerback in the spring — vying for snaps behind senior Tony Jones Jr. at running back. Former dual-threat quarterback recruit Davis has the most experience with 22 carries and five catches last year, but there was a reason he was moved to defense through the spring and training camp. Flemister has shown promise in pass protection and runs with authority, but has had problems running behind the backup line. Williams' combination as a runner and receiver definitely would appear to be the pick for the long haul. However, in the short term, Davis has another chance to audition for a run- ning back role not only now but for the rest of his career, because it was not as natural a fit for him on defense (even though the Irish might be short at cornerback next season). His speed could complement both power-oriented backs Jones and Smith, and at least give defenses something to think about on sweeps or short passes. He must literally run with this chance. Kyren Williams Can Be A Young Jafar Armstrong By Bryan Driskell The loss of junior Jafar Armstrong sapped the offense of one of its top weapons. Armstrong was a unique player because he could do damage as a runner just as effectively as he could line up at wide receiver and attack the defense. When Armstrong was in the game he gave of- fensive coordinator Chip Long a versatile weapon to build the offense around. With Armstrong out, Tony Jones Jr. is the top ball carrier, but finding the ideal complement to the senior is important. Junior Avery Davis can provide some of the big- play potential the offense lost when Armstrong went down, especially as a pass catcher and on the perimeter. No other running back has his combina- tion of speed and ball skills. But Davis isn't really a player who can carry the load as a runner, and he's never looked as natural running the ball as a back as he did when he was a prep quarterback. The one player who comes close to Armstrong in terms of combining the ability to run the ball between the tackles with the route running and ball skills to do damage as a wideout is freshman Kyren Williams. He didn't make much impact in the first two games, but if Notre Dame can get him comfortable and carve out a niche for him in the offense, it could have someone capable of providing a similar dual-threat matchup problem against defenses. Williams would also give Notre Dame the ideal complement to Jones, at least until Armstrong returns. Point ✦ Counterpoint: WITH INJURIES AT RUNNING BACK, WHO CAN BEST HELP TONY JONES JR. IN THE SHORT TERM? RB AVERY DAVIS RB KYREN WILLIAMS After 37 years, longtime Notre Dame broad- caster Jack Nolan admits he still looks forward to getting to work every day. Nolan, the talent and af- filiate networks program director for Fighting Irish Media, began covering Notre Dame sports in 1982 as the play-by-play voice of Irish football and bas- ketball for South Bend's local NBC affiliate WNDU. A recipient of three Indiana Associated Press Best Play-by-Play Awards and a multiple-time Emmy Award nominee, he has called Notre Dame men's basketball games on radio and television since 1982, making him one of the longest-tenured college basketball announcers in the country. Nolan took his current job with Notre Dame in 2013, where in addition to his usual game-day du- ties he is the host of the "Brian Kelly Show" and "Inside Notre Dame Basketball." Nolan was hired last year as a sideline reporter for JMI Sports, the official radio network of Fighting Irish football. BGI: How would you describe the work you do? Nolan: "Don't tell Notre Dame this — I would pay them to announce games. And I think what really makes this enjoyable, every time you do a game it's like taking an exam. "You have to study and then you have to dis- play your knowledge, give your answers. I am emotionally invested. It's not just wanting to do a good job with the broadcast." BGI: What kind of allegiance have you built with the school after covering Notre Dame for so long? Nolan: "I actually care about the outcome of the games — and I'm allowed to care. I'm the Notre Dame announcer. I like to say I'm subjectively objective. But I'm still going to tell you the truth. "If Notre Dame doesn't play well, I'm going to say that. I'm not going to make things up about what a wonderful performance Notre Dame has in a game that they lost and played poorly in." BGI: How have you seen student-athletes change during your time on campus? Nolan: "They are more outgoing in some ways because of social media, but I also think that they have to be more cautious because of social media. "There have been some real characters who had a very good time on many Notre Dame teams in the past who may not have been allowed to have such good times today because nothing is done privately. Today's guys have to be a little more guarded in what they do and what they say." BGI: Are there any special challenges you face while getting ready to call a game? Nolan: "I guess what I have to fight is to make sure I still do all the background work, the prepa- ration. Because if you have done this as long as I have, you have certainly learned shortcuts. "You have to fight to not take the easy way out and still do the same amount of preparation so you can be ensured that you still do the job that the fans and players deserve." BGI: Any games that still stand out to you? Nolan: "My favorite football game I worked re- mains Notre Dame-Miami, Catholics vs. Convicts, in 1988 for many different reasons. Notre Dame went on to win the national championship. "My favorite basketball game that I have been able to call is the five-overtime game against Louisville [in 2013]. It was so much fun. It had so many great moments on national TV." — Todd D. Burlage Five Questions With … NOTRE DAME BROADCASTER JACK NOLAN Nolan began covering Notre Dame sports in 1982 as the play-by-play voice of Irish football and basketball for WNDU. PHOTO COURTESY JACK NOLAN