Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1220706
34 APRIL 2020 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY LOU SOMOGYI Aug. 29: vs. Navy (11-2) in Dublin, Ireland Rivals Recruiting Rankings From 2016-20: 86, 76, 91, 78 and 80. Top Winter Personnel News: Tragedy struck the academy when graduated offensive lineman David Forney died Feb. 22 from an undetermined cause. Summary: The Midshipmen graduate electrifying quarterback Malcolm Perry, who in 2019 rushed for 2,017 yards, 6.8 yards per carry and 21 touch- downs while also passing for 1,084 yards at an astounding 22.6 yards per completion. The Brigade of Midshipmen truly maximize their potential with their execution of the triple option, but the reality is Notre Dame still can overwhelm them, as it did in last year's 52-20 victory. Sept. 12: Arkansas (2-10) Rivals Recruiting Rankings From 2016-20: 30, 24, 61, 20 and 41. Top Winter Personnel News: Enrolling as a grad- uate transfer was quarterback Felipe Franks, who in three seasons of a roller-coaster career at Flor- ida (with 2019 cut short by injury) passed for 4,593 yards with 38 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Leaving early for the NFL was safety Kamren Curl, whose 87.6 Pro Football Focus grade was the high- est on the entire team. Summary: Coming off back-to-back 2-10 seasons — and sporting a 19-game losing streak in the SEC dating back to 2017 — the Razorbacks will be guided by first-year head coach Sam Pittman, who was Georgia's offensive line coach from 2016-19 after holding the same position at Arkansas from 2013-15. The return of running back Rakeem Boyd, who rushed for 1,133 yards, 6.2 yards per carry and eight touchdowns in 2019, should aid Franks. Sept. 19: Western Michigan (7-6) Rivals Recruiting Rankings From 2016-20: 64, 92, 70, 84 and tied for 73. Top Winter Personnel News: Spring practice began Feb. 18 under fourth-year head coach Tim Lester (20-18). Replacing graduated 30-game starting quarter- back Jon Wassink — the 2019 Wuerrfel Trophy winner for his service off the field in addition to his play on it — is Kaleb Eleby, who as a freshman in place of an injured Wassink last year passed for 1,092 yards at a 62.6 percent completion rate in five games. Summary: This is to serve as the breather Sep- tember game, a la New Mexico last year. The Broncos were 1-6 away from home last year and allowed 51 points to Michigan State and 52 to Syra- cuse, the lone two Power Five teams they faced. Sept. 26: vs. Wake Forest (8-5) in Charlotte, N.C. Rivals Recruiting Rankings From 2016-20: 62, 74, 61, 55 and tied for 61. Top Winter Personnel News: Starting quarter- back Jamie Newman, who passed for 2,868 yards and ran for 574 in 2019, opted to use his final season as a graduate transfer at Georgia. Replacement Sam Hartman passed for 1,984 yards in 2018 when Newman was injured. Summary: Head coach Dave Clawson's troops should remain competitive and play in a fifth straight bowl thanks to two mainstays bypassing the NFL Draft: receiver Sage Surratt (66 catches for 1,001 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2019) and defensive end Carlos Basham (57 tackles, 11 sacks and three forced fumbles). Oct. 3: vs. Wisconsin (10-4) in Green Bay, Wis. Rivals Recruiting Rankings From 2016-20: 35, 35, 40, 27 and 20. Top Winter Personnel News: After three seasons rushing for 1,977, 2,194 and 2,003 yards — while averaging 6.7 yards and tallying 50 touchdowns — Jonathan Taylor departed to the NFL early. So did standout receiver Quintez Cephus (59 catches, 901 yards and seven scores in 2019) and center Tyler Biadasz. Summary: Like Notre Dame, the Badgers are in that top-eight to top-15 tier. Since 2014 they are 63-19 (.768) and finished 13, 21, 9, 7, unranked in 2018 at 8-5, and No. 11 last year in the Associated Press poll. Their identity is power running and stout de- fense. The top 10 tacklers return from a defense that allowed only 16.9 points per game (10th na- tionally) and was fourth in total defense. Quarter- back Jack Coan returns after finishing 19th nation- ally in pass efficiency. Oct. 10: Stanford (4-8) Rivals Recruiting Rankings From 2016-20: 19, 19, 57, 24 and 21. Top Winter Personnel News: A head-turning 15 Cardinals entered the transfer portal, and one of them, running back Trevor Speights, could end up at Notre Dame. Junior tight end Colby Parkinson (48 catches for 589 yards and one touchdown in 2019) also departed to prepare for the NFL. The positive news was cornerback Paulson Adebo and guard Walker Little both came back for their senior campaigns. OPPOSING VIEW An opening glance at Notre Dame's 2020 schedule Running back Travis Etienne — who rushed for 4,038 yards, 7.8 yards per carry and 56 touchdowns his first three years— surprisingly opted to return to Clemson for his senior campaign. PHOTO BY CARL ACKERMAN/COURTESY CLEMSON