Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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4 NOV. 8, 2025 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED A s a no-nonsense big-family patriarch, Tim Schrauth wasn't surprised when his son and star Irish offensive guard Billy Schrauth didn't become overly emotional when he earned the highest of highs and faced the lowest of lows during the South- ern Cal game, all at once. The highlight for Schrauth that October night was helping his Irish to a season-high 306 rush- ing yards and 7.0 yards per carry in a 34-24 win over the Trojans, before earning Outland Trophy National Player of the Week hon- ors as the best offensive lineman in the country that weekend. Schrauth's epic performance helped junior Jeremiyah Love rush for 228 yards, the most ever for an Irish tailback at Notre Dame Stadium. The bad news for Schrauth came after the victory when it was revealed that the All-Amer- ica candidate had suffered a knee sprain during the game — one that he courageously played through for much of the second half — that would sideline him for sev- eral weeks. Bad injury news for sure, but not dev- astating news. "I was happy because in the realm of knee injuries, I got good news that it's only a sprain," Tim Schrauth shared. "Every day brings a new adventure. Billy will get through this." A return date for Billy Schrauth re- mains undetermined. But a supportive father is advising his son to handle this setback in the same way Billy handled the inevitable adversity he faced while grow- ing up as the seventh of eight siblings. "Billy has learned how to roll with the punches and get along, literally," Tim Schrauth said with a laugh. "I told all of my kids to expect the unexpected. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, not just in football but in life. "I've always told Billy to never get too high and never get too low. And he's finding that out right now." A father's wise message of acceptance and patience is a consistent one that has been ingrained in Billy and all the Schr- auth children from when as youngsters they'd pitch in around the family's cattle farm in rural Campbellsport, Wis. "Stay the course, put my head down and work, that's always been the mes- sage," the younger Schrauth explained in 2023 as a second-year Notre Dame student-athlete. "I've seen my parents go to work early in the morning every day growing up. That's instilled in me, and that doesn't change at all." Whether it was cleaning barns, mowing grass, washing trailers, milk- ing cows, or whatever else was asked, helping his parents around their modest family farm was a way of life for Billy growing up, as were the valuable life lessons that came with the hard work. "My upbringing taught me that noth- ing is given to you, everything is earned, and I wouldn't want it any other way," said Billy, often wise beyond his years. "I want to feel that feel- ing of earning an opportunity, of earning what's in front of me." STAYING THE COURSE The chance of Billy Schrauth ever landing at Notre Dame seemed unlikely when he was a coveted recruit out of little St. Mary's Springs Academy, a school of only about 200 in grades 9-12. It's no secret that standout players from The Badger State — especially offensive linemen — almost dutifully play their col- lege football at the University of Wisconsin. In fact, Schrauth became the first high school player from Wisconsin to sign with the Fight- ing Irish since offensive lineman Brian Beidatsch did so in 2001. Billy, a redshirt junior this sea- son, was being recruited to Notre Dame by Irish head coach Brian Kelly and offensive line coach Jeff Quinn. Kelly and Quinn both departed before Schrauth signed his national let- ter of intent to Notre Dame. But Schr- auth stayed true to his verbal commit- ment when Marcus Freeman was hired. "Coaches come and go," Billy said. "But culture, and the stuff that is really important that are instilled in programs, the tradition, that never leaves. That was something that I thought about a lot, and it drew me to Notre Dame." Be it unexpected coaching changes, difficult recruiting decisions, painful injury rehab, Billy Schrauth has faced his share of uncertainty the last few years, but always with a clear head and an unmatched work ethic. "When Billy sets his mind to doing something, he usually accomplishes it. That's just the way he is," Tim Schrauth shared. "I guess he was born and bred to be a lineman!" ✦ Schrauth suffered a knee sprain in the Irish's 34-24 win over Southern Cal that has kept him off the field since then. PHOTO BY MICHAEL MILLER Todd D. Burlage has been a writer for Blue & Gold Illustrated since July 2005. He can be reached at tburlage@blueandgold.com. UPON FURTHER REVIEW TODD D. BURLAGE Fatherly Advice Aids Billy Schrauth's Injury Recovery