Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/200019
Watt to a knee strain during the victory. Freshman Steve Elmer had already been called upon to start in Lombard's place, so junior Conor Hanratty joined the first-team unit. Outside of a sack of Rees late in the first half, the group helped produce a 45-point output and even sparked the rushing game behind junior Cam McDaniel and freshman Tarean Folston in the second half. "There's a little bit of an adjustment period because you're not used to playing next to that guy, but you get used to it after a series or two," fifth-year senior left tackle Zack Martin said. "The guys that came in did a great job, not only on the offensive line but all over the team." Outside of Watt, sophomore defensive end Sheldon Day left the game after appearing to tweak his ankle, although he reentered the game later before watching most of the second half in street clothes. Junior linebacker Ishaq Williams was in street clothes the entire second half and was seen favoring his right leg after the game. Jaylon Smith Settles In After Early Speed Bumps Freshman Dog linebacker Jaylon Smith experienced some difficulty early against Air Force's triple-option attack, but bounced back to recover a fumble and make some vital openfield tackles against the Falcons. "I don't know that I would characterize 'struggle' as much as we were in some coverages that really put him as the only player on the perimeter," head coach Brian Kelly said. "We really didn't help him very much, so Participation Chart OFFENSE QB: TOMMY REES, Andrew Hendrix RB: GEORGE ATKINSON III, Amir Carlisle, Cam McDaniel, Tarean Folston WR: COREY ROBINSON, Chris Brown WR: TJ Jones, C.J. Prosise, James Onwualu WR: WILL FULLER, DaVaris Daniels TE: TROY NIKLAS, BEN KOYACK, Alex Welch LT: ZACK MARTIN, Kevin Carr LG: CHRIS WATT, Conor Hanratty C: NICK MARTIN, Matt Hegarty RG: STEVE ELMER, Mark Harrell RT: RONNIE STANLEY, Bruce Heggie DEFENSE DE: SHELDON DAY, Isaac Rochell, Anthony Rabasa NG: KONA SCHWENKE, Tyler Stockton DE: STEPHON TUITT, Justin Utupo, Jarron Jones LB: PRINCE SHEMBO, Ishaq Williams, Romeo Okwara ILB: DAN FOX, Joe Schmidt ILB: CARLO CALABRESE, Kendall Moore LB: JAYLON SMITH, Ben Councell CB: BENNETT JACKSON, Cole Luke, Lo Wood S: AUSTIN COLLINSWORTH, Eilar Hardy S: MATTHIAS FARLEY, Max Redfield CB: KEIVARAE RUSSELL, Devin Butler Special Teams Kick Return: Max Redfield, Eilar Hardy, Ben Councell, James Onwualu, John Turner, Kendall Moore, Justin Utupo, Joe Schmidt, Alex Welch, Cam McDaniel, George Atkinson III Kickoff Coverage: John Turner, Lo Wood, Devin Butler, Kyle Brindza, James Onwualu, Max Redfield, Kendall Moore, Ben Councell, Joe Schmidt, Anthony Rabasa, Eilar Hardy Punt Returner: TJ Jones Punter: Kyle Brindza Placekicker: Kyle Brindza Holder: Luke Massa Long Snapper: Scott Daly Short Snapper: Scott Daly Others: Matt Hegarty, Justin Utupo, Alex Welch