Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/204831
Under the Dome complement Niklas. His presence forces some single coverage on the flanks, because defenses also have to be wary of the Irish running from the double-tight-end set. Against the Falcons, Koyack caught the second of two touchdown passes (19 and 22 yards) in three weeks while matched against a linebacker. "We felt like there were some particular matchups that we could get with Ben on the field that we liked," head coach Brian Kelly said. "He's got good size, good hands and you saw him catch the touchdown on the matchup we liked. "When you're playing a 3-4 team, you like two tight ends because it spreads out the 3-4 more and gets you some bubbles that you like in the run game." It's one of those quiet contributions that aren't necessarily reflected on the individual stat sheet. Junior Ben Koyack has given Notre Dame an extra option at tight end since the start of October, which allows the Irish offense to keep opponents guessing with two-tight end formations. Corey Robinson's Growth Potential photo by bill panzica As a Division II head coach at Grand Valley State from 1991‑2003, Brian Kelly had to develop a keen sense of projecting players. That is why he was willing to take "a flier" on current freshman wide receiver Corey Robinson. The Irish were the first school to offer him. "I was a zero-star recruit, I never even had a college coach at my practice before," a laughing Robinson said of the out-of-the-blue offer. "I was just astounded … to just have that kind of prestigious program come and search me out. Not even the local school like San Antonio offered me. [Notre Dame] coming from 1,000 miles away to offer me, that was pretty special." Yet Robinson was a pivotal figure in the 17-13 victory versus Michigan State (three catches for 54 yards, plus forcing some interference calls), and snared his first career touchdown pass (35 yards) Oct. 26 to tie the Air Force game en route to victory. "Everybody wants a sure thing or what is perceived to be a sure thing," Kelly said of recruiting. "… You do have to have a sense that you can project." Robinson's pedigree as the son of former 10-time NBA All-Star and league MVP Davie Robinson, intangibles and growth potential were all taken into account, although the 6-4½ height is plenty now for the coaches. His father was 6-6 as a high school senior, 6-9 by the time he played his first game at Navy and reached 7-0 soon thereafter. "If his dad's genes kick in … I think we're out of business here," Kelly joked. "Might be [head basketball coach] Mike Brey is talking to me a little bit." "I don't think [it will be] similar," Robinson said of his growth, adding that his older brother is only 6-2 while his 17-year-old younger brother is already 6-5. "I might squeeze an inch or two, but nothing like Pops. … That's a little too much."