Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Key Player: The Owls defense was one of the most improved units in all of college football last season, allowing only 4.75 yards per play (ranked No. 11 nationally) compared to 6.4 yards per play (ranked No. 110 nationally) in 2013. Weakside linebacker Tyler Matakevich, who's recorded more than 100 tackles in three consecutive seasons for the Owls, spearheaded those efforts. The defender also con- tributed 10.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three passes broken up and an interception. Season Outlook: If there's one game that could sneak up on Notre Dame fans in 2015, this might be it. The Owls defense that was rock solid in 2014 returns all 11 starters, plus most of the backups. Their offense still needs a lot of work — they're pass heavy with their play calling, yet averaged only 6.0 yards per pass attempt (No. 111 nationally) — but if they make a couple steps forward on that side of the ball, this could be a sneaky good team. AT PITTSBURGH • NOV. 7 2014 Record: 6-7, 4-4 ACC Last Meeting: Pittsburgh 28, Notre Dame 21 (2013) Toughest To Replace: Offensive tackle T.J. Clem- mings was projected to be a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, but slipped to the fourth round due to a stress fracture in his foot. The 6-6, 315-pounder moved from defensive line to right tackle as a junior in 2013 and started all 13 games for the Panthers. He then earned first-team All-ACC and second-team All- America accolades from multiple publications after a successful senior season. Key Player: Running back James Conner returns af- ter a sophomore campaign in which he earned first- team All-American honors from the America Football Coaches Association, and second-team laurels from several other publications. The 6-2, 250-pounder rushed 298 times for 1,765 yards (5.9 yards per at- tempt) and 26 touchdowns in 2014. Pitt ran the ball on 66 percent of their play calls, and Conner will once again be the focal point of its offense this fall. Spring Outlook: Sophomore wide receiver Tyler Boyd, who caught 78 passes for 1,261 yards and James Conner developed into a workhorse running back for Pitt during his sophomore campaign last year, racking up 298 carries for 1,765 yards (5.9 yards per rush) and 26 touchdowns. PHOTO COURTESY PITTSBURGH