Blue and Gold Illustrated

GAME PREVIEW: UMASS the early going, holding the two traditional offenses it has faced (Texas and Virginia) to an average 93.5 yards per game. The Irish interior line — along with junior strongside end Isaac Rochell — has been stout against the run, controlling the line of scrimmage. Getting negative plays has been a key to success thus far, with the Irish defense racking up 13 tackles for loss in the first two games. Advantage: Notre Dame UMASS PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE Throwing the football is what UMass hangs its hat on. The Minutemen ranked 11th nationally in passing offense in 2014, racking up 311.8 yards per game. Fifth‑year senior quarterback Blake Frohnap‑ fel passed for 3,345 yards and 23 touchdowns de‑ spite missing the final two games of the season with an injury. He throws to one of the top receiving corps that Notre Dame will face all season, led by senior wide receiver Tajae Sharpe. The talented 6‑3 pass catcher is coming off a 2014 season in which he hauled in 85 passes for 1,281 yards and seven scores. Sharpe kicked off the 2015 season in im‑ pressive fashion, grabbing 11 passes for 138 yards against Colorado. Notre Dame's secondary will have its hands full against the Minutemen receivers, but the argu‑ ment could easily be made that the Irish corners will be the best group UMass will face all season as well. The key for Notre Dame is putting pressure on Frohnapfel, who was sacked three times in the opener after going down 22 times a season ago. Notre Dame got excellent pressure on the Texas quarterbacks, but the pass rush was largely non‑ existent against Virginia. Advantage: Notre Dame NOTRE DAME RUNNING GAME VS. UMASS RUN DEFENSE Slowing down the opposition on the ground is not a strength for UMass, which gave up 191.8 yards per game in 2014. Colorado dominated the Minutemen, pounding out 390 yards and five touchdowns on 59 rushes. Colorado had two running backs eclipse the 100‑yard mark in the 48‑14 victory. UMass lines up in a 3‑4 defense but lacks ideal size, which allows opponents to grind the football. The starting defensive line averages just 6‑1½ and 264 pounds, which makes for a difficult matchup against a Notre Dame line that averages 6‑5½ and 313.2 pounds. Despite the loss of junior running back Tarean Folston to a season‑ending knee injury, Notre Dame has been dominant on the ground thus far. The Irish averaged 233.5 rushing yards per game and 5.4 yards per game in the first two games of the sea‑ son, including 253 yards against a Virginia defense that ranked 18th nationally in rushing defense last season. Advantage: Notre Dame NOTRE DAME PASSING GAME VS. UMASS PASS DEFENSE Despite teams focusing on running the football, the Minutemen defense still had its issues slowing down the pass game, allowing 255.8 yards per game in 2014. Opponents completed 60.9 percent of their passes against UMass, which ranked 87th in pass efficiency defense last season. It is hard to know what Notre Dame's pass game will look like now that sophomore DeShone Kizer has taken over at quarterback. Kizer has a strong arm and is a more natural passer than injured junior Malik Zaire. How quickly Kizer adjusts to being the starter and running the offense will be the key. Notre Dame should continue to be a big‑play of‑ fense with Kizer behind the center. Junior wide re‑ ceiver Will Fuller has picked up where he left off in 2014, racking up 12 receptions for 266 yards and four touchdowns through two games. Having a play‑ maker of his caliber should make Kizer's transition into the starting role a bit easier. Advantage: Notre Dame

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