Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/897211
36 NOV. 13, 2017 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED offense during that stretch, and also was 15th in yards per completion (14.4). Rosier isn't lacking for weapons. Senior wide- out Braxton Berrios emerged as Miami's top pass catcher, hauling in 32 passes for 415 yards and six scores in seven games. Miami was without stand- out sophomore Ahmmon Richards for three of its first seven games, but when he was healthy Rich- ards produced, hauling in 14 passes for 284 yards. Notre Dame ranked 78th in the country in pass- ing defense through eight contests with an average of 232.5 yards allowed per game. That number was due in large part to the Irish holding big leads in the second half during its 7-1 start. Opponents averaged just 6.0 yards per attempt and 10.9 yards per completion, which ranked 16th and 17th in the country, respectively. Notre Dame's No. 33 ranking in pass efficiency defense was actually better than Miami's No. 38 ranking in pass efficiency offense. Notre Dame has been at its best this season against its toughest opponents. USC and North Carolina State ranked 24th and 26th in the country in pass offense through the ninth week of the sea- son, but Notre Dame held the Trojans 32 yards be- low their average against other opponents and the Wolfpack was limited to 77 yards below its average. Notre Dame could help itself by getting after the quarterback, something it has done effectively this season. The Irish ranked 37th nationally in sacks per game through eight outings, with an average of 2.4 per contest. Miami gave up 2.2 sacks per game in its first six contests against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents. Advantage: Even NOTRE DAME RUNNING GAME VS. MIAMI RUN DEFENSE The Fighting Irish ranked sixth in the country in rushing yards through eight games, racking up 317.9 per contest, and their average of 6.9 yards per carry ranked third in the land. Notre Dame gained at least 318 yards in six of its first eight games of the season, and averaged 298.0 yards per game in its six games against Power Five op- ponents. Notre Dame averaged 391.3 yards per game in its first three matchups against ACC opponents. Junior running back Josh Adams became a Heisman Trophy candidate after he shredded USC and North Carolina State for 393 yards (8.5 per rush). Rushing for 202 yards against the Wolfpack was his most im- pressive performance of the season, coming against a defense that was giving up just 91.3 yards per game leading up to its matchup against Notre Dame. Fifth-year senior left tackle Mike McGlinchey and senior left guard Quenton Nelson have led the way for a dominant offensive line. Both players are competing for All-America honors this season. Miami had a hard time stopping the opposing run games through its first seven contests, especially when it faced Power Five opponents. Through seven games, the Hurricanes ranked 82nd in the land in rushing defense, allowing 179.7 yards per game. Power Five foes averaged 210.4 yards per game GAME PREVIEW: MIAMI (FLA.) Sophomore linebacker Shaq Quartermann recorded 42 total stops (second on the team), four tackles for loss and two sacks during Miami's 7-0 start. PHOTO COURTESY MIAMI ATHLETICS Offense Pos. No. Name Ht. Wt. Cl. WR 6 E. St. Brown 6-5 203 Jr. 81 Miles Boykin 6-4 225 Jr. WR 83 Chase Claypool 6-4½ 228 So. 10 Chris Finke 5-9½ 181 Jr. or 15 Cameron Smith 5-10½ 202 5th-Sr. LT 68 Mike McGlinchey 6-8 315 5th-Sr. 74 Liam Eichenberg 6-6 300 So. LG 56 Quenton Nelson 6-5 330 Sr. 75 Joshua Lugg 6-7 300 Fr. C 53 Sam Mustipher 6-2½ 305 Jr. 57 Trevor Ruhland 6-3½ 302 Jr. RG 71 Alex Bars 6-6 312 Sr. 70 Hunter Bivin 6-6 315 5th-Sr. RT 78 Tommy Kraemer 6-5½ 314 So. 72 Robert Hainsey 6-4½ 292 Fr. TE 80 Durham Smythe 6-5½ 257 5th-Sr. 86 Alizé Mack 6-5 251 Jr. WR 29 Kevin Stepherson 6-0 185 So. 15 Cameron Smith 5-10½ 202 5th-Sr. QB 7 Brandon Wimbush 6-2 228 Jr. 12 Ian Book 6-0 208 So. RB 33 Josh Adams 6-2 225 Jr. 2 Dexter Williams 5-11 215 Jr. or 34 Tony Jones Jr. 5-11 225 So. Defense Pos. No. Name Ht. Wt. Cl. Drop 9 Daelin Hayes 6-4 258 So. 42 Julian Okwara 6-4½ 240 So. DT 55 Jonathan Bonner 6-4 291 Sr. 95 M. Tagovailoa-Amosa 6-2½ 293 Fr. NG 99 Jerry Tillery 6-7 306 Jr. 41 Kurt Hinish 6-2 298 Fr. DE 93 Jay Hayes 6-3½ 290 Sr. or 98 Andrew Trumbetti 6-4 263 Sr. Buck 48 Greer Martini 6-3½ 236 Sr. or 4 Te'von Coney 6-1 240 Jr. Mike 5 Nyles Morgan 6-1 235 Sr. 44 Jamir Jones 6-3 240 So. Rover 23 Drue Tranquill 6-2 231 Sr. 22 Asmar Bilal 6-2 230 Jr. CB 27 Julian Love 5-11 193 So. 20 Shaun Crawford 5-9 176 Jr. Stud 24 Nick Coleman 6-0 192 Jr. 17 Isaiah Robertson 6-1½ 195 Fr. Whip 21 Jalen Elliott 6-0½ 205 So. or 14 Devin Studstill 6-0 195 So. CB 7 Nick Watkins 6-1 207 Sr. 8 Donte Vaughn 6-3 206 So. NOTRE DAME DEPTH CHART Pos. No. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. KO 19 Justin Yoon 5-10 192 Jr. 39 Jonathan Doerer 6-3 193 Fr. PK 19 Justin Yoon 5-10 192 Jr. 39 Jonathan Doerer 6-3 193 Fr. P 85 Tyler Newsome 6-2½ 210 Sr. 42 Jeff Riney 5-10 180 Jr. H 4 M. VanGorder 6-1 222 Sr. 85 Tyler Newsome 6-2½ 210 Sr. Pos. No. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. LS 54 John Shannon 6-2 230 So. 82 Nic Weishar 6-5 243 Sr. PR 10 Chris Finke 5-9½ 181 Jr. 3 C.J. Sanders 5-8 181 Jr. KR 3 C.J. Sanders 5-8 181 Jr. 87 Michael Young 5-10 190 Fr. Special Teams