Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview
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SPECIALISTS Senior Chris Finke is the front-runner to return punts for a third consecutive season. PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL QUOTABLE: SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR BRIAN POLIAN ON THE UNIT GOING FROM PLAYING NOT TO LOSE HIS FIRST YEAR (2017) TO HAVING A GREATER IMPACT IN WINS: "We've got to now get to the point where we're making plays. I was worried about us negatively impacting the game. We got that squared away, for the most part. We need to now positively impact the game. "… It's put us in the best schemes, it's to get the right people out there, and then ultimately now we've got to identify some difference-making personnel, some guys that can cause double teams or can beat a double team, that can consistently win one on one … we need to do a better job of that." Starter ★★★★ Senior kicker Justin Yoon already owns the Notre Dame record for career field goal percentage (.808), and his 55 made extra points (no misses) in 2017 set another pro- gram record. By the time his career his over he will own just about every major kicking record in school history. Fifth-year senior punter Tyler Newsome currently ranks second all time in average per punt, just 0.3 yards behind the career-best average of 44.1 yards set by Craig Hentrich (1989-92). Lindy's Sports ranked Newsome as the fifth-best punter in the nation and Yoon as the eighth-best kicker. Phil Steele's ranks junior John Shannon as the nation's third-best snapper. All that keeps Notre Dame from a higher grade is uncertainty in the return game. Experience ★★★★★ Yoon and Newsome have been a pair in charge of the kicking and punting duties for three seasons. That in itself provides a great deal of comfort, and that is crucial in the kicking game. After faltering early in the 2017 season and losing his job, then-freshman kickoff specialist Jonathan Doerer bounced back and finished with a bang. When he took over the final five games, opponents averaged only 20.3 yards per return, which was more than three yards fewer than the coverage unit allowed in the first eight contests. Shannon was steady in his first year and there is a great deal of confidence in his ability to handle the snapping duties. Depth ★★★ ½ Having four scholarship specialists on the roster gives Notre Dame strength in those areas. Doerer handled both duties in high school, and although he is projected to kick- off and be a placekicker at Notre Dame, that versatility is important should something happen with Newsome. Walk-on senior Jeff Riney has a steady leg should in- jury force him into action. He lacks Newsome's power, but he can get the ball off quickly and place the ball relatively well. Finding a backup snapper to Shannon will be impor- tant, should his past shoulder issues flare up this sea- son. Fifth-year senior Nic Weishar has snapped in the past, but he is coming off a spring in which a shoulder problem kept him out of action. Overall Grade ★★★ ½ It would seem the only thing that could derail Notre Dame's kick game is injuries. Even then the Irish roster seems prepared to handle short-term personnel losses. Yoon, Newsome and Shannon are all considered among the nation's best players in the country at their positions. With the talent returning in the kicking game, Notre Dame should rank higher in this grade, but its lack of production in the return and coverage game drags the grade down. Notre Dame ranked 82nd or lower in the country in punt return defense, punt return average, kick re - turns and kick return defense. If it is going to play at a playoff-caliber level, that special teams data must dramatically improve. BY THE NUMBERS 1 Fifth-year senior punter Tyler Newsome is the first kicking-only specialist to be named a team cap- tain at Notre Dame, although special teams captains in coverage or returns also have been elected. Starting punter Blair Kiel was one of two captains in 1983 — but he also was the starting quarterback. 80.8 Percent of field goal attempts converted by senior Justin Yoon (42 of 52), easily the best in school history among players who have had at least 50 attempts. Longtime NFL kicker John Carney (1984-86) is second at 73.9 percent. For a minimum of 40 attempts, 2009-11 kicker David Ruffer is No. 1 at 82.5 percent (33 of 40). 275 Career points tallied so far by Yoon with 42 field goals and 149 extra points — fifth on Notre Dame's all-time scoring chart. He is 46 points away from breaking the standard of 320 set by 1982-85 running back Allen Pinkett on 53 touchdowns and a two-point conversion (not in- cluding three more touchdowns in bowl games). Yoon also needs 16 field goals to eclipse the Irish career mark of 57 by Kyle Brindza (2011-14). PRESEASON ANALYSIS ★★★★★ National Title; ★★★★ Top 10; ★★★ Top 25; ★★ Too Unproven; ★ Major Concern 112 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW