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Notre Dame Football

Game Thread | No. 3 Notre Dame at Pittsburgh

October 24, 2020
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No. 3 Notre Dame (4-0, 3-0) at Pittsburgh (3-3, 2-3)

Heinz Field | 3:30 p.m. ET | ABC

Game Week Articles | Roster| Depth Chart Schedule |Staff Predictions 


Rugged Saturday

Notre Dame will hit the road for the first time in 2020 and will get to face a Pitt team looking to end a three-game losing streak on Saturday afternoon. The Panthers defense has stolen all the headlines this week despite teams scoring 30 or more against Pitt the last three games. 

Ian Book will need to be aggressive down the field on Saturday, but this game will still come down to Notre Dame being able to run the football against the nation’s top run defense. Pitt is only giving 61.5 rushing yards per game and it’s more impressive when you see teams are averaging just 1.85 yards per carry. The good news is Notre Dame is No. 7 in the country in rushing offense, so if you like physical football, this is the game for you...well at least when Notre Dame is on offense. 

On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame’s defense might not be getting enough credit as Pitt will likely struggle to score with redshirt freshman quarterback Joey Yellen expected to get the start for the injured Kenny Pickett. Pitt has an atrocious run game, which is odd to say, but the Panthers are averaging just 107 yards rushing per game (2.8 ypc). For perspective, 77 FBS teams have played and Pitt ranks 70th in rushing offense. 


Five Players To Watch

Notre Dame WR Kevin Austin
Two targets isn't enough for him. He needs to be involved more often. He will have the benefit of plenty of one on one matchups, so we'll see if Notre Dame can take advantage of that.

Pitt DE Rashad Weaver
Is Weaver the best defensive end in the ACC? He may be the best defensive end in the country. He's an elite player against the run and the pass. His matchup with Liam Eichenberg will be one to watch.

Notre Dame OL Robert Hainsey
There has been more attention given to Eichenberg, but Hainsey has played some of his best football for Notre Dame. He has had some issues dealing with bull rushers in the last few years and defensive end Patrick Jones is an excellent speed to power rusher. Hainsey needs to hold his own against a player who leads the nation in sacks.

Pitt S Paris Ford
Ford leads their team with three interceptions, but he can do it all for Pitt. He's an aggressive player against the run and also leads their team in tackles.

Notre Dame DE Ade Ogundeji
The Pitt starting defensive end duo is outstanding, but don't sleep on the year Ogundeji is having. He's been strong setting the edge and PFF has him second in the country in pressure percentage.


Quotes of the Week

Notre Dame DL Kurt Hinish:
"It means the world to me to go back home and play Pitt. I grew up watching Pitt. I'm excited to play at Heinz Field for the fourth time. We played there in high school, so I've played there before.

"I’m really excited to go home and play in front of my family and friends. This game means everything to me." 

Notre Dame WR Avery Davis:
“We're going to go out there and compete. I'm not worried about what happened last week. We're confident and sticking to our process. We're going to go out there and have a good game." 

Notre Dame OL Aaron Banks:
"They're really strong up front and do a lot of things with blitzes and movement that make it hard for teams to move the ball. I think we have a really good scheme for them this week and we just want to go out and dominate every single play." 

Notre Dame LB Shayne Simon:
"I kind of love road trips. I've never got to play at Heinz Field, so I'm excited to play there. As long as the excitement and we're ready to play, there isn't anything going to be different.

“We're all going to be amped up and ready to put our best effort forward." 

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly:
“I don't know that we have, maybe Clemson is the only team that we've faced that has that kind of depth at the defensive end position. Now Clemson had more depth at the tackle position that we've ever seen, but this is probably the deepest defensive end position rotation that we've seen in quite some time.”


For Your Nerves 

TEAM STATS Notre Dame Pittsburgh
Points Per Game 33.3 29.5
Points Allowed Per Game 11.5 20.3
Total Yards 440.8 390.2
Yards Passing 179.8 283.2
Yards Rushing 261.0 107.0
Yards Allowed 300.8 274.7
Pass Yards Allowed 193.3 213.2
Rush Yards Allowed  107.5 61.5

Game Thread | No. 3 Notre Dame at Pittsburgh

72,688 Views | 659 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by tjhaley
mattfreeman
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Staff
C'Bo Flemister touchdown run.

Notre Dame 45
Pitt 3

2:42 | 3Q

4 plays, 35 yards in 1:33
lake erie irish
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Ok someone hide Books helmet please.
Sgt Hulka
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This is what ND should do to these scrubs every time.
GulfCoastIrish
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Love Botelho
mattfreeman
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Staff
Botelho flag.

Davis Beville in at QB for Pitt.
Rwolf101
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I hope Minnesota beats Michigan so badly that Harbaugh is fired on the spot.
TornisODaly
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The Pitt Death Star:


-------

Tornis
CelticIrish
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Well, put Botello in the "traits" house with Jordan Johnson! Doubt BK will let him sniff the field again this year
Rwolf101
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Was that Mills that drove the tackle back 8 yards?
mattfreeman
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Staff
Beville sacked by Foskey.
irishtank6900
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Rwolf101 said:

Was that Mills that drove the tackle back 8 yards?


I think so. Wow.
Rwolf101
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Kenny Pickett looks like the kid from Hocus Pocus.
pbrad28
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Wow 9 penalties...
Rwolf101
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irishtank6900 said:

Rwolf101 said:

Was that Mills that drove the tackle back 8 yards?


I think so. Wow.

That kid is more of a tank than I thought he'd be at this point.
mattfreeman
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Staff
Pitt flagged. +15 for Notre Dame.
mattfreeman
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Staff
Brendon Clark in at QB for Notre Dame.
mattfreeman
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Staff
Clark runs for negative yardage.
CelticIrish
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Let him sling it!
Rwolf101
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mattfreeman said:

Brendon Clark in at QB for Notre Dame.

Midlothian goes wild.
mattfreeman
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Staff
End of 3.

Notre Dame 45
Pitt 3

Total Yards
ND: 390
Pitt: 137

Ian Book: 16-of-30, 312 yards and 3 touchdowns


mavscoach
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They better let Clark run the offense damn it
mattfreeman
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Staff
Total Yards by Quarter

1Q
ND: 126
Pitt: 31

2Q
ND: 129
Pitt: 66

3Q
ND: 135
Pitt: 40
bmhend54
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Let's add two more scores just because I hate Mark May and we have years of his snark to pay back.
TornisODaly
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Will they give Clark the Phil treatment? Two runs up the middle and a no-risk pass short of the sticks.
-------

Tornis
Rwolf101
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If we had an elite offense, our defense would be more than sufficient to win us a national championship this season. I dont even think this is a bold take. If we just had a superior qb and elite athletes at receiver, we'd win it all. That's not a knock on Book's game as i think he's been decent today. Totally love the shots he's taken downfield.
RONKID
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I would have never guessed this score.
tommynacc
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Jim Carrigan (announcer): Coach Narduzzi, how are you going to bring it to those Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday?

Coach Narduzzi (played by Paul Newman): I'll tell you Jim, I hate those guys! We're going to be bringing it to them on Saturday! I'm putting a personal bounty on that Michael Mayer's (Whoever it was that played Oglethorpe) head! I hate that guy! And those Adimeola Brothers, (played by two of the Hansen's) bring them on!

Jim Carrigan (announcer): Can you tell the fans where does Pitt stand as far as the Florida move?!?!

Coach Narduzzi: Oh, it's on!


citykcor
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Didn't see this coming. I'm happily surprised.
mattfreeman
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Staff
Clark complete to Takacs. Then incomplete on 3rd down to Wilkins.
dunwoodyfan
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I want 50+
SWANSEA
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Book you had a real nice game. 45 point in three quarters without a TO is outstanding. At the start of the game, the spread was ND favored by 9.5 points. You and your team played a real hard game, and we are proud of you guys.
mattfreeman
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Staff
Ian Book: 16-of-30, 312 yards and 3 touchdowns + 8 carries for 40 yards
mattfreeman
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Staff
Kyle Hamilton has also been taken out of the game.
Hrothgar
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will dj brown ever get an int?
GulfCoastIrish
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Hrothgar said:

will dj brown ever get an int?



Not at Notre Dame, no.
 
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