Notre Dame QB Jack Coan Shines In Tally

Could Jack Coan push the ball? Could Jack Coan make Notre Dame’s pass game better? 

Those were a few of the questions that surrounded Coan’s transfer from Wisconsin during the winter and the 6-foot-3, 223-pounder made quite the statement on Sunday night in Notre Dame’s 41-38 win over Florida State.

Coan completed 26-of-35 passes for 366 yards, four touchdowns and one interception on a hail mary to end the first half.

However, it was Coan’s ability to take and complete timely deep shots as he completed eight passes over 20 yards. 

"Before the game, Coach (Tommy) Rees talked about being in attack mode and taking the shots when they presented themselves,” stated Coan. “I think that's a part of playing quarterback is taking the shots when they're there and then when they aren't just taking the check down." 

Michael Mayer caught a 41-yard touchdown in the first half, but the decision to throw it to the sophomore tight end was made by the Florida State defense as they failed to guard him. 

Coan found Joe Wilkins Jr. late in the second quarter for a 23-yard touchdown where Coan took a risk on third down. 

"I honestly think there is a time and place to take shots and there's times you shouldn't,” said Coan.
”That one might have been on the borderline of taking a shot. I think it was 3rd and medium. 

"We got playmakers all over the field. I wanted to give Joe a shot to make a play and he did." 

The Irish passing offense shined, but the ground game left much to be desired. Coan knows that can change quickly as every game will dictate itself. 

"Every game is different,” explained Coan. “Some games, we're going to need to pass the ball more and some games, we're going to run the ball more. It's just the way the game goes. I know we're going to do a better job of running the ball next week and hopefully do a better job passing too." 

And no, the Irish pass offense wasn’t perfect as Notre Dame struggled for most of the first half following the opening drive, but Coan and his team never panicked. 

"I learned that we know how to fight and win close games,” Coan stated. “I feel like that's something I already knew going through the workouts in the winter and summer with Coach (Matt) Balis. He puts us through a ton of crazy stuff to prepare for these moments. Coach (Brian) Kelly does a great job of preparing in practice for moments like this and it paid off tonight." 

While message boards were melting down with hot takes, Coan smiled and took it in as not only did he accomplish a dream of being the quarterback at Notre Dame, but he is now 1-0 as the quarterback for the Irish. 

"It's definitely really emotional,” said Coan. “It's a true dream come true for me and my family. To play for this University, playing in an iconic place in college football like this and getting a win like that is unbelievable. I'm so thankful for it."