Tommy Rees and Notre Dame Offense Getting to Know Knowles
No. 5 Notre Dame will take the field against No. 2 Ohio State in one week.
The Fighting Irish have spent the last eight months focused on building themselves, but over the last week, Notre Dame has finally turned its attention to the Buckeyes.
Ohio State’s offense might feature three Heisman candidates, yet the game could come down to first-year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and his impact on the Buckeyes defense.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Knowles and the defenses he's put together all the way back to when he was at Duke,” Rees stated on Saturday. “Obviously, a very bright mind and I'm excited about the challenge to go against him.”
What are some of the challenges Knowles will present to the Notre Dame offense? Well, it’s likely a long list as Knowles’ defense will present challenges at all three levels in terms of looks and then actual scheme.
“They do a really nice job of mixing up fronts and I think they do a really nice job of keeping it simple for their guys, but complicated for the offense,” explained Rees. “They can build fronts certain ways, they can build coverages certain ways that you don't see every day. We have to be extremely diligent, all 11 guys, that we're recognizing things the same way and make sure the communication is really smooth.
“If we can get 11 guys on the same page, you can operate. Coach Knowles does a really good job of creating indecision for the offense.”
Sophomore Tyler Buchner has experience as he saw the field in 10 games in 2021. The challenge for Buchner will be running the entire offense as opposed to being a chess piece.
Rees knows a lot will be on Buchner’s plate and he’s making sure his quarterback and offense can communicate leading up to next Saturday’s clash.
“Coverage recognition is critical,” Rees said. “I think pressure recognition is critical - more nuanced is who is in the fit and who is not. They play looks that can complicate that.
“Again, as long as everybody is moving on the same page, that helps tremendously getting guys on the right targets. As coaches, we have to do a nice job of adjusting and making sure that in an opener, you're seeing things consistent with what you're preparing for.”
BUCHNER EMBRACING MORE
It’s been two weeks since Tyler Buchner was named the starting quarterback and Rees has seen the sophomore raise his level of preparation. The California native knows his team is counting on him to do more in 2022 and Buchner has embraced the process heading into Ohio State.
"I think the preparation is a little different,” Rees explained. “He knows, 'Hey, I have to prepare.' It's just an added urgency to his demeanor and his preparation. He's confident right now, which I've used that word a hundred times since I've talked to you guys. That to me, is the No. 1 thing. He needs to be confident going into the game. Everything we do is to build that confidence.”
Rees also admits Buchner being the starter has given him the opportunity to push the first-year starter a bit more in practice and in the meeting room.
"I think naming him the starter has allowed me to coach him the way he needs to be coached and make sure we're holding him to a certain standard,” stated Rees. “Him being named the starter only raises the standard of what's expected. It doesn't make things easier, it will only get harder from here. He's owned that and been really good."
On the practice field, Rees has challenged Buchner to take more ownership of the offense, which includes making sure his teammates are in the right places.
“If the back is aligned wrong, get him on the right side,” explained Rees. “If they're showing him a pressure, get the protection on the right side. If you don't like the way a route is run, communicate that. Those are very specific things that happen every day at every football training camp you go to. When you get around a great quarterback that owns the offense, they are the first ones to communicate those things.
"I think you need to have the platform and the confidence to do that. That was something we wanted to push for Tyler as he owns this role. You go to a practice with Tom Brady playing, you're going to hear him coaching guys and getting guys right more than anyone else."
LOGAN DIGGS HUNGRY
Notre Dame running back Logan Diggs got his wish as the red jersey came off last week. Diggs, who had suffered a labrum injury in the Blue-Gold game has been cleared for contact and Rees has noticed a hungry from his sophomore running back.
“He's done a nice job for us,” said Rees. “Logan's talent is apparent when you watch him play. I think he's comfortable running the ball and taking a hit. I think he looks comfortable. I think he's hungry to get back out there, right? When you're out for an extended period of time and twice really, when you're not out there, you certainly lose the feeling of being part of the group. I think now that he's back in the swing of things, he's very eager to be playing and wants to prove he can play at a high level.”
IDENTITY
And as for an offensive identity, Rees believes Notre Dame fans will see that soon enough.
"I guess we'll find out in a week,” said Rees. “I'm not going to tip anything off, but I guess we'll find out in a week."
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