Notre Dame’s Depth-Defining Week Zero?

On Saturday, Notre Dame dominated Navy 42-3, outgaining the Midshipmen by 275 yards.  

Quarterback Sam Hartman received a considerable portion of the postgame fanfare for his dazzling debut performance, but the lopsided victory resulted from a widespread team effort. 

In total, 51 players saw action on offense or defense. That’s significant compared to last year’s contest when 41 players entered the game.

It’s early, but this provides credence to coach Marcus Freeman’s preseason statements on developing depth.

“I go back to training camp where we mandated, 'Hey, we have to get some of the twos and threes — guys that we're counting on — reps against the ones so that we know they're able to do their job versus the best.’” Freeman said. “Not twos versus twos or threes versus threes. 

“I wanted to see guys going against our best, so we know before we get into Dublin, Ireland, what they can do.”

Of course, it’s easy to empty the bench during garbage time, but 46 players saw action before the Fighting Irish scored its sixth touchdown with 9:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. 

The only players inserted in the final minutes were backup quarterback Steve Angeli and four second-string offensive linemen. 

Notre Dame played more than 45 players twice in all of 2022.

Freeman may lean on fewer second-stringers against more challenging opponents, but it’s still better for more young players to get an opportunity to prove themselves to start the season versus week 12. 

That way, the coaching staff still has greater depth at its disposal against top opponents.

Only 39 Fighting Irish players saw the field against Ohio State and USC in 2022, and Notre Dame appeared gassed by the fourth quarter, surrendering two touchdowns in the final 15:20 of both contests. 

Perhaps Notre Dame will finish better if they’re confident in more players. 

“What you want to make sure you're able to do is that you can roll guys in there, keep them fresh and there's not a drop-off,” Freeman said. “That, to me, is really a compliment to our coaches and the depth they've been able to create.”

Typically, Notre Dame rotates less frequently on offense, but it should help that several skill players thrived against Navy with limited reps. Jeremiyah Love, Jaden Greathouse, Deion Colzie, Devyn Ford and Jadarian Price each played single-digit snaps. 

Still, offensive coordinator Gerad Parker put them in favorable positions to produce when on the field. Those five touched the ball a combined 16 times for 189 yards (11.8 yards from scrimmage) and four scores.

Additionally, freshman wide receiver Rico Flores, Jr. played 19 snaps. He also caught Angeli’s first career completion with 2:25 left in the contest. 

Notre Dame rotated in 24 players on defense, including 10 along the defensive line. 

Junior defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio suffered a knee injury and will be out for a few weeks, making the Fighting Irish deeper in the long run.

“That was really the only injury we had from the game,” Freeman said. “But with that, it's just going to give somebody else another opportunity to step up.”

Right now, the best bet is for sophomore defensive tackle Donovan Hinish to seize the opportunity. He played five snaps against Navy but should see the field early and often on Saturday when Notre Dame plays its first-ever FCS opponent. 

It’s a favorable matchup that should allow the Fighting Irish to empty its bench and give even more players an opportunity for in-game experience early in the season.

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