Notre Dame Football

Game Thread | No. 11 Notre Dame at No. 17 Duke

By Matt Freeman

September 30, 2023

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No. 11 Notre Dame (4-1) at No. 17 Duke (4-0)

Wallace Wade Stadium | 7:30 PM ET | ABC | Line: Notre Dame -5.5 | O/U: 53

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Five Players To Watch

Notre Dame TE Mitchell Evans
Evans had a breakout game against Ohio State catching all seven targets that went his direction. He showcased ball skills that we hadn't seen previously and with Jayden Thomas out this week, Evans could be the go-to guy for Sam Hartman in key situations. He's three of three on contested catches this season.

Duke QB Riley Leonard
Duke's quarterback is getting buzz as a possible first round pick and he's much better than his numbers (only two touchdowns) would suggest. Notre Dame needs to contain him as a runner and try to make him uncomfortable. He's a good decision-maker, but when he's had to carry the offense as a passer, they haven't had much success.

Notre Dame LB Jaylen Sneed
Sneed didn't play many snaps against Ohio State, but he was in on the last drive when the Irish needed a pass rush. He's flashed in limited opportunities and has earned more of them in this role. Look for him to be more involved on 3rd down rushing the passer.

Duke DT DeWayne Carter
Carter was one of the best pass rushers in the country from the interior last season and he's one of the best 3-technique defensive tackles the Irish will face this season. He has been disruptive at batting down balls (nine his career). Notre Dame's guards have a tough assignment for the second straight week.

Notre Dame WR Rico Flores Jr.
Flores came up big with a fourth quarter touchdown against Ohio State and played 47 snaps in the biggest game of the year. His snaps should continue to climb with Thomas out, but Flores has shown enough that he'll continue to expand his role regardless of who is available. The true freshman has six catches in his last two games.

Quotes of the Week

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman:
“We've had two really, really good practices, spirited practices, really attention to detail and those things that we look for that tell you if we are lacking focus it will show up in practice.

“I'm really pleased with the way these guys really focused on really improving the way we practice. Improving our overall team and that's the message been like. Every week, we have to get better.

“Well, how do we get better? We gotta understand where we're at and what we have to do to get better and then go do it on the practice field. The other part of that is continuing to preach the right message to them and continue to say the right things to him because there is noise everywhere, right? We gotta make sure that the noise we're saying and the message we're driving as a coaching staff is so loud that our players really focus on that and understand it in a midst of hearing other things and paying attention other things. So I feel really confident going into Thursday where the mindset of this football team is.”

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Gerad Parker:
“Do I wish we'd have gotten the two fourth downs? Do I wish we would've finished? Yes. But as far as how we wanted that to go and how we ran the football and how we controlled pass and how those things went, are exactly how we thought it would go and hoped it would go to control that game and time of possession and those things worked out that way.”

Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden:
“It's challenging. We have to just mix things up on them and play really good, sound football and not beat ourselves. But there's a reason why they're winning the way they're winning. I understand that they're playing good special teams and good defense, from the staff. But in terms of what we're focused on, kid’s doing a great job. Really is.

“And again, the two running backs, 7 [Jordan Waters] and 9 [Jaquez Moore], they're doing a heck of a job. They’ve got nice receivers. Tight ends are doing a good job. And I think the scheme, they're not beating themselves. They're protecting the football, and they're executing.”

Notre Dame center Zeke Correll:
“We played really hard. We played really hard football. We played level of the standard. We’re playing five as one, playing together. No sacks, a few pressures, one or two against an elite defense that has high-level ball players at every position. Yeah, we’re proud of the way we played.”

Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans:
“I learned, put a linebacker on me, I’ll win. Put a safety on me, I’ll win.”

Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser:
”Guys are devastated and disappointed and frustrated, right? We had plenty of opportunities to win that game. But at the same time, the most reassuring thing was when everybody showed up the next day to get [on the] training table and watch film and kind of do their own thing, and you could tell everybody was ready to get back to work. No one was gonna sulk in their misery. Guys were excited to get back in here, get on the field, get in the film room, ready to move on and show that we can play a lot better football and we're gonna be a really good team.”

Notre Dame safety DJ Brown:
”For the younger guys especially, they haven’t lost. Especially freshmen, they haven’t lost. We haven’t lost in a while. Knowing that just one game is not the end of the season, we have a lot more football to play. Our fate is in our own hands. That wasn’t a playoff game. That wasn’t a national championship. So just moving on, not letting one loss affect the rest of the season.”