Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame OL Prepared to Set Tone vs. Miami in Top 10 Matchup

Notre Dame captain Billy Schrauth was aware of the 1988 game with Miami before head coach Marcus Freeman spoke to the team about the rivalry. 

On Sunday night, Schrauth will get his first chance to write his own chapter in the series as the No. 6 Irish meet the No. 10 Hurricanes.

“It's a historic, bad blood rivalry and that's what great games are built on,” stated Schrauth. “I'm fired up to be a part of it." 

For Notre Dame to come out on top, the offensive line will need to carry the load. The unit enters the season with Joe Moore Award expectations, and Schrauth understands the spotlight will be on the group up front as the Irish break in a new quarterback in a hostile environment.

"They're a physical group and they have experience,” explained Schrauth. “They have a lot of the same things that we do. They're a big, strong, powerhouse program and it's going to be a hell of a matchup." 

Communication will be key.

Four of Notre Dame’s five starters already experienced a big-stage road environment at Kyle Field a year ago, something Schrauth believes prepared them for Sunday night.

"It's important to be on the same page as it is in every game. You have to be on the same page and have to be working five as one. That's the thing with the offensive line. Everything has to be working in cohesion." 

Right guard is the lone spot without major game experience, but Schrauth isn’t concerned. Sullivan Absher and Guerby Lambert saw spot action last season, and Schrauth sees plenty to like in their development.

“There's things that you like at right and things that you like at left,” Schrauth stated. “There's some in between at both where you're always trying to close the gap, but the hay is never in the barn, but I like the challenge." 

That competitiveness is what earned Schrauth his captain role.

The Wisconsin native thrives in competitive settings, whether on the field or in the weight room.

“I'm a competitive guy,” said Schrauth. “In the weight room, I try to compete. I think there's a lot of people like that in our program so it's easy to do that. It's easy for me because there's a lot of people wired like that to strive to be great and be better than they were the day before. Leading by example is always the number one way." 

And the competition in the weight room is at an all-time high. 

“All of those guys go really hard,” stated Schrauth. “Ashton (Craig) pushes me and he never overthinks anything. (Anthonie) Knapp is a tough guy, he always pushes in the weight room. (Aamil) Wagner is a sharp guy, he's never going to let anybody outsmart him. Guerby (Lambert) is another big strong guy and he's physically gifted and powerful. Sully (Absher) is another guy who's super strong and super powerful, super smart. We have guys up and down. Styles Prescod is strong and constantly getting better." 

Protecting redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr could very well define Sunday’s matchup and Schrauth knows it.

"It's always crucial and the main focus for us,” said Schrauth. “Protecting the ball and protecting the guy back there, we take a lot of pride in it. Our group is ready." 

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