No. 3 Notre Dame (4-0) at Purdue (2-1)
Kenan Stadium | 12:00 PM ET | ESPN | Line: Notre Dame -24.5 | Total: 46.5
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North Carolina Scouting Report
Five Players To Watch
Notre Dame WR Jordan Faison
All eyes have been on Micah Gilbert the last two weeks with him emerging as a big play threat, but this is a matchup where we could see Faison really shine. North Carolina missed 15 tackles against Clemson and Faison is one of the toughest receivers to tackle in all of college football.
UNC DT Xavier Lewis
Lewis has been the most productive defensive tackle in the country through three games. He has 14 pressures, six sacks, and leads the country in tackles for loss per game. He's an undersized, but explosive player that has been a game wrecker for the Tar Heels.
Notre Dame S Luke Talich
Talich missed the Purdue game with a wrist injury. He's back just in time to match up with TE Jelani Thurman. He's been a go-to option for UNC and Talich should often be assigned to shut down Thurman.
UNC RB Benjamin Hall
Hall is 235 and a perfect fit for Bobby Petrino's offense. He had a monster game against Clemson with 130 yards rushing, a receiving touchdown, and 10 missed tackles forced. UNC is fifth in the country in rushing success rate and Notre Dame has to slow down the Tar Heels' running game to make them one dimensional.
Notre Dame DE Bryce Young
Young has made the leap this season and leads Notre Dame in total havoc. He had a pair of sacks and a forced fumble against Purdue. He'll be going against UNC's LT Jordan Hall who struggled in pass protection last season and allowed seven pressures against Clemson. Young could go off again in this game.
Quotes of the Week
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman:
“They got a really good D-line. They're powerful, they're long, they're athletic and so we have to protect our quarterback. We have to have different answers to combat their pass rush and they'll give you different looks. Is it a three-down look, is it a four-down look, is it five defensive line body types. There's a lot of different things that they do that we got to make sure we have a good plan for but we feel like we have a good plan, we have good answers but we got to go execute them on Saturday.”
Notre Dame OL coach Joe Rudolph:
“I think overall, the idea that you keep getting better is pretty cool. I think the group is doing that, you're banking reps of each scheme. You’re banking reps of each protection. The more reps you get, the better understanding you have of not only how to do your job, but how to do it in a way where you really complement the guys around you.
“And so that's been fun. As much as you go against each other, you get pretty used to who you line up against, the way they line up, the leverages, the schemes they use, and then (now) each week you got what you see on film in preparation for the team you're going to play, and then you have that team’s game plan. The things that they change out, the things that they do, and so seeing the kids continue to grow and learn is is pretty fun. It's a great group to work with that way. They embrace it, they work at it, and I'm proud of their growth so far.”
Notre Dame LB Drayk Bowen:
“That's just how we are as a group. It doesn't matter who's in there. Everybody's going to go make a play, go play with a high motor. I think it's how we all work in the film room. We all see things a little bit differently that all really helps each other.
Notre Dame RB Aneyas Williams:
“Just clearing my plate. That's the emphasis we've made as a team and that's a focus. So just doing my job week in and week out. Just keep clearing my plate and getting to the point where even more is on my plate every week.”
For Your Nerves
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Under Armour No Weigh Backpack
