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Notre Dame Football

Mustipher and Offensive Line Focused on Communication

August 15, 2017
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Sam Mustipher got his feet wet last fall as a first-year starter at center. The 6-foot-2, 305 had his ups and downs as most first time starters, but the light has clicked on during the last eight months, and Mustipher is ready to show his improved game.

“I am just gelling more with the guys and becoming a master of what we have offensively,” said Mustipher. “I am becoming an expert on what the defenses are going to run as well.

“I expect to be a guy the team can count on every down. I want to snap the ball to the quarterback and go execute my block.”

I am becoming an expert on what the defenses are going to run as well. - Sam Mustipher
Head coach Brian Kelly and offensive coordinator Chip Long also have faith in Mustipher and the rest of the offensive line, as they will call protections in 2017, a job that typically had been held down by the quarterback. 

“We communicated a lot before, but now we communicate more,” Mustipher explained.  “We are surer of ourselves, and I know what to study on tape going into games. I have learned a lot from Mike (McGlinchey), Q (Quenton Nelson), and Ronnie (Stanley) when he was here on how to prepare week in and out.

“We all call it. We all make it together. Coach (Harry) Hiestand preaches it to us each day about seeing it through one set of eyes. That’s the biggest thing we need to work on.” 

Another new change is the tempo the Irish will run on offense under Long. Mustipher knows he sets the tone for how fast the offense will go.

“Getting set right away and getting my hand on the football as fast as possible,” Mustipher said of his job. “I think the offseason training helped us with conditioning and staying in shape to be ready to attack at all times.”

Over the first few weeks of Fall Camp, Mustipher has also noticed the defensive line competing and even being harder to move.

“I think they have all grown experience wise and in the weight room from our offseason training,” stated Mustipher. “Those guys are firing on all cylinders. Coach (Mike) Elston has been working with them well.”

One guy Mustipher gets a lot of in practice is junior defensive tackle, Jerry Tillery. The 6-foot-6, 305-pounder has had his struggles during his first two seasons at Notre Dame, but Mustipher admits Tillery has been a handful during camp. 

“I have seen him develop a lot,” Mustipher stated. “My first spring was his first spring, so we have been battling head-to-head for a long time now. We know what to expect out of each other, and I love going against Jerry. He’s an explosive player, and he does some unorthodox things, but it’s stuff you have to deal with him. He’s a great athlete.” 

Trevor Ruhland has stepped up into his role and done well. - Sam Mustipher
Mustipher has also taken on a teaching role this offseason with backup centers Tristen Hoge and Parker Boudreaux transferring from the program.

“Trevor Ruhland has stepped up into his role and done well,” Mustipher said of Ruhland’s move to center. “I think he’s progressed as a player not only on the field but off the field as well. His attitude towards the game has changed a lot.”

As for the rest of camp, Mustipher will complete his fourth camp in a few weeks, and it’s about pushing through to the finish line. 

“Camp is always a grind,” laughed Mustipher. “It doesn’t matter what level of football you’re playing. Going into my fourth one here, I know what to expect, and our team morale is high.” 


 
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