Notre Dame Football Grades: Offense vs. Temple

Yesterday, Irish defeated Temple, 49-16. For the most part, the Notre Dame football team performed extremely well in all facets of the game. But, the Wide Receivers and Safety remain positions of uncertainty. Here are the grades for the Notre Dame offense:

Other than throwing 1 INT, Wimbush played extremely well against the Owls.

The Quarterback from Jersey City, New Jersey impressed in his starting debut. He completed 17 of 30 passes for 184 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. In addition to the attack with his stellar right arm, Wimbush scampered to 106 yards  and 1 touchdown.

Overall, he played an almost flawless opening game. However, he threw the ball into dangerous spots several times. When he plays a more talented defense, he may throw 2 or 3 interceptions. He deserved at least 3 interceptions in this contest. His Wide Receivers need to do a better job getting open for him (more on that later) but he needs to take care of the football.

Notre Dame finished with a trio of 100-yard rushers for the 1st time since 1954.

The trio of Junior Josh Adams, Junior Dexter Williams and Sophomore Tony Jones Jr. led an Irish ground attack that totaled over 400 yards. Team captain Josh Adams led the group with 161 yards rushing on 19 carries. Not to be out-done, Williams made the most of his 6 carries, rushing for 124 yards.

When was the last time Notre Dame backfield featured a trio of 100-yard rushers? 1954. Giving anything other than “A+” is completely unfair. However, if they caught the ball out of the backfield more in the future, it would help the Irish tremendously.

Other than Equanimeous St. Browns, the Receiver group failed to produce.

Junior Equanimeous St. Brown showed that he belongs the best Wide Receivers in college football.  St. Brown caught 4 passes for 80 yards with 1 touchdown. However, his Notre Dame football teammates failed to upload their end of the bargain.

Graduate transfer Receiver Cam Smith caught 3 passes for 10 yards. Sophomore Chase Claypool added 1 reception for 16 yards. Graduate transfer Freddy Canteen tacked on 7 yards on 1 reception.

The Wide Receivers need to perform much better in the future if the offense expects to move at an elite level. Without production from this group, teams will load the box to stop the Irish ground attack.

Alize Mack failed to show all his elite talent in Saturday’s victory.

Senior Nic Weishar surprised all 77,622 in attendance with his touchdown reception. He fought the covering Linebacker off to give the Irish a 21-3 lead late in the 1st Quarter. Weishar caught a total of 3 passes for 20 yards.

Fans expected that type of production from Redshirt Sophomore Alize Mack but not from Weishar. The aforementioned Mack only tallied 2 receptions for 17 yards. He dropped a few passes throughout the game. As previously discussed, Notre Dame needs receivers to step up. Mack possesses elite NFL talent. He can hold down that spot as the #2 target in the Notre Dame offense.

Fifth-year player Durham Smythe added 2 catches for 34 yards before leaving the game under suspicion of a concussion.

Notre Dame’s Offensive Line plowed their way to 422 yards on the ground.

The Offensive Line of Mike McGlinchey, Quenton Nelson, Sam Mustipher, Alex Bars and Tommy Kraemer (and Robert Hainsey) manhandled the Temple front. The new run first Offense compliments the players on the line.

As previously stated, Notre Dame ran for 422 yards. The average is even more impressive. Irish ball carriers dashed to 9.6 yards per carry. Even the 2015 Offensive Line did not produce the same numbers. Against UMASS, an opponent inferior to Temple, the Irish averaged 9.0 yards per carry. This group could be special.

Notre Dame only scratched the surface on Saturday. The Irish Offensive Line and Running Backs led the way, dominating a physical Temple front. However, the Irish need the Tight Ends and Wide Receivers to step up to truly make this an exceptional offense.