Know Your Notre Dame Football Enemy: The Vanderbilt Commodores
By J.P. Scott
The Notre Dame football team will host the Vanderbilt Commodores in the third game of the season. Here’s what you need to know.
Over the next couple of weeks, we are going to take a quick look at all 12 teams on the 2018 Notre Dame football schedule with the intent of familiarizing you with what the Irish are up against.
Next up: The Vanderbilt Commodores
2017 Synopsis
Vanderbilt finished with a 5-7 record last season. They managed to pull off wins against Kansas State and Tennessee, but struggled to move the ball consistently on the ground in most games. The end result was an inability to sustain drives and subsequently score points.
Who did they lose?
They lost running back Ralph Webb, but with the inability to run the ball in 2017, conventional wisdom tells you that he shouldn’t be viewed as a huge loss. He put up 831 yards and 10 touchdowns l;ast season. They also lost leading receiver Trent Sherfield, who hauled in 50 receptions for 729 yards and five touchdowns.
Additionally, they lost seven starters on defense –including linebacker Oren Burks — who was taken in th third round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.
Who do they return?
Quarterback Kyle Shurmur returns, and that’s huge for the Commodores. He was one of the better pure passers in the SEC last season and looks to continue his upward trajectory. They also return four starters on the offensive line.
Illinois transfer Ke’Shawn Vaughn steps in to replace Ralph Webb at running back. Vaughn had a solid 2015 freshman campaign in the Big Ten, rushing for 723 yards and six scores.
Defensively, outside linebacker Charles Wright — one of the SEC’s past pass rushers — returns to lead a relatively inexperienced group. Cornerback Joejuan Williams — a guy who will play on Sundays — is the only other star on the defensive side of the ball for the Commodores.
Why should Notre Dame be worried?
Shurmur is a smart guy and can make every throw. He has experience playing in the biggest and loudest SEC stadiums, so he won’t be intimidated in the least. He’ll have solid protection, which will give him time to find open guys downfield. He also has the added security of an experienced back behind him.
When Notre Dame has the ball, Charles White may be moved around the field in an attempt to put constant pressure on Brandon Wimbush on obvious passing downs. JoeJuan Williams has the ability to take away one side of the field. There is a chance that the Irish are forced to become slightly one-dimensional and lean on the rushing attack to move the ball.
Why should Notre Dame not be worried?
Outside of Wright and Williams, the Vanderbilt defense will struggle to consistently keep up with the Notre Dame offense. The Irish should be able to pound the ball early and often. This will wear down the Commodores and eliminate any early, momentum-building impact Charles Wright’s pass rush could otherwise create.
On defense, the Irish have enough talent at all three levels to limit the scoreboard damage from Shurmur and company. Brian Kelly has gone out of his way to design his defense like an SEC squad from a personnel standpoint. Vanderbilt’s offense struggled to move the ball against every SEC school not named Ole Miss in 2017.
Key Player for Vanderbilt
Charles Wright — Not only is he good enough to beat tight ends, backs and tackles off the edge, his presence requires him to constantly be accounted for. If he makes big plays early and gets in the head of the Notre Dame offensive line and Wimbush, he has a chance to alter the way the Irish do business the rest of the way.
Next: Know Your Enemy: Ball State
Key Player for Notre Dame
Alohi Gilman — Kyle Shurmur will have time to deliver on-target passes into the Notre Dame secondary. It will be key for Gilman to make the correct reads and provide the necessary help to avoid allowing the big play. If the Notre Dame defensive backfield can minimize Vanderbilt’s explosiveness through the air, the Irish shouldn’t have trouble winning this contest soundly.