Notre Dame Football vs. Bowling Green Gameday Primer

Everything you need to know before the Notre Dame football game vs. Bowling Green.

After a defensive masterclass led the Irish to a big win against No.18 Virginia, Notre Dame football continues its home stand Saturday and takes on the Falcons of Bowling Green.

To put it lightly, Bowling Green is definitely not the best team Notre Dame takes on this season, and the Irish should look to come out and make a statement in this game. So far in 2019, Bowling Green is 1-3, with losses by scores of 52-0, 35-7 and 62-20 to Kansas State, Louisiana Tech and Kent State respectively.

Yikes.

Now, let’s get into the specifics of the game.

Kickoff: 3:30 EST

Channel: NBC

Location: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN

Line: Notre Dame -45.5 — This spread marks the largest Notre Dame has been favored in 30 years.

Weather: At kickoff it will be 65 degrees with 68 percent humidity. The forecast shows the chance of rain at 10 percent with winds coming out of the SE at 12 mph.

Series history: No previous matchups.

Top storylines: In a week where one team is favored by more than 40 points, there are not too many riveting storylines to go around. Notre Dame is expected to welcome Bowling Green into their stadium and run them into the ground. Notre Dame fans and Bowling Green fans alike are expecting a beatdown. However, if for some reason it goes poorly for Notre Dame and they let Bowling Green stick around like Ball State did last season — things could get interesting.

Something fans should watch for as this game gets going is the 2nd and 3rd string players that will see some time. Players that would not normally see the field should get some solid time. Due to the NCAA’s new rule that allows players to participate in four games without burning their redshirt, Brian Kelly will be looking to throw some of his younger guys out there and see what they are made of.

Here is a list of players fans will want to look out for: So. QB Phil Jurkovec (#15), Fr. RB Kyren Williams (#23), So. WR Joe Wilkins (#18), Jr. RT Josh Lugg (#75), Fr. DE NaNa Osafo-Mensah (#18), Fr. SS Litchfield Ajavon (#23).

Injury report: 

• Notre Dame junior RB Jafar Armstrong is still nursing a groin injury. The timetable for Armstrong’s return to the team looks like next week — USC week.
• Notre Dame senior DE Daelin Hayes is out for the season with a torn labrum suffered early on against Virginia.
• Notre Dame senior CB Shaun Crawford is out 3-4 weeks with a dislocated elbow suffered against Virginia.
• Notre Dame sophomore WR Lawrence Keys III is out for Bowling Green with a minor foot injury.

Key Offensive Player for Bowling Green: Davon Jones, RB

Bowling Green does not create or do a whole lot offensively, but when they do, it comes through running back Davon Jones. Jones is a transfer from Boston College, so he has the talent to make things happen at the D-1 level. He is not the quickest running back you have ever seen, however he runs hard and is not afraid to run over defenders standing in his way.

Jones keeps the Falcon offense moving and is a guy that can get you a few yards for a first down when you need it. He is the perfect back for Bowling Green’s pro-style running game that will try to run over Notre Dame, rather than run around them.

Bowling Green will have to take shots to try and keep themselves in this game, so there may not be much work for Jones. That said, if the Falcons somehow keep themselves in this ballgame with, Jones will be key for the Falcons down the stretch.

Key Offensive Player for Notre Dame: Phil Jurkovec, QB

In a game where the Irish are favored by 45+ points, it is likely that Jurkovec gets a lot of playing time if everything goes according to plan and the Irish go up big early. Many backup players and third stringers will get significant playing time, but none will be more important than Jurkovec.

The fact that Bowling Green has not been able to stop anyone on defense bodes very well for the Irish offense. The Notre Dame offense has not been as impressive as many thought they would be this season, but if there is ever a chance to regain some confidence and work on some things, it is against Bowling Green.

That is why Jurkovec becomes the key offensive player for Notre Dame. Book and the starters on offense will likely get a few series to go and put Notre Dame up by a few scores, then the offense will be turned to Jurkovec. It has been widely reported that Jurkovec has not been as good as advertised and this is his opportunity to change that. In Notre Dame’s only other game that was a blowout (New Mexico) Jurkovec hardly got to play because of a thigh contusion. Now, Jurkovec is completely healthy and ready to show Brian Kelly what he can do.

Key Defensive Player for Bowling Green: Karl Brooks, DE

If Bowling Green is going to stand a chance in this ballgame, they are going to have to put pressure on the Notre Dame quarterback. The player who is most able to do that for them is sophomore defensive end Karl Brooks.

Brooks has not posted big numbers (13 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack) but he is lengthy and can cause problems for Notre Dame. He can rush the passer very well and also is proficient in his run stopping abilities.

However, he may be hampered by former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder. VanGorder is notorious in Notre Dame lore for fielding one of the worst defenses possibly ever seen. In VanGorder’s tenure at Notre Dame (2014-16), the Notre Dame defense was UGLY, despite VanGorder having some of the better recent Irish players at his disposal. Thinking about what Jaylon Smith could’ve been under a competent DC is enough to make a man go crazy, but I digress.

If Bowling Green is going to stop Notre Dame, it is going to have to be led by Brooks.

Key Defensive Player for Notre Dame: The 2nd string defense

The Notre Dame defense took a bit of a beating last weekend against Virginia, losing starting CB Shaun Crawford for 3-4 weeks and DE Daelin Hayes for the season. All in all, the Irish cannot afford too many injuries to its defense, so there will be plenty of time for the second and third string defenses to play.

This game is going to be a great opportunity for Clark Lea to see exactly what he has in his younger backup players. If the offense can get the game put out of hand rather quickly, there will be plenty of time for Lea to see his young players get some good playing time.