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Position By Position Review: Notre Dame vs USC

By Matt Clark

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 14: Javon McKinley #88 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish scores a touchdown in the second quarter against the New Mexico Lobos at Notre Dame Stadium on September 14, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 14: Javon McKinley #88 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish scores a touchdown in the second quarter against the New Mexico Lobos at Notre Dame Stadium on September 14, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Chris Finke #10 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the ball and is tackled by K’Von Wallace #12 of the Clemson Tigers in the first half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Special Teams

Notre Dame Irish Placekicker-Jonathan Doerer 6’3″, 190 pound, junior, 3 star recruit out of Charlotte, NC

3-4 in field goal attempts, 36 yard longest field goal, 24-24 in extra point attempts

Notre Dame Punter-Jay Bramblett 6’2″, 175 pound, freshman, 3 star recruit out of Tuscaloosa, AL

22 punts, averaging 45.5 yards, with a longest punt of 49 yards

Notre Dame Kick Returner-Lawrence Keys III 5’11”, 160 pound, sophomore, 4 star recruit out of New Orleans, LA

Two kickoff returns for 62 yards with a long return of 45 yards

Notre Dame Punt Returner-Chris Finke 5’9″, 185 pound, senior, former walk-on from Dayton, OH

Six punt returns for 50 yards, with a longest return of 25 yards

USC Trojans Placekicker-Chase McGrath 6’0″, 200 pound, sophomore, 3 star recruit out of Newport Beach, CA

4-4 in field goal attempts, with a 52 yard longest field, 19-19 in extra point attempts

USC Trojans Punter-Ben Griffiths 6’5″, 240 pound, freshman, 3 star recruit out of Melbourne, VIC

19 punts, averaging 40.2 yards, with a longest punt of 54 yards

USC Trojans Kick Returner-Velus Jones Jr. 6’0″, 190 pound, junior, 3 star recruit out of Saraland, AL

19 returns for 487 yards and one touchdown with a longest return of 100 yards

USC Trojans Punt Returner-Tyler Vaughns 6’2″, 190 pound, junior, 4 star recruit out of Pasadena, CA

Four returns for 21 yards, with a longest return of 14 yards.

Advantage-Draw

The Trojans have the advantage in the return game, while the Irish hold the advantage in the kicking game. Velus Jones Jr. is one of the most electrifying return men in all of college football. Jonathan Doerer will have to remain cognizant of him at all times in the return game.

Head Coaches

Notre Dame Irish-Brian Kelly

Tenth year as the Notre Dame head coach, with a record of 62-35* during his tenure with the Irish.

USC Trojans-Clay Helton

Fourth year as the USC head coach, with a record of 35-19 during his tenure with the Trojans.

Next. 3 Bold Predictions vs. USC. dark

Advantage-Notre Dame

Brian Kelly’s experience as the head coach of one of the premier college football teams in the nation for the past decade give him a distinct advantage over Helton. The Trojans have an extremely talented young group, but Kelly will undoubtedly have the Irish ready to play in this rivalry game in South Bend this weekend.

*not including vacated wins

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