Notre Dame Football vs Michigan Special Teams Comparison

After a bye week, 8th ranked Notre Dame Football (5-1) heads to The Big House, in Ann Arbor, Michigan to face the rival 19th ranked Michigan Wolverines (5-2).

Here is an in-depth positional breakdown of how Notre Dame football matches up with the Wolverines in this epic matchup at special teams:

Notre Dame

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

6-7 in field goal attempts, 52 yard longest field goal, 27-27 in extra point attempts

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

25 punts, averaging 41.4 yards, with a longest punt of 58 yards

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

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

Michigan

Placekicker-Jake Moody 6’0″, 198 pound, sophomore, from Northville, MI

5-7 in field goal attempts, 43 yards longest field goal, 9-9 in extra points

Punter-Will Hart 6’3″, 206 pound, senior, former walk-on from Hunting Valley, OH

29 punts, averaging 46.4 yards, with a longest punt of 61 yards

Kick Returner-Ronnie Bell 6’0″, 184 pound, sophomore, 3-star recruit out of Kansas City, MO

Three kickoff returns for 53 yard with a long of 32 yards

Punt Returner-Donovan Peoples-Jones 6’2″, 208 pound, junior, 5-star recruit out of Detroit, MI

Ten punt returns for 69 yards, with a longest return of 36 yards

Advantage-Michigan

Notre Dame placekicker Jonathan Doerer has been a revelation for the Irish this year, missing just one field goal, while going perfect on extra points. Meanwhile, Jay Bramblett has been extremely productive in his first year as the Irish punter.

The speedy Lawrence Keys III has only two kick returns this season, but possesses the speed and skill to break a return for a touchdown. Former walk-on, turned team captain, Chris Finke, continues to be a stalwart in the punt return game for the Irish.

The Michigan Wolverines possess one of the most dynamic punt returners in the nation in Donovan Peoples-Jones, who has absolute game changing athleticism. The speedy Ronnie Bell, much like his counterpart Keys III, possesses the elite speed that teams must be cognizant of in the return game.

Wolverines placekicker Jake Moody has been solid in limited action in the kicking game. Michigan punter and former walk-on, Will Hart was a second-team All-American last season and was named to the preseason watchlist for the Ray Guy Award (best collegiate punter). Hart is one of the best punters in the nation and has developed into a special teams weapon for the Wolverines.

Due to the elite athleticism of Donovan Peoples-Jones in the punt return game and Hart’s being arguably the best punter in college football, the Wolverines  have a distinct advantage in special teams play.