Notre Dame Football: Questions answered in the 2021 Blue-Gold game
By Andrew Hall
Notre Dame Football: Questions answered in the 2021 Blue-Gold game
Jack Coan will start for the Fighting Irish.
The quarterback competition between Jack Coan and Drew Pyne surprised everyone, including the coaches. However, Coan showed on Saturday why he will ultimately prevail over Pyne. Coan does not possess a huge arm but it is better than that of Pyne.
It gives the Irish an ability to push the ball downfield more often than with Ian Book. Coan is accurate, decisive and adept in the pocket. However, he may be a little risky with his throws. In multiple clips provided by the University and in Saturday’s contest, Coan was intercepted or deflected on several outbreaking routes.
In 2019, at Wisconsin, he threw 18 touchdowns to 5 interceptions – an over 3 to 1 ratio. So, Coan proved on the field that he can protect the football.
Tyler Buchner will start for the Fighting Irish, someday.
When Phil Jurkovec played in the spring game, he failed miserably. Tyler Buchner did not on Saturday afternoon. The San Diego, California native showed all the skills that got Notre Dame football fans excited. Buchner did nothing to dampen the message board excitement. He still needs a lot of work.
Buchner was not always playing against the top defensive players. However, he was decisive with the football and made explosive plays. Buchner must demonstrate that he can have sustained success against top competition before he become Notre Dame’s QB1. He did show that, someday, he will start for the Fighting Irish.
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa looks like a defensive end.
Tagovailoa-Amosa quickly dispelled any beliefs that he cannot play on the outside. He showed off his trimmed physique on Saturday afternoon. It is clear that playing at a lighter weight allows the Hawaii native to use his speed. Tagovailoa-Amosa also flashed an array of pass rush moves that will only improve as the Notre Dame football season gets closer.