Notre Dame football: Jack Coan better than expected against FSU
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football program knew they had a solid quarterback in graduate transfer Jack Coan, but he proved to be better than expected against FSU.
Going into the season opener against Florida State, the Notre Dame football team certainly had question marks on both sides of the ball. On defense, they had recently lost linebacker Marist Liufau, and would be trying to figure out how to replace an All-American in Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah as well.
On offense, there were numerous questions, including how well the offensive line would hold up with four new starters in place. Also, the Irish were looking for answers at wide receiver, but the biggest question mark was what they would get out of Jack Coan.
A graduate transfer from Wisconsin, Coan had to beat out Drew Pyne and true freshman Tyler Buchner this offseason to win the job, but he did so convincingly and received high praise from the coaches, and fellow players. On Sunday, he would be given the opportunity to show that the program made the right move by starting him, and he not only impressed but proved to be an even better player than expected.
Sure, he led Wisconsin to a Big Ten title game, but the way he was able to move this offense behind an offensive line that struggled at times, was very impressive.
Notre Dame football is in good hands with Coan
When all was said and done, Coan actually proved to be a lot better than advertised, as he looked nothing like the game-manager he was rumored to be. He took shots downfield, had a few perfect throws, and when all was said and done, he threw for more passing yards than any other Notre Dame quarterback in a season opener in program history.
His four touchdown passes tied a record as well.
Kyren Williams struggled a bit in the opener, and that will happen from time to time, but we saw on Sunday night that this offense does not have to be one-dimensional. In fact, if Coan continues to put the ball in the air the way he did against Florida State, it is only going to make things easier for Williams and this run game.
Saturday, the Irish take on a Toledo team that, while they may be good in the MAC, they should not give Notre Dame much trouble inside Notre Dame Stadium. For Coan, this was an outstanding start to his Irish career, and fans of the Notre Dame football program have to be excited about what the 2021 season could hold for him, and the Irish.