Notre Dame Football vs. Toledo: 3 Surprises in 2021 Week 2

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Sep 11, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) stiff arms Toledo Rockets linebacker Dyontae Johnson (2) in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame Football vs. Toledo: 3 Surprises in 2021 Week 2

How good Tyler Buchner looked

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tyler Buchner did not play his senior season of high school football, which should have put him in a tough situation as he started his college career. However, Buchner arrived on campus and got right to work, looking very impressive early on, and then playing some great football during the Blue-Gold Game.

Listed as the No. 3 quarterback for the Toledo matchup, nobody expected to see Buchner in live game action, especially with the game not decided. But when the offense struggled, and they needed a spark, it was No. 12 that trotted out on the field in the first half, taking over for starter Jack Coan.

Buchner led the Irish to a touchdown in his first drive, and then came on later in the game to give Notre Dame a fourth-quarter lead on a 55-yard throw to Chris Tyree. Overall, Buchner was 3-for-3 with 78 yards and a touchdown through the air, but also showed prowess running the football, racking up 68 yards on seven carries.

Not bad for the true freshman, not bad at all.

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