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Notre Dame football vs. Virginia Tech: Offensive Grades in Week 6

By Daniel Morrison

Oct 9, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Kyren Williams (23) runs the ball toward Virginia Tech Hokies defensive back Jermaine Waller (2) during the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Kyren Williams (23) runs the ball toward Virginia Tech Hokies defensive back Jermaine Waller (2) during the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 09: Kevin Austin Jr. #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish catches a pass to score a two point conversion to tie the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half of the game at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 09: Kevin Austin Jr. #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish catches a pass to score a two point conversion to tie the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half of the game at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football vs. Virginia Tech: Offensive Grades in Week 6

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

It’s not easy for an offense to come into a game without its best player. All-American tight end Michael Mayer was seen limping at the end of the Cincinnati loss, and he wasn’t able to play against Virginia Tech. That meant that the Irish quarterbacks didn’t have the safety net that they’ve relied on all season.

Speaking of those Notre Dame quarterbacks, they struggled to consistently command the offense, which does have a major impact on the team from a statistical point of view.

With all that being said, the performance of this group was disappointing, to say the least. Understandable, for sure. There wasn’t a tight end taking up double teams, which leaves more defenders to focus on the outside receivers than there normally would be. Add in quarterbacks who struggle to throw downfield, and you see the results.

Still, this group was solid in clutch situations, like the late two-point conversion to make it a 29-29 game that Kevin Austin caught. Davis was also key in a couple of different drives, to keep the Irish rolling downfield.

This group does need to be better and more consistent at helping their quarterbacks to make plays, especially if Mayer is going to miss some time, but that’s also a two-way street. If quarterbacks can’t get them the ball, then how can they do things like finding the endzone?

Grade= C-

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