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Notre Dame football vs. USC: Offensive Grades in Week 8

By Daniel Morrison

Oct 23, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; The Notre Dame Leprechaun carries a Notre Dame monogram flag after a Notre Dame touchdown in the fourth quarter against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; The Notre Dame Leprechaun carries a Notre Dame monogram flag after a Notre Dame touchdown in the fourth quarter against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 23: Kevin Austin Jr. #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is tackled by Isaac Taylor-Stuart #6 of the USC Trojans during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium on October 23, 2021, in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 23: Kevin Austin Jr. #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is tackled by Isaac Taylor-Stuart #6 of the USC Trojans during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium on October 23, 2021, in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football vs. USC: Offensive Grades in Week 8

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

It was a bit of a mixed bag from the wide receivers and tight ends on the night.

It was great to have Michael Mayer back from injury. He was good, catching the first two passes of the game and a key third-down conversion. The Trojans targeted him, though, and the numbers weren’t as big as we’re used to seeing. Still, his presence is vital. The freshman wide receiver Lorenzo Styles was also great, flashing his athleticism and potential while leading the Irish in receiving.

Kevin Austin, on the other hand, dropped a ball that ended the first drive of the game and had a different ball taken away from him that ended up being the one turnover Notre Dame had on the day. For their part, Avery Davis and Braden Lenzy were as quiet in the passing game, even when you count Avery Davis’ wide-open touchdown catch.

The wide receivers did do a great job blocking downfield, but you just want to see them become more consistent receiving the ball and getting open too.

Grade= B-

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