Notre Dame football: Drew Pyne taking advantage of his opportunity

The Notre Dame football program is getting great play from the quarterback position as Drew Pyne has more than taken advantage of his opportunity.

Going up against a ranked team in the BYU Cougars, the Notre Dame football team knew they had a tall task ahead of them. The Irish started the season with two straight losses, and while the two-game winning streak over Cal and UNC was a nice stretch, this BYU team was a much bigger test.

However, from the outset, it was clear the Notre Dame football team was the better team, and while Jalen Harris is considered a first-round draft prospect, Drew Pyne was the better quarterback. Playing against a tough Cougars defense, Pyne completed nearly 80 percent of his passes, three touchdowns, and threw for over 250 yards for the second straight game.

It was a breakout performance for Pyne in front of a national audience, and since stepping in as the starter for the injured Tyler Buchner, he has been downright magnificent. Outside of a tough start to the Cal game, Pyne has been the driving force behind this Notre Dame run and has put them back in the picture on the national stage.

To say he is taking advantage of this opportunity would be an understatement.

Notre Dame football is in great hands with Drew Pyne

Pyne is completing over 72 percent of his passes for the season and has tossed nine touchdowns against only two interceptions. Not only have his statistics popped off the page, but he is navigating this offense better than Tyler Buchner was before the injury, and could be the most efficient quarterback since Ian Book.

Of course, Pyne has been aided by the fact the defense has found its identity, and the run game has been outstanding as well. The Irish offensive line looks like the unit it was expected to be, and with three stellar running backs behind him, Pyne has the kind of support he needs in his first season as the starter.

He also has the premier tight end in the country in Michael Mayer, a player he leaned on against the Cougars, and found for two scores.

There are some huge games ahead of the Irish, including matchups against ranked opponents like Syracuse, USC, and Clemson. In Pyne, they have found their leader, and if he continues on this pace, you can write him in as the starter in 2023 as well.