Now that the Notre Dame football team can officially move on from the Week 1 loss to the Miami Hurricanes, it's time to look for better performances from some of their most important players. When they take on Texas A&M this weekend, they'll need much better performances against three players in particular.
It's easy to pick out someone like Jeremiyah Love as a Fighting Irish player who needs to have a better game. However, he has to be allowed to do so. With just 10 carries, Love didn't really have the chance to produce more yards. However, there are several Golden Domers who have been given plenty of chances and need to cash in against the Aggies.
Anthonie Knapp needs to anchor the offensive line
The Notre Dame football team's offensive line had a very rough Sunday against the Miami Hurricanes. However, Anthonie Knapp's stormy night stands out in part because he's someone who will be leaned on as the season goes on. He needs to show up and knock defenders off the line.
According to PFF, he wasn't terrible overall, getting a 48.3 rating, but his 12.9 pass block rating was abysmal. It wasn't just allowing hurries and pressures. Even when the defender didn't get through, Knapp was getting constantly pushed back.
Jaden Greathouse needs to log a better game for Notre Dame football
Coming into the season, there was a great deal of excitement over the wide receiver room for the Fighting Irish. One big reason for that excitement was the expectations for Jaden Greathouse to have a breakout 2025. Unfortunately, after their first game, we're still waiting for that breakout.
Against Miami, Greathouse got 39 snaps but just two targets and no catches. He needs to find a way to make an impact on Saturday against Texas A&M.
Leonard Moore needs to show his freshman flash
Speaking of breakout players that didn't have a great first game, Moore came into the season as an expected All-American. He stumbled out of the gate.
Moore had 3 tackles against the Hurricanes, but he also had a missed tackle. Not only that, but the man who is supposed to be a lockdown corner for the Notre Dame football team allowed 5 catches for 50 yards and a touchdown on 7 targets of guys he was covering.