Notre Dame schedule deep dive: A Week 4 matchup with G5 power Miami (OH)
The Notre Dame football team will head into Week 4 for another battle with a MAC opponent, this time against the preseason favorites.
The Miami (OH) Redhawks are coming off an impressive 11-3 season that saw the program win its 17th MAC Championship. The Redhawks were a Top-5 defense in the MAC in 2023, only allowing an average of five yards per play in all 14 games. This is the second MAC power on Notre Dame's schedule, just two weeks removed from their NIU matchup.
Returning to Miami is sixth-year quarterback Brett Gabbert, who head coach Chuck Martin says is the toughest player on the team. Gabbert has dealt with injuries his entire career, but still managed to throw for 1634 yards in just eight games played in 2023. His career passing yard (7,893) and passing touchdown (59) totals both rank third in program history.
Notre Dame football has its hands full with Miami
Quarterback is just about the only position that Miami has locked in heading into the season.
The Redhawks return a solid core on defense, but Martin says there are some big shoes to fill. Yashyn McKee, Jacquez Warren, and Michael Dowell all depart, three of the six top tacklers from last year. Martin says that the defensive backs are the least-experienced position group heading into the season.
Miami makes up for it by returning five of their top eight guys on the defensive line, highlighted by redshirt junior Kobe Hilton. Hilton, a three-year starter at defensive tackle heading into 2024, is a key piece of the Redhawks’ front.
Miami loses runningback Rashad Amos to the transfer portal, ending up at Ole Miss. Amos rushed for 1124 yards, earning him All-MAC Third Team honors. In his stead, the Redhawks return senior Kenny Tracy and pick up Purdue transfer Dylan Downing in the portal, both of whom are expected to play big roles in the ground attack.
Top receiver Gage Larvadain transferred to South Carolina this past offseason, but Miami returns Cade McDonald and Javon Tracy to lead the receiving corps. Martin also adds Indiana transfer Kam Perry and Arizona State transfer Andre Johnson via the portal, two names to look out for.
As for Notre Dame, this is a good test heading into the ACC portion of the schedule. Miami’s biggest strength is their D-line, the Irish have had O-line mishaps in camp. This matchup will work out the kinks while allowing quarterback Riley Leonard to find his rhythm against a depleted secondary.
With a chance to exact revenge with Louisville on the horizon, Notre Dame football will look to “get right” and perfect their offensive attack against the Redhawks.