Tag: Javon McKinley

Notre Dame vs. Florida State: Second-Quarter Analysis

Well, that’s a bit more like it. Notre Dame still doesn’t look it’s completely shaken the rust from its layoff.

Well, that’s a bit more like it. Notre Dame still doesn’t look it’s completely shaken the rust from its layoff. However, it takes a 35-20 lead over Florida State into the locker room. It has that to be grateful for.

After Javon McKinley caught a 36-yard pass from Ian Book to end the first quarter, the Irish continued their momentum on the drive to begin the second quarter. They gained positive yardage on every play until Kyren Williams scored his second touchdown of the game from the 1-yard line. After that, the game hit a bit of a lull as no points were scored on the next three possessions. It also was nice because it showed how well the Irish defense plays when the offense doesn’t put it in a tough spot.

With Williams already having contributed a bunch, the decision was made to give the ball to Chris Tyree in the backfield. He quickly showed why the Irish have faith in him. The drive took only four plays after he ran for 13 and 45 yards, respectively. The latter of those plays resulted in a touchdown.

Florida State saw how well the Irish were doing on the ground throughout the first half and decided to counter with their own ground game. Led by La’Damian Webb, the Seminoles marched downfield all the way to the Notre Dame 8. They might have gotten farther, but the Irish defended Jordan Travis’ passes well. Ryan Fitzgerald salvaged the drive by kicking his second field goal.

The next drive saw the Irish race against the clock and put together a complete effort. Jafar Armstrong returned a kick 36 yards to the Notre Dame 43, setting up a series of runs from Book. The Irish also were aided by a personal foul penalty from the Seminoles. It all culminated in a a 5-yard touchdown reception from Braden Lenzy with 11 seconds left.

Notre Dame talking with ‘21 WR Thornton everyday, what does it mean?

The Irish have three WR commits already in the fold for ‘21, but are still recruiting another one hard. What does that mean?

When Jayden Thomas committed last week, it gave Brian Kelly three spectacular prospects at the position for the 2021 recruiting class. According to a report today, one-time Penn State commit Dont’e Thornton is talking with the Irish staff every day.

With Thomas, Lorenzo Styles Jr. and Deion Colzie already committed, it makes you wonder what the staff is thinking going after another receiver. There are only three outgoing seniors at the position, and in last year’s class there were three players that signed. Fifteen total players will be on the roster next year, not including the three commits.

The group has yet to break out this year, but Kelly is confident they will. Kevin Austin and Bennett Skoronek return this week, while Braden Lenzy gets healthier and healthier each week. Skoronek is one of the three with their eligibility running out, Avery Davis and Javon McKinley the others. None have really made an impact.

Keeping all this in mind, could there be a player on the roster or a committed player be in line for a position change? After seeing highlights from this past weekend, immediately Lorenzo Styles Jr.’s name came to mind.

This is the reason why he came to mind. Styles Jr. has the skill set to play defense and after losing cornerback commit Philip Riley, there is a need at the position. The current two commits, Ryan Barnes and Chance Tucker are great players, but neither have the ceiling Styles Jr. does.

The frame Styles Jr. would bring to the position would be elite, 6-foot-1-inch and 185–pounds is an imposing figure at corner. Size would never be an issue with any receiver he would go up against.

Yes, the Irish would gladly take a commitment from Thornton, but his continued recruitment does open up possibilities for Styles Jr. to end up on the other side of the ball. Although Richard Sherman’s change was while he was at Stanford, it sure worked out well for him. Here’s hoping that if Styles Jr. does move to the defensive side of the ball, it ends up similar to one of the best corners in the game.

Notre Dame vs. Duke: Third-Quarter Analysis

Little by little, we’re seeing glimpses of how Notre Dame is expected to play this season.

Little by little, we’re seeing glimpses of how Notre Dame is expected to play this season. It may not be pretty, but the Irish are getting the job done. They lead Duke, 17-13, after three quarters.

The Blue Devils’ first possession of the second half was cut short when Jalon Calhoun, their leading receiver from last year, fumbled a reception and saw Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah make the recovery. However, it wasn’t all good for the Irish as Kyle Hamilton limped off the field and has yet to return. Gotta give something to get something, I suppose.

Out of a timeout and with eight minutes left in the quarter, Kyren Williams took the ball on a fourth-and-1 and ran it 26 yards for his second touchdown of the game. So far, this kid looks to be worth the hype. Of course, he got a little help on a nice block from Javon McKinley.

It turned out the Irish needed that 17-6 lead because the Blue Devils aren’t going away. After the Irish went three-and-out deep in their own territory, Chase Brice took advantage of a short field and made a couple of nice passes to lead a touchdown drive. He finished it off himself by running in from 2 yards out.

Tale of the Tape: Leading Receivers – Javon McKinley vs. Jalon Calhoun

The number of quality receivers Ian Book had to throw to last year was almost unfair.

The number of quality receivers Ian Book had to throw to last year was almost unfair. So when Javon McKinley is Notre Dame’s top returnee at that position, it might seem a little underwhelming, especially given his history with injuries and inconsistency. The good news is he’s had a knack for some big plays in the opportunities he’s gotten. His receptions should increase this season, so his yards per catch should decrease.

Jalon Calhoun led Duke and ACC freshmen in receiving in 2019. Though his numbers might not jump out much, it’s a testament to how evenly the Blue Devils distributed the ball. Less than five yards a game separate their top three receivers, which included returning tight end Noah Gray. The question will be whether transfer Chase Brice has developed enough chemistry with Calhoun and Gray during workouts.

Calhoun has the advantage in this matchup as far as health, chances and regular output. But for all we know, another Irish receiver not named McKinley will emerge and blow away everyone else. We’d all like that, wouldn’t we?