There are a few changes to the depth chart, mostly on defense
As Notre Dame football prepares for its season finale against USC with the Jeweled Shillelagh trophy on the line, the Irish have updated their depth chart heading into the week of practice.
Offensively, there isn’t much change at all, as all of the starters and backups look like they are healthy and expect to play against the Trojans on Saturday afternoon.
As for the defense, that’s a bit of a different story. Starting defensive tackle [autotag]Howard Cross III[/autotag] is not listed, as he is questionable entering the contest, giving us an idea that we may not see him on the field this weekend.
Even with his big game this past weekend defensive end [autotag]Junior Tuihalamaka[/autotag] isn’t listed as a starter, instead backing up Joshua Burnham. Also missing from the depth chart is linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, who head coach Marcus Freeman told the media on Monday that he was going to out this weekend with a knee sprain. Preston Zinter has taken over his spot.
Notre Dame defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka (44) celebrates getting a stop during a NCAA college football game against Florida State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in South Bend.
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It officially became a blowout when [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] called off the dogs. But even that wasn’t enough to keep Notre Dame from continuing to dominate as a curtain call to a 52-3 victory over Florida State.
[autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] completed a 26-yard pass to Jaden Greathouse, then handed it off to [autotag]Jeremiyah Love[/autotag] for a 1-yard touchdown run.
When the Irish’s offense retook the field after another Seminoles three-and-out, which featured a [autotag]Junior Tuihalamaka[/autotag] sack, [autotag]Steve Angeli[/autotag] took over at quarterback. Even he got in on the scoring action when he threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to [autotag]Deion Colzie[/autotag].
As a final humiliation for the Seminoles, [autotag]Luke Talich[/autotag] intercepted Brock Glenn and returned the ball 79 yards for the game’s final touchdown and the first score of his collegiate career with 1:23 remaining. It was so unnecessary and yet so beautiful to see, especially with the Seminoles on the verge of scoring for the first time since the first quarter.
Irish fans were right to be cautious about this game because it had all the makings of a trap game. But the Seminoles came in with an offense that proved to be as putrid as advertised, and they now have the most losses of any preseason top-10 team.
Meanwhile, the Irish still have a College Football Playoff dream to chase. They have all the makings of a team that belongs there.
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Notre Dame defensive lineman Loghan Thomas is dealing with a right hamstring injury. Here are the latest updates.
Defensive lineman [autotag]Loghan Thomas[/autotag] is out for the No. 10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish tonight against the Florida State Seminoles.
The freshman is sidelined with a right hamstring injury.
Notre Dame has listed all other student-athletes on the two-deep roster as available. That makes us wonder if kicker [autotag]Mitch Jeter[/autotag] is finally ready to play as he deals with a hip injury.
The Fighting Irish also return freshman cornerback Tae Johnson as the backup to [autotag]Leonard Moore[/autotag]. [autotag]Karon Hobbs[/autotag], who was in that spot last week, is now the backup nickel corner to [autotag]Jordan Clark[/autotag].
Otherwise, the Irish are getting healthier, though key players such as [autotag]Jordan Botelho[/autotag] are out for the season.
Notre Dame injury update
Notre Dame will be without Loghan Thomas this week, and [autotag]Jason Onye[/autotag] remains out for personal reasons.
How long will Loghan Thomas be out?
It is unclear how long Thomas will be out beyond this week.
Notre Dame defensive lineman depth chart
Thomas’ loss will be felt, but the Irish still have a deep defensive line. Thomas was already listed at third on the depth chart for the Vyper pass-rushing position behind [autotag]Joshua Burnham[/autotag] and [autotag]Junior Tuihalamaka[/autotag].
Sep 28, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Tyler Shough (9) is hit as he throws by Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Loghan Thomas (10) in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
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Notre Dame has recovered two fumbles early against Navy.
No. 12 Notre Dame has gotten another turnover against No. 24 Navy. Unfortunately, this one didn’t turn into any points, as backup kicker Zac Yoakam missed a 36-yard field goal.
Navy Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath fumbled, and Notre Dame defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka jumped on it.
The Fighting Irish have recovered two Navy fumbles so far and lead 14-0 against Navy in a matchup that is import for Notre Dame’s playoff chances.
The Irish have responded well to a Navy offense that has been explosive, though the Midshipmen have yet to play a team with Notre Dame’s talent.
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – APRIL 22: Joe Alt #76 and Junior Tuihalamaka #44 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish battle during the Notre Dame Blue-Gold Spring Football Game at Notre Dame Stadium on April 22, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
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Notre Dame has lost another key defensive lineman to injury. Now the Fighting Irish will have to look for a replacement.
End [autotag]Boubacar Traore[/autotag] is out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL in his left knee. The defensive end was injured in the first half of the Fighting Irish’s 31-24 win over the Louisville Cardinals. Traore had 11 tackles, five tackles for loss, and led the Irish with three sacks. He was also tied for second on the team for most quarterback pressures with eight — Howard Cross III has the most at 9.
[autotag]Junior Tuihalamaka[/autotag] seems the most likely replacement. Thus far the junior has seven tackles, two tackles for loss, and a half of a sack.
Freshman [autotag]Loghan Thomas[/autotag], who played 14 snaps versus Louisville, seems likely to see a lot more action.
Head coach Marcus Freeman also pointed to Josh Burnham, who is returning from injury, RJ Oben, and Bryce Young, as possible replacements.
Sep 21, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka (44) celebrates after an interception in the first quarter against the Miami Redhawks at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
“Josh is a guy that could play either field end or Vyper for us. RJ Oben and Bryce Young, obviously, have done a good job at the field end position, and Junior has done a really good job stepping up at the Vyper position, as well as Loghan Thomas getting some reps,” Freeman said. “And so you have five quality individuals that can play the end position for us. And we’ve got to have guys step up, just like Junior has done. And I’m confident that if something would happen again that we’ll have to have another guy step up.”
Vyper is another term for rush end.
Burnham and Young each have four tackles and 1 quarterback hit, and Young has blocked a kick on special teams. Thomas has one tackle and 1 quarterback hit, while Oben has eight tackles — four solo and four assisted.
Based on Freeman’s quote, Tuihalamaka seems likeliest to have the most impact with Traore out, with Burnham and Thomas following. Oben and and Young seem more likely to see most of their reps at field end.
Either way, Traore’s loss is a tough pill to swallow for the Irish.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team had the weekend off during Week 6 of NCAA college football, and they’ll be back on the field against Stanford on Saturday.
With that the Irish released their depth chart as they begin preparations to take on the Cardinals. Offensively, there aren’t really any major changes from when Notre Dame last took the field, with the good news that it looks like wide receiver [autotag]Jordan Faison[/autotag] wasn’t injured again against Louisville.
As for the defense, [autotag]Junior Tuihalamaka[/autotag] will take over at the Vyper position, with freshman Loghan Thomas and redshirt sophomore Joshua Burnham backing him up. The good news is that with the week off, the Irish were able to manage some injuries and the majority of them are trending in the right direction to play this weekend.
Notre Dame wide receivers Logan Saldate (19) and Jordan Faison (6) stretch before a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in South Bend.
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The great thing about Notre Dame’s dominant win over Miami (Ohio) is that a few more players got a chance to shine. Consequently, we have a few new names popping up in our weekly statistical leaders listicle heading into the game against Louisville. That should force the Cardinals to be a little more aware of the players they’ll be going up against.
This goes without saying, but the Irish always can benefit from new players appearing in these categories. It highlights just how deep the team’s talent is, and anyone can step in at any point. It might take some players longer to crack the leaders lists than others, but that’s the beauty of a regular season that runs through the end of November.
So who are the players standing out the most going into the Irish’s last game before their first bye week? Take a look for yourself here:
Notre Dame took the ball back after a bad turnover deep in its own territory.
Notre Dame got a key player back from injury in wide receiver Jordan Faison. And Faison nearly gave Irish fans heartache when he fumbled a punt deep in Irish territory. The visiting Miami of Ohio Redhawks were set up with a short field.
After Redhawks quarterback Brett Gabbert found Cade McDonald for 21 yards to the Irish 5-yard line, Notre Dame fans were starting to think “here we go again” after falling to Northern Illinois Huskie at home two weeks ago. The Huskies, like the Redhawks, are a Mid-American Conference team.
The Irish snuffed out the drive when Christian Gray tipped a Gabbert pass and the ball fell into linebacker Niuafe Junior Tuihalamaka’s hands.
Notre Dame was unable to do anything with the turnover, with the drive ending in a punt. But at least the Irish have kept Miami off of the scoreboard, for now.
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What still sticks out in your mind after the Irish’s blowout of BC?
That was a memorable game yesterday, wasn’t it? The Irish absolutely dominated the visiting Eagles, snow and shine. The most impressive win of the year left a very positive taste in everyone’s mouth and it’s going to show here as well. These are my lasting thoughts about Notre Dame’s 44-0 trouncing of Boston College.
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Who are your MVP’s, breakouts and freshman contributors?
The season is just a few days away and we can’t wait for the appetizer on Thursday and the main course on Saturday with some desert on Monday. Many of us can’t help but imagine how Notre Dame’s season will play out, so here are some best guesses at who will be the MVP’s, breakouts and impact freshman for this Irish this fall.
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