Entering the 2020 season Notre Dame’s wide receiver corps were viewed a lot like many see faith. Despite not be able to actually see something, in this case production from the key cogs in a Notre Dame uniform, the belief was there that the group had a chance to be special.
It’s early and obviously a strange season that was pre-dated with truly unique circumstances, but through two games the receiving corps hasn’t exactly lived up to their pre-season billing.
That could start to change Saturday as No. 5 Notre Dame welcomes Florida State to South Bend however as the Irish will be getting what was supposed to be their best receiver in 2020 back to their roster in Kevin Austin, who broke his foot very early in fall camp.
The 6-2, 210 pound receiver has put up only five receptions for 90 yards in his Notre Dame career but could provide the game-breaking ability the position has lacked early this season.
“He’s explosive, rangy, has out standing ball skills and can open up the game as he can take the top off of coverages,” Brian Kelly said of Austin on Monday, “He can make a catch and go the distance and win one-on-one match-ups.”
Not that they’ve had to throw the ball over the yard two games in but Notre Dame has thrown for just over 200 yards per game and completed just one touchdown pass on the year.
Brian Kelly closed his thoughts on Austin by saying what quarterback Ian Book as well as Notre Dame fans all across the country are thinking:
“It will be nice to get him on the field for us.”
It’s also worth noting that graduate student Ben Skowronek will return to the lineup as well after playing just one half of football against Duke before suffering a hamstring injury that kept him out of the South Florida contest.