Everything you need to know about Notre Dame’s 2019 Blue-Gold Game.
When: Saturday, April 13th
StartTime: 12:30 PM ET
TV: NBC Sports Network
GAME CLOCK
• The first half will have two 15-minute quarters with normal clock stoppage
• Depending on the length of the first half, the second half will feature two 15-minute quarters with a running clock.
• Second half clock stoppages will occur only due to injuries or timeouts
• Normal play clock
TIMEOUTS
• Each team will be allowed three timeouts per half
HALFTIME/OVERTIME
• Halftime will last 15 minutes
• The game can end in a tie
• There will be no overtime
OTHER RULES
• Quarterbacks in red jerseys will not be live
• Each possession will begin on the 25-yard line
• Offense can place the ball on either hash or the middle of the field
• There will not be any kickoffs
• All punts will be fair caught
• No rush permitted on punts, PATs and field goals
• No fakes on punts, PATs and field goals
SCORING
Offense
Touchdown: 6 points
Extra Point: 1 point
2-point Conversion: 2 points
Field Goal: 3 points
Defense
Touchdown: 6 points
Turnover Forced: 3 points
Three-and-out: 3 points
Stop: 2 points
Sack/Tackle for loss: 1 point
THINGS TO LOOK FOR – OFFENSE
1. What Happens At Quarterback: Notre Dame has only two scholarship quarterbacks, so both Ian Book and Phil Jurkovec will get plenty of reps during the game. We know who Book is at this point, so I expect him to have a high completion percentage and to make a lot of plays on short to intermediate throws. What I want to see, however, is for Book to aggressively attack down the field with good timing and accuracy. That is what we will need to see from him if he’s going to take his game – and the offense – to a higher level in 2019.
For Jurkovec, I expect him to throw and hit multiple deep balls, but the next step in his development is showing a better command of the offense, making quicker decisions and throwing the short and intermediate throws with timing and confidence.
2. Strong Finish For The Offensive Line: The most consistently effective part of the offense this spring has been the play of its line. Its run blocking has been solid and its pass blocking has been superb for much of the spring. A strong finish to the spring would be a good spring board into the offseason.
I’m especially interested in seeing how sophomore center Jarrett Patterson handles the spotlight and how the young backups perform. Sophomore guard John Dirksen has been good this spring, and the freshmen have had plenty of good moments.
If the line can handle themselves it should provide opportunities for the running backs – who have had a good spring – to make plays
3. Young Playmakers: Much of the spring discussion has involved Notre Dame’s talented sophomore wide receivers (Kevin Austin, Lawrence Keys, Braden Lenzy, Joe Wilkins Jr.) and tight end Tommy Tremble. This will be that groups first chance to show off their skills in a public setting, and like the line, a good spring will send them into the offseason with a great deal of confidence.
Notre Dame is set to have a strong starting lineup next season if Chase Claypool, Chris Finke and Michael Young continue playing the way they did this spring. But the key to Notre Dame becoming the explosive offense it needs to be in the fall at least two of the sophomores will have to emerge.
THINGS TO LOOK FOR – DEFENSE
1. Linebacker Play: This is where I will spend most of my time when breaking down the spring game. Do any linebackers step up and finish the spring well? Does a veteran like Asmar Bilal solidify his hold on the Mike position, and can either sophomore Jack Lamb or junior Jordan Genmark Heath make a statement at Buck?
Sophomore Shayne Simon has finished off the spring practices playing his best ball in a Notre Dame uniform, but will he make plays in the spring game?
At rover there are more answers, and I’m looking forward to seeing junior Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah flying around the field.
2. Boundary Cornerback: Sophomore Houston Griffith has come a long way since last spring, but there is still plenty of work to do. I want to see him finish the spring with a strong performance, one in which his footwork is sound, he is clean with his transition technique and that he makes plays on the football. The closest thing I could make to a guarantee is that we’ll see Griffith come up and blow up at least one run or screen in the game.
Sophomore TaRiq Bracy has been the best cover corner outside of senior Troy Pride Jr. A strong finish to the spring will put him in position to major minutes in the spring.
3. What Will The Big Boys Do: Veteran defensive tackles Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa and Kurt Hinish have been silent for most of the spring. It would be nice to see them end the spring on a high note. Notre Dame fans are going to want to keep an eye on sophomore Jayson Ademilola and freshman Jacob Lacey, who have been the most active interior players all spring.
On the outside we all know what Julian Okwara, Khalid Kareem, Daelin Hayes and Ade Ogundeji can do. Ogundeji and Hayes have been especially good this spring, but my eyes will mostly focus on the young ends: Ovie Oghoufo, Justin Ademilola and NaNa Osafo-Mensah. They are the future, and this will be our first glimpse at seeing Oghoufo and Osafo-Mensah in this kind of setting.
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