Players to Watch: California vs. Notre Dame

It's a game 55 years in the making.

For the first time since 1967, Notre Dame (0-2) and California (2-0) will square off on the gridiron. Despite the lackluster start to 2022 for the Irish, they are an 11-point favorite Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium, according to Vegas Insider. Notre Dame also holds a 4-0 all-time record in the series.

Here are the players to watch in the fifth all-time meeting between these two teams.

Michael Mayer was one of few bright spots in last Saturday's 26-21 loss to Marshall. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound junior racked up eight receptions for 103 yards (12.9 yards per catch) and one touchdown. And new Irish starting quarterback Drew Pyne threw Mayer his first score of the season. During that scoring drive, Pyne targeted Mayer on three of his four throws.

Mayer has been Pyne's most targeted receiver coming into this Saturday's game. In games Pyne played last season, he looked Mayer's way six times — five passes were caught. In total, the pair have connected on seven of the nine passes Pyne has thrown to Mayer.

Pyne also targeted Braden Lenzy six times in 2021, but only three of those were hauled in for catches.

Coming into Saturday's game, California carries the 38th-ranked pass coverage unit (78.5 grade) among 131 teams, according to Pro Football Focus. Mayer should see plenty of safety Craig Woodson (83.1), Oluwafemi Oladejo (67.3) and Miles Williams (61.0) in this week's matchup.

Woodson presents the toughest competition as PFF's No. 15 coverage safety of 340 players graded this season.

So far in 2022, Mayer has 13 receptions for 135 yards (10.4 yards per catch) and one touchdown — his 13 receptions and lone touchdown are team bests. Last week, he eclipsed 100 receiving yards for the third time in his career.

Entering this season, Jackson Sirmon was just one of two California defenders named to the All-Pac-12 Preseason First Team. And he has lived up to the billing so far.

Through two games, the redshirt senior linebacker leads the Bears with 17 tackles and has recorded the team’s only forced fumble. He is one of seven California defenders to have registered a pass breakup.

Sirmon is the leader of a California inside linebackers corps that has played 83 games and made 41 starts. He is also the son of defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Peter Sirmon. The younger Sirmon transferred to California after spending four years at Washington, where he earned All-Conference Honorable Mention accolades.

Since joining the Bears, Jackson has been the team’s best run defender with an 84.1 PFF grade. His six run stops are also a team-best. Look for him to be just as active Saturday against a Notre Dame offense that has repeatedly affirmed its intention to be a run-first team.

To start his collegiate career, Jaydn Ott has been the focal point of the California offense.

Ranked by Rivals as the No. 241 overall player, No. 15 running back and No. 15 player in California in the 2022 class, Ott has rushed for 156 yards on 24 carries (6.5 yards per carry) and one touchdown in his first two outings. He's also notched two touchdown receptions, which has accounted for half of California's receiving scores.

Ott was a Pac-12 Freshman of Week recipient in consecutive weeks for his efforts. And it would not be far-fetched to see him earn a third honor this week.

Notre Dame is coming off a putrid performance in the defensive run game against Marshall, allowing 219 yards on 50 carries (4.4 yards per carry). Marshall backup running back Khalan Laborn finished with most of those totals by rushing for 163 yards on 31 carries (5.3 yards per carry) and a touchdown.

As PFF's 108th-graded run defense, the Irish present a favorable matchup for Ott. He will also be running behind a California offensive line with two players — left tackle Ben Coleman and center Matthew Cindric — that were recognized as preseason All-Pac-12 by Athlon Sports.

Saturday will not be the first time Cam Hart has faced a Jake Plummer-led offense.

In week three of last season, Plummer was at the helm of a Purdue offense that lost 27-13 against the Irish in South Bend. Plummer, who transferred to California in the offseason, was 25-36 for 187 yards and a touchdown against the Irish defense.

Hart was targeted 12 times in that matchup, allowing six receptions for 64 yards. Plummer’s touchdown pass was thrown in Hart’s direction. Although Hart surrendered a score, he and Kyle Hamilton led the team with a pair of pass breakups.

In that game, PFF graded Hart in coverage at 68.4 — his third-best performance last season. So far this season, Hart is 16th of 18 Notre Dame players in his PFF coverage grade at 48.5. Saturday might present an opportunity to get on track.

Entering this season, California’s seven returning wide receivers had one combined start. Despite the inexperience, the Bears have had three receivers emerge. The trio of Jeremiah Hunter (11 receptions, 157 yards, 1 TD), J. Michael Sturdivant (10 receptions, 104 yards) and Marvin Anderson (7 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD) have played well with Plummer throwing their way.

Hart comes into week three with five tackles (three solo) and 0.5 tackle for loss. He is still searching for his first pass breakup.

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