The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is set to face one of its toughest challenges this season when they host the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday afternoon.
Coming off a rather unremarkable victory over Miami (OH), the Irish will be looking to improve, while the Cardinals are riding high after their win against Georgia Tech. Both teams are ranked in the top 20 of the US LBM Coaches Poll, making this matchup significant on a national scale. ESPN has highlighted it as the most crucial game for the College Football Playoff in Week 5, a win that Notre Dame desperately needs.
To secure that victory, the Irish will need to contend with Louisville’s potent offense and solid defense. Below, we’ll explore the key players from Louisville who will be making their way to South Bend this weekend.
A plethora of running backs.
The Cardinals do not have a primary lead back, as six players have recorded double-digit carries, with none exceeding 20. Isaac Brown and Duke Watson each average over 10 yards per carry and have both scored a touchdown. While they are not significant threats in the passing game, each player is reliable and capable of making an impact.
The senior has made an impressive start to his final season, already achieving a career-high of three sacks along with 11 tackles. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 250 pounds, Logan presents a formidable challenge for the young offensive line of the Irish. Alongside Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton, he is expected to be one of the toughest opponents Notre Dame will encounter throughout the season.
Wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks.
After a breakout sophomore season at Alabama, where he recorded 674 yards and 8 touchdowns, Brooks faced an upper body injury and subsequently transferred. He is currently on track for 1,118 yards and 8 touchdowns, demonstrating that his impressive second season was no fluke. Although Brooks will be up against one of the top secondaries in the nation, he still possesses the talent to challenge the Irish defense multiple times.
Louisville’s Kenderick McDonald plays a similar role to what Kyle Hamilton did for Notre Dame. Both players have the versatility to line up close to the line of scrimmage and use their instincts to diagnose plays effectively.
Through the first few games this season, McDonald has recorded 13 tackles and 2 sacks. While he doesn’t have any interceptions so far in 2024, he has 4 career picks, with all of them coming during his time at Tennessee. After being a solid contributor for the Volunteers the previous two seasons, McDonald has found a home with the Cardinals.
Like Hamilton, McDonald’s ability to impact the game in multiple ways, whether it’s stopping the run, rushing the passer, or making plays in coverage, makes him a key piece of Louisville’s defense. His versatility and football IQ allow the Cardinals to move him around and create mismatches for the offense.
While the numbers may not jump off the page, McDonald’s value goes beyond the stat sheet. His presence is felt by offenses who have to account for him on every snap. Notre Dame will need to be aware of where he lines up and make sure they have a plan to neutralize his impact when they face Louisville.
Quarterback Tyler Shough.
Another transfer who has been playing college football since 2019 is enjoying a strong final season. He has already thrown for 850 yards and 8 touchdowns without any interceptions, marking the best start of his career. Shough is completing 68.4% of his passes and appears very comfortable in the offense. However, he tends to make a few risky throws, so the Irish will need to be prepared to capitalize on those opportunities.
Leave a Reply