For the second straight game, Jack Cooley was shoved to the floor by an opposing player. And for the second straight game, Cooley responded with a scoring outburst for Notre Dame.SOUTH BEND – Notre Dame’s freshman class could have a lot to do with the team’s success this season.
Coach Brian Kelly said he expects contributions from receivers TJ Jones and Austin Collinsworth, quarterback Tommy Rees, tight end Alex Welch, offensive linemen Tate Nichols and Christian Lombard, cornerback Lo Wood and linebackers Prince Shembo and Danny Spond.
Kelly said Collinsworth and Spond will probably contribute more on special teams.
“There are six guys on offense that are freshmen; that’s the most I’ve ever had in 20 years of coaching, that will be eating breakfast with the team when we are ready to play (road games),” Kelly said. “You got nine freshmen right now who will be on the bus.”
Going wild
Kelly said the Irish will continue to use a wildcat package this season.
The Irish found some success in the wildcat last season with running back Armando Allen and receivers Golden Tate and John Goodman, a former Bishop Dwenger standout.
Kelly said Allen and running back Theo Riddick are candidates to run the wildcat. And the coach has a surprise entry in the formation – tight end Kyle Rudolph.
“Last year, I had a big tight end at Cincinnati. I kind of like the big, physical guy in there,” Kelly said.
At 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, Rudolph fits the bill as a big guy in the wildcat.
Or as quarterback Dayne Crist said, “That’s a big wildcat right there.”
Inside battle
Sophomore Carlo Calabrese and junior Anthony McDonald are the top candidates to play alongside Manti Te’o at inside linebacker.
“We have to get them to continue to grow their assets and really focus and work on their liabilities, so that they are functional players for the different things that will happen,” said Bob Diaco, defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach.
Kelly said the Irish want a mix of Calabrese’s and McDonald’s abilities at inside linebacker.
“We want Mac to be more physical at the point of attack and maintain his really good pass coverage skills,” Kelly said. “And we want Carlo to be really physical at the point of attack, like he is, but he’s got to be able to relate to No. 2 (covering the tight end).”
