Here are five storylines to watch during Saturday's Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium
Mike BerardinoSOUTH BEND — Now that Notre Dame football has its 80-play jersey scrimmage out of the way, aka The Dress Rehearsal Before the Dress Rehearsal, it’s time for Saturday’s Blue-Gold Game.
What happens after the 1 p.m. kickoff at Notre Dame Stadium isn’t to be taken too seriously, even if Peacock will stream it live with Jason Garrett doing the on-air analysis alongside play-by-play voice Tony Simeone.
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Here are five storylines to monitor:
Will Mike Denbrock’s offense purr this time?
Three interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns, marred last Saturday’s scrimmage that was open to the media.
Steve Angeli, coming off a winning turn in the Sun Bowl, will get another chance to show how far he’s come in learning the Denbrock system. Kenny Minchey, who ran for a score off a goal-line option look, has been drawing raves from teammates and coaches alike, but it’s midyear enrollee CJ Carr who might fire the tightest spiral of the group.
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Will Riley Leonard be pantomiming again?
From a safe distance of 12-15 yards behind the line of scrimmage, the senior transfer quarterback from Duke tried to make the most of the April 13 exercise. Leonard wasn’t just on the headset as plays were called in, he also went through half-speed checks and drops as the plays unfolded, all while taking care not to stress his surgically repaired right ankle.
“That’s just a reflection of who he is,” Irish coach Marcus Freeman said. “This is his idea, and he was going to challenge himself to have 100% focus on every rep. He had the headset on. He knew every call that was going in, and he went and stepped through every single one. That’s who he’s been.”
Who else won’t be playing?
Other non-participants of note include tight end Mitchell Evans (torn ACL), cornerback Benjamin Morrison (shoulder surgery), safety Rod Heard II and wide receivers Beaux Collins and Jayden Harrison (plantar fasciitis).
Sun Bowl MVP Jordan Faison, the sophomore slot receiver who has 15 goals in his first nine games for top-ranked Notre Dame lacrosse, has an 11:30 a.m., match on campus against North Carolina.
Can Eric Goins seize the starting punter role?
In the wake of incumbent punter Bryce McFerson’s decision to enter the transfer portal, a 30-year-old walk-on is momentarily the frontrunner for punting and kickoff chores. No matter how Goins fares, Notre Dame is expected to push hard for a proven graduate transfer.
Goins, who served seven years as an Army infantry and signal corps officer last punted regularly at The Citadel in 2013. Goins punted 43 times for a 40.3-yard average with 13 punts inside the 20 and just one touchback.
No punts will occur in Saturday's exhibition. Instead, a 40-yard change of field position will take place on applicable fourth downs, Freeman announced Thursday.
How many sacks this time for Al Golden’s defense?
At the April 13 scrimmage, the unofficial number was eight, those coming on 53 total drop-backs. Redshirt freshman end Boubacar Traore and fifth-year defensive tackle Rylie Mills led the way with two sacks apiece.
With a Peacock audience watching the spring game, blitzing restrictions figure to be in place, which should be welcome news to Joe Rudolph’s reconfigured offensive line.
The battle at right tackle between Tosh Baker and Aamil Wagner rages on, and there’s still time for Rocco Spindler (November knee surgery) to force his way into the mix at one of the guard spots.
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for NDInsider.com and is on social media @MikeBerardino.