Notre Dame Football

Notre Dame has a new offensive coordinator, and it shouldn't take him long at all to familiarize himself with the position.

Tommy Rees, the 27-year-old former Fighting Irish quarterback, becomes one of head coach Brian Kelly's top lieutenants after previously serving as the team's quarterbacks coach since 2017. 

🏈☘️

Coach Brian Kelly announces the promotion of two rising stars in the coaching profession, Tom Rees and Lance Taylor.

🔗 https://t.co/fFSdGqJ29n#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/Dq4Y31Uv0w

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) January 14, 2020

It's a big step up for Rees. After leading Notre Dame on the field from 2010-2013, the California native spent one season in the NFL with Washington before returning to college as a graduate assistant at Northwestern in 2015.

Five years later, he's overseeing the offense at one of college football's most elite programs.

Rees replaces Chip Long, who served as offensive coordinator for three seasons before the school parted ways with him after the 2019 campaign. Promoting the quarterbacks coach actually makes plenty of sense here. Notre Dame's starting QB, Ian Book, announced earlier this offseason that he would be returning to South Bend for his senior year. 

Considering the strong rapport between Book and Rees—to say nothing of both understanding the expectations that come with being a Notre Dame quarterback—it should prove for a relatively smooth transition for the two. Book is 20-3 as a starter with Rees as his position coach. 

“After an extensive national search, I’m proud to name Tom Rees our next offensive coordinator,” Kelly said in a statement. “Tom’s ability to connect with our players and staff and accepting and embracing the incredible opportunity in being the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame made him the right choice. While Tom’s leadership ability and knowledge of the game was evident, it was his humble approach to his own development and desire to continue to grow and learn that were also key factors that set him apart in a talented pool of candidates.”

The Fighting Irish had a good-not-great season on offense in 2019, ranking 49th nationally in passing yards (252.2 per game), 45th in rushing yards (179 per game) and 118th in scoring (36.8 points per game). Still,  Notre Dame went 11-2 on the year with losses at No. 3 Georgia and at No. 19 Michigan. Unfortunately for Long, greatness is the standard for Notre Dame coaches. Anything less than a championship-caliber season in South Bend demands change. Long was an unavoidable sacrifice.

Rees' hiring should be received rather well by fans of the Irish. In 30 starts over four years, Rees passed for 7,351 yards, 61 touchdowns and 37 interceptions, helping Notre Dame reach the BCS title game in 2012 where it lost to Alabama. 

His job as a coach is the same as it was when he played: mold Notre Dame into a title contender. 

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish's starting quarterback is returning for the 2020 season.

Ian Book announced he plans to come back for a fifth year:

#BeatNavy pic.twitter.com/03d4vbv6bv

— Ian Book (@Ian_Book12) December 30, 2019

Pete Sampson of The Athletic noted Book will have the opportunity to pass Brady Quinn, Ron Powlus and Tom Clements for the most wins as a starting quarterback. Each member of that trio won 29 games as a starter, and Book has 20 under his belt.

Book first saw game action during the 2017 campaign when he threw for 456 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions, but he started securing his place in Fighting Irish history in 2018.

He led Notre Dame to a 12-0 record during the regular season, which was good enough for a College Football Playoff berth. While the team ultimately lost to Clemson, he finished the year with 2,628 passing yards, 280 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns.

The Fighting Irish took a step back this past season but still went an impressive 11-2 with a win in the Camping World Bowl against Iowa State. Book was far better from a statistical standpoint, throwing for 3,039 yards, 34 touchdowns and just six picks while running for 567 yards and four scores.

The question now is whether he can win 10 games to become the program's all-time leader in starting quarterback wins against a schedule with a number of difficult matchups.

Notre Dame opens the season on Aug. 29 against Navy in a game that takes place in Ireland. It also faces Wisconsin in Lambeau Field, hosts powerhouse Clemson and travels to USC to finish out the schedule.

Still, 10 or more wins is well within reach If Book plays like he did in 2019. 

Notre Dame football is in the market for a new offensive coordinator after "mutually parting ways" with Chip Long, per Adam Rittenberg of ESPN. 

FootballScoop was the first to report a possible split on Wednesday, writing that Long was "exploring other opportunities and is unlikely to return to the Notre Dame staff."

Long, 36, was the Fighting Irish's OC for three seasons. He moved to Notre Dame from Memphis, where he also served as the offensive coordinator.

He made a big impression in just one year as the Tigers' offensive architect, guiding the team to 39 points per game and 6.25 yards per play. Memphis went 8-5 and finished 15th in Division I-FBS in scoring.

Long's offenses largely excelled at Notre Dame, and the Fighting Irish are coming off averaging 37.1 points per game. That mark was the school's highest per-game total since head coach Ara Parseghian's 1968 team posted 37.6 points per outing.

However, Notre Dame also had a tendency to struggle offensively against some Top 25 opponents. A 45-14 loss to Michigan stands out from 2019, as does a 30-3 defeat to Clemson in the College Football Playoff the year before.

Still, Long was highly regarded enough to be named one of five finalists for the 2018 Broyles Award, given to the nation's top assistant coach in Division I-FBS.

As for what's next for Long and Notre Dame, Bryan Driskell of Sports Illustrated provided a couple of hints. Long is reportedly "drawing interest for head coach spots this offseason, as well as other OC positions."

Driskell also reported that head coach Brian Kelly is "leaning towards" promoting quarterbacks coach Tommy Rees to offensive coordinator. Rees, 27, played quarterback for Notre Dame from 2010-13, tossing 27 touchdown passes in his final season. He's been the quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame for three years.

No. 16 Notre Dame ended its regular season with a 45-24 win over host Stanford on Saturday.

Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book completed 17 of 30 passes for 255 yards and four touchdowns. Two of them went to wideout Chase Claypool, who had three receptions for 63 yards.

Notre Dame struggled in the first half, finding itself down 17-7 after Cardinal quarterback Davis Mills found wideout Michael Wilson for a 27-yard score with 9:29 left in the second quarter.

Book responded with two touchdown passes, however, with one going to Tommy Tremble for six yards and another headed to Claypool from 41 yards out.

The Fighting Irish eventually scored 31 unanswered points, taking a 38-17 lead after a one-yard touchdown run from C'Bo Flemister.

The two teams then traded touchdowns to close the scoring, with Stanford running back Cameron Scarlett converting on a one-yard rush and Khalid Kareem recovering a fumble for a touchdown following a Adetokunbo Ogundeji sack.

The 10-2 Fighting Irish end their regular season on a five-game winning streak. The 4-8 Cardinal finish their campaign on a four-game losing skid.

                         

Notable Performances

Notre Dame QB Ian Book: 17-of-30, 255 yards, 4 TD; 8 carries, 29 rushing yards

Notre Dame RB Tony Jones Jr.: 14 carries, 50 rushing yards; 2 receptions, 40 receiving yards, 1 TD

Notre Dame WR Chase Claypool: 3 catches, 63 yards, 2 TD

Stanford QB Davis Mills: 28-of-46, 276 passing yards, 2 TD; 7 carries, 36 rushing yards

Stanford WR Michael Wilson: 10 catches, 96 receiving yards, 1 TD

Stanford RB Cameron Scarlett: 13 carries, 43 rushing yards, 1 TD; 3 catches, 25 receiving yards

    

Book-Claypool Connection Turns Game Around

Notre Dame started out sluggishly after scoring a touchdown on its opening possession, punting the ball three straight times to Stanford after unsuccessful drives.

The Cardinal offense went to work in response, mounting a 16-play, 82-yard drive that ended with a field goal before Michael Wilson's 27-yard touchdown catch to help give Stanford a 17-7 lead.

6⃣ for @michaelgwilson1❗️
📺: @CFBONFOX #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/zgDDtIBeyN

— Stanford Football (@StanfordFball) November 30, 2019

The Fighting Irish soon got a huge break, however, when Isaiah Foskey blocked a Stanford punt to give Notre Dame the ball at the Cardinal 1-yard line. The Fighting Irish scored three plays later off a Tommy Tremble touchdown catch.

Notre Dame couldn't bank on great special teams play to carry the day, though, as the offense needed to step up and take control.

The Book-led unit did just that, with the quarterback's connection with Chase Claypool proving to be the difference.

The Fighting Irish forced a Stanford punt following the touchdown. Book immediately went to work, finding tight end Cole Kmet for 21 yards before connecting with Claypool on passes of 14 and 41 yards, the latter of which resulted in one of the best plays of the day thanks to the wideout's ups.

Chase Claypool went ALL THE WAY UP for this @NDFootball TD 🙌 pic.twitter.com/gdEnlRHakg

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 30, 2019

Pete Sampson of The Athletic provided this comment after Claypool defied gravity to help give Notre Dame a 21-17 halftime lead:

It appears that Notre Dame rediscovered its sheet for “Chase Claypool plays” just in time.

Notre Dame goes three plays, 76 yards, touchdown.

Notre Dame 21
Stanford 17

— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) November 30, 2019

 

Those targets were just the first and second on the day for Claypool, but his number would be called once again. 

Both teams traded a pair of empty possessions to start the second half, but the Fighting Irish passing game got it going yet again on an eight-play, 86-yard drive.

A Braden Lenzy 43-yard reception moved Notre Dame to midfield, and another Claypool touchdown ended it from eight yards out.

The 6'4", 229-pound Claypool has an NFL future waiting for him, as partially evidenced by his 59-catch, 891-yard, 12-touchdown stat line from this season.

As for now, he and Book were the catalysts for Notre Dame's fifth straight win and 10th of the year, marking the third straight year where the Fighting Irish have posted double-digit wins.

     

What's Next?

Stanford will be home for bowl season after coming short of the six-win benchmark for postseason eligibility, but Notre Dame will take part in an extra game, which is to be determined.

Brett McMurphy of Stadium placed the Fighting Irish in the Camping World Bowl against Iowa State in his Nov. 25 projection.

Quarterback Ian Book and wide receiver Chase Claypool led the No. 16 Notre Dame Fighting Irish to a dominant 52-20 win over the No. 23 Navy Midshipmen on Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.

The Fighting Irish improved to 8-2 with their third straight win, while the Midshipmen fell to 7-2 and saw their five-game winning streak snapped.

In addition to Book and Claypool taking advantage of the overmatched Navy secondary, the Notre Dame defense largely shut down Navy's triple-option offense by allowing just 360 total yards and forcing four turnovers.

Saturday marked the 93rd all-time meeting between Notre Dame and Navy, and the Irish hold the edge 77-13-1 (two Notre Dame wins were officially vacated), having won three in a row and five of the past six.

                   

Notable Stats

Ian Book, QB, ND: 14-of-20 for 284 yards, 5 TD, 0 INT; 5 rushes for 31 yards

Tony Jones Jr., RB, ND: 9 rushes for 26 yards and 1 TD

Chase Claypool, WR, ND: 7 receptions for 117 yards and 4 TD

Braden Lenzy, WR, ND: 2 receptions for 87 yards and 1 TD

Malcolm Perry, QB, Navy: 3-of-7 for 36 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT; 25 rushes for 117 yards

Perry Olsen, QB, Navy: 1-of-5 for 43 yards, 1 TD

Jamale Carothers, RB, Navy: 11 rushes for 41 yards

Mychal Cooper, WR, Navy: 3 receptions for 73 yards and 1 TD

           

Book, Claypool Put an End to Talk of Notre Dame's Struggles

While last week's 38-7 win over Duke seemed like a get-right game for Notre Dame, there was some concern among pundits that the Irish could be ripe for an upset Saturday against Navy.

Just three games earlier, Notre Dame was crushed 45-14 by Michigan, and the Irish needed to come from behind and score in the closing seconds to beat Virginia Tech 21-20 at home the following week.

Saturday's win was never in doubt, though, as Notre Dame scored on each of its first seven possessions, including six touchdowns.

The Book-to-Claypool connection has been Notre Dame's biggest offensive weapon this season, and that was on full display Saturday, as they combined for the Irish's first three scores:

Chase Claypool does it AGAIN! ☘️ pic.twitter.com/pLICg4nD54

— Notre Dame on NBC (@NDonNBC) November 16, 2019

There's no containing Chase Claypool! pic.twitter.com/Kcubwe2O5x

— Notre Dame on NBC (@NDonNBC) November 16, 2019

With Notre Dame leading 38-3 early in the third quarter, Book and Claypool hooked up again on a 20-yard corner route for the fourth touchdown connection between them on the day:

We're sure you've already heard this one before but...
Chase Claypool finds the end zone AGAIN!

That marks 4 for Claypool today. pic.twitter.com/63HZIzIOZa

— Notre Dame on NBC (@NDonNBC) November 16, 2019

According to Notre Dame's PR team, Claypool's fourth touchdown grab of the day allowed him to tie the school record for most touchdown catches in a single game:

With his fourth TD catch of the day, Chase Claypool ties the @NDFootball record for touchdown receptions in a game.

Maurice Stovall had four against BYU on Oct. 22, 2015.#GoIrish | #IrishInsights

— Notre Dame Football PR Team (@NDFootballPR) November 16, 2019

Given Claypool's big-time performance and the fact that he has been a force all season long, John Walters of HappyMedium.com expressed his belief that Claypool deserves some national recognition:

https://twitter.com/jdubs88/status/1195819424495865861

In addition to his four passing touchdowns to Claypool, Book threw another to speedy receiver Braden Lenzy in the second quarter.

The 70-yard scoring strike was a perfect pass from Book, and it was arguably the prettiest play of the season for Notre Dame:

. @blspeedy21 was GONE 🏃♂️💨 pic.twitter.com/js5sO2KGc8

— Notre Dame on NBC (@NDonNBC) November 16, 2019

While Book has had his fair share of detractors this season, he has enjoyed one of the best statistical seasons ever for a Notre Dame quarterback.

In Saturday's contest, he set the single-season Notre Dame record for the most four- and five-touchdown games by a quarterback in a single season:

The fourth TD pass of the day for Ian Book gives him four games this season with at least four passing TDs.

He becomes the first @NDFootball QB in school history to have four games with four passing TDs in the same season.#GoIrish | #IrishInsights

— Notre Dame Football PR Team (@NDFootballPR) November 16, 2019

Ian Book now has three games with five TD passes this year.

That is the most in a season by an @NDFootball QB.#GoIrish | #IrishInsights

— Notre Dame Football PR Team (@NDFootballPR) November 16, 2019

That prompted Ralph D. Russo of The Associated Press to crack a joke regarding the narrative that Book has taken a step back this season:

Is Ian Book still regressing??

— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoATH) November 16, 2019

If not for the fact that Book was taken out of the game in the middle of the third quarter since it was well in hand, he and Claypool might have put up even bigger numbers.

As it stands, all appears to be well in the realm of Notre Dame football after Saturday's win, and with games against a pair of middling teams in Boston College and Stanford remaining, the Irish appear to be in good shape to qualify for a significant bowl game even though their College Football Playoff hopes are no longer intact.

                  

What's Next?

Next week, the Irish will look to take another step toward potentially clinching a spot in a New Year's Six Bowl when they host the 5-5 Boston College Eagles.

The Midshipmen will look to bounce back next week when they host a 9-1 SMU team that is tied atop the American Athletic Conference West standings with Navy at 5-1.

Despite several uncharacteristic mistakes, the No. 16 Notre Dame Fighting Irish outlasted the Virginia Tech Hokies 21-20 on Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.

After struggling in last week's loss to the Michigan Wolverines, Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book turned the ball over twice Saturday, but he scored the go-ahead rushing touchdown with 29 seconds remaining in the game.

Although the Irish outgained the Hokies 442-235, Notre Dame turned the ball over three times inside the Virginia Tech 40-yard line, missed a 35-yard field goal and was penalized seven times for 75 yards.

Even so, Notre Dame bounced back from last week's loss to Michigan and improved to 6-2 on the season, while the Hokies fell to 5-3.

     

Notable Stats

Ian Book, QB, ND: 29-of-53 for 336 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT; 13 carries for 50 yards, 1 TD

Jafar Armstrong, RB, ND: 19 carries for 37 yards; 4 catches for 49 yards

Chase Claypool, WR, ND: 8 catches for 118 yards

Cole Kmet, TE, ND: 4 catches for 28 yards and 1 TD

Quincy Patterson II, QB, VT: 9-of-28 for 139 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 19 carries for 77 yards

Deshawn McClease, RB, VT: 13 carries for 32 yards

Damon Hazelton, WR, VT: 5 catches for 63 yards and 1 TD

     

Book Comes Through in Clutch Despite Mistake-Laden Game

Although he made a few questionable plays that could have crippled the Fighting Irish on Saturday, Book likely earned himself some additional leash from head coach Brian Kelly by producing when it mattered most.

With Notre Dame trailing by six in the waning minutes of the game, Book orchestrated an 18-play, 87-yard drive that culminated in a seven-yard touchdown run:

QB KEEPER FOR SIX@IAN_BOOK12 DANCES INTO THE END ZONE UNTOUCHED WITH THIRTY SECONDS TO PLAY@JDOERER_11'S EXTRA POINT PUTS US ON TOP#GOIRISH ☘️ #VTvsND pic.twitter.com/x4VLrYejvK

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) November 2, 2019

Book and the Fighting Irish actually looked pretty good out of the gates Saturday, as he threw a pair of touchdown passes to Cole Kmet and Tommy Tremble in the first half:

QB KEEPER FOR SIX@IAN_BOOK12 DANCES INTO THE END ZONE UNTOUCHED WITH THIRTY SECONDS TO PLAY@JDOERER_11'S EXTRA POINT PUTS US ON TOP#GOIRISH ☘️ #VTvsND pic.twitter.com/x4VLrYejvK

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) November 2, 2019

TOMMY TOUCHDOWN!

Ian Book finds Tommy Tremble to give No. 16 @NDFootball the 14-7 lead on Virginia Tech.

📺 NBC#GoIrish #BeatHokies pic.twitter.com/oM3r0oenWa

— The Fighting Irish (@FightingIrish) November 2, 2019

The story of the opening half, however, was the fact that Notre Dame outgained Virginia Tech by nearly 200 yards but could only manage a 14-14 tie at halftime.

Turnovers played a significant role, as Book threw an interception in the red zone in the first quarter, which ended an impressive run of success inside the opponent's 20-yard line over the course of the season, per Mike Berardino of the Indianapolis Star:

For the first time in 25 trips into the red zone this year, #NotreDame comes away empty. Book is picked off on third and 5 from the 17. Forced one in to Kmet, who broke the other way.

— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) November 2, 2019

An even bigger back-breaker occurred with seconds remaining in the first half and Notre Dame holding a 14-7 lead. The Fighting Irish appeared to be going in for a touchdown to make it 21-7, but running back Jafar Armstrong fumbled and Virginia Tech safety Divine Deablo returned it 98 yards for a touchdown.

According to Pete Sampson of The Athletic, it was highly unusual for a Notre Dame running back to fail to protect the football:

Jafar Armstrong’s lost fumble ended a streak of 1,273 straight carries by Notre Dame’s running backs without a lost fumble. Dated back to November of 2015.

— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) November 2, 2019

Per ESPN Stats & Info, it also marked the longest fumble return for a touchdown Notre Dame had ever allowed:

Virginia Tech returned a fumble 98 yards for touchdown against Notre Dame.

That is the longest fumble return for a touchdown against Notre Dame all-time. The previous-long was 96 yards by South Florida in 2011.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 2, 2019

Virginia Tech held Notre Dame scoreless for nearly the entire second half, but strong defense from the Fighting Irish held the Hokies to only a pair of field goals.

Notre Dame had a chance to cut the deficit to three in the fourth quarter, but Jonathan Doerer missed a 35-yard field goal, which forced Book to win it with a touchdown.

Book delivered in the clutch and kept Notre Dame's New Year's Six Bowl hopes alive, but the Fighting Irish can ill afford to make so many mistakes moving forward if they want to avoid another loss.

        

What's Next?

Notre Dame will be heavily favored to get back on track with a win next week when it goes on the road to face the Duke Blue Devils.

Meanwhile, Virginia Tech will have a tough challenge on its hands when it hosts the No. 23 Wake Forest Demon Deacons, who improved to 7-1 on Saturday.

Notre Dame and USC engaged in a halftime conflict soon after the second quarter ended with the No. 9 Fighting Irish holding a 17-3 lead at home.

Keely Eure of USCFootball.com shot footage of the encounter's tail end:

Madness ensued at the end of the half. Most of #USC’s players were halfway to the locker room when they noticed a small skirmish and then turned back to join their teammates: pic.twitter.com/ZdYoLiV8bx

— Keely Eure (@keelyismyname) October 13, 2019

Antonio Morales of The Athletic provided more context:

#USC and Notre Dame had a sizeable meeting at midfield after the half ended. Both teams were barking at each other. Unsportsmanlike conduct penalties called on both teams but the head official called USC "UCLA."

— Antonio Morales (@AntonioCMorales) October 13, 2019

Jalen McKenzie, Austin Jackson and Juliano Falaniko seemed to be in the mix as the tensions rose between the two teams.

— Antonio Morales (@AntonioCMorales) October 13, 2019

Morales also reported that all players received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. A second infraction of the same variety would result in an automatic ejection.

Notre Dame and USC weren't the only rivals to engage in shouting and pushing Saturday, as Oklahoma and Texas did so a half hour before the Red River Showdown.

Red River Rivalry getting off to a hot start 😳 *NSFW*

(via @Eddie_Rado) pic.twitter.com/3YdgO6IvoV

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 12, 2019

A FLAG HAS BEEN THROWN AND ITS 30 minutes to kickoff!!!! pic.twitter.com/xltVlbPsUl

— Eddie Radosevich (@Eddie_Rado) October 12, 2019

That game also saw every player receive an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

As for the game in South Bend, Notre Dame held off a late USC rally before winning 30-27.

Notre Dame running back Jafar Armstrong will reportedly miss significant time after suffering a groin injury during Monday’s 35-17 win over Louisville. 

Pete Sampson of The Athletic reported the news, noting it is "optimistic" to suggest he will be back in five weeks. Sampson said the sophomore could be out as long as two months.

According to Adam Rittenberg of ESPN.com, Armstrong underwent an MRI on Tuesday that revealed he suffered a groin/abdominal injury. He had just two carries in the win before exiting the game.

Armstrong tallied 383 rushing yards, 159 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns last season, although he missed three games with a knee injury.

Look for the Fighting Irish to turn toward a combination of Tony Jones Jr. and Jahmir Smith in the backfield while Armstrong is sidelined. Jones finished the Louisville game with 15 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown, while Smith scored twice on the ground.

Quarterback Ian Book is also capable of contributing in the rushing attack and posted 14 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown in the season-opening victory.

While Notre Dame has enough pieces to remain afloat without Armstrong, a two-month timeline would mean he missed some of the biggest games of the entire season. The Fighting Irish travel to Georgia on Sept. 21 and Michigan on Oct. 26 and will surely need to win at least one of them to be seriously considered for a College Football Playoff spot.

Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Austin will miss the entire 2019 season, according to Irish Illustrated's Tim Prister.

Bryan Driskell of Blue & Gold Illustrated reported Austin would already serve "an unofficial suspension for a violation of team rules" that ruled him out for the first four games.

Austin made four appearances as a freshman in 2018, catching five passes for 90 yards.

The Pompano Beach, Florida, native was the No. 14 wideout and No. 82 player overall in the 2018 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings.

With a full season under his belt and the team's leading receiver Miles Boykin now in the NFL, Austin was seemingly poised to play a larger role in the offense in 2019.

However, The Athletic's Pete Sampson wrote in June the odds of him suiting up for the opener Sept. 2 against Louisville were looking slim. Sampson noted the circumstances of Austin's situation were unclear but pointed to two similar cases:

"I wouldn't expect [head coach Brian Kelly] to go any further on the Austin subject between now and Louisville, which is how he played the scenario with Kevin Stepherson and Dexter Williams the past two seasons. Both were suspended for the season's first four games for a second offense of Notre Dame's marijuana policy, which amounts to missing one-third of competition for that sport’s regular season. For football, that’s a four-game suspension."

Sampson added that Austin was in good academic standing at Notre Dame, while Prister reported he's "expected to remain enrolled" following Monday's new development.

In addition to Austin, the Irish will open the season without tight end Cole Kmet and wideout Michael Young. Kmet suffered a broken collarbone during practice Aug. 8. Nine days later, Young suffered the same injury while practicing with the team.

Notre Dame tight end Cole Kmet broke his collarbone during the team's practice Thursday and is facing three to six weeks on the sidelines, according to Tom Loy of Irish Illustrated.

Kmet is expected to be an important part of Notre Dame's offense this season and got a shoutout from head coach Brian Kelly on Friday when asked about the players who could have the biggest impact on the offense during the 2019 season, per Loy:

"I hope there are 10 guys that can impact our football team. There are certainly a number of players, but I think you always look toward your veterans. Chase Claypool is going to be a guy that I think will make a huge impact on our football team. Cole Kmet, Brock Wright, I think there are a number of guys who are poised to have an impactful season. Like you guys, I'm excited to watch those guys get after it."

The junior tight end had a limited impact in 2018, catching 15 passes for 162 yards in 11 games. But offensive coordinator Chip Long said in the spring that getting the team's tight ends more involved this season was a major priority, per Loy:

"We have to work on (Kmet’s) fundamentals, but with his speed and size, he should absolutely dominate in the middle of the field...None of (the tight ends) broke any tackles last year, so I kind of got away from (throwing to them). That's been our No. 1 emphasis (this spring). The amount of yards we left out there is absolutely embarrassing.

"Being able to get yards after contact is a major emphasis as an offense. We have to be explosive. We had two plays over 50 yards last year and we went to the college football playoffs. That's very rare. I don't think last year we really scared anybody... and that caught up to us."

Namely, it caught up to them in the College Football Playoff, when they were blown out by Clemson 30-3 and managed just 248 yards of total offense and 160 yards through the air. It was a tough end to an otherwise excellent season for the 12-1 Fighting Irish, and expectations are high for 2019.

Expectations were high for Kmet too, though this injury will slow down that hype, at least temporarily. It's a disappointment for the junior, who has battled through injuries his first two seasons.

If he indeed misses any regular-season games, look for Brock Wright—who mostly served as a blocking H-back last season—to handle the tight end duties. Tommy Tremble and George Takacs could also see playing time, though Wright will be the clear favorite for the starting position while Kmet is sidelined.