:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56612779/usa_today_10270257.0.jpg)
Notre Dame couldn’t finish the job against Georgia. With all that happened, it is important to understand that Georgia might end up being the 2nd best team in the SEC. Notre Dame at no point looked over matched. It is frustrating not to win these big games but there were some good signs for a much needed improved season. Anyways, onto the player evaluation.
Justin Yoon
Coming off an 0/2 outing against Temple, Justin Yoon went 4/4 kicking field goals in this game. He looked calm and comfortable for all four kicks. Yoon’s longest kick was from 42 yards. The confidence he showed is a great sign going forward. I can say with almost 100% certainty that Yoon will be counted on to make a game tying or game winning kick late in the 4th quarter this year. I trust Justin Yoon.
Brandon Wimbush
He is an ultra talented individual who is sure to make a huge impact for the offense this year. Somehow it seems that people have forgotten this is just Wimbush’s second career start. He played like it was his second career start. Wimbush was inconsistent and not always comfortable against the Georgia pass rush.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/9216689/usa_today_10271216.jpg)
Brandon Wimbush will be a great player at Notre Dame. In his second career start against a Kirby Smart defense, what were reasonable expectations for him? Wimbush will improve and have a great season, no doubt.
Nyles Morgan
It seemed as if he was in on every tackle to me. He is never going to be fastest linebacker out there. When Nyles Morgan gets a hold of you, you are going down. He finished with 7 tackles and 1 sack. This was a great bounce back game for him after whiffing on a few tackles against Temple. This is the Nyles Morgan I expect to see for the rest of the season.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/9216691/usa_today_10255663.jpg)
Nick Coleman also had a noteworthy game. The safety play looked much improved. I am holding out on grading them until they play a team with an experienced quarterback. I also thought about highlighting any of the receivers and their lack of contribution but I think it has more to do with Wimbush and his struggles against a strong SEC defense. Bounce back week for the Irish coming up as they travel to play Boston College on Saturday.