NOW YOU SEE HIM
NOW YOU DON’T
NOVEMBER 13, 2021
Scott Stadium
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
v.
Virginia Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are Quarterbacked by Shelby, Ohio Junior Brennan Armstrong (#5). If North Carolina QB Sam Howell caused Irish fans a fair amount of angst when he led to Tar Heels to Notre Dame Stadium two weeks ago, the “Angst Meter” will likely be on overload when the Irish take the filed in Charlottesville against the Bronco Mendenhall-coached Virginia Cavaliers Saturday night.
Armstrong is AVERAGING 395.2 passing yards per game for the Cavaliers. That is good for 2nd place among FBS QBs. It goes without saying (but we are saying it nevertheless) that throwing the pigskin is only one part of a completed pass, the second part being the catching of the thrown pigskin. And the Cavaliers have an abundance of skilled “catches”. Wide Receiver Billy Kemp, IV (wears the numerically appropriate #4) leads the Cavaliers with 59 receptions including 6 touchdowns on the season. Tight End Jelani Woods (#0) is an imposing target at 6’7” and 265 lbs. who has hauled in passes for 446 yards and 6 touchdowns as well. It would be nice to have Kyle Hamilton available for that match-up, but it is not to be. Armstrong will also be looking for Wide Receivers Ra’Shaun Henry (#2) and Dontayvion Wicks (#3). Wicks can burn a defense with his per game average of 108 yards, per catch AVERAGE of 23.1 yards and 9 touchdowns. The Irish defense will need to prevent this Wicks from being lighted.
At the other end of the football uniform numeral spectrum the Cavaliers boast Keytaon Thompson (#99) who will run the ball, catch short passes, catch long passes, be a wildcat, pass the ball, and do just about anything except kick extra points.
But enough abut this passing. Armstrong is second on the team in rushing the football. (Sam Howell the second ????) The leading rusher, Wayne Taulapapa (#21), though, averages only 36 yards per game, but five other players all average more than 20 yards per game. So there is some ground attack.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
THIS GAME’S PROGNOSTICATION WAS INTERRUPTED BY YOUR AUTHOR PLAYNG GOLF TODAY IN THE ANNUAL TURKEY SHOOT IN 38 DEGREE WEATHER. BRRRRRRRRRRR!
So, briefly stated, let’s hope we don’t see him!!!!
Now read on for the prediction …….
Notre Dame 45
Virginia Cavaliers 17
(Without #5)
Notre Dame 49
Virginia Cavaliers 28
(With #5)
GO IRISH!!
Here is your Irish Trivia Question for this week. What backup QB threw the winning touchdown pass against Virginia in the last visit by the Irish to Scott Stadium?
Here are your Irish Trivia Answers for last week.
Take a look at the 1963 picture on the cover. Can you name the three individuals pictured? One, of course, was the Coach. One wanted to go to Notre Dame but by the time the Irish offered, he had committed to the Naval Academy. One was a future Heisman Trophy winner. One rose to the rank of Rear Admiral. One became the Superintendent of the Naval Academy. One had a brother who captained the Irish at a time when the Irish had only one captain? Okay, okay, okay. There are more clues than the number of persons pictures. Some clues obviously describe the same person. Good luck.
John Lynch, Wayne Hardin and Roger Staubach
Which leads us to how we always close . . . . . ..
And, our hearts forever . . .