Tale of the Tape & predictions: Who has the edge when Marshall football visits Notre Dame?
Mike BerardinoWHEN NOTRE DAME HAS THE BALL
Marshall’s defense allowed just one third-down conversion in 12 tries last week, but that came in a 55-3 romp over FCS member Norfolk State. The Irish went just 3 of 13 on third down in the loss to Ohio State, including 1 of their last 8. Senior captain Jarrett Patterson (sprained right foot) remains questionable to make his first start at left guard, and the running attack must solve a solid front that includes defensive tackle Anthony Watts, a 294-pound transfer who started 20 games at Purdue.
Tyler Buchner, who completed his first eight passes in his first college start, must be wary of a cornerback tandem (Steven Gilmore and Micah Abraham) that had a combined 26 passes defended last season.
Edge: Notre Dame
WHEN MARSHALL HAS THE BALL
Former Florida State running back Khalan Laborn, one of eight offseason transfers from Power 5 programs, went over 100 rushing yards in his debut as did sophomore Ethan Payne. Rasheen Ali, who rushed for 1,400 yards and 23 touchdowns as a redshirt freshman, left the team in late August to work on personal issues. His return isn’t expected anytime soon.
Junior wideout Corey Gammage (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) has 115 catches for 1,307 yards and seven touchdowns since the start of 2020. Senior transfer quarterback Henry Colombi, 23, went 24-of-26 passing in his debut after previous stops at Utah State and Texas Tech. He’s a 69-percent career passer with more than 3,000 passing yards but just a 16/11 touchdown/interception ratio. The Irish pass rush, held to one sack and no official hurries against Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud in the opener, will be hungry to make some noise.
Edge: Notre Dame
SPECIAL TEAMS
Brian Mason’s kickoff return unit struggled mightily in the opener, so there could be some changes. Graduate transfers Blake Grupe (33-yard field goal) and Jon Sot (46.2-yard punting average) enjoyed successful Power 5 rollouts in Columbus. Freshman walk-on Zac Yoakam, who filled in for freshman kickoff specialist Bryce McFerson (groin strain), forced touchbacks on two of his three kicks at Ohio State. The Thundering Herd finished 28th nationally in kickoff return yardage allowed last season but did give up a touchdown.
Edge: Notre Dame
COACHING
Marcus Freeman, still looking for his first win as a head coach, expects to feel “goosebumps” as he leads the Irish onto the field for the first time at Notre Dame Stadium. Charles Huff, a former Hampton University center now in his second season at Marshall, has been an assistant for James Franklin (Vanderbilt and Penn State) and Nick Saban (Alabama) with additional stops at Mississippi State, Western Michigan, Maryland, Tennessee State and the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.
Huff, 39, is best known for his work with running backs Najee Harris, Saquon Barkley and C.J. Spiller. Both coordinators, Clint Trickett (offense) and Lance Guidry (defense), were hired off Willie Taggart’s Florida Atlantic staff after the 2020 season.
Edge: Notre Dame
Staff predicitions
TOM NOIE — Notre Dame 45, Marshall 10. No way will Irish be tested/stressed in first home game for head coach Marcus Freeman. Herd are in wrong place at wrong time.
MIKE BERARDINO — Notre Dame 35, Marshall 10. Favored by three touchdowns in the first-ever meeting between the schools, the Irish won’t let another Week 2 scare happen after surviving Toledo last season.
JUSTIN FROMMER: Notre Dame 39, Marshall 19. Notre Dame's offensive line heads in the right direction, while Tyler Buchner and his receivers make some big plays to pick up the Irish's first win of the season.
MICHAEL WANBAUGH — Notre Dame 46, Marshall 17. The Thundering Herd meets Shakedown the Thunder. This is a wake-up game for the Irish, and they'll play 'till the whistle blows. Is that the right movie?
