GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Notre Dame linebackers vs. Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman. The Demon Deacons are set to welcome back QB Kendall Hinton from suspension this week, but they say they will stick with Hartman under center. Hartman has shown plenty to like this season, but he is a freshman, and Notre Dame has a chance to rattle him early. Linebackers Te’Von Coney and Drue Tranquill lead the Fighting Irish defense and will try to disrupt the freshman signal-caller both in the pocket and in coverage.
DRAFT SLANT: There is no mistaking the fact that DL Jerry Tillery has NFL size at 6-foot-7 and 305 pounds. He has quickness, too, most recently evidenced by his sack and forced fumble against Vanderbilt last week. The senior is sure to draw the attention of professional scouts, front office executives and defensive coordinators as the season goes along.
ROSTER REPORT:
–DB Nick Coleman should expect to play “a considerable amount of football” against Wake Forest after not playing much a week earlier against Vanderbilt, head coach Brian Kelly said. Coleman has 71 tackles in 39 career games with the Fighting Irish.
–TE Cole Kmet is unlikely to play this week because of a high-ankle sprain, but he hopes to return next week against Stanford. Kmet had two catches for 17 yards before sustaining his injury against Ball State.
–WR Michael Young has been emerging in practice and could receive more playing time in the weeks to come, head coach Brian Kelly said. The sophomore out of Louisiana caught four passes for 18 yards and a touchdown last season.