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Notre Dame Football: 3 hot takes from nail-biting win over Virginia Tech

By Danny McCormick

Oct 9, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish place kicker Jonathan Doerer (39) celebrates with offensive lineman Michael Carmody (68) and tight end George Takacs (85) after he makes the game winning field goal from the hold of punter Jay Bramblett (left) against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish place kicker Jonathan Doerer (39) celebrates with offensive lineman Michael Carmody (68) and tight end George Takacs (85) after he makes the game winning field goal from the hold of punter Jay Bramblett (left) against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 09: Jack Coan #17 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish attempts a pass against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first half of the game at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 09: Jack Coan #17 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish attempts a pass against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first half of the game at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

2. Jack Coan lost his starting job, earned it back in the same game

Jack Coan needed to start the game off well for the Irish offense and that did not happen. He was off on his throws and it even looked like a few times he moved into the pressure from the defense which ended up resulting in a sack. This led to him being benched for Tyler Buchner.

When Buchner got banged up a little bit in the second half Brian Kelly called Coan’s number again and he delivered. Coan really looked like a completely different quarterback in the second half. He was more accurate, hitting the targets in stride, and even using his legs more especially on the two-point conversion to expand the play.

Usually, you do not lose your starting job and then regain it all in one night but that is what happened for Coan. After his performance with the game on the line, he helped deliver for the Irish and keep their playoff odds on life support.

Nobody will argue against the fact that Buchner is the future for Notre Dame at quarterback and should still get playing time with packages throughout the game, but he is just not ready to be named the true starter.

Coan’s late-game heroics under center let him remain the starter for the time being.

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