Notre Dame opened their season with a big 24-17 win over ranked Michigan.
The season couldn’t have started off any better for Brandon Wimbush. The first drive was a 7 play-75 yard drive capped off by a 13 yard touchdown run. The next possession ended with another touchdown. This one came when Wimbush hit Chris Finke on a 43 yard pass in double coverage. The Irish went into the locker room with a 21-10 lead.
The second half was a very different one for Wimbush. After scoring touchdowns on three out of their five drives in the first half, the Irish could only muster a field goal in the final 30 minutes. Four drives didn’t go more than three plays with one ending on an interception.
This could cause Irish fans a little trepidation. Wimbush needs to be consistent especially with the shadow of Ian Book in the background. Coach Brian Kelly won’t make the same mistakes he made when he had DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire. If there is a need to go to Book, Kelly will certainly do it because the second half of the Irish schedule is brutal.
The next three weeks features Ball State, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forest. Wimbush will need to get into a groove and build some confidence because Stanford and a trip to Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech will be over the horizon.
Fair or unfair, Wimbush will be judged by how well the Irish play in the big games. The first 30 minutes versus MIchigan was a great start but the last 30 spawned questions. There are steps still needed to be taken.
