Most Notre Dame spring game’s turn Blue-Gold weekend into a football celebration. A guaranteed Irish victory brings a friendly feel to an intrasquad scrimmage that most times lacks any significant stake.
Brian Kelly isn’t treating the 87th edition like that. With a quarterback battle underway and a roster filled with unproven talent, Kelly challenged his team to treat a beautiful spring Saturday on campus just like those in the fall.
“Look, we’ve got a lot of guys who are going to step into some roles that they haven’t been in before,” Kelly explained. “I want them to treat this like a game situation. This is not just a glorified scrimmage to them, they better be focused and locked in and I want their demeanor to be such that they’re getting ready to compete in a game.”
To get you ready for kickoff at 12:30 p.m. ET (watch live on NBCSN or STREAM IT ONLINE HERE) here’s a quick primer on the rules, rosters and a few things to keep your eye on this Saturday.
GAME CLOCK
First half is two 12-minute quarters. Second half is two 15-minute running time quarters. No play clock, 15-minute halftime. No overtime.
GAME RULES
Quarterbacks in red jersey aren’t live. Position players in green jersey are no contact. No kickoffs, all punts fair caught. No blocking kicks or faking attempts.
Each possession starts at the 30-yard line. Traditional scoring rules. No ties. Super Bowl Champions and former Notre Dame stars Ryan Harris and David Bruton will serve as captains.
BLUE ROSTER HIGHLIGHTS
QB DeShone Kizer
RB Tarean Folston
RB Dexter Williams
WR Corey Holmes
WR Equanimeous St. Brown
C Sam Mustipher
LB Nyles Morgan
LB Asmar Bilal
S Devin Studstill
CB Shaun Crawford
S Drue Tranquill
CB Nick Coleman
DL Jay Hayes
DL Isaac Rochell
DL Jarron Jones
DL Jerry Tillery
GOLD ROSTER HIGHLIGHTS
QB Malik Zaire
WR Torii Hunter
RB Josh Adams
TE Durham Smythe
LT Mike McGlinchey
LG Quenton Nelson
S Max Redfield
LB James Onwualu
CB Cole Luke
ROTATING PLAYERS
S Avery Sebastian
TE Alizé Jones
QB Brandon Wimbush
RB Justin Brent
CB Devin Butler
DE Khalid Kareem
OL Tristen Hoge
OL Hunter Bivin
DE Andrew Trumbetti
PERSONNEL NOTES
Defensive end Grant Blankenship has been suspended from the program for an undisclosed violation of team rules. His return to the team is unclear, though Kelly said he’ll meet with junior in the near future to decide on a course of action.
“I will meet with him after the spring game and we’ll decide what the course is from there on out,” Kelly said.
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Wide receiver Corey Robinson was spotted at practice on Friday though not in pads. Kelly talked about Robinson’s recent meeting with a head injury specialist in Michigan who consulted with Robinson and his family about his future career in football after suffering a third concussion at Notre Dame.
“He came back feeling really good about the meeting and I think a decision will be forthcoming relative to what his future is,” Kelly said.
Kelly expects the student body president to make a decision on his future on field within the coming weeks.