PLAYERS TO WATCH
–CB Julian Love has 31 pass breakups in two-plus seasons and could set the program record against Wake Forest. He needs only two more pass breakups to pass all-time record holder Clarence Ellis, who went on to become a first-round pick in 1972.
–LB Drue Tranquill has been a tackling machine in the first three games, and he will look to maintain his frenetic pace against the Demon Deacons. Tranquill is averaging seven tackles per game, which is fourth in the nation.
–RB Tony Jones Jr. enters the week with momentum after rushing for 118 yards on 17 carries in his first of the season last Saturday against Wake Forest. Jones Jr. has 224 rushing yards this season, which leads the team.
–P Tyler Newsome is coming off a record-setting performance in which he averaged 59.6 yards per punt in a 22-17 win over Vanderbilt. That is the second-highest average by a punter with at least five punts in a game since 1996.
SERIES HISTORY: Notre Dame leads 3-0.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We want to run an offense that is balanced, that attacks the defense and scores touchdowns. We’ve been fairly balanced. We haven’t attacked at all times, and we haven’t been proficient at scoring touchdowns. So we’ve got some work to do.” — Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly.
