Notre Dame must find an answer for a once-promising difference maker who has seen a decreased role over the last several weeks
Notre Dame football needs a resurgence from a pivotal offensive player.
Earlier this season, it was hard not to get excited about Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields and the impact he could have on this Fighting Irish passing attack. After the first couple of games, most people would have predicted the former Virginia standout to be the top pass catcher for the team this season. That includes a tremendous game against the Texas A&M Aggies, where he led the team with five receptions for 77 yards, and followed up with big plays in back-to-back weeks against Purdue and Arkansas.
For years, Fighting Irish fans had been clamoring for an improved passing attack, and most notably, the ability to create some explosive plays through the air. With redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr behind center, they have accomplished just that. Through eight games, Carr has thrown for 2,057 yards and 16 touchdowns, while also averaging 14.8 yards per completion and 9.8 yards per pass attempt. Both of those are extremely impressive numbers.
While the Notre Dame fanbase was waiting for this caliber of trigger man, they also have been patiently hoping for a difference maker at boundary wide receiver. It’s a piece of the Mike Denbrock offense that is so vitally important, and it has been absent from this program in recent years. That’s what Fields brings to the table, at least in theory.
After such strong early momentum, the 6-4. 222-pound pass catcher hasn’t been used as frequently in recent weeks. As Fields’ impact has decreased, so has the consistency of the passing attack. Over the last three games against NC State, USC, and Boston College, Fields has managed to make just four receptions. Those have gone for 81 yards and a touchdown.
One of his two receptions against the Eagles last week went for a 40-yard touchdown, but some question if it was actually intended for him, or fellow transfer wideout Will Pauling. Naturally, the fans are now going to wonder why Fields hasn’t been utilized as much in recent weeks. It’s clear that this offense functions better when he is featured more often.
Malachi Field’s resurgence
In order for this Notre Dame offense to be the best version of itself, Fields is going to have to be utilized more. With his combination of size, catch radius, and physicality, he brings a profile that the Irish just don’t have enough of on this roster right now. Without him, the wide receiver group gets very small, very quickly. They will once again be toeing the line of repetitiveness.
In order for leading receiver Jordan Faison to function best, he needs space to operate. In order for Will Pauling to function best, he also needs space to operate. In order for tight end Eli Raridon to attack the middle of the field more effectively, increased space would also be greatly beneficial. If Jaden Greathouse ever gets back healthy and involved in the offense, increased space is best for his game as well. Not to mention the inclusion of Jeremiyah Love on certain routes out of the backfield.
What is the best way to create more space in the middle of the field? Having a dynamic boundary receiver that forces defenses to use additional reinforcements on the outside. That is the impact that Fields can have, but defenses won’t adjust until the Notre Dame offense forces them to do so.
If the Irish are able to make a run toward another playoff berth, the offense will have to be good down the stretch. In order for Notre Dame to make some noise in that playoff field, its offense needs to be clicking on all cylinders. The impact that Fields has down the stretch of the season will serve as a great indicator to see just how much noise they can make when the games get more important.
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