Notre Dame football names starting quarterback, loses veteran to injury

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Just weeks away from the start of the season, Notre Dame football names Tyler Buchner the starting quarterback for the season.

During the same weekend the news was released about Buchner, Notre Dame said wide receiver and sixth year senior Avery Davis will miss the entire season after tearing his ACL on Friday during practice.

“One of the plays we designed for him and everyone was excited to see him do it and as he went in, he planted and we saw it and it was just kind of a big gasp,” said receiver coach Chansi Stuckey.

Avery Davis hauled in four touchdowns on 405 yards last year before his season-ending knee injury in 2021.

With a receiving corps that’s already short in depth, there’s a void without Davis.

“This obviously is like a gut punch,” Stuckey added.

“The whole situation is just pretty devastating,” said Receiver Braden Lenzy.

That leaves Lenzy as only one of two Notre Dame receivers with more than 20 catches in a season and the only receiver with starting experience.

With the season set to kick off on September 3rd at Ohio State, this could be good timing, forcing other players to step up from the receiving corp.

“Braden’s been stepping up in what he’s doing, Lorenzo, Deion’s even been stepping up. So, it’s kind of a conglomerate of the whole unit,” Stuckey said.

“I just want us to win a lot of games. All of them and I just want to help the team out in any way I can,” Lenzy said.

While the Irish suffered a loss on the receiving end, Notre Dame does know who their QB-1 will be: the dual-threat sophomore, Tyler Buchner.

“Obviously, he’s really dynamic. He can run the ball and throw the ball but he’s a smart football player,” said receiver Lorenzo Styles.

Buchner beat out junior Drew Pyne for the starting spot, giving the receiving corp a chance to adjust to their field general, in preparation for week one.

“I’d say just his overall playmaking ability is just insane,” said Lenzy.

“Tyler’s a great leader. He really knows how to control the team. We trust both of our quarterbacks but Tyler’s our guy and I’m excited to ride it out with him. I think we’re going to make some big plays together this season,” Styles added.

The season begins with Ohio State at the Horseshoe and according to the Associated Press preseason poll released on Monday, this will be a top five matchup as Ohio State is ranked number two and Notre Dame is ranked number five.