Notre Dame preps for bowl game with new QB and player caller

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind -- With transfers, players declaring for the NFL draft, and coaching changes, things looked different at Notre Dame's bowl game practice.

There's a full list of players and coaches missing as the team gets ready for their December 29th matchup against Oregon State in Sun Bowl.

For starters, former offensive coordinator Gerad Parker took the head coaching job at Troy University. Sam Hartman, Audric Estime, and Joe Alt each declared for the NFL draft and opted out of the bowl game.  

Heading into El Paso, Texas quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli will call the plays, Steve Angeli is the starting QB, and a newly structured offensive line will protect him.

"I'm fully confident everyone that's around me you know Gino and the new guys in the o-line they've been doing a great job throughout both prep and you know I'm excited to see it when it’s live," Angeli said.

All eyes are on the second-year signal caller, as he's catapulted into a new role, without Sam Hartman in the building.

"it's helped me grow into a position more of a leader and more as a mentor to these guys like Sam was for me like the guys that are here before you know to do the right thing and teach them the right way of how to be a Notre Dame quarterback," Angeli added.

Looking up to him already is CJ Carr, the grandson of former Michigan football head coach Lloyd Carr, who's with the team and taking reps at third string.  

But his biggest concern should who’s protecting him upfront now that Blake Fisher and Joe Alt declared for the draft, guys like Charles Jagusah are in line for more reps at left tackle. 

"I did most of the scout at left tackle, so I'm pretty used to it already. But last couple of weeks, I was doing a little guard too. So it's kind of just finding my past that again, and really focusing on using my hands more because it's been a, it's been a struggle for me so far, but I think I can get it done," Jagusah said.