Notre Dame football’s special teams, under coordinator Marty Biagi, have played a significant role in the team’s success this season as they head into the January 20 College Football Playoff championship game. Despite ranking ninth in overall special-teams efficiency by Pro Football Focus, the Irish have shocked opponents with their creativity and trick plays. Here are some of the standout moments from their special-teams unit in 2024:
1. Swinging Gate Formation vs. Indiana (Dec. 20)
With Notre Dame leading 17-3 late in the third quarter, the Irish field-goal unit switched to the unusual Swinging Gate formation, leaving only snapper Rino Monteforte on the line of scrimmage. On fourth-and-8 from Indiana’s 10-yard line, Monteforte passed to tight end Mitchell Evans, who made a strong run toward the goal line. However, a timeout called by Indiana before the snap saved Evans from coming up short of a first down. The Irish eventually settled for a field goal in their 27-17 win. Evans, reflecting on the play, expressed how exciting it was to be a part of such a trick play.
2. Double Trick Play vs. Georgia Tech (Oct. 19)
Against Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Notre Dame executed two trick plays. First, with the Irish leading 28-7 in the final minutes, Tyler Buchner, wearing No. 26, took over as holder in place of Chris Salerno. On fourth-and-4 from the Georgia Tech 26-yard line, Buchner ran for the first down. Earlier, with Notre Dame leading 21-7, the Irish ran a fake punt on fourth-and-8 from their 46-yard line. A reverse by Jeremiyah Love after a pop-pass from upback Davis Sherwood to Jayden Harrison gained 27 yards. The Yellow Jackets responded by changing their special teams coach the following week.
3. Fake Punt Touchdown vs. Virginia (Nov. 16)
In the first half of their Senior Day game against Virginia, Notre Dame ran a fake punt with Jack Kiser taking a snap from Joseph Vinci and handing it off to Jordan Faison, who dashed for a 73-yard touchdown. However, the play was called back for an illegal formation penalty due to Kiser’s direct snap to Faison, which violated jersey-numbering rules. Despite the frustration, the Irish quickly bounced back, scoring 21 points in the following eight minutes.
4. Fake Punt Pass vs. USC (Nov. 30)
In a tied game against USC, Notre Dame pulled off a fake punt in the second quarter. On fourth-and-9 from their own 26-yard line, Buchner, from his gunner position, received a pitch from Sherwood, then stopped to throw a rainbow pass to Mitchell Evans for an 18-yard gain. While the drive ended with a missed 27-yard field goal, it sent a clear message that Notre Dame was not afraid to take risks, even in the high-pressure environment of the Coliseum.
5. Speed Swap vs. Georgia (Jan. 2)
In the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal, Notre Dame, leading 23-10 in the fourth quarter, faced a fourth-and-1 from their own 18-yard line. The team brought out the punt team but then quickly swapped out for the offense in a hockey line-change fashion, forcing Georgia to scramble with their defensive personnel. The Bulldogs jumped offsides during Notre Dame’s subsequent hand-clap maneuvers, giving the Irish a fresh set of downs. Notre Dame then controlled the clock for the remainder of the game.
Throughout the season, Notre Dame’s special teams unit has been a source of excitement and unpredictability, with Biagi’s creative strategies contributing significantly to the team’s overall performance and success in the playoff race.