Notre Dame football’s Mike Denbrock hopes his third time vs. Georgia is the charm

SOUTH BEND — Binge-watching game tape of Georgia’s defense in preparation for the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Night, Notre Dame football offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock can’t help but nod in recognition of a modern dynasty.

“When you look at it, you go, ‘Yeah, I remember what that looks like. Of course,’ “ Denbrock said after Saturday’s practice. “And it’s a challenge. They do an incredible job of making you earn every yard and making sure that they mix up the looks and keep you off balance as much as they can as a play caller.”

This will be Denbrock’s third crack at coach Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs in the past five seasons. This will be the third different program Denbrock has represented in those opportunities.

In the Peach Bowl after the 2020 season, 11th-ranked Georgia trailed Cincinnati by 11 points in the fourth quarter before rallying to clip the sixth-ranked Bearcats, 24-21, in the final minute. With Desmond Ridder at quarterback for Cincinnati, the Bulldogs dominated in total yards (449-305) and eventually solved coordinator Marcus Freeman’s defense.

Ridder went 24 of 37 passing for 206 yards and two touchdowns, but his 5.6 yards per attempt were insufficient. On the ground, Cincinnati rushed 27 times for 99 yards (3.7-yard average).

Two years later, after reuniting with Brian Kelly at LSU, Denbrock left the 2022 SEC Championship in Atlanta with a 50-30 loss. Trailing by four touchdowns late in the first half, LSU actually outgained the winners, 549-529, but a minus-2 turnover margin was too much to overcome.

Future Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels (right ankle injury) gave way to Garrett Nussmeier for the second half as LSU’s passing attack went 31 of 51 for 502 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, 20 rushes generated just 47 yards for LSU.

Georgia finished 15-0 to claim the…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/notre-dame-footballs-mike-denbrock-090440268.html

Author : South Bend Tribune

Publish date : 2024-12-30 09:04:00

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