No. 10 ND Must Solve Kicking Game Crisis

**Notre Dame’s Playoff Hopes Hang on Mending Ailing Kicking Game**

**SOUTH BEND, IN – November 1, 2023** – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team holds a coveted position among college football’s elite, securing the No. 10 spot in both the latest AP Top 25 poll and the College Football Playoff (CFP) Committee’s initial rankings, released Wednesday, November 1st. This strong standing places Coach Marcus Freeman’s squad firmly in the national championship conversation, but a glaring weakness in their special teams has emerged as a critical concern: the field goal kicking game.

Kicker Spencer Shrader has experienced a troubling dip in performance recently, missing three of his last four field goal attempts. What makes these misses particularly concerning is their relatively short distance, all from 38 yards or less. In games where every possession and every point can dictate the outcome, these missed opportunities are proving to be a significant liability for the Irish.

“We are certainly addressing the kicking game,” Coach Freeman acknowledged in recent remarks, indicating the urgency with which the staff is tackling the issue. “Spencer is a talented kicker, and we have full confidence in him. We’re looking at everything – technique, mental approach, protection – to ensure we’re putting him in the best position to succeed. In high-stakes football, you simply cannot leave points on the board.”

The timing of Shrader’s struggles couldn’t be more critical. With the College Football Playoff committee closely scrutinizing every aspect of contending teams, a reliable kicking game is non-negotiable. Missed chip shots not only cost valuable points but can also deflate team momentum and put undue pressure on the offense and defense to compensate. While the Irish have largely overcome these issues thus far, the margin for error shrinks dramatically as the season progresses and the quality of competition intensifies.

The Fighting Irish are now preparing to host Navy at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, November 11th. While typically a run-heavy option offense, Navy often plays tight, lower-scoring games, making every point – and every field goal attempt – potentially crucial. Finding a definitive solution for the kicking woes before this matchup, and indeed for the remainder of their playoff push, is undoubtedly a top priority for Coach Freeman and his staff. The aspirations for a serious postseason run depend heavily on the ability to convert these foundational scoring opportunities.