While Everett Golson has been the main catalyst of Notre Dame’s dominant 3-0 start, the Fighting Irish’s wide-receiver depth has played a strong supporting role.

“We’re going out there and letting him know, that if you throw the ball well, we’re not going to put you in a bad situation,” Notre Dame wide receiver Corey Robinson said. “I’m going to go up and get it. We’ve made those plays. And i think he feels more comfortable throwing to anybody, not just one guy.

“At any given circumstance, anyone can make a play.”

Notre Dame has had at least nine players make at least two catches, with William Fuller leading the team with 19 receptions. It has five players that have at least 97 yards through the air.

Golson has been the face of the Fighting Irish, but around him are players that are capable of elevating him to that status. On Saturday, Syracuse (2-1) will have to deal with his many options when it faces No. 8 Notre Dame at MetLife Stadium at 8 p.m.

“With a young, athletic football team, which we knew we had, we knew we had to play mistake-free to be successful,” Kelly said of his offense which has yet to relinquish an interception. “We’ve done that very well. We have taken care of the football.”

And while Kelly references the corps’ youth — players like Robinson and Fuller are both sophomores — experience has also helped Notre Dame.

Ben Koyack, a senior tight end, has already matched his career-high with 10 receptions in just three games. He’s getting his first real chance to be a contributing player, and has quickly proven his value.

“That’s something that’s great about our team, we have a bunch of guys that can contribute,” Koyack said. “We come into practice every day putting in work, everyone’s trying their hardest. That’s’ why so many guys are presented with so many opportunities.”

Against Villanova, it was Poppy Livers that the SU defense had to focus on. For Central Michigan it was Jesse Kroll. Marcus Leak accounted for more than a third of Maryland’s receiving yards.

When the Orange faces Notre Dame on Saturday night, there will be a much larger contingent to cover.

“Everyone on the team is very capable of making plays,” Robinson said. “We’ve seen that through camp, we’ve sen that through the games so far. And it takes a lot of pressure off the receivers. I don’t have to be the guy, I don’t have to be Superman every game. All I have to do is do my job.”

Published on September 27, 2014 at 2:55 pm

Contact Sam: sblum@syr.edu | @SamBlum3