Stats can be manipulated. Pointing out Notre Dame has averaged just 206 yards through the air can be countered by arguing the two defenses faced currently rank No. 30 and No. 4 in passing efficiency defense. Criticizing Irish fifth-year quarterback Ian Book for throwing for only one touchdown yet this season can be met with the facts that he has completed 62 percent of his passes and averaged 8.14 yards per attempt while leading the offense to average 39.5 points through two games.
And player availability can factor into those manipulations. Bafflement that Notre Dame’s receivers have totaled 11 catches for 115 yards makes some sense when remembering junior Kevin Austin, arguably the best receiver on the roster, has yet to play due to a broken foot and classmate Braden Lenzy, the fastest of the bunch, missed the opener due to a frustrating hamstring, an ailment underscored when graduate transfer Ben Skowronek, the most experienced option, missed most of that game and all of the next with his own hamstring issue.