SOUTH BEND, Ind. — For the first time since last October, Ben Turk averaged 40 yards per punt in a game. It’s a minimum-competency performance at Notre Dame’s level, but it was welcome relief to fans groaning along with the junior’s struggles.
Turk and the Irish, though, see no reprieve with nine more games demanding consistency.
“It’s not really a relief because I know I can do it,” Turk said. “It’s just a matter of doing it in the games. It’s not a relief unless I consistently do it every week.”
Heading into a game at Pittsburgh, the Irish are a wince-worthy 113th nationally in net punting, averaging a 32 net yards on each Turk boot. Turk ranks 74th nationally (out of 79 qualifiers) with an average of 36.23 yards per punt.
Against Michigan State, using a rugby-style kick, he averaged 41.5 yards on four punts with a long of 50. That was his best per-kick rate since Oct. 30, 2010 vs. Tulsa.
“I try not to listen to any of the criticism,” Turk said. “I know what I’m doing wrong and I know I need to improve.”
The rugby kick won’t be a permanent innovation. But prodding from the staff won’t go away.
“You just keep pressing him,” said Mike Elston, the Irish assistant in charge of special teams. “He certainly hasn’t accomplished much right now. So we just have to build on it and show him how he successfully did it and why.”
Fresh faces: Eight freshmen have logged time for the Irish, with George Atkinson III recording an 89-yard kickoff return for a score and Aaron Lynch posting a sack and six hurries against Michigan State.
The youth infusion is no issue for Irish coach Brian Kelly, who has seen an uptick in physical preparedness of high school prospects.
“I always thought it to be a great weakness within your program when you had to play true freshmen,” Kelly said. “Not when they run as fast as George Atkinson or are as physical as Aaron Lynch. In the recruiting process, our eyes are wide open to this guy who can play right away.”
Extra points: Linebacker Prince Shembo’s family emergency – reportedly an aneurysm his father suffered — “has really turned out quite remarkable, so we’re happy for Prince and his family,” Kelly said. … Backup cornerback Lo Wood (quad) should be available for Pitt. … Kelly said the Big Ten confirmed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on TJ Jones after a touchdown should not have been called.
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