Brian Kelly updates Jack Coan, Tyler Buchner injuries, Notre Dame quarterback pecking order

Brian Kelly got a huge victory this weekend, as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeated the Wisconsin Badgers. However, he suffered the loss of his starting quarterback during the game, as Jack Coan went down with an injury during the victory.

Today, Kelly provided an update on Coan’s status, as well as his hold on the team’s starting quarterback job.

“The quarterback situation is such that if Jack [Coan] is healthy, Jack would be our starter,” Kelly stated in his Monday press conference.

Additionally, Kelly added an update on quarterback Tyler Buchner. While he hasn’t supplanted Coan as the team’s starting quarterback, Buchner’s ability has kept him on the field when he’s healthy.

“Tyler felt really good yesterday in treatment,” stated Kelly. “He declared himself feeling really good, so that’s good for us. That allows us to get him back into the mix.

“We’ll see when we get on the field tomorrow — we’re not on the field today so I really can’t give you an assessment of how he is relative to throwing the football. I think tomorrow we’ll make the decision on how he feels and how he looks.”

Kelly continued: “If he looks good, he’ll be our starter (Coan) and Tyler Buchner will play. Like we had before we went into this game. If he can’t, then Drew [Pyne] is ready to go — but it appears Tyler will be in pretty good shape to play for us. So, the two quarterbacks is the situation — it just depends on what two.”

Evidently, tomorrow is a big day. We’ll find out which quarterback will start for Notre Dame in their gigantic matchup against the Cincinnati Bearcats. The Fighting Irish will need to bring their A-game. Their hopes of making the College Football Playoff are on the line once again.

Notre Dame: Who is Drew Pyne?

While Kelly mentions that Coan and Buchner may be healthy enough to play this weekend, it was Drew Pyne who kept the Fighting Irish season alive this past weekend. However, as he led Kelly’s team to victory, many fans asked the same question — who is Drew Pyne?

A redshirt freshman, Pyne replaced Coan in the second half after the Fighting Irish starting quarterback exited with a hamstring injury. Afterwards, Pyne completed 6 of 8 passes — throwing a touchdown as well.

Moreover, Pyne put his accuracy and moxie on the national stage Saturday — leading Notre Dame to a 41-13 victory over Wisconsin and showing his natural playmaking skills.

While Pyne almost won the starting job, Buchner has taken snaps at quarterback against Toledo and Purdue. However, Buchner was not available Saturday with a lingering injury — providing an opportunity for Pyne.

Evidently, Brian Kelly is in good hands at quarterback — whether it’s Coan, Buchner or Pyne. However, he’ll settle on his quarterbacks prior to Notre Dame‘s matchup with Cincinnati.