Notre Dame believed that the signing of transfer Mitch Jeter would solidify its field goal kicking operation, and they were correct. They did. Then Jeter was injured, and even though Jeter has returned to action in what appears to be a limited role, the Irish continue to struggle with kicking. Without formal confirmation from the University or head coach Marcus Freeman, it appears that Jeter isn’t fully recovered yet. In his absence, the Irish are attempting to find a solution.
Mitch Jeter began 2024 with one of the strongest performances we’ve seen from a Notre Dame kicker in years. The South Carolina transfer went 3 for 3 on field goals inside Kyle Field in the season opener, including a pressure-packed 46-yarder with 30 seconds left to win the victory. A miss in that spot would have given A&M excellent field position while trailing by only eight points. He did not miss, however, and the game was finished. His performance a week later against Northern Illinois was less inspiring, with a vital miss resulting in a two-point loss, but no one in a gold helmet stood out that day.
Notre Dame hasn’t needed Jeter or any kicker at a key moment since, but that may change if the Irish make the playoffs, as it appears they will with two more wins to finish the season. That might be a problem because Notre Dame has gone only 3 for 8 on field goal tries since Jeter’s injury before the Georgia Tech game. Jeter missed that game and the Navy game, but returned for the Florida State game. In his return, he made one of two attempts and missed from 42 yards.
With Jeter out at times and few other options, the Irish have tried walkons Zac Yoakam and Marcello Diomede, but have yet to find someone who can consistently connect on midrange field goals, let alone long tries. Jeter did kick extra points in yesterday’s victory over Virginia, but his attempts lacked power. Yoakam missed a 36-yarder, and the Irish tried Diomede on a 54-yarder at the end of the first half that was so far right that it nearly left the field.
Freeman rarely acknowledges injuries after a game unless they are serious, so it’s not odd that he didn’t mention Jeter during the post-game press conference. However, if Jeter is not listed on the official injury report tomorrow, he will undoubtedly face questions regarding his rehabilitation status.
There is still more than a month until the playoffs start on December 20 and 21. At this point, it might be best to rest Jeter for the final two weeks and try to have him close to 100% for the playoffs. Notre Dame shouldn’t need him to face Army next weekend or a particularly terrible USC team to finish the season. In that circumstance, anything more than 40 yards is likely out of the question in favour of going for it on fourth down most of the time. That appeared to be Freeman’s goal in the second half of yesterday’s game, even before he missed from 36 yards out.
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