The depth for Notre Dame's football team extends all the way to the teams kickers.

Coach Brian Kelly said he is pleased with his kicking game heading into the season opener against Purdue on Saturday.

Kelly said punter Ben Turk has developed into a consistent contributor since the spring game, and Nick Tausch – who will handle place kicking duties – and David Ruffer – who will handle kickoffs – have proven themselves during fall camp.

"Tausch has been very consistent. Obviously set a school mark last year in terms of his consistency (converting 14 consecutive field goals)," Kelly said. "Ruffer has shown an incredible strength of leg. We have to get his operation times down. When he can get his operation times down, we think we've got combination-wise with those two kickers, a very solid and at times can be a weapon for us in the kicking game, because Ruffer can also kick it deep into the end zone."

Kelly's concern in the kicking game is on the short snapping, a duty that will be handled by walk-on Bill Flavin.

"We had three that were poor snaps in our spring game which had some execution issues," Kelly said. "I think we've gone past that."