Notre Dame QB Jack Coan improving from ankle injury ahead of Cincinnati clash

One of the biggest matchups of the upcoming college football weekend involves the ninth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish hosting the No. 7 Cincinnati Bearcats in a showdown of unbeaten programs. Notre Dame hasn't been able to only focus on that game, however, as fans have been holding their breaths over the status of quarterback Jack Coan, who suffered a left ankle injury in last Saturday's 41-13 win over the Wisconsin Badgers.

According to Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly told reporters Thursday that Coan split time taking first-team practice reps with backup Drew Pyne this week but is improving from the setback.

"He's ahead of where I thought he would be," Kelly said of his QB1. 

Pyne replaced Coan against Wisconsin and completed 6-of-8 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown in what ultimately became a laugher after the Fighting Irish scored 31 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Kelly has insisted that a healthy Coan will remain atop the depth chart, but it's still unclear if he'll be able to go versus Cincinnati. 

Thus far, Coan has completed 77-of-127 passes for 986 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions this season.