Notre Dame Spring Game 2015: Date, Start Time, TV Schedule, Live Stream and More

Brian Kelly isn't pulling any punches for the 2015 Notre Dame spring game.

The 86th installment of the annual Blue-Gold Game is unlike many before it and those around it from other programs because the Fighting Irish don't feature much in the way of turnover this year.

Rather than filling voids left by departing starters, this Saturday focuses on as much competition as possible to produce the best possible starter, such as the battle under center between Everett Golson and Malik Zaire.

Let's take a look at how to catch the event.

2015 Notre Dame Spring Game 

When: Saturday, April 18 at 12:30 p.m. ET

Where: LaBar Practice Complex

TV: NBC Sports Network

Live Stream: NBCSports Live Extra

Preview

To further encourage competition at every spot, Kelly will allow both Golson and Zaire to take hits in Saturday's spring game.

Officials will blow plays dead quickly and coaches told defenders not to go for big hits, but the allowance of quarterback hits is an interesting gamble by Kelly to squeeze the most out of the sport's most important position.

“Both of those guys need to be who they are, and that’s who they are (taking contact),” Kelly said, per CSNChicago.com's JJ Stankevitz. “They’re guys that need to move in the pocket, they make plays with their feet and they both can run the football and we want to be able to run them both as well.”

Golson had his struggles last year with 12 fumbles, eight of them lost, but did throw for 29 touchdowns to 14 interceptions while completing 60 percent of his passes. Zaire is the better rusher, something he may put on display Saturday.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The rest of the offense isn't in question. Tarean Folston, last year's leading rusher with 889 yards and six scores, is back in the fold. Of the 11 different players who caught a pass last season, nine return.

William Fuller, who led the team with 76 grabs for 1,094 yards and 15 touchdowns leads the wideout corps. Corey Robinson and Chris Brown landed right behind him on the receiving list last year and will make a return, as will the versatile C.J. Prosise, who continues to line up in the backfield and split out wide.

The real focus point Saturday should come on the defensive side of things.

Last year the Fighting Irish's collapse down the stretch, in which they lost their final four games of the regular season, came in large part thanks to inexperience on defense.

Continuity isn't the issue this spring, it's applying experience to form a cohesive unit capable of holding up under the rigors of a full season.

One name to watch is senior Jarrett Grace, who figures to be in contention for a starting gig if he looks up to speed Saturday after taking a year and change off to recover from a leg injury. Kelly loves the dynamic he has at linebacker, as captured by Rachel Terlep of The Elkhart Truth:

Seniors Sheldon Day, Jarron Jones and Romeo Okwara lead a deep and talented defensive line, and one sure to fluster both quarterbacks Saturday.

Matthias Farley, last year's interceptions leader, remains in a dogfight for the No. 1 corner slot on the depth chart. Corner is perhaps the position with most turnover on defense this preseason after losing Cody Riggs.

Given the hodgepodge of names that saw the field last year, though, it shouldn't be a problem so long as someone steps up Saturday and beyond to fill the void.

Which is what Saturday is all about—competition to encourage the best to rise to the top as the Fighting Irish ease into another season. The event marks the beginning of a long march, but one from an advantageous position. 

Info courtesy of UND.com unless otherwise specified.