Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 5, 2018 11 UNDER THE DOME For the second time in as many months this football season, the "if it's not broke, don't fix it" axiom was not applicable to Notre Dame's coaching staff on offense. First was the change at quarterback in week four despite a 3‑0 record and No. 8 national ranking when junior Ian Book replaced senior Brandon Wimbush, who earned the game ball in the season‑open‑ ing win versus Michigan. Next was inserting sophomore Aaron Banks as a first‑time starter at left guard versus Navy Oct. 27, even though senior Trevor Ruhland had started there in vic‑ tories versus Virginia Tech and Pitt. He also played most of the second half there versus Stanford Oct. 6 following a season‑ ending knee injury to All‑America candi‑ date Alex Bars. Once again, the Irish had improved to 7‑0 and No. 3 in the country, but at a robust 6‑6, 319 pounds, Banks provided more of a physical presence than the 6‑4, 295‑pound Ruhland — who was shifted to a co‑starting role at right guard with 6‑6, 316‑pound junior Tommy Kraemer. According to head coach Brian Kelly, Banks' prog‑ ress the past several weeks gave the staff no choice. Banks had originally practiced at tackle in the pre‑ season before shifting to guard after Bars' injury. "Trying to duplicate that kind of size and quick‑ ness that Alex has is very difficult," Kelly said. "We felt like Aaron has accelerated his game to the point where we feel comfortable starting him at the left guard position." After struggling with the run most of the night at Virginia Tech and finishing with only 80 rushing yards versus Pitt, a standard had not been met despite emerging victorious. The idea of teaming Banks with 6‑6, 308‑pound junior left tackle Liam Eichenberg, who has two more years of eligibility through 2020, could provide another lethal left side down the road that maybe someday could rival the Mike McGlinchey/Quenton Nel‑ son tandem from 2016‑17, Ronnie Stan‑ ley/Nelson in 2015 and Zack Martin/Chris Watt from 2011‑13. "Pass protects very well, moves his feet very well and plays with explosiveness — now that gives us two really big, physical, athletic players on the left side," Kelly said of Banks. Ruhland was listed as the starting right guard for the Navy game but an "or" was added with Kraemer — meaning they are basically co‑starters, similar to Kraemer and current sophomore Robert Hainsey at right tackle last season. "They'll both play on that side," Kelly said. "Tom is a big, physical player with a lot of experience. Trevor is a guy that we really like his technique, very smart player, savvy player. "They complement each other well. I think both of them together give us a really good tandem at that right side." Every offensive lineman other than starting cen‑ ter Sam Mustipher, has eligibility through 2019, and everyone but Ruhland has at least another season through 2020. — Lou Somogyi bit.ly/ndknitwear SHOP NOW FOR KNIT WEAR 'TIS THE SEASON (800) 647-4641 NDcatalog.com Aaron Banks Forces His Way Into The Starting Lineup At Left Guard The 6-6, 319-pound Banks gives the Fighting Irish a more physical presence on the left side of the offensive line for a unit aiming to find more consistency running the ball. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA