Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com PRESEASON 2019 55 He ran for 497 yards and five touch- downs on 79 attempts (6.5 yards per carry). Still, Pass will likely be in a bet- ter position to succeed this season. The offense is designed to run the ball and pass on play action. It also helps that the team's wide receivers are likely the most talented position group on the roster. Redshirt junior Dez Fitzpatrick and sophomore Tutu Atwell return after accumulating more than 400 receiv- ing yards each last season, with At- well averaging nearly 17 yards per reception. Senior Seth Dawkins is also back after grabbing 25 recep- tions for 329 yards in 2018. "The one that they're really excited about is Tutu Atwell, a slot receiver from Miami that they barely got to use as much as they wanted a year ago," Ennis said. "They love what he can do, and then they've got some size on the outside with Fitzpatrick and Dawkins." It's been eight years since Louis- ville had a 1,000-yard rusher — a trend that is likely to continue in 2019. Yet, the team's new run-heavy spread offense should still be in good shape. Sophomore Hassan Hall ran for more than 300 yards on 70 carries last year as a 178-pound true freshman. This season, he reportedly gained 20 pounds and is ready to assume a more prominent role. Ennis also sees redshirt freshman Javian Hawkins emerging, with one or two other backs helping supplement carries. Perhaps the biggest wild card on this Louisville team is the offensive line. Starting left tackle and pre- season All-ACC player Mekhi Becton Redshirt junior defensive end Tabarius Peterson and the Cardinals will look to improve upon a pass rush that produced just 11 sacks and ranked 128th out of 130 teams nationally per Pro Football Focus. PHOTO COURTESY LOUISVILLE