Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1183432
16 NOV. 16, 2019 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY LOU SOMOGYI D efenses in football are drilled to react mentally to what is known as "sudden change," one where it is unexpectedly put into an adverse situation by its offense turning the ball over, often deep in its own territory. Notre Dame's offensive line had its own disruptive sudden changes in the latter part of October and early November. In the 45-14 fiasco at Michigan Oct. 26, senior right guard Tommy Kraemer — selected as a second- team Midseason All-American by the Associated Press a week earlier — suffered a sprained MCL which was projected to sideline him four to six weeks, potentially the balance of the regular season. A week later in the dramatic 21-20 comeback win versus Virginia Tech, junior right tackle and team captain Robert Hainsey fractured his ankle on the second series, resulting in sur- gery that will shelve him from con- tact work through spring practice. Moving into their spots were fifth- year senior Trevor Ruhland (6-4, 292) at guard and junior Josh Lugg (6-7, 307) at tackle. Ruhland had been groomed to re- place three-year starting center Sam Mustipher (2016-18), but last year he started five games at guard after an injury to Alex Bars and a temporary benching of Kraemer. However, a litany of major injuries to Ruhland — including a particu- larly ailing knee — left his football future in limbo. He was sidelined all spring, and in the summer there was skepticism by the medical staff and head coach Brian Kelly that he would ever be able to play again. Ruhland himself is amazed when he takes inventory. "I've had three surgeries in my left knee," Ruhland stated after the victory against Virginia Tech. "I've broken my elbow, I've torn both my pecs, tore my labrum in my shoulder. I've broken my ankle. I broke my nose." Yet the rapture he felt during Notre Dame's 18-play, 87-yard drive against the Hokies that resulted with the game-winning touchdown run by senior quarterback Ian Book with 29 seconds left, plus the extra point by junior kicker Jonathan Doerer, gave him his own "sudden change" in attitude while looking back on all that made it possible. "How could you miss something like this?" he said of opting to re- turn for a fifth year. "If I was on the sidelines watching that, obviously I would be excited for everybody, but it would make me sick. I just want to be a part of it. "The best people on the world are in that locker room. They're the toughest, they're the smartest, they're the best character people in the world right there." Although the original plan was for Ruhland to succeed Mustipher at center, the staff was uncertain whether he would be even available in 2019. Thus, a primary reason why sophomore left tackle Jarrett Pat- ASSEMBLY LINE The right side of the offensive line handles sudden change with guard Trevor Ruhland and tackle Josh Lugg Ruhland has overcome a litany of injuries to put himself in position to step in and contribute as the starting right guard on the Irish line. PHOTO BY ANDRIS VISOCKIS