Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 16, 2019 17 terson was shifted to center in the spring was to provide a long-range answer at the position while Ruh- land, if cleared medically, could pro- vide aid in the interior when called upon. "This spring was very hard for me," admitted Ruhland, who also acknowledged that he has the "knee of an 80-year-old" with all it's been through. "I was coming in hopefully getting the starting center spot — waiting my four years for it — but injuries derailed that." "This was a conscious choice on his part even after medical intervention in the sense that this might not be the best decision for you down the road," Kelly said. "But he wanted to do it. He's taking care of himself, he's kept himself ready and consequently he's able to step in at a critical time when we need him and he came through for us. All the credit to him for getting himself ready mentally and physically." The Irish head coach also was en- couraged by Lugg's performance in the first extended action of his career. Rated as the nation's No. 120 over- all prospect in the 2017 class by Ri- vals — linemates Hainsey (No. 84) and starting left guard Aaron Banks (No. 166) sandwiched him as four- star prospects — Lugg was referred to as the line's "Swiss Army Knife" because he could play any position up front, and has he even taken scrimmage reps at center. "He's been in a competitive situ- ation for a couple years for a start- ing position," Kelly said. "Now is his opportunity to step in there. He's been in the program, knows what it takes, is strong and physical, and can handle himself in the game." Lugg and Ruhland were the sixth and seventh options for the line, but now are starters. Kelly said junior Dillan Gibbons (6-4, 305) and sopho- more John Dirksen (6-5, 309) would be the next options at guard, which might be needed with Ruhland's health status. "We'd like to keep him on a pitch count [for snaps played] if we could, if we are able to do that," Kelly said of Ruhland. "We'll evaluate both as potential guys that may be able to step in and give him a blow here or there." If a third tackle is needed, poten- tially Banks or even Patterson could make the shift to the perimeter. After scoring only 35 total points to- tal versus Michigan and Virginia Tech, Notre Dame needs to get right on of- fense — and part of it will depend on a new right side of the offensive line. The good news is that in the stretch of the final four regular-season games, the team's top two running backs — senior Tony Jones and ju- nior Jafar Armstrong — could both be healthy for a full contest for the first time since the opening series at Louisville Sept. 2. In the Michigan game, Irish running backs carried 18 times for 35 yards. Versus Virginia Tech it was 23 times for 58 yards. The approach to improve the ground game remains the same, even without two starters up front. "I don't think you can ever go and say, 'All right, these two guys are recruited on scholarship to Notre Dame — we can't run the football because of that,'" Kelly summarized of reassembling the right side of the line. "We've got to go in there with the confidence that these guys can get the job done." ✦ Lugg (6-7, 307) is now the starter at right tackle. He has been referred to as the offensive line's "Swiss Army Knife" because he could play any position up front. PHOTO BY ANDRIS VISOCKIS