Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com JANUARY 2020 33 BY TODD D. BURLAGE IOWA STATE RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE With a No. 95 national ranking and an average of only 140.3 rushing yards per game, the Cyclones at first glance don't appear to be a formidable foe on the ground. But a closer look shows some notable improvement this season for Iowa State in this category, mainly behind the work of freshman tailback Breece Hall. After managing just 84 yards on 18 carries through the first five weeks this season, Hall — a 6-1, 205-pound speedster — busted onto the scene with 132 rushing yards in a 38-14 win at West Virginia Oct. 12. It was the first of four 100- yard efforts in his next five games, including a season-high 183-yard output at Texas Tech and a 101-yard performance against College Football Playoff-bound Oklahoma. Hall averaged 108 yards during his final seven games, and with 842 total rushing yards, he could make a run at the 1,000-yard mark. Save for one notable hiccup against Michigan when the Irish defense surrendered 303 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, Notre Dame has steadily improved in this area all season, though its No. 72 national ranking (160.6 yards allowed per game) in rushing defense falls well short of preseason hopes and expectations. Only once in the final five games did a Fighting Irish opponent rush for more than 130 yards, and that was Navy (281 yards), the nation's leading rushing team. Advantage: Notre Dame IOWA STATE PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE What the Cyclones lack statistically running the ball they more than compensate with a dynamic passing game. Sophomore quarterback Brock Purdy has been outstanding, finishing the regular season ranked in the top 20 nationally in passing yards (3,760), passing touchdowns (27), passing yards per game (313.3) and passing efficiency (153.24 rating). Purdy led an Iowa State passing offense that ranks No. 9 in the country. Coaches and media members in Big 12 country believe Purdy is already a fringe top-five quar- terback in the country. He spreads the wealth among wideouts Deshaunte Jones (72 catches) and La'Michael Pettway (51), while tight end Charlie Kolar's 48 catches for 675 yards included a team- leading seven touchdowns. The deep threat has been Tarique Milton, whose 33 catches average 20.9 yards. Purdy will be put to the test against an Irish pass defense that has been arguably the most consis- tent and productive unit on the team. Notre Dame's pass defense allowed the third- Sophomore quarterback Brock Purdy leads an Iowa State passing offense that ranks No. 9 in the coun- try. He has passed for 3,760 yards (313.3 per game) and 27 touchdowns this season against just nine interceptions. PHOTO COURTESY IOWA STATE ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS GAME PREVIEW: IOWA STATE On PaPer