Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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36 OCT. 2, 2021 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED GAME PREVIEW: CINCINNATI BY TODD D. BURLAGE CINCINNATI RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE Tailback Jerome Ford, a transfer from Alabama, is in his second season as Cincinnati's feature back and the 5-11, 220-pound junior is on pace to eclipse a fine 2020 campaign when he aver- aged 6.6 yards per carry and scored eight rushing touchdowns. Through three games, Ford already has two 100- yard rushing performances and 300 total yards (6.0 per carry) with six touchdowns. For Notre Dame, after allowing just 113.0 rushing yards per game last season to finish 16th nationally in rush defense, this unit has collectively underper- formed in 2021. Heading into the Wisconsin game last weekend, the Irish ranked only 73rd in rush defense (145.7 yards allowed per game), though they had shown steady improvement since giving up 264 rushing yards to Florida State in the season opener. With 35 tackles in three games, including 4.5 for loss, Irish junior and breakout linebacker JD Bertrand is on pace to record more than 100 total tackles this season on a defense that ranks in the middle of the NCAA statistical pack at stopping the run. Advantage: Notre Dame CINCINNATI PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE Senior quarterback Desmond Ridder made a sur- prise choice when he skipped the 2021 NFL Draft and returned to Cincinnati as a fourth-year starter after earning 2020 American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors. And with 748 passing yards and seven touchdowns in three games already, this long-shot Heisman candidate is picking up right where he left off. Last season, Ridder — who could become a top- 10 selection in the 2022 NFL Draft — threw for 2,296 yards with 19 touchdowns and six intercep- tions, while also rushing for 592 yards and 12 scores. Ridder entered this season with 6,905 passing yards, 57 touchdown throws, 1,825 rushing yards and 22 rushing scores for his career. One reason for Ridder's surprising return might have been because his wide receiver room is loaded with seniors Alec Pierce (nine catches for 150 yards) and 2020 All-AAC selection Michael Young Jr. (eight catches for 110 yards), along with sophomore Tyler Scott (seven catches for 172 yards), all of whom are off to quick starts. Junior tight end Josh Whyle (three catches for 36 yards) provides another talented target after leading the Bearcats with 353 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions in 2020. The Cincinnati offensive line had to replace both of its starting tackles from last season. Graduate student Darrian Beavers is one of a trio of talented Cincinnati linebackers. Through three games, he had 23 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries. PHOTO COURTESY CINCINNATI ATHLETICS On PaPer