Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1518481
6 MAY 2024 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED FAN FORUM SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT First, thanks for the great publication. My wife and I live by it during football season. We lived in Lufkin, Texas, for 30 years before we retired to Missouri (our daughter met her husband as students at Notre Dame, and we couldn't talk him into moving to Texas). And, for about 12 years, my wife and I tutored high school football players to keep them eligible under the State's "no pass, no play" rules. So, we go back a ways with Lufkin High School football. I am really looking forward to watch- ing Kedren Young play wearing a gold helmet, and I am delighted that another kid from Lufkin has made it to Notre Dame. A backfield with one kid from Christian Brothers St. Louis (Jeremiyah Love) and another who was a Lufkin Panther sounds pretty good to me. However, we need to set the record straight. Kedren does not hold the all- time rushing touchdowns record at Lufkin High School. That record be- longs to Jorvorskie Lane (2002-04) at 74 touchdowns. Jorvorskie holds the same career record at Texas A&M (49 rushing scores from 2005-08). The Lufkin High record for rushing car- ries in a single game still belongs to Denvis Manns at 41 carries (1994 vs. Marshall). That night, Denvis also set the record for rushing yards in a single game at 303, and it stood until Kedren broke it in 2022 with 317 yards against McKinney North. Denvis still holds the single-season rushing record at 2,141 yards set in 1994. We were there when New Mex- ico State added his name to the Ring of Honor in Aggie Stadium for becoming the third player in NCAA history to rush for at least 1,000 yards in each of his four years of eligibility. Tony Dorsett was the first back to do it. So, Kedren, you come from a great little town with a storied tradition of great football. I can't wait to see your college career with the Fightin' Irish. God bless, and Go Irish! Jim Ulmer St. Charles, Mo. Thanks for your kind words and for reaching out, Jim. For what it's worth, the bio was only referring to Kedren be- ing the all-time leader in rushing yards. However, I can see why you thought we also were talking about the touchdown mark. That could have been worded bet- ter to make it clearer we were just refer- ring to the rushing yards. Also, thanks for the info on the single-game carries record. It's clear that Kedren is just the latest in a long line of talented running backs at Lufkin. We're also excited to see what he can do at Notre Dame. THIRD TIME'S A CHARM? Great article by Todd Burlage on the third-year history (in the April 2024 is- sue of Blue & Gold Illustrated). Mar- cus Freeman's third-year schedule has cakewalk written all over it. They should be favorites in every game. The long drought ends this year and ESPN's Stephen A. Smith (who recently questioned Notre Dame's relevancy) gets his question answered! Kevin Hayes Austin, Texas BE HEARD! Send your letters to: Letters, Blue & Gold Illustrated, P. O. Box 2331, Durham, NC 27702 or e-mail to: sdowney@comanpub.com Incoming transfer quarterback Riley Leonard had a second surgery on his ankle this spring "to address a stress fracture that was beginning to develop," per Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. That put Leonard's availability this spring in question, but it didn't stop Irish fans from discussing their excitement about what he could bring to the team. The following is an excerpt from our message board at BlueandGold.com. Irishchef3: Is anyone else much more excited about Riley Leonard compared to Sam Hartman? I think Riley's upside is as high as any QB in the country, that is why Notre Dame made him priority number one this offseason. I am hoping [quarterbacks coach] Gino Guidugli and [offensive coordinator] Mike Denbrock can maximize his abilities. There are some uncertainties and inconsistencies in his game, but if it all clicks I think his talent could lead ND to great things this season! Skeezy E: After feeling slightly burned by Hartman, I'm in more of a "show me" state of mind with Leonard. I'm tempering my enthusiasm. mh2365: I am as excited by Leonard as I was Hartman … but I am 1000 times more excited to see what Denbrock does with his transfer QB compared to [former Irish offensive coordinator] Gerad Parker. irishfan_1983: I'm really excited about his ability to extend the play and get yards with his feet in tough situations. I am also concerned about his ability to stand in the pocket and deliver accurate passes in clutch situations. Let's hope that Mike Brown can elevate the skill in the WR room to give Leonard the best chance of succeeding. Hartman's faults last year were magnified by below-average WR play. Crash_Davis_8: Hartman was a square (OK, maybe oval) peg forced into a round hole. The system didn't really fit him. Couple that with a very young and not-explosive WR room, and his play was doomed from the start. Singerhasmyback: I'm excited about his potential, but I'm concerned about him staying healthy. Holland3626: I was more excited about Hartman, but Leonard with Denbrock has me more excited than last year. FROM THE WEBSITE .com .com Notre Dame freshman running back Kedren Young (above) is the all-time leading rusher at Lufkin (Texas) High with 3,936 yards, but Jorvorskie Lane holds the touchdown mark with 74. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER JOIN THE CONVERSATION AT BLUEANDGOLD.COM! New subscribers: Use Promo Code GoIrish2024 To SAVE 25% off your first year!