Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Running With Rhythm Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly has had a backfield-by-committee plan in 2013. Part of the thinking behind this approach is that it is not about who starts but who finishes. At Purdue Sept. 14, junior Cam McDaniel was a classic "finisher," carrying 10 times (eight straight at one point) for 42 yards, and picking up two first downs on third-andshort to help "run out" the final 7:22. The natural question is, "How could a team that couldn't run through the first 52:38 suddenly be so effective in the final 7:22 while finishing with only 91 yards on the ground for the second week in a row?" Kelly said that's a fair inquiry, but that the circumstances changed. "We were trying to take time off the clock, so there's a different mindset in terms of what you're doing," Kelly said. "… So I think settling into the game, [and] getting into some checks that our guys really now knew how they were lining up. Purdue did a very good job in the first half of giving us multiple looks that we hadn't really seen and it took us some time to really get our bearings." There are pros and cons to most anything, and the "con" of a backfield by committee is with so much shuffling in and out, a back has problems developing a rhythm or feel for his line or the defense. In the closing minutes, McDaniel (who finished with 56 yards on 16 carries) found that proverbial zone. "There's no mistaking that that helps," Kelly said of feeding a back consistently rather than piece meal. "He got better, he saw things as he got more carries." "I don't know if it gets me in a rhythm per se, it's just that at that time of the game when you're in a four-minute offense and running out the clock, it just goes to who wants it more," McDaniel said. The Irish head coach remained adamant that the backfield will not become a one-man show. Juniors George Atkinson III and Amir Carlisle will continue to have a role — and prized freshmen Greg Bryant and Tarean Folston also will be gradually assimilated. "Next week, maybe we'll talk about somebody else," Kelly said. "I don't know that we are going to have one guy that we put up there and say, 'He's the guy.'" Amazing Notre Dame clothing made in USA from innovative 100% recycled fabrics By SustainU Notre Dame freshmen running backs Tarean Folston (above) and Greg Bryant could have a greater roles in the Irish offense as the season progresses. photo by Bill panzica The combination of the noise on the road when Notre Dame has the ball and quarterback Tommy Rees' numerous audible calls to get the offense into the right looks have contributed to the rookies' learning curve. "We have not been able to get into the ideal situation to [play them], primarily because we have had to deal with so many pressure fronts and so many times where we are calling our backs [on an audible] back in to protect," Kelly explained. "It has not been the best proving ground for some freshman running backs. Hopefully as time moves on, we'll be able to do that. To Kelly, Bryant already has made notable strides. "When he first got here, there was a lot of dancing, and now it's point A to point B," he said. "I like the way he hits things, very good acceleration." He also refers to Folston as "very smooth" and an exceptional pass catcher. "Both those guys really catch my attention." Kelly said. Finding their own rhythm and niche will be an upcoming step.