Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/176703
Game Preview: Oklahoma On Paper By Andrew Owens Oklahoma Running Game Vs. Notre Dame Run Defense Notre Dame did not allow a rushing touchdown until its eighth game of the season a year ago, and it came via the legs of Oklahoma redshirt junior quarterback Blake Bell, then a backup to Landry Jones. Outside of allowing that feat, the Irish front seven suffocated the Sooners' rushing game, giving up only 15 yards on 24 carries in a season-defining performance. Senior running back Damien Williams, who rushed for 946 yards and 11 touchdowns during the 2012 season, will get an opportunity to redeem himself against the Irish. Williams carried the ball 37 times for 161 yards in OU's first two games this year, but was suspended for the Tulsa game Sept. 14 due to an undisclosed violation of team rules. He is expected back against the Irish, but in his stead, fellow senior Brennan Clay has performed well. Clay leads the team with 45 carries for 262 yards (5.8 yards per rush) and two touchdowns. Notre Dame hopes it turned the corner in some areas defensively at Purdue. After yielding 134 and 166 yards against Temple and Michigan, respectively, the Irish derailed the Boilermakers' ground game to the tune of 38 yards on 21 carries. However, Notre Dame has struggled with mobile quarterbacks this season — Temple's Connor Reilly gained 65 rushing yards and Michigan's Devin Gardner scrambled for 82 — and will now have to worry about not only Williams and Clay, but also quarterback scrambles by Bell, a luxury Oklahoma did not possess a year ago with Jones. Advantage: Even Oklahoma Passing Game Vs. Notre Dame Pass Defense Bell is known for his bruising running ability out of Senior wide receiver Jalen Saunders had 15 receptions for 181 yards against Notre Dame last year. photo courtesy oklahoma the "Belldozer" package — he had 11 rushing scores a year ago — but he has an excellent arm as well. He showcased it for the first time in the Sooners' 51-20 victory over Tulsa Sept. 14. He completed 27 of 37 passes for 413 yards with four touchdowns, all career highs. The Sooners return two of three starters at wide receiver. Senior Jalen Saunders torched Notre Dame for 181 yards on 15 receptions last October and faces a maligned Irish secondary that has struggled to find its footing to this point. Senior cornerback Bennett Jackson, sophomore cor-