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✦ News & notes "We were able to find a way to run the ball into a very difficult box look and eke out a couple of big plays," Kelly said. "I think you're going to have to see a similar kind of effort." … And Stop The Run Meanwhile, there is an about-face at Oklahoma on offense. With pro-style quarterback Landry Jones at the helm last year, the Sooners finished 60th in rushing with a 161.4-yard average. Jones had minus-375 yards rushing during his career. This year, Oklahoma is averaging 271.7 rushing yards per game (16th nationally) during its 3-0 start with the presence of two running threats at quarterback in 6-6, 252-pound redshirt junior Blake "Belldozer" Bell (24 career rushing touchdowns) and redshirt freshman Trevor Knight (20 carries for 145 yards this year). Bell isn't Michigan's Devin Gardner (13 carries for 82 yards versus Notre Dame) and is often mislabeled as a "running quarterback," according to Irish head coach Brian Kelly. "The biggest challenge is him having runs and passes built into the same play," Kelly said. "The kid can throw the football — I think that's being overlooked. … He can certainly run it, but he's a passing threat." Thus, Notre Dame's defensive formula might be similar to last year at Oklahoma. The Sooners had 35 pass completions — but mainly between the 20-yard lines — while scoring only 13 points. Most fans despise the "bend but don't break" principle, but something generally has to be compromised on defense against top foes. "Our game plan was to keep the ball in front of us and minimize the big plays," Kelly said of last year's victory at Okla- homa. "I think that's going to have to be the case again." Led by senior wideout Jalen Saunders (15 catches for 181 yards versus the Irish last year), Oklahoma possesses one of the deeper skill-position corps in the country, according to Kelly. However, if Notre Dame can shut off the run first, including the quarterback, then it will give itself a chance to win like it did last season. Senior running backs Brennan Clay (262 rushing yards and 5.8 yards per carry) and Damien Williams (161 rushing yards and 4.4 yards per carry) were both held in check by the Irish last year, with Williams limited to 29 yards on 13 carries. Bell's threat as a runner is the X-factor. "You can't give up easy runs," Kelly said. "That's really what it comes down to. When the quarterback is running the football, you've got to make sure that you're minimizing their ability to get big plays." Close Encounters Although Notre Dame has received some criticism for not winning by larger margins against Purdue (31-24) and Michigan State (17-13) the past two weeks, it at least does know how to win. After going 5-0 last season in games decided by seven or fewer points, the current winning streak of seven such games is tied for third on Notre Dame's all-time chart with the 1972-74 teams under head coach Ara Parseghian. Irish head coach Brian Kelly also won each of his last eight games at Cincinnati in 2008-09 in outcomes decided by seven or few points. "When we first got here, I don't believe that we were able to win some of those games. It was just a matter of time," said Kelly, who started out 2-5 at Notre Dame in games decided by seven or fewer points After last week's 17-13 triumph over Michigan State, Brian Kelly and the Irish have now won 10 of their last 11 games decided by seven points or fewer. photo by Bill panzica but has since been 10-1. "We're four years into our program. Our kids believe that they will win if they prepare the right way and they take care of the things that they're supposed to. They have a belief. "It's the will to prepare and it's the belief that they can win. You carry those with you." Positive reinforcement comes through ✦ Page 14 wins. That is still only the mental aspect. The physical aspect is actual execution when the game is on the line. "We didn't perform late against Michigan, and we lost the football game," Kelly said. "… I know our guys have confidence that they can win each and every game they play, but they also know that they have to make plays" ✦