Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/181992
Game Preview: arizona state Arizona State Passing Game Vs. ble and improvise. A year ago, he set school records for completion percentage (.671) and consecutive Notre Dame Pass Defense completions (18). He is benefiting from another Kelly does not boast excellent arm strength, but he compensates with his accuracy and ability to scram- year in head coach Todd Graham's system and from the return of fifth-year senior tight end Chris Coyle. Last year's leading receiver, Coyle caught 57 passes for 696 yards and five touchdowns, and has been a dependable red-zone threat again this season with a pair of touchdowns in the team's first three games. Out of the backfield, Grice is one of Kelly's best receiving options, having recorded 147 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the team's first three games. Notre Dame's pass defense has not elevated its game in 2013 after returning three of four starters, but the unit has gradually improved with a threeman rotation at safety between junior Matthias Farley, senior Austin Collinsworth and sophomore Elijah Shumate. After allowing a combined seven touchdown passes against Michigan and Purdue (three-plus in consecutive games for the first time under head coach Brian Kelly), the unit took a step forward against a weak Michigan State aerial attack, allowing a season-low 135 yards and just 16 completions on 36 pass attempts. Advantage: Arizona State Notre Dame Running Game Vs. Arizona State Run Defense Senior safety Alden Darby, who led the team with three passes defended and ranked fourth with 12 tackles through three contests, is part of a pass defense that is yielding only 159.0 yards a game. photo courtesy Arizona State University When Notre Dame failed to reach 100 yards rushing against Michigan State, it marked the first time since 2008 that the Irish fell short of the century mark in three consecutive games. Kelly insists all five running backs are in the rotation, but junior Cam McDaniel continues to receive the bulk of the short-yardage and late-game carries while the unit searches for its identity. Through a third of the season, the Irish ranked 100th in the nation with a meager 114.25 rushing yards per game. The Sun Devils' run defense has endured a disastrous start to the season. After finishing 80th nationally a year ago (182.85 yards allowed per game), it surrendered 200-plus yards on the ground