Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/181992
Game Preview: arizona state On Paper By Andrew Owens Arizona State Running Game Vs. Notre Dame Run Defense Despite losing the seventh-leading rusher in program history (Cameron Marshall, 2,700 yards), Arizona State still boasts a strong ground attack thanks to senior Marion Grice and redshirt junior Deantre Lewis. The duo combined for 274 yards and six touchdowns in wins over Sacramento State and Wisconsin before Stanford's front seven limited the unit to 50 yards on 24 carries. The Sun Devils returned three starters on the offensive line after averaging 205.4 yards per game on the ground last season — the program's best output in 16 years — to finish 25th in the country and third in the Pac-12. The Irish have struggled in the red zone this season, and Grice is Arizona State's finisher after recording six of the team's seven rushing touchdowns in its first three games. Notre Dame opened the first third of the season by holding only Purdue to less than 100 yards on the ground (38). A year ago, only four teams hit the century mark against the Irish during the regular season. In addition to the duo of Grice and Lewis, redshirt junior quarterback Taylor Kelly is a scrambling threat and could frustrate defensive coordinator Bob Diaco's unit as was the case when Notre Dame faced Temple and Michigan's mobile quarterbacks. Had it not been for sacks, Kelly would've finished as the team's leading rusher a year ago. Advantage: Even Senior running back Marion Grice scored eight touchdowns (six rushing and two receiving) in ASU's first three contests, and was averaging a touchdown every 7.9 times he touched the ball in his 16 games with the Sun Devils. photo courtesy Arizona State University