Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Under the Dome Point ✦ Counterpoint: What Has Been The Biggest Surprise In The First Half Of The Season? Running In Place By Dan Murphy A Weak Defense By Andrew Owens The table seemed set in 2013 for Notre Dame's Certainly no one expected the Notre Dame defense running game to continue the steady progress it's to replicate — let alone surpass — its 2012 defensive made under head coach Brian Kelly. The Irish aver- output. The unit allowed only 10 touchdowns during aged more than 200 rushing yards per game a season the regular season and catapulted the program into ago. At the midway point this year, they'll be hard- its first national championship appearance since pressed to get there again. 1988. The offense lost starting quarterback Everett GolAfter losing Heisman Trophy finalist linebacker son and leading receiver Manti Te'o, defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore Tyler Eifert. Its two top and safety Zeke Motta to graduation, and linereturning starters are backer Danny Spond to career-ending migraine arguably left tackle Zack problems, it was only logical that the Irish would Martin and left guard take a step back this fall. Few realized just how Chris Watt, who rolled monumental that step would be. out a red carpet on the Two remarkable statistics stand out from the overwhelming majority of nation's second-ranked scoring defense a year running plays last season. ago. Notre Dame permitted touchdowns from But instead of pounding The Irish yielded 10 75-yard its opponents in only 13 of 38 red-zone trips away behind the fifth- touchdown drives through in 2012. Through five games this year, 10 of 19 year seniors, Notre Dame five games this year. red-zone appearances have resulted in six points. photo by per kjeldsen The other mind-boggling statistic: Only once in has taken to the air. Through five games, the Irish had passed 172 times the regular season did Notre Dame surrender a 75and run the ball 152 times. They ranked 93rd nation- yard touchdown drive, and it came in the final game. ally with 135.4 rushing yards per game. No back on None of the other nine TD drives were even 60 yards. the team averaged more than 10 carries per game. In 2013, the Irish have yielded 10 75-yard TD drives. It's not surprising that Notre Dame wanted to spread If an Irish fan had been asked before the season out the carries, but rotating four players through the how they would feel about scoring 30 points at lineup regularly is. Especially considering the one Michigan, most would've gladly taken it. And while player who many thought would emerge as a rookie the turnovers plagued Notre Dame in the 35‑21 loss starter in the second half of the year, Greg Bryant, to Oklahoma, the defense allowed an 88-yard drive is the only running back who isn't in that rotation. and a 54-yard touchdown pass on third-and-three The defense took a step back without Manti Te'o to seal its fate. and Zeke Motta. Senior quarterback Tommy Rees Although Notre Dame's rushing woes have been has had some good days and some bad days. Senior frustrating for a team without its expected starting TJ Jones has taken over the lead receiver role. None quarterback, the offense has been mostly competiof these would have been shocking predictions in tive through the first five games. With an elite followAugust, but I don't think anyone claimed the Irish up from the defense this season, the Irish could be would struggle to run the ball in 2013. undefeated.