Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/195693
Game Preview: Air Force passing touchdowns have come from sophomore Karson Roberts, who replaced Awini in late September and is one of four signal-callers to see action for Air Force this fall. To date, Roberts has completed 14 of 30 passes for 207 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Only one Air Force player has caught more than 10 passes (junior Sam Gagliano has 11 in seven games), but freshman wide receiver Jalen Robinette makes them count when he does haul in a pass: Two of his seven receptions have resulted in a touchdown. Notre Dame's at-times-maligned 2013 secondary has shown signs of coming together in recent games and will in many ways be tasked with containing the Falcons' rushing attack from producing big plays more than covering imposing receiving threats. Notre Dame's 88th-ranked pass defense should receive a statistical boost from playing Air Force and Navy in consecutive weeks. Advantage: Notre Dame Notre Dame Running Game Vs. Air Force Run Defense Air Force ranks 113th in rushing defense while allowing 221.29 yards on the ground per contest. That total is a large factor in the Falcons' 1-6 record to begin the season. Junior linebacker Joey Nichol — one of five new starters on the Air Force defense — has burst onto the scene to lead the team in tackles (68) and tackles for loss (6.5). Notre Dame's rushing attack continues to be a mystery in not only production, but also in personnel. The Irish exited the bye week as the 96thranked rushing offense and with little identity on the ground. Juniors George Atkinson III, Cam McDaniel and Amir Carlisle have all led the way in different games, with some assistance from freshman Tarean Folston, but fans clamoring for one undisputed leader at the position seem unlikely to get their wish in 2013. Notre Dame is preparing for its eighth game, the two-thirds mark of the season, and if no one has emerged yet it is unlikely to happen. After three consecutive sub-100 rushing outputs in mid-September, the unit produced 220 yards against Oklahoma and 145 against Arizona State before the bye week. Regardless of the back(s) Kelly and offensive coordinator Chuck Martin call upon the most against Air Force, the Irish should have no trouble overpowering the Falcons defense. Advantage: Notre Dame Notre Dame Passing Game Vs. Air Force Pass Defense One of senior quarterback Tommy Rees' top performances in an Irish uniform came at Notre Dame Stadium against Air Force in October 2011. He completed 23 of 32 passes for 261 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions in a 59-33 blowout victory. Two years later, Rees is again the team's full-time signal-caller and could produce similar numbers against the 102nd-ranked Falcons pass defense, which has yielded 267.4 yards per game. Air Force returned three starters (seniors Chris Miller and Steffon Batts, and junior Christian Spears) in a secondary that has forced just four interceptions during a miserable 1-6 start to the season, with the team's lone win coming against Football Championship Subdivision foe Colgate. The balanced Irish receiving attack, led by senior wide receiver TJ Jones, junior wide receiver DaVaris Daniels and junior tight end Troy Niklas, should be able to move the ball down the field with ease. Notre Dame's pass protection has been excellent in 2013, with the unit allowing only four sacks in the first half of the season. Combine that with the Falcons' six sacks on the season and Rees should have plenty of time to throw. Advantage: Notre Dame Special Teams Air Force's punt return production (1.8 yards per return) rivals the 2011 and 2012 Notre Dame squads, and the Falcons' kickoff return unit isn't much better at a clip of 22.8 yards per return.