Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/200019
on paper revisited Air Force Running Game Vs. Notre Dame Run Defense It looks poor on the stat sheet when you surrender 290 rushing yards as the Irish did to the Falcons, who entered the game 12th nationally with an average of 268.6 yards per game. Breaking it down, though, Air Force had 12 carries for 101 yards (8.4 yards per carry) in the first quarter — usually the toughest adjustment phase for a defense against the triple option — but then the final three quarters its 53 carries netted only 189 yards, or 3.6 yards per rush. Many were window-dressing yards against the No. 2 defense. In the first quarter, the option pitch, particularly to the left, was repeatedly open, and the fullback dive wasn't even used. Notre Dame adjusted by going into more zone or Cover 2 looks where the cornerbacks were rolled more to cover the run and also assist freshman Dog linebacker Jaylon Smith, who had eight stops. Notre Dame corners were credited with 16 solo By lou somogyi tackles, highlighted by six from KeiVarae Russell, a standout in the game who also recovered a fumble. Two lost fumbles by the Falcons were crushing setbacks. By the end of the game, freshman quarterback Nate Romine had to keep more instead of pitch, and his team-high 21 carries netted only 76 yards (3.6 yards per carry). Advantage: Even Air Force Passing Game Vs. Notre Dame Pass Defense While Irish fans have done a lot of handwringing about losing 2012 starting quarterback Everett Golson for the 2013 season, Air Force lost its top two signal-callers in the opening weeks, and then No. 3 option Karson Roberts to a head injury. Freshman Nate Romine is the fourth option, and Notre Dame doesn't even have four quarterbacks on scholarship. Air Force's 12 pass attempts netted only 49 yards, and there was never really a downfield threat with the pass — all the more reason the corners were Senior defensive lineman Kona Schwenke and the Irish limited Air Force to just 189 rushing yards and 3.6 yards per carry over the final three quarters. photo by bill panzica