Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/219972
"Weisian" tendencies. Amidst 8-5 finishes in 2010 and 2011, Notre Dame averaged only 126.6 and 138.9 rushing yards per game, respectively. Conversely, during last year 's magical 12-0 regular season, the Irish eclipsed the coveted 200-yard mark for the first time in 12 years, finishing with a 202.5-yard average and a robust 5.0 yards per carry figure. That fell to 189.4 upset. "Run-to-pass ratio to me is flow of the game, circumstances, where you are on the flow of the game. … I would like to run the ball more effectively, but there were some circumstances that prevented us from getting into a rhythm." While he wouldn't specify what the circumstances were, Kelly said physicality in a team is not defined by just one aspect of the game. "We've got to be able to turn the switch on and play physical football regardless whether we throw it 60 times a game or run it 70 times a game." brian kelly after netting only 32 yards in the BCS National Championship Game fiasco (prior to 2003, bowl games were not included in team stats) versus Alabama. This year's up-and-down 8-3 start on occasion reverted back some to previous forms. Notre Dame averaged a soso 157.1 rushing yards per game, and the forte was pass blocking. It showed while the Irish rated as the best in the country, allowing the fewest sacks (seven) in proportion to most passes attempted (348). For every action, though, there is an equal and opposite reaction, at least according to Isaac Newton's scientific principles, and what has been sacrificed some is the run. A particular sore point to many Irish followers was despite leading 14-7 at halftime against Pitt while rushing for 128 yards, Notre Dame finished the second half with six carries for 10 yards while getting outscored 21-7. "Each game is different in terms of circumstances," Kelly said of the Pitt "Mental and physical imposing of your will, I think, happens on special teams, offense and defense," Kelly said. "I don't think you impose your will just by running the football. I think you impose your will with quick-strike capability, the inability [of the opponent] to cover people, the inability to pass protect. That takes many shapes and forms. "We did what we felt was necessary to win the football game. I can't really talk specifically about particular plays to give you the kind of answers that you want. … What was the down and distance? What were the circumstances? We know when we need to burn clock and control the football, and know when we have some easy looks. "I went through everything we did, and it didn't jump out at me and go, 'Wow, this is crazy.' I didn't sense that." One does get a sense, though, that when the running game doesn't fully function, the climb toward the top gets a little steeper. ✦