Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Game Preview: Rutgers Rutgers struggled mightily against aerial attacks Notre Dame Running Game Vs. despite finishing tied for 25th in sacks with 32. Rutgers Run Defense The Irish stumbled to the finish line with a final ranking of No. 83 in rushing offense (149.0 yards per game). Juniors Cam McDaniel and George Atkinson III finished first and second, respectively, in rushing attempts (135 to 93) and yards (625 to 555), and they ended up tied with three touchdowns apiece. Freshman running back Tarean Folston showed flashes of brilliance in November wins over Navy (18 carries for 140 yards and a touchdown) and BYU (13 rushes for 78 yards and a score), and 10 bowl practices and one more strong game could help propel him to the starting job in 2014. Rutgers' fourth-ranked rushing defense (94.6 yards allowed per game) is one of the team's few bright spots and could cause issues for a stagnant Notre Dame rushing attack. Redshirt freshman middle linebacker Steve Longa paced the Scarlet Knights in tackles with 111, while also recording 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Rutgers uses speedy, undersized defensive ends, and it has worked well for Flood (as it did under previous coach Greg Schiano). In its 4-3 scheme, Rutgers returned only three starters from a year ago, but contributions from new starters, including Longa and sophomore defensive tackle Darius Hamilton, have bolstered the unit. Hamilton led the team in tackles for loss (10) and also notched 4.5 sacks during the regular season. Advantage: Rutgers Notre Dame Passing Game Vs. Rutgers Pass Defense Rutgers finished the regular season 120th out of 123 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in passing defense, surrendering 311.4 yards per game. The Scarlet Knights returned just one starter in their secondary and had to mix and match personnel during much of the season, even using wide receivers in the secondary on occasion. Longa, Hamilton and senior defensive end Marcus Thompson (5.5 sacks) led the way in this department, although 15 players registered a sack for Rutgers. Between Notre Dame's issues running the ball and the characteristics of a Rutgers defense that excels at stopping the run and struggles against the pass, it seems likely that the Irish will pursue a pass-first attack in senior quarterback Tommy Rees' final game. Notre Dame finished 47th in passing offense (249.5 yards per game). Senior wide receiver TJ Jones can finish the season with a touchdown reception in nine of his last 10 games if he can snag a score against the Scarlet Knights. Junior wide receiver DaVaris Daniels finished the regular season with a touchdown catch in each of the final three games and will be called upon to lead the unit in 2014. Advantage: Notre Dame Special Teams The Scarlet Knights have returned two kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns this season. Notre Dame's kickoff coverage issues have been well documented, so preventing Rutgers freshman wide receiver Janarion Grant from affecting the game's field position battle could be problematic. With expected cold temperatures and weather issues potentially affecting this game, Notre Dame possesses an advantage with junior placekicker/ punter Kyle Brindza, who has proven to be a valuable weapon in the field position game and on field goals. Advantage: Even Coaching Rutgers fired three assistants after the conclusion of the regular season, including defensive coordinator Dave Cohen. Despite a 6-6 campaign in his second season, Flood is respected by Rutgers fans after leading the team to a 9-4 record and within one quarter of a BCS bowl game in 2012.