Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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accruing more than 25 yards. Then against Purdue Sept. 13 it managed only 139 yards rushing versus a unit that ranked 97th nationally against the run. Notre Dame's "best" running play was senior quarterback Everett Golson ad‑libbing and gaining yard‑ age off intended passes, including the 15‑yard touchdown run right before halftime to give Notre Dame a 17‑14 lead in its 30‑14 victory. "We've got to find a little bit more push inside," Kelly admitted the next day. Meanwhile, led by the veteran left side with first‑round pick Zack Martin at tackle and third‑round choice Chris Watt at guard last year, the Irish were sensational, allowing only eight sacks in 429 pass attempts to rank second nationally while protecting a less mo‑ bile Tommy Rees. In just three games this year, even the elusive Golson had already been sacked six times — four versus the Boilermakers. It could have been at least four more had it not been for his improvisation and play‑extending skills. "We know we've got some good players," Kelly said of the line. "We have to figure out whether we have them all in the right place." The lineup against Purdue was junior Ronnie Stanley at left tackle, senior Conor Hanratty at left guard, senior Nick Martin at center, senior Matt Hegarty at right guard (replacing an injured fifth‑year senior Christian Lombard) and sophomore Steve Elmer at right tackle. By the Syracuse game, only Stanley remained in place. • Elmer was shifted to right guard. Why? After starting four games