Blue and Gold Illustrated

Oct. 6, 2014 Issue

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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in the fourth quarter in a 38‑34 win over Navy and finished with 18 car‑ ries for 140 yards. The year prior, top rusher Theo Riddick (917 yards) had four games where he carried at least 19 times, while Cierre Wood had double‑ digit carries in six of the 10 games he played. "We're evolving as to where can we best utilize all three of them," Kelly said. "Who did you want to be on the field in third‑down situations, where the back is integral to pass [catching or blocking]? Who do you want on the field in fourth‑and‑short? Who do you want on the field in first‑and‑10 and openers?" These inquiries are deferred to run‑ ning backs coach Tony Alford. "I give him the ability to rotate those guys into the game and get a sense and get a feel," Kelly explained. "I'm locked into play calling and thinking about the next play and the next series. I'm thinking about defense and field position, and timeout management …" The natural rebuttal is most running backs throughout time have indicated that the more looks they get at a de‑ fense, the more carries, the better they get into the flow and understanding the defense and blocking schemes. "You can make that case, fairly," Kelly acknowledged. "On the other hand, we think that we, as a group, can maximize where we are with the three of them. But you could clearly make the case that, choose one — or one and a half — and go with that guy. "We haven't got to that point yet, where we're saying, 'It's that running back, he's the guy! He's going to get the bulk of the carries, and the other two guys are going to fight for the scraps.' "Where we are right now with the three is that we believe the sum is greater than any one of its parts." How it adds up hereafter is to be determined. ✦ Sophomore Tarean Folston (pictured) was expected to takeover as the lead back for Brian Kelly's offense this season, but the Irish continue to split carries among their three-headed attack. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA

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