Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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IN THE TRENCHES ANDREW OWENS as well. I don't think he can stand out there by himself. I don't think you could say that's just one guy, but he definitely possesses the skills that have put him in the position that he is in right now. "He can't take over the game by him- self." Fuller came close to doing exactly that against the Tar Heels. He covered 36 yards on consecutive receptions to reach the end zone for Notre Dame after the Irish spotted North Carolina a 14-0 lead. "We worked the ball efficiently," Fuller said. "We knew we could score on them and move the ball. We just had to make a play. "At the receiver group, we think that we are the guys that have got to get it going. So were just talking on the side- lines saying we got to make a play." Later, the Philadelphia native took ad- vantage of a middle screen to score from 35 yards out. Perhaps his most critical efforts were ones that won't make the highlights from the win the Irish eked out. With Notre Dame trailing 36-35 late in the third quarter, he corralled a 32- yard pass from Golson on third-and-21 to move the chains. With the Irish in Tar Heel territory, Fuller slipped past the secondary and was mauled by a defender, drawing a pass interference flag. The Irish took the lead for good just plays later. "We all have a role," Fuller said. "I'm going to keep playing my role. As long as I keep getting opportunities, I'm go- ing to take advantage of them." Prior to sophomore running back Tar- ean Folston scampering into the end zone for the clincher late in the fourth quarter, Fuller again drew a flag after getting open in the end zone. One year ago, Fuller was called upon to do little more than run a fly route here and there. His improvement has also been enhanced by one major difference in the Irish offense. "Ev makes us a little more versatile," Fuller said. "He keeps plays open. He's shown that a lot. That's a lot different from Tommy [Rees]. Tommy was a game manager, and he always got us in the right place. If Ev messes that up, he has the legs to keep a play going." With Fuller 's speed and improved route running, an extra second or two added to a play can make a game- changing difference. "He has some special talents, and he does a great job of winning against his opponent," Golson said. "He's defi- nitely a playmaker … I can give the ball out to Will on a screen, and he just takes it to the house and gets the job done." Fuller 's playmaking ability might never be more important than when the Irish travel to defending national champion Florida State, the winners of 22 consecutive games. Even if the past two games have been won in difficult fashion, Notre Dame can't ask for more to this point than its 6-0 record heading into Tallahassee, Fla. "We're throwing the ball a lot more," Fuller said. "I think it's a lot more fun." His fun — and Notre Dame's — might be just beginning. ✦ Andrew Owens has been a writer for Blue & Gold Illustrated since August 2013. He can be reached at aowens@blueandgold.com