Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/413403
GAME PREVIEW: NORTHWESTERN On PaPer BY DOUGLAS FARMER NORTHWESTERN RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE A year ago, injuries forced Northwestern to rely on its sixth-string running back at times. Before this season, optimism reigned thanks to the return of fifth-year senior Venric Mack. The former wide receiver had missed all but three games of 2013 after running for 1,366 yards in 2012. Come August, however, Mack violated a team rule and opted to transfer to West Texas A&M. Without Mack, the Wildcats managed 124.8 yards per game and 12 touchdowns on the ground through eight contests. Freshman Justin Jackson has led the way, averaging 4.6 yards per carry en route to 726 yards (90.6 yards per contest) and five touchdowns through eight games. Notre Dame limited opponents to 131.9 yards per game through eight games, but remove Navy's 336 rushing yards and that average plummets to 102.7 yards per game — highlighted by holding Purdue, Stanford and Florida State all to 56 yards or less. The Irish will now rely on freshman linebacker Nyles Morgan in the middle of the defense after senior Joe Schmidt fractured and dislocated his ankle against the Midshipmen Nov. 1. Morgan's athleticism should give Northwestern more problems than his inexperience will bother him. Sophomore linebacker Jaylon Smith (59 tackles through eight games) and junior defensive lineman Sheldon Day (31 stops) should provide Morgan the necessary guidance to Fifth-year senior signal-caller Trevor Siemian averaged 195.5 yards per game through the air with just four touchdowns and six interceptions during Northwestern's 3-5 start. PHOTO BY STEPHEN CARRERA/NORTHWESTERN ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS