Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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GAME PREVIEW: LOUISVILLE On PaPer BY DOUGLAS FARMER LOUISVILLE RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE Fifth‑year senior Michael Dyer, who earned Offen‑ sive MVP honors after helping Auburn to a national title game win over Oregon in January 2011, teams with junior Brandon Radcliff to lead Louisville's rush‑ ing attack. The duo has combined for 859 yards and 12 touchdowns, leading the way for a collective ef‑ fort that has produced an average of 148.1 yards per game. Dyer missed the season's first three contests due to a quadriceps contusion suffered in summer practices, but has averaged 116.3 yards per contest in the Cardinals' last three games and scored three of his four touchdowns in their 42‑31 loss to Florida State Oct. 30. Louisville's offensive line boasted 121 career starts entering this season, only losing the right guard from last year's alignment. A year ago, senior left tackle Jamon Brown, senior left guard John Miller and fifth‑ year senior center Jake Smith all earned first‑team All‑AAC honors. Notre Dame allowed 138.1 rushing yards per game through nine games, but yielded 188 to Arizona State and 336 to Navy in its first two November outings. On the flip side, the Irish held Purdue, Stanford and Florida State all to 56 yards or less. The Sun Devils exploited freshman linebacker Nyles Morgan in his first career start in the absence of senior Joe Schmidt (fractured and dislocated ankle). Morgan's athleticism provides some leeway Senior wide receiver DeVante Parker has made his presence felt since returning from injury, hauling in 25 receptions for a team-high 490 yards and one touchdown in just four games. PHOTO COURTESY LOUISVILLE