Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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LOUISVILLE RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly indicated a couple of days before the game that priority one was to keep Louisville's running game relatively at bay to put greater pressure on true freshman quarterback Reggie Bonnafon. That didn't occur, especially with Brandon Radcliff (17 carries for 136 yards) running with much power and repeat- edly picking up extra yards after contact. Michael Dyer (13 carries for 61 yards) provided even more dash. After the Irish went ahead 20-17, Radcliff had runs of 10 and 11 up the middle, and then nine, eight and seven yards off tackle or on stretch plays to set up the go-ahead touchdown. The edge of the Irish has been vulnerable at an alarming rate since the game at Florida State Oct. 18. ADVANTAGE: Louisville LOUISVILLE PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE Anytime a defense is able to limit a quarter- back to 8-of-21 passing in today's high percentage throwing game, while also recording four sacks and adding six QB hurries, it would seem to have the advantage. However, the Cardinals hit on just enough huge pass plays — most notably a 52-yard strike to wide receiver Kai De La Cruz and the 21-yard scoring toss to DeVante Parker — to help keep its running game effective. ADVANTAGE: Even NOTRE DAME RUNNING GAME VS. LOUISVILLE RUN DEFENSE The Cardinals entered the contest second na- tionally in run defense (87.4 yards allowed per game), and on paper the 99 yards rushing by Notre Dame appears to reflect their dominance. But negative yardage by quarterback Everett Gol- son, including minus-32 during a mad scramble for a fumble, skewed the numbers some. ON PAPER REVISITED BY LOU SOMOGYI Redshirt sophomore running back Brandon Radcliffe carried the ball 17 times for 136 yards (8.0 yards per rush) and a touchdown, leading the Cardinals to a 229-99 advantage over the Irish in ground production. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA