Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/542018
18 for 190 yards and a score as a sopho- more. The final piece to becoming an all- around back was pass blocking, which he was made aware of when the Irish trailed 34-3 at Arizona State last sea- son. McDaniel was inserted in place of Folston to help protect the quarterback while Notre Dame narrowed the gap to 34-31. "Not being on the field for a specific reason, it was eye opening," Folston said last November. "I just knew that was the next thing I had to get better at, and it started right away." Despite losing back-to-back home games to Northwestern (43-40 in over- time) and Louisville (31-28), Folston rushed for 106 yards and 5.3 yards per carry against the Wildcats and 134 yards with an average of 7.4 yards per carry against a stingy Cardinals run defense. Yet it was his pass blocking that received the higher praise. "He's been outstanding — not good, he's been outstanding the last two weeks in pass protection," Kelly said after the setbacks. "He's been 100 percent. So that's why he's been in the game so late." Although he admitted it was difficult seeing former Irish running backs coach Tony Alford leave for Ohio State, Folston said the detail work from Denson has helped polish up his game even more. "He's a physically strong player, he's smart, he's a better pass blocker, catches the football," Kelly said of Folston. "Sometimes we've got to challenge him a little bit … but we're doing so much with [the backs]." With Bryant sidelined the first month, Folston will be needed to do even more — and provide perhaps more sunshine than ever amidst all the shadows. ✦