TEXAS RUNNING GAME VS.
NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE
Led by senior lineman Sheldon Day and junior
linebacker Jaylon Smith, the Irish controlled the line
of scrimmage all four quarters while not allowing a
run longer than 11 yards. Texas managed 28 yards on
seven carries in the first quarter, and had 10 rushes
(including sacks) for only 17 yards in the second,
eight for minus-two in the third and then four carries
for 17 yards in the fourth.
The Longhorns starting two true freshmen along
its offensive line was exploited by the veteran Notre
Dame front seven, although sophomore Daniel Cage
and freshman Jerry Tillery also held more than their
own at nose guard.
ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame
TEXAS PASSING GAME VS.
NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE
Other than the 48-yard post to John Burt to set
up Texas' lone score, the Irish dominated this facet,
either with constant pressure on quarterback Tyrone
Swoopes (6-of-21 passing for 45 yards minus the
pass to Burt) or blanket coverage by the secondary.
Notre Dame's defensive game plan centered on not
allowing Swoopes to roll out to the edge, where he
is more dangerous, and confined him instead to the
pocket.
The fact that the pocket consistently collapsed,
with Day forcing four of the eight Notre Dame QB
pressures, made it a dominant night for the Irish.
ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame
NOTRE DAME RUNNING GAME
VS. TEXAS RUN DEFENSE
If you would have told us before the game that
junior Tarean Folston would be limited to three car-
ries because of a damaging knee injury in the first
quarter, and zone read specialist and junior quar-
terback Malik Zaire would manage only 16 yards on
ON PAPER REVISITED BY LOU SOMOGYI
Freshman Jerry Tillery and the Irish front seven dominated the Texas offensive line, limiting the Longhorns
to 60 rushing yards while applying constant pressure.
PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA
