Blue and Gold Illustrated

UNDER THE DOME zone. During its 4‑0 start this season, Notre Dame produced such results at a record pace in school history with seven touch‑ downs on offense or spe‑ cial teams that covered at least 50 yards: • Senior running back C.J. Prosise scored on runs of 91 (Georgia Tech) and 57 (UMass) yards. • Junior wideout Will Fuller tallied on 66‑ (Texas) and 59‑yard (Vir‑ ginia) receptions. • A g a i n s t U M a s s , three different freshmen reached the end zone on such plays: running back Josh Adams (70‑yard run), quarterback Bran‑ don Wimbush (58‑yard run) and return man CJ Sanders (50‑yard punt return). Unlike in basketball, where a field goal from a deep range is awarded three points instead of two, there is no such scoring system in foot‑ ball. Every touchdown, be it from one yard or 99, reaps the same six points. Still, the explosive el‑ ement in Notre Dame's attack has complemented its more grind‑it‑out at‑ tack. The seven Fighting Irish touchdowns of 50 or more yards already were more than any other campaign in head coach Brian Kelly's five previous seasons from 2010‑14. Through the first four games, the seven scores of 50‑plus yards were tied for the most by any Fighting Irish squad since head coach Tyrone Willingham's debut sea‑ son in 2002 produced eight (two on special teams and one on de‑ fense). The six touchdowns on offense of 50‑plus yards through the first four games were tied for the most since the 1992 unit — with Jerome Bettis and Reggie Brooks in the backfield — had seven during its 10‑1‑1 season. To Kelly, the answer for this kind of output comes down to two oft‑ quoted words by football coaches: Speed kills. Fuller 's swiftness on the outside also has pro‑ duced 46‑ and 39‑yard touchdowns this year, the latter winning the Virginia game Sept. 12 with 12 seconds left when he hauled in a pass thrown nearly 50 yards in the air. At running back, Kelly had one of the nation's fastest players from 2011‑13 in George Atkin‑ son Jr., but he was more of a straight‑line runner. Prosise might not be as fleet as Atkinson in a 60‑ or 100‑yard sprint, but his ability to cut or power through openings without breaking much stride enhance his break‑ away capabilities. Plus, senior wide re‑ ceiver Chris Brown also was a top track man in high school, and fifth‑ year senior Amir Carlisle and junior Torii Hunter Jr. provide speed in the slot, which allows the Irish to NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL TICKETS 25 YEARS IN BUSINESS Call today for Special Discount 1-800-925-2500 www.NotreDameTickets.com

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