Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 14, 2016 7 UNDER THE DOME to make certain that we could throw the ball in some short game, quick game [situations], to make up for when the numbers just didn't add up for us to run the ball consistently." Kizer noted how early in the sea- son when he tried to "force" the run, the spread principles in the offense perhaps didn't allow for it to be effec- tive. Running the ball is defined not solely by what plays are used on the ground, but what the overall physi- cal mentality the team is. "When you catch the defense who wants to add an extra hat in the box to stop those early first down runs, the way to combat it is to be able to put the ball in the perimeter," Kizer said. "I didn't do well with that in the beginning of the season. I had more of an emphasis of forcing the run game because I had so much confidence in the offensive line. It's still there. "I also have to remember that if [a defender] is going to play 12 yards off the number two receiver — I've got to give them the ball and let them work. We have the ability with the skill posi- tions we have to break away on some of those short passes. If I can get the ball in their hands, let them move, it will keep us ahead of the sticks, keep us more in second-and-manageable, and hopefully third-and-short." Through the game's first 53-plus minutes against Miami, Notre Dame managed 69 yards rushing while fall- ing behind 27-20. On the final two drives and seven minutes, it pro- duced 79 rushing yards (highlighted by a 41-yard touchdown by sopho- more running back Josh Adams, plus 14- and 10-yard scampers) to facili- tate the 30-27 victory. "Our identity is still kind of all over the place in terms of how fast we want to be," Kizer said of trying to find the happy medium between the passing approach and the running mentality. "Are we a throw the ball 50 times a game team? Are we a 50/50 run-pass? We're still trying to figure that out." ✦ Holy Cross Village is a continuing care retirement community, sponsored by the Brothers of Holy Cross, with a tradition of caring, compassion and trust. Holy Cross Village welcomes people of all faiths. 54515 State Rd., 933 North, Notre Dame, IN 46556 www.holycrossvillage.com ... AND ENJOY THE GAME OF LIFE AT HOLY CROSS VILLAGE I magine making new friends and developing new talents, where everything you need to enjoy the game of life is right outside your front door. Nestled among three institutions of higher learning, Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame is a senior living community unlike anything else around. Our warm and inviting community offers: Independent Living Homes and Apartments Assisted Living Apartments Skilled Nursing Memory Care Rehabilitation Services Call (574) 251-2235 today for more information and to schedule a tour. Run To Glory It is one of football's most prominent clichés, but it doesn't make it any less true: A team achieves what it emphasizes. In head coach Brian Kelly's seven seasons at Notre Dame, when the Fighting Irish were determined to become a more physical running team, they succeeded. • During the 12‑0 regular season in 2012, the Irish, with an inexperienced quarterback in Everett Golson and veteran backs in Theo Riddick and Cierre Wood, averaged 200 rushing yards during the regular season for the first time in 12 years. • While preparing for the 2014 Music City Bowl, Notre Dame was on a four‑game losing streak and Kelly mandated a more physical approach versus LSU after averaging only 114 rushing yards during the drought. The Irish romped for 263 yards on the ground in the win over the No. 22 Tigers. • That effort carried over into 2015, especially when inexperienced sophomore quarterback DeShone Kizer had to take the helm by the second game. The 10‑1 start last season that had the Irish knocking on the College Football Playoff door while finish‑ ing with 207.6 yards rushing, the highest, including bowls, since 1998. — Lou Somogyi