Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com DECEMBER 2016 29 "Josh Adams ran with a great toughness," head coach Brian Kelly noted. For some context, consider that USC allowed just 157 yards in its three previous games — combined. USC gave up only 85 rushing yards to an Oregon offense that entered the weekend with an average of 231.5 yards per game on the ground. It held a Washington offense averag- ing 205.4 yards per game to a paltry 17 yards. Adams had the total from those two games surpassed by halftime, with 133 yards on just nine at- tempts. He became just the third back to top the 100-yard mark against the Trojan defense, joining Alabama's Damien Harris and Stan- ford's Christian McCaffrey. The Notre Dame offensive line pounded away at the Trojans front, springing Adams loose for a 74- yard gain on Notre Dame's first play from scrimmage, and opening up big holes on several inside zone runs during the third quarter. "I liked the way our offensive line was able to, at times, exert their will in tough … situations," Kelly said. Adams was also quick to credit his line for his career day. "As always, the offensive line is making those holes," Adams said. "My job is to just run through them and do what I can to help the team." Despite USC's defensive success against the run, it seemed the Irish offense wanted to establish that part of its offense. "We came in here with a purpose, and we came in here with a goal to force our offense on them and not to let them dictate what we can and can't do," Adams explained. "We just went out there being aggressive and trying to run the ball regard- less of what they've done in past games." CHRIS FINKE CAPS OFF FAIRY TALE SEASON Sophomore wide receiver Chris Finke has been one of the shining beacons in what has been mainly a dark season for the Irish. When practice began, the Ketter- ing, Ohio, native was a walk-on. On Aug. 22, just 13 days before Notre Dame kicked off the season against Texas, Finke was awarded a scholar- ship after standing out during fall camp. Finke made his first career catch in a 39-10 win over Nevada, and fol- lowing Notre Dame's 30-27 win over Miami he became the team's primary punt returner. He saved his best for last. Finke was Notre Dame's second leading receiver against the Trojans, hauling in four passes for 59 yards — both career highs — including a 14-yard touchdown reception to start the scoring in the second half. "I like the way Chris Finke played today," head coach Brian Kelly said, pointing to the positives of his team's loss. "He went out and made some big catches for us." For Finke, this season has been a dream come true. "It's been a little surreal," he said following the game. "I've always dreamed of this and seeing it come to life is pretty fun." The dream almost didn't happen. "I was bouncing back and forth between here and Miami of Ohio, mainly because I was pretty sure I would get some playing time at Mi- ami of Ohio eventually," Finke ex- plained. "I wasn't 100 percent confi- dent in myself coming in here. USC VS. NOTRE DAME QUARTER-BY-QUARTER COMPARISON USC 1st Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 4th Qtr. 1st Half 2nd Half Total Time of Possession 9:42 6:37 4:09 10:50 16:19 14:59 31:18 Third-Down Conversions 1-3 2-4 1-2 1-3 3-7 2-5 5-12 Fourth-Down Conversions 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 Average Field Position USC-21 USC-17 USC-20 USC-26 USC-19 USC-24 USC-22 Notre Dame 1st Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 4th Qtr. 1st Half 2nd Half Final Time of Possession 5:18 8:23 10:51 4:10 13:41 15:01 28:42 Third-Down Conversions 0-1 1-6 2-6 2-4 1-7 4-10 5-17 Fourth-Down Conversions 0-0 0-0 2-2 0-0 0-0 2-2 2-2 Average Field Position ND-23 ND-20 ND-31 ND-38 ND-21 ND-33 ND-27 PLAY CHART (NO. OF PLAYS) Yards USC ND (-) Yards 6 7 0-5 Yards 34 45 6-9 Yards 14 10 10-19 Yards 10 7 20-29 Yards 2 5 30-39 Yards 0 0 40-49 Yards 0 1 50 or more Yards 2 1 RED ZONE EFFICIENCY (INSIDE 20-YARD LINE) No Poss. TD FG Score USC 2 1 1 0 Notre Dame 4 3 0 1 BIG PLAYS (25 YARDS OR MORE) USC • 2-10 USC49 Jones rush for 51 yards and a touchdown • 2-9 USC48 Darnold's pass complete to Jackson for 52 yards and a touchdown Notre Dame • 1-10 ND25 Adams rush for 74 yards to the USC1 • 3-10 ND37 Kizer's pass complete to Finke for 27 yards to the USC37 • 1-10 ND17 Kizer's pass complete to St. Brown for 40 yards to the USC43 • 1-10 USC29 Kizer's pass complete to Stepherson for 29 yards and a touchdown Sophomore wide receiver Chris Finke (No. 10) set personal bests in receptions (four) and receiving yards (59), and hauled in a 14-yard touchdown catch. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA