Offensive Grades: Notre Dame vs. Texas

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Sep 5, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Josh Adams (33) dives into the end zone for a touchdown as Texas Longhorns linebacker Edwin Freeman (35) defends in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Running Backs: A-

Because the offensive line was so effective, Notre Dame’s running backs were able to run in between the tackles with ease all night. Tarean Folsont, C.J Prosise and Josh Adams all averaged at least 4.9 yards per carry. Freshman Dexter Williams averaged 3.4 yards on the seven carries he received, but that’s mostly because he came in at the end of the contest where Texas’s defense anticipated the run given the Irish were simply trying to run out the clock. Each of the first three running backs mentioned also had runs of at least 15 yards or more.

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Their ability to keep the Longhorns’ defense honest also played a factor in giving Zaire a ton of good looks in the passing attack. The best part of what they were able to accomplish was being able to step in right away and make significant plays despite the loss of Tarean Folston. There wasn’t a step lost once Folston was lost for the game. Prosise kept his legs moving and pushed the ball for extra yards on multiple occasions, and freshman Josh Adams came in and spelled Prosise with explosiveness and excellent pass protection. He scored on his very first carry, and he eventually scored again in the third quarter on a run where he went completely untouched. This is the kind of running back corp that can carry Notre Dame in games where the passing game may not be performing well.

Next: Grades: Wide Receivers

Notre Dame vs. Texas: Offensive Grades

By Manuel DeJesus | Sep 9, 2015