Notre Dame Football: Irish Win Joe Moore Award For Best Offensive Line in the Country
By Andrew Hall
Notre Dame’s offensive line plowed their way to a 279.08 yard per contest average. This average helped the Notre Dame football team win another award.
Today, the college football world officially confirmed what everyone in South Bend already knew. Mike McGlinchey, Quenton Nelson, Sam Mustipher, Alex Bars, Tommy Kraemer and Robert Hainsey received the Joe Moore Award. Annually, the Joe Moore Award is given to the best offensive line in the country. Notre Dame landed the hardware over Alabama and Auburn.
What separated the Irish offensive line from the other finalists? According to Cole Cubelic, an SEC Network analyst, “The thing voters felt separated Notre Dame’s O-line this year from the other deserving units was their technique and how they consistently finished their blocks.”
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The trophy for the Joe Moore Award is as gargantuan as many of the units nominated for it. It weighs 800 lbs. Although the trophy currently resides in the Guglielmino Athletic Complex, it will not be there for long. Next year, the trophy travels to the campus of the next winner.
Creators named the award after former Notre Dame offensive line coach Joe Moore. Moore coached at Notre Dame from 1988 to 1996. All but two of his starting Offensive Linemen ended up in the NFL. Fans and experts often compare Notre Dame’s current offensive line coach Harry Hiestand to Moore.
Throughout the season, Notre Dame’s offensive helped produce ridiculous numbers. The Irish rushed for over 300 yards seven times. Against Boston College, Notre Dame tallied an absurd 515 rushing yards. Furthermore, the Irish ran for 377 yards against rival Southern California.
At the end of the season, Notre Dame’s rushing attack trailed off significantly. In their last three games, the Irish recorded 109 yards, 163 yards and 154 yards.
The offensive line faces a tall task in the Citrus Bowl. LSU ranks 23rd in rushing defense. Opponents average 126.42 yards per game against the Tigers. If Notre Dame hopes to win, they will need to first crack the LSU rushing defense.