Notre Dame Football vs. Vanderbilt: 3 Bold Predictions
By Chase Eyrich
Notre Dame’s run game gets on track
So far, Notre Dame’s run game hasn’t really popped off. Everyone expected a decline from last year. The Irish are without Josh Adams strong-arming opponents as well as Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey paving the road. With all three veterans now in the NFL, the Irish are adapting to life without them.
With the offensive line learning their new assignments and becoming acquainted with who’s beside them, the running backs are in unfamiliar territory too.
Jafar Armstrong has carried most of the load so far. The wide receiver-turned-running back is trying to find his way into the Irish rotation and so far has had a decent amount of success.
Armstrong has already tallied three touchdowns. Against Ball State, he started to find some rhythm. He will be asked to produce more than the 66 yards like he did against the Cardinals, but on just 13 carries, it was enough.
Someone with a little more experience is Tony Jones Jr. While the junior appeared in 12 games last season, he’s already had half the amount of rushes he accumulated last season in just two games.
Ball State has been his biggest game so far, with two rushing touchdowns. He currently averages 4.8 yards per carry.
Both of Notre Dame’s running backs are finding a decent amount of success, considering they’re just getting started.
Still, they haven’t found the success needed to for the Irish to be serious contenders. That will change this week.
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The Commodores are undersized when it comes to the front seven. With two games under the Irish’s belt, Notre Dame will be able to expose this. Between both running backs gaining some ground and the line beginning to mesh, it should be no problem for the run game to look its best against Vanderbilt.