Notre Dame Football: Tony Jones Jr. was Offensive Player of the Game
Tony Jones Jr. helped Notre Dame football establish a rushing attack that set the tempo and kept the Irish in the game when thing were getting dicey.
After playing a team that Kirk Herbstreit reminded the viewing audience no less than 100 times let up 50 points in five straight games in 2018, you’d think finding an offensive player of the game for Notre Dame football would be difficult. There’d be too many amazing performances to choose from.
Well, it’s difficult to choose who the Notre Dame offensive player of the game was, but not because everyone was amazing.
No, despite scoring 35 points, it was a disappointing night from the offense. The play calling was predictable and conservative. The Notre Dame offensive line looked like a shell of its former self. Ian Book looked nervous. They didn’t open it up, throwing downfield, until the end of the game.
Try to be an optimist. Chalk it up as first game nerves and players adjusting to their new roles in the offense. Who knows? Maybe Louisville wins ten games this season. You can’t prove that wrong, yet.
Be an optimist. Think about the performance of the offensive player of the game, Tony Jones Jr.
Jones Jr. ran for 110 yards on 15 carries. He also had a rushing touchdown. He consistently pounded the Louisville front seven and forced the Cardinals to load up the box. This meant that the Cardinals safeties were out of position if Chip Long ever felt like throwing a downfield pass.
With Jafar Armstrong leaving the game early due to a hamstring injury, it helped to have the second head of the Irish backfield firing on all cylinders. He also helped cover up the offensive line’s struggles throughout the game. The offensive line couldn’t get enough of a push for a first down on multiple third and shorts. They let up multiple sacks to a team who had only 11 sacks last season.
Jones Jr’s 7.3 yards per carry made that line look like it was establishing the line of scrimmage, even when it was struggling.
Next. Grading the offense vs. Louisville. dark
That’s why he was the Notre Dame offensive player of the game. Tony Jones Jr. kept the offense moving, even when the rest of the offense was struggling to do anything right.