Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/102697
on paper revisited By lou somogyi Alabama Running Game Vs. Notre Dame Run Defense No play better defined the night than when Alabama faced third-and-three at its 48 on its fourth touchdown drive. All-America linebacker Manti Te'o, who reportedly had missed only two tackles during the regular season, timed his blitz through the gap perfectly and had freshman running back T.J. Yeldon nailed for a potential three-yard loss — until Yeldon shed him off for a 10-yard gain. Notre Dame appeared to miss more tackles, open field or otherwise, in the first half alone than it did the entire year, resulting in Eddie Lacy accumulating 140 yards on 20 carries and Yeldon 108 on 21. The Crimson Tide consistently found plenty of running room on the left side, but Lacy also had several cutbacks through the middle that resulted in repeated six- to 12-yard gains. The massive Alabama offensive front usually achieved the push needed for the first four or five yards, while Lacy and Yeldon repeatedly accrued yards after contact for the next three or more. The two averaged 6.0 yards per carry between them despite a long run of a relatively modest 20 yards among their 41 carries. By the end of the third quarter, Alabama's 228 yards rushing already were 67 yards more than any of the 12 Irish regular-season opponents over four quarters or even overtime. Advantage: Alabama Notre Dame Running Game Vs. Alabama Run Defense Alabama was up 14-0 before Notre Dame attempted its first running play. Once the score expanded to 21-0, the powerful Crimson Tide defense was able to load the line of scrimmage even more, especially because Notre Dame had no answers for the Crimson Tide's press coverage in the first half. Notre Dame totaled 31 yards rushing in the first half while falling behind 28-0, and then added only one yard on the ground in the second while desperately attempting to play catch-up. Advantage: Alabama Junior wide receiver TJ Jones was blanketed all night by Alabama's tight coverage, but still manged to catch seven passes for 90 yards. photo by lon horwedel Notre Dame Passing Game Vs. alabama Pass Defense The final numbers look pretty good on paper, with sophomore quarterback Everett Golson's 21 completions totaling 270 yards and wideouts DaVaris Daniels (six catches for 115 yards) and TJ Jones (seven