Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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the fifth quarter lou somogyi L Five Early Goals For 2013 ast August, we outlined what we believed were five attainable goals for the 2012 Notre Dame team. Don't lose five or more games a sixth straight year … Finish on the plus side of turnovers after a minus-15 output in 2011 … Go 4-0 in September for the first time since 2002 …. Unbeaten at home for first time since 1998 … Finally, have that long, long awaited "surprise" season (a la 1964 or 1988). All five boxes were Quarterback Everett Golson and the offense must become more productive, especially in the red zone, in 2013 to maintain the team's check-marked. What do you do for an top-10 status. photo by lon horwedel encore in 2013? Here's an early checklist: Now it's the offense's turn. Notre Dame hasn't averaged 30 points 5. Continue to hold serve at home. in a season since quarterback Brady While Brian Kelly and Co. attempt to Quinn's senior year in 2006 (31.0). In build a "program" instead of a "team," 2012, it was 25.77 (78th in the country), a keeping that home-field advantage is far cry from the rest of final Associated a priority. This would be a first since Press top six: Alabama (38.71), Oregon 1988-89. (49.54), Ohio State (37.17), Texas A&M (44.46) and Georgia (37.79). 4. Develop an offense that puts a Brian Notre Dame has left way too many Kelly Fighting Irish team over the 30-point points on the field — especially in the mark for the first time. red zone — the past several years. Under Kelly, Notre Dame has gone With Kelly in his fourth season and from 86th against the run when he ar- quarterback Everett Golson having a full rived to 50th, 30th and 11th the past season under his belt, adding another three years. More telling was a No. 2 TD to the scoring column in 2013 is not finish in scoring defense (it was 63rd unrealistic, and almost mandatory for when he arrived). Notre Dame to retain a top-10 and even