2015 Notre Dame Football Preview

2015 Notre Dame Football Preview

Blue & Gold Illustrated: 2012 Notre Dame Football Preview

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48 ✦ BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2015 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY LOU SOMOGYI O n occasion, a supporting actor just might steal the show. Notre Dame's 2015 offense could have such a situation with senior C.J. Prosise. The lead role belongs to junior Tarean Folston, who has amassed 1,369 yards, 5.2 yards per carry and nine touchdowns through his first two seasons, with a team-high 889 yards rushing last season (600 more than anyone else). The only three running backs in Notre Dame history who had more rushing yards than Folston entering their junior season were Allen Pinkett (2,037) in 1982-83, Darius Walker (1,982) in 2005-06 and Folston's new running backs coach, Autry Denson, who had 1,941 in 1995-96. Particularly uplifting was how Folston improved as a receiver and especially as a pass blocker from his freshman to sophomore season to become more of a "triple threat," or three-down back. After catching only five passes for 35 yards as a 2013 freshman, Folston snagged 18 for 190 yards and one touchdown last season. His pass protection skills, a liability the first two months, also improved appreciably in November. Trailing at Arizona State 34-3 Nov. 8, Folston sat the entire second half while senior Cam McDaniel, far more advanced as a blocker, helped the Irish rally to within 34-31 with his protection of quarterback Everett Golson, who had to sling it virtually every play. With playing time being perhaps the best motivation, Folston upgraded his efforts in that department the next two weeks in home losses against Northwestern and Louisville, and his head coach noticed. "He's been outstanding," Brian Kelly said of Folston in November while the team floundered. "Not good, he's been outstanding the last two weeks in pass protection. He's been 100 percent." "I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of the scheme," BY THE NUMBERS 1 Fumble lost by junior Tarean Folston while carrying the football 175 times in his first two seasons with the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame running backs have not lost more than two fumbles each of the past four years. 61 Yards was the longest run from scrimmage by Notre Dame last season — quarterback Everett Golson off the read option in the opening series versus Northwestern for a touchdown. The second longest was 56 yards, also by a QB, Malik Zaire versus Rice. 244 Rushing yards by quarterback Malik Zaire (96), slot receiver C.J. Prosise (75) and running back Tarean Folston (73) in the bowl win over LSU. It was the first time since the triple-overtime, 29-26 win over Pitt in 2012 the Irish had three players rush for at least 70 yards in the same game. RUNNING BACKS THREE NOT A CROWD Addition of senior C.J. Prosise enhances backfield competition Tarean Folston eclipsed 100 yards in four of the last seven games as a sophomore last year, and led the Irish with 889 yards and six touchdowns on 175 carries (5.1-yard average). PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA

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