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Johnny IrishDome ImprovementSun, 9/23/07 Well, Irish fans, there you have it. For the first time in their illustrious, championship-rich, 119-year history, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are 0-4. Or, in this case, more like Oh!-4. Michigan State made sure of that Saturday, running away from the Irish 31-14 … and becoming the first opponent ever to win six consecutive games at Notre Dame Stadium. Yes, Irish fans, this stinks. As if we all didn’t all know that already. And while my prediction of a gutsy, team-building upset win fell far short of coming to fruition (much like many of my other hopes and dreams in recent years), I think we can all say that we at least saw some improvement from this very young, very mistake-prone team. Some improvement. And, unfortunately, a glaring lack of improvement in many areas as well. So, instead of wailing and gnashing our teeth and decrying our foul, foul fate during this most trying of seasons, let us instead look at where the Irish got better … and then turn our attention to where they failed to improve. BETTER … RUN TO DAYLIGHT: As has been documented in every single sports media outlet (and possibly even in The Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan and Field & Stream) over the past week, the Irish came into this game with NEGATIVE rushing yards through their first three games. While a stunning 23 sacks and the many lost yards that accompany them contributed heavily to this sad sack situation, to say that Notre Dame can’t run the ball was putting it mildly. Saturday, that certainly changed. The Irish finished with 117 rushing yards against the Spartans, the first time they have finished in the black all season. And both Irish touchdowns (man, I had forgotten how cool those are!) came on the ground. Crucial short-yardage runs were still an exercise in abject futility, but there were moments Saturday where hardnosed sophomore James Aldridge and bruising freshman Robert Hughes conjured up memories of great Notre Dame backs of old. Aldridge was particularly impressive, churning out 104 yards on 18 carries, including an electrifying 43-yard second-quarter jaunt. The 6-foot, 222-pound fighter showed real toughness and surprising burst on many of his runs, often dragging multiple tacklers along for the ride. Hughes, meanwhile, was a huge surprise, gaining 34 yards on just six carries, including his first career touchdown – and just the second of Notre Dame’s season – in the second quarter. The 5-11, 234-pound Chicago kid was a human wrecking ball on just about every one of his runs, and showed exceptionally quick feet as well. Fifth-year senior Travis Thomas even kicked in, scoring the Irish’s first touchdown of the season on a nifty one-yard scamper around left end in the first quarter. Hey, it only took 41 possessions! Sheesh … Oh, and then there was fleet freshman Armando Allen, who saw his role in the offense drastically reduced as the Irish attempted a return to Old School, Smash-Mouth Football against the Spartans. When his number was called, Allen also impressed, grinding out 13 yards on just three carries. The overall performance of the Irish running backs was very encouraging, and gives this team something to build on heading into next Saturday’s game at Purdue. Hughes was a revelation, and the idea of an Aldridge-Hughes one-two punch is something to genuinely be excited about. Provided, of course, the offensive line can continue to improve. Which brings me to my next point … BackPost new commentMan, I'm sorry, but we gotta have you log in. That's so we don't get spammed. Appreciate your understanding. Don't have an account?
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Aldridge-Hughes
Give us more of the Aldridge-Hughes one-two, Charlie.
That was working. Why'd we go away from it?!
Go Irish!