On Monday, Brian Kelly and his program at Notre Dame made one thing clear.
During the media availability for the Rose Bowl, the head coach of the Fighting Irish is all in on running the football and establishing ball control against Alabama. He knows how effective and explosive Steve Sarkisian is at offensive coordinator, and Kelly is taking no chances.
He spoke at length on the importance of his offensive line and running game, as he wants to keep the Crimson Tide’s firepower on the sidelines. Tommy Rees, who was the quarterback at Notre Dame in 2012, serves on Kelly’s staff at offensive coordinator.
While he’s been impressed by the maturation of Ian Book, Rees knows the lone way the Irish can keep the contest close is if it can establish the ground game. Per Rees, he told the media that all Book needs to do is play within himself. Notre Dame is banking on the strength of its run game to make the matchup closer than experts think.
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Tommy Kraemer, a fifth-year senior at right guard, is confident about the Irish’s offensive front. The 6-foot-6, 317-pounder knows the Crimson Tide is strong, but he’s ready for the task.
After heaping some praise on William Anderson (freshman) and the Tide’s defensive line, Kraemer said ‘they [Alabama] have a great team, but we have a great offensive line.’
“We are ready to get after them,” Kraemer said of Notre Dame facing Alabama.
Notre Dame did not have 1,000-yard rusher in 2012; however, it has one now.
Kyren Williams, a sophomore, totals 1,061 yards with 12 touchdowns on 195 carries. He averages 18 carries and 96.5 yards rushing per game, while totaling six 100-yard performances.
In its 47-40 double overtime win over Clemson, Williams pounded the Tigers’ defensive unit for 140 yards and three scores on 23 carries.
Although he was held to just 50 yards rushing in the ACC Championship Game, Williams said he has not lost confidence in his teammates.
He said Alabama is going to have to kill Notre Dame’s rushing attack to stop it.
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Gap control and fitting runs will be on Nick Saban’s agenda throughout practice this week.
The Tide and Fighting Irish are set to play on Friday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith
