MIAMI FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Limiting Irish run game part of Miami challenge

By MIKE SMITH
The Miami RedHawks continue their run through a non-conference gauntlet Saturday when they visit No. 17 Notre Dame. 

While MU is coming off a very discouraging loss to rival Cincinnati in the Battle for the Victory Bell last week, it was perhaps fortuitous Miami didn't meet the Irish last week. Purdue did meet the Irish and were pummeled at Ross-Ade Stadium 66-7. It got ugly, particularly in the first half as an angry ND team outscored the hosts 42-0. 

Who can say how much of that owed to Irish frustrations over losing -- at home -- to Northern Illinois the previous week. Purdue was ranked 18th (last) in a USA Today preseason poll. Still, Saturday's lopsided victory and a Week One road win over then-No. 20 Texas A&M speak to ND's foundation of talent. 

"They are insanely . . . 

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. . . physically gifted," said Miami head coach Chuck Martin, who was an offensive coordinator for the Irish before taking the MU job in Oxford. 

Fortunately, the RedHawks are thus far bruised but relatively healthy after battles against a Big 10 opponent (Northwestern) and Big 12 foe (Cincinnati). However, from what he's seen of the Irish, Martin expects an even greater physical challenge. 

Offensively, Notre Dame loves to run the ball, and it out-rushed Purdue 364-38 on the day. In so doing, the Irish ran for six TDs and averaged 8.5 ypc. 

Former Miami standout Deland McCullough is now in his third year as running backs coach at Notre Dame, and he has a talented group with which to work. "The tailbacks are amazing (and) their quarterback is like a tailback," Martin said. 

Quarterback Riley Leonard owns 23 rushing TDs in his career, with three of those coming in the first half at Purdue. He is one of just two quarterbacks to achieve the feat so far this season,and the only to do so in a single half. 

Riley totaled 100 yards on 11 carries against the Boilermakers. Jeremiyah Love, meanwhile, ran 10 times for a total of 109 yards with one score. His 48-yard first quarter sprint opened scoring. 

As for the passing game, a trio of Irish quarterbacks completed 18 of 26 pass attempts, good for 216 yards and two TDs. Leonard, who started, connected on 11 of 16 for 112 yards. Steve Angeli hit 6 of 9 targets for 100 yards and two scores.

Nine different players caught at least one pass, but only one recorded more than two. On the year, Beaux Collins leads Irish receivers with 12 catches for 116 yards. Jaden Greathouse is next with eight receptions totaling 67 yards. 

"They've got some high-end receivers," Martin said. 

For what it's worth, Notre Dame has 12 touchdowns on the season. Ten came via the ground game. 

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Matt Salopek and the Miami defense face another big challenge in the Irish run game. (MVSmith/MRO)

There were few negatives for ND at Purdue, but Martin noted a a couple O-line injuries. "They're a little beat up up front, but the backups ... are pretty good." he said. 

Of course, defense is a key part of Irish success, as well. Even in the loss to Northern Illinois, ND allowed just 16 points. It held Texas A&M to 13 in the opener. Through three games, the Irish rank 25th nationally in scoring defense (12.0 ppg). 

Eclipsing that 12.0 ppg mark will be a challenge for Miami, but the RedHawks managed to put two TDs on the board during the second half last week. The first was a 58-yard pass play to Reggie Virgil. Quarterback Brett Gabbert later found Cade McDonald for a 7-yard score.

Unfortunately for MU, Gabbert's passing accounted for nearly all of the RedHawks offense. The RedHawks rushed for just 24 yards on 21 carries. Miami passed for 356 yards with two TDs and one interception.

That interception was costly, as it ended MU's opening drive to Cincinnati's redzone. Another turnover (muffed punt) set up a Bearcat touchdown. 

Avoiding turnovers, or winning the turnover battle, would help. Northern Illinois supported its own cause by playing turnover-free football and forcing two Irish turnovers. 

Notre Dame did win the turnover battle last week, intercepting Purdue twice while playing turnover-free offense. The Irish also recorded four sacks and five TFL. 

"They've got a great secondary (and) they put immense pressure (on the quarterback)," Martin said. "By the end of the first half, I felt sorry for the Purdue quarterback, and I don't even know the kid," said Martin, who watched the first half on television. 

Northern Illinois managed to run the ball against ND, picking up 190 yards while averaging 4.2 per carry. By contrast, Miami has a total of 64 rushing yards after two games.

Power Four opponents have been part of the issue, and Martin said Cincinnati "dared" his team to run the ball. However, he noted inconsistencies have also undermined efforts. He is determined to establish a working run game for MAC play. In the meantime, Miami hopes to produce enough to take some pressure off its air game. 

Playing the Irish at Notre Dame Stadium is a both a challenge and special experience - one players will likely remember through the years. Martin pointed out it is also an opportunity.

"It is an awesome opportunity for us to experienece going into a venue like that," he said. "My personal opinion is its the greatest venue on the planet... (But) you're (also) going to be on national TV, and you get to show the whole world what kind of player you are and what kind of team you are." 

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