Notre Dame Football Preview vs. San Diego State

San Diego State Rush Offense vs. Notre Dame Rush Defense

SDSU lost their top passer and rusher when QB Kevin O'Connell graduated.

Against Cal Poly in week one, the Aztecs passed twice as much as they ran, with only 23 recorded rushes—two of those being sacks. Running back and new starter, No. 23 Brandon Sullivan, had the bulk of the carries—15—and finished with 43 yards, for a 2.9 average.

Small  freshman, No. 30 Davon Brown, (5'9", 180 lb) added one carry for 2 yards. WR No. 3 Mekell Wesley had one rush for -2 yards, but without seeing the game I couldn't tell you wether that was an end-around or a backwards pass. Quarterback No. 14 Ryan Lindley had four non-sack rushing attempts for -2 yards.

Notre Dame will have a variety of looks along their front seven this year. Their biggest set features No. 94 Justin Brown, No. 95 Ian Williams, and No. 96 Pat Kuntz along the line and No. 41 Scott Smith and No. 90 John Ryan at outside linebacker, although most expect the Irish to shift to a 4-3 look with Ryan in.

Notre Dame lost their top two tacklers from last year (Trevor Laws and Joe Brockington). But the above front seven, including inside linebackers No. 40 Maurice Crum and No. 59 Brian Smith, did combine for 21 tackles for a loss last year. Safety No. 27 David Bruton was also a force in run support, picking up 4.5 TFL in 2007.

Notre Dame Rush Offense vs. San Diego State Rush Defense

Notre Dame had a very poor 2.1 yard per carry average last year. But that number was brought down by numerous sacks and poor years from players who won't be back in 2008. The three main returners—No. 34 James Aldridge, No. 5 Armando Allen, and No. 33 Robert Hughes—all put up solid numbers.

Aldridge averaged 3.8 yards per carry, Allen 4.0, and Hughes 5.5. Notre Dame plans to run the ball more this year, and they have the horses to do it. One thing to watch this season is Aldridge's quest for his first rushing touchdown. Aldridge and Hughes are both considered power backs, but who will be the goal line back?

Aldridge has the experience, which is always a plus, but Hughes had four of the team's 11 rushing scores last year. Armando Allen is also looking for his first career rushing touchdown; he did have one receiving TD last year.

Cal Poly ran all over the Aztecs in week one, netting 263 yards on 51 carries—a 5.2 average. Defensive end No. 90 BJ Williams led Aztec tacklers with nine against Poly. Williams had 45 tackles, 4.0 for a loss, in 2007. No. 56 Jonathan Soto, who plays next to Williams on the line, had eight tackles against Cal Poly, 2.0 for a loss. Linebacker No. 35 Luke Laolagi and lineman/Ohio State transfer No. 98 Ryan WIlliams added seven tackles apiece.

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