One of the few concerns the first weeks of this season was the Irish running game. Maybe the appropriate term is lack of running game. Coach Kelly used a three man rotation with Tarean Folston, Cam McDaniel, and Greg Bryant. The problem is that would never allow for one guy to get into a rhythm. I understand that Notre Dame has three talented backs and wanting to use them all, but here's the problem. We all agree that Malik Zaire is a talented young quarterback, but does that mean we will rotate him with Everett Golson? Of course not. Zaire can play in blow outs and will have a chance one day.
That is exactly how the running back situation should be handled as well. Folston has really done so much better these past two games when he was given a bulk of the carries. For the season he has 383 yards with 2 touchdowns. That may not seem like a lot but more than 200 of those yards came in the last 2 games. That gets back to the point of letting one guy get into a rhythm. He also showed in the North Carolina game his ability in receiving game as well. He caught 5 for 71 yards and a touchdown.
Meanwhile, Bryant and McDaniel don't even have as many yards rushing as Golson. I am not saying we just kick them to the curb. They both can have valuable roles. McDaniel can be the bruising short yardage and goal line back. That is a very important role. Bryant can be brought in every now and then to spell Folston and be the change of pace.
So Bryant and McDaniel both have their places on this team, but the key to really getting the running game going is with Folston getting most of the carries.
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