Notre Dame’s Run Game X Factor vs. Virginia: Major Player to Watch

Riley Leonard is the X factor of the Irish offense

After a rough start to the season, Riley Leonard has settled into his role as the leader of the Notre Dame offense and appears to be gaining more comfort and confidence in the offense as the season progresses.

With the downfield passing offense still struggling to find consistency, the Irish running game has filled the void.

Jeremiyah Love and JD Price are the real difference makers who carry the football. Most weeks these two players are the most talented players on the field on both rosters.

Any touch from either is a big play waiting to happen. With that in mind, it’s interesting to me that the leading attacker on the team is Riley Leonard, not Love or Price.

While I like the Irish to have a QB who can turn potential sacks into first down runs and make good decisions to keep the ball on RPO plays, this stat makes me pause and think.

Defenses must always be ready for Leonard to escape

Riley Leonard has 609 yards rushing this year, while Love has 583 yards and Price has 443 yards. In some ways, it makes sense that Leonard would pick up the most yards as he touched the ball on every offensive play and the running backs would split the reps.

Notre Dame now has a legitimate three-headed monster running game. Sevgi and Price are great playmakers who can get the ball to the goal with any touch, but what Leonard adds is truly the cherry on top. He certainly doesn’t have the separation speed of the back, but that’s not his point.

The goal of Riley Leonard’s running game is to accomplish two things. First of all, keeping the defense unbalanced. With the ball in his hands, Leonard is always in charge of the defense and is always a threat to pull the ball away. This drives defensive coordinators crazy.

Second, Riley Leonard turns many plays that should have been sacks or blown plays into first-down runs. He’s a mechanic.

Leonard’s ability to properly feel the heat and clear the pocket could be Notre Dame’s X-factor should he enter the CFP field. Adding this dynamic to the skill sets of Love and Price makes Notre Dame’s running game a real threat.

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