A Rockne Game Plan For Clemson
What would Knute Rockne do this week against Clemson?
At 7-0, the country’s top-ranked football juggernaut averages more than 46 points a game – even without all-everything quarterback Trevor Lawrence who is out after testing positive for COVID-19.
Notre Dame, 6-0 and ranked No. 4, is set to face backup quarterback D.J. Uigalelei, who threw for 342 yards in a 34-28 win against Boston College last week. Running back Travis Etienne also rushed for 84 yards, grabbed another 140 receiving yards with a touchdown, and became the ACC’s all-time leading rusher.
In “Rockne of Ages,” Coach Rockne explicitly spells out what he would do in the Fighting Irish’s biggest game of any year.
“Unexpected weaknesses may appear where we least expect it, and the big thing is to be able to recognize these,” Rockne explains.
Look no further than the Miami game earlier this season to see that Clemson’s Achilles’ heel lies in their special teams, particularly on the foot of kicker B.T. Potter. The Tigers manhandled the Hurricanes 42-17, but all three field goals Potter attempted were blocked, and one was returned for a touchdown.
Notre Dame’s defense has shut down every opponent so far. Last week, led by end Daelin Hayes and sophomore Kyle Hamilton, the Fighting Irish kept Georgia Tech out of the end zone with a pair of field goals and just 238 yards of total offense on 4.0 yards per play in a 31-13 victory. The lone touchdown came on a fumble return by the Yellowjackets’ defense.
Coach Rockne would devise schemes with assorted blitz packages to pressure and contain Uigalelei in the pocket; force Clemson to keep the ball on the ground and run into Notre Dame’s strength... a strong defensive line. Squash the big plays. Exploit a leaky field goal unit and Potter’s shaky foot. Make Clemson play defense.
“If we have a quarterback and players who are heady enough to find these things and to recognize them, what remains is simple,” Rockne notes. “Play the plays which will not hit the strong points, but which will take advantage of the weak points.”
On offense, Notre Dame’s lack of explosion and red zone issues have been problematic all season – but quarterback Ian Book has shown flashes. The O-line has opened holes for running backs C’Bo Flemister and Kyren Williams, and Book has utilized his talented receiving corps to stretch the field at times. Against big, fast and powerful Clemson, Book will need to control the game with all the consistency he can muster.
“It must be borne in mind,” Rockne envisions in “Rockne of Ages,” “that a powerful, crashing fullback is the threat which will make your ends-runs good.”
Control the ball on offense. Contain the quarterback on defense. Stack the run. Make Clemson’s weakness – their kicker - kick. Grind out a low-scoring barn burner.
Win this big one the way Rockne would.
“I would leave nothing undone to win this first big game. This game will either make or break the season.”
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