Head Coach Brian Kelly brings a new spread-option style offense to Notre Dame, and many skill position players are licking their chops. It is believed this new pass-first system will open things up for the running game by spreading opposing defenders out. And the running backs in this system will no doubt also become “receiving backs” as they’ll be called upon to catch more passes than in the pro style system under Charlie Weis.
Starting at tailback for ND this is fall is 5’10” 205 lb senior Armando Allen, who is second all-time on the school list for receptions by a running back (102-695-3). He should make a good fit in the new system. His career rushing numbers read 362-1,630-6-4.5 per carry, with a career high 139 rushing yards versus Michigan last year.
By Paul M. Banks
Allen is currently ninth on the school’s career all-purpose yards list. He should no doubt catch Heisman trophy winner Rocket Ismail for fifth, and with another solid season could supplant another Heisman winner, Tim Brown for fourth.
I shot a Flipshare of Allen, which you can view at the bottom of this post. But before you get there enjoy these Allen quotes from ND Media Day
On the confidence level of the team…
“It is very, very high. When you sit back and think about it, we have been working really hard, the hardest I have ever worked since I have been here. At the end of the day you get what you deserve and it is going to be really exciting to see where we get with how hard we worked.”
On mentality coming into this year…
“It is better coming into this season knowing that everyday you have to get better. A lot of my teammates have the same personality that nothing is promised and you have to work hard every day and hopefully that translates on the field.”