Aldridge provides glimmer of hope for offense
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Of all the horrendous statistics replayed throughout last week, none dropped more jaws than Notre Dame's rushing average.
The Fighting Irish entered Saturday rushing for minus-4.7 yards per game, the worst in the country by more than 18 yards. Before they could compete in games, they needed a back to get them in the black.
Enter James Aldridge, who rushed for 104 yards on 18 carries in his first career start Saturday, providing a bright spot for Notre Dame in its 31-14 loss to Michigan State. Led by Aldridge and freshman Robert Hughes, Notre Dame finished with 117 rushing yards, elevating its season average to 25.8 yards per game.
"It was some semblance of a running game," said coach Charlie Weis, who wanted to get Aldridge another 5-10 carries. "That's a start."
Midway through the second quarter, Aldridge curled around left end and raced 43 yards. Notre Dame's previous long rush for the season had been 13 yards, by Travis Thomas on a fake punt last week.
Aldridge's burst marked Notre Dame's first run or pass that eclipsed 40 yards all season. The sophomore also had runs of 18 yards and 14 yards.
"It felt good," Aldridge said, "but it's not good enough. We've got to get more. … It's always good to have some positive yardage."
Though Aldridge is billed as a power back, he had his most success running to the outside Saturday.
"We were able to come off the ball and hit 'em," left tackle Sam Young said. "We're going to continue to be more physical."
No joke: As coach Mark Dantonio explained Michigan State's critical touchdown on fourth-and-2 late in the third quarter, laughs began to fill the interview room. Few believed that Spartans quarterback Brian Hoyer actually meant to fumble the snap before finding tight end Kellen Davis for a 30-yard score.
Turns out, it was all by design.
"It's not a joke," Davis said. "We practice that. It's like one of our trick plays. We called it, and it works. If the defense is giving it to us, it's something we can take."
Jones shows: Former Irish quarterback Demetrius Jones attended the game, a day after Notre Dame released him from his scholarship. Jones, who has enrolled at Northern Illinois, will be allowed to transfer to any school that doesn't appear on Notre Dame's schedule for the next three seasons.
The sophomore skipped Notre Dame's team bus to Michigan on Sept. 14 and attended NIU's game the next day.
"I got decisions," said Jones, who stood outside the north gate of Notre Dame Stadium. "Like I'm in the high school recruiting process again."
Inches to go: Special teams have become Notre Dame's latest headache after punter Geoff Price struggled Saturday and was replaced twice by Eric Maust. Price averaged only 36.7 yards per punt, with one traveling only 11 yards. … Notre Dame defensive tackle Derrell Hand started Saturday in place of injured end Justin Brown. Hand was reinstated earlier in the week after serving a three-game suspension stemming from a prostitution solicitation arrest this summer. … Mark Dantonio is the first Michigan State coach to begin his first season 4-0. … Irish senior end Trevor Laws continued to affirm himself as Notre Dame's top defender, collecting 9 unassisted tackles, 2 quarterback hurries a pass breakup and a fumble recovery.