The post-Jeremiyah Love era has proven to be a challenging experience for No. 3 ranked US LBM Coaches Poll Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish didn’t have a 100-yard rusher in their first two games, but sophomore running back Nolan James Jr. ran for 121 yards in Notre Dame’s 27-10 win over Michigan State on Saturday. However, he averaged just 4.7 yards-per-carry through 26 touches.
The concern for the Irish’s overall run game is real. A hint of that concern was revealed by Pete Sampson of The Athletic during Saturday’s game. “There are 68 Power 4 programs in college football. Only two have yet to post a 20-yard rush this season: Notre Dame and Arkansas,” Sampson said on social media.
The longest rush for Notre Dame so far this season belongs to junior
Aneyas Williams, who had a 16-yard run against Wisconsin.
For comparison, Love’s longest rush last season was 94 in Notre Dame’s 25-10 victory over Boston College. The ex-Irish star’s second longest run was 68 yards in a 70-7 win over Syracuse.
To make matters worse, Notre Dame is currently 86th in the country in team YPC with 3.6. The Irish were third overall in YPC last season with 5.69.
Arkansas is 81st in the country this season with 3.8 team YPC.
Notre Dame (3-0) thankfully has a future NFL quarterback in CJ Carr, a solid receiving core and a defense that has become one of the best this season because it may take some more time for the run game to break out of its shell.
There are 68 Power 4 programs in college football.
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) September 20, 2026
Only two have yet to post a 20-yard rush this season.
Notre Dame
Arkansas
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame shares terrible ‘26 rushing stat with Arkansas after Week 3
