Tag: Armando Allen

Watch: 2009 highlights of Notre Dame win over Michigan State

Remember this thriller?

Coming off a heartbreaking loss at Michigan the week before, Notre Dame tried to get back on track against Michigan State. It was 2009, which proved to be the final year of [autotag]Charlie Weis[/autotag]’ Irish tenure. As “SportsCenter” showed its viewers, anyone who didn’t tune in that day missed one heck of a thriller. The Irish surrendered the lead in the fourth quarter, got it back, then turned out the lights in a 33-30 victory:

As you can see from the graphic at the end, the victory came at the expense of an injury to [autotag]Michael Floyd[/autotag] that would knock him out until November. But there were plenty of folks who helped improve the Irish’s record to 2-1. [autotag]Jimmy Clausen[/autotag] outdueled Kirk Cousins, throwing for 300 yards and two touchdowns. One of them was to Floyd, and the other, which turned out to be the game-winning score, went to [autotag]Golden Tate[/autotag].

[autotag]Armando Allen[/autotag] showed his versatility in this game. Not only did he run for 115 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries, but he threw the lone touchdown pass of his career from 5 yards out to [autotag]Robby Parris[/autotag]. That’s a day to remember.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Notre Dame’s top-rated running back recruits since 2000

What would happen if Notre Dame’s recruiting of the running back position could meet what it does on the offensive line?

Notre Dame has long been known for fielding a solid running game on an annual basis. [autotag]Jerome Bettis[/autotag], [autotag]Ricky Watters[/autotag], [autotag]Reggie Brooks[/autotag], [autotag]Ray Zellars[/autotag], [autotag]Autry Denson[/autotag] and [autotag]Allen Pinkett[/autotag] come to mind from yesteryear. Stars [autotag]Kyren Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Josh Adams[/autotag] and [autotag]Theo Riddick[/autotag] wowed crowds over the last decade.

It’s been a long time however since Notre Dame has brought in what would be considered top-tier talent at the position with regularity. Sure, Adams, [autotag]Tony Jones, Jr[/autotag] and some others have earned NFL paychecks over the last decade, it’s been a long while since Notre Dame produced Julius Jones, the last Irish running back to be more than simply a role-playing back in the NFL. Perhaps Williams will change that with the Rams, but time will only tell.

So what has Notre Dame’s recruiting at running back looked like the last two-plus decades?

Here are the top 30 Notre Dame running back recruits since 2000 according to 247Sports. It is worth noting some of these players wound up changing positions once getting to South Bend.