Notre Dame “running tempo” is an old fairy tale

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Hello Monday! Do a solid and run the option.

THE TEMPTATION OF TEMPO​

For many years now, we fall under the spell of the possibility of the Notre Dame offense running tempo. The phrase, “you’re going to see a lot more tempo this season” is a running joke between myself and some friends. It’s because we hear it so often either in spring or summer or both — and then it never materializes during the season (at least not in the way it was sold during the offseason).

But… it’s a new year so here we go again.

Here is @ndfootball's first-team running tempo at practice today.

CJ Carr targeted Cooper Flanagan and Jerome Bettis Jr. and completed passes to Micah Gilbert and Mylan Graham.

Nolan James Jr also got a handoff. pic.twitter.com/5TxopbuscZ

— Tom Zwiller (@TomZwiller) August 8, 2026

LETS TALK ABOUT THE RUNNING BACKS​

Notre Dame has recruited and developed the position about as good as a program can for a number of years now, but the loss of Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love to the NFC West still hangs heavy over this season. We have all talked ourselves into everything being fine, but is it?

It probably is, but here’s some running back clips if you want to start a juicy conversation.

Notre Dame freshman RB Javian Osborne is back to full strength after missing part of spring practice due to a wrist injury.

Here’s Osborne going through a pass protection drill.

“Hit them so hard they don’t want to blitz anymore,” Ja’Juan Seider said.https://t.co/Q2N2VNSpKvpic.twitter.com/vWhQ3wFWm7

— Kyle Kelly (@ByKyleKelly) August 7, 2026

Meet Notre Dame’s new running back room!

Aneyas Williams leads the way as RB1 with his burst and vision. Nolan James Jr. has been one of camp’s biggest risers, Kedren Young looks physically imposing, and freshman Jonaz Walton is pushing for a role with his speed pic.twitter.com/H3Zt2QM31h

— Talia Baia (@taliaontv) August 7, 2026

Aneyas Williams, Nolan James Jr., Kedren Young, and the RBs working on quick cuts at practice today.

Ja'Juan Seider said that he wants drills to translate to game action and that Williams spent time working on jump cuts in the offseason.

You can see some of that progress here. pic.twitter.com/wTBQJxgFT9

— Tom Zwiller (@TomZwiller) August 7, 2026

pic.twitter.com/u4x1AM6SKE

— marcwithglasses (@marcwithglasses) August 7, 2026

LACROSSE RISING​

Most everyone that follows Notre Dame football knows about Jordan Faison and his story, but wait — there’s more. The Notre Dame lacrosse team is the gift that keeps giving. MATT JEFFERY FOR HEISMAN!

It's time for everyone — writers and fans alike — to stop sleeping on Matt Jeffery.

Few, if any, Notre Dame wideouts were more active in Thursday's practice than the star midfielder on the men's lacrosse team. Don't be surprised if he has a real offensive role. pic.twitter.com/dP6vfXXeCM

— Jack Soble (@jacksoble56) August 9, 2026

KICK THE DAMN BALL​

Notre Dame’s kicking woes in 2025 are well documented, but so is the effort to rectify those woes as well. The solution was just a few miles down the road (we think).

Notre Dame fans, you can finally breathe a little easier when the field goal unit runs out onto the turf this season.
Purdue transfer Spencer Porath, who went a perfect 41-41 on PATs and 22 of 28 on field goals as a Boilermaker is already on the Lou Groza Award watch list and… pic.twitter.com/9oXT7dTiD5

— Patrick Smith (@PatrickSmith6_) August 10, 2026

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