Notre Dame's 1,000-yard running back is The Irish Tribune's 2024 Golden Domer of the Year.
Art by The Irish Tribune / Image courtesy of Syracuse.com
Jeremiyah Love has been a special talent ever since he stepped foot on campus in South Bend. Before acknowledging Love's illustrious accomplishments in his second year at Notre Dame, it is important to understand the journey he took to suit up in the Blue and Gold.
As a recruit, Jeremiyah Love was a special athlete. In his senior season, Love rushed for 1,291 yards and 22 touchdowns to lead Christian Brothers (St. Louis) to consecutive Class 6 state championships.
With his immense production in his junior and senior seasons, Love was a highly sought-after recruit, with Alabama, Michigan, and Texas A&M being the Irish's main competition for the 2022 MaxPreps Missouri Player of the Year. In addition to tearing up the gridiron, Love was also making waves in track and field, by winning a state championship his sophomore year with a blazing 10.76-second 100-meter dash. In the end, Love pledged his commitment to the Irish and much of that could be attributed to his connection with running backs coach, Deland McCullough.
His faith in McCullough has been evident through his time spent with the Fighting Irish. As a summer freshman enrollee, Love found himself near the bottom of the depth chart to begin the season, but his raw athleticism was too much to keep him off the field. While being behind the 2023 winner of the Golden Domer of the Year, Audric Estime, Love was held to merely 71 carries, yet the St. Louis product made the most of his opportunities. Against Ohio State, Love showcased his unique blend of speed and strength by being the change of pace back for Notre Dame and rallying 57 yards. He also made an appearance against the Duke Blue Devils by scampering for 34 yards on a fake punt attempt that extended the Irish's drive and led to a touchdown.
Video by ACC Digital Network
With Estime opting for the 2024 NFL Draft, Love was set to be Notre Dame's premier running back and he simply did not disappoint. As Notre Dame preps for Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, Love sits with 1,057 yards and 16 touchdowns. He's also added 224 yards through the air and two touchdowns, as well. Let's break down the numbers that have led to Love's true dominance this season.
Five 100-Yard Games
Throughout Notre Dame's 13 games, Love has accounted for five 100-yard or more games. His most recent 100-yard game was the Irish's first-round playoff game against the Indiana Hoosiers, in which his rushing total was highlighted by his 98-yard touchdown run that opened the scoring effort.
Video by ESPN
Love's 98-yard home run was even more impressive knowing he was battling flu-like symptoms and still recovering from his leg injury sustained during the regular season finale against the rival USC Trojans.
While still not being 100%, Love gave the Irish offense the jumpstart they needed and continued to be the backbone of the Notre Dame rushing attack. His other four 100-yard games came against Army (130), Virginia (137), Navy (102), and Purdue (109). In those four games, Love also broke touchdown runs of 68, 76, 64, and 48 yards. It is without a doubt that Love's explosive speed has led to game-changing touchdowns.
Every Game Touchdown Scorer
Consistency is key, and it is exactly what Jeremiyah Love delivers. Love has recorded a touchdown in all of Notre Dame's games this season and has been Mr. Consistent for Mike Denbrock's offense.
During spring ball and fall camp, Denbrock was experimenting with Jeremiyah Love all over the field, most uniquely as a slot receiver, which at the time raised some questions, but it was simply just trying to invent new ways to put Love in space.
When Love is out in space, he is a matchup nightmare for anyone trying to tackle him. Love's 7.4 average yards per attempt simply displays how every time he has the ball in his hands, he can take it the distance. While totaling 18 total touchdowns this season, it should be noted that Riley Leonard also has 15 rushing touchdowns himself. If the Irish didn't have a mobile red zone threat, Love's touchdown total could be immensely greater.
Gravity-Defying Hurdles
While Love's production stayed under the radar for the national media, his two performances against Army and USC garnered him respect nationwide. The two highlight-reel plays he had both featured a new patented move in his repertoire, the hurdle.
He debuted the hurdle on his touchdown run against Northern Illinois that has now been lost in the memory of the brutal defeat, but the first hurdle that fans remember is against Army.
Video by NBC Sports
While his hurdle against the Black Knights seemed to be unable to top, his hurdle in space against the Trojans was a jaw-dropping feat. Not only did Love clear the Trojan defender by jumping and gliding for four yards in the air, but he landed perfectly and then trucked another defender who was too high trying to tackle Love.
Video by CBS Sports
His blend of speed and added strength this offseason has allowed Love to continue to burn defenses on runs to the outside, but also have the physicality to run between the tackles.
Key to Success
As Notre Dame prepares to take on the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl, much of their success will revolve around the ability to run the ball against the daunting Georgia front seven.
Jeremiyah Love will once again be the key to Notre Dame's offensive gameplan as the Irish navigate the first year of the extended playoff format. With that being said, we at The Irish Tribune congratulate Jeremiyah Love with the 2024 Golden Domer Award and are excited to watch him grow throughout the rest of his career with the Fighting Irish.
Art by The Irish Tribune
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