(Photo: Chad Ryan)
Football icon Bill Walsh once said that if you don’t have a great quarterback, you can’t have a great team.
Walsh knew great quarterbacks. He won Super Bowls with a guy named Joe Montana, developed Hall of Famer Dan Fouts, and he brought along Ken Anderson, who is on his way to the Hall.
Notre Dame’s 2024 defense has never really been in question. But any shot at greatness in 2024 lies squarely on the shoulders of Riley Leonard.
Can the Irish this year become great? Can Riley Leonard be great?
Just a few weeks ago, Leonard became the subject of intense derision and disdain following an upset loss to Northern Illinois. “A waste of NIL,” was the cry, and “bring on Steve Angeli,” the plea.
Since that game, however, Leonard has played some pretty good football. Let’s look at the numbers he has compiled since that dark day:
Leonard has completed 60 of 86 passes, giving him a completion percentage of 69.8%. That’s impressive and puts him in contention for the most accurate passing season in Notre Dame history (Ian Book holds the record at 68.2% in 2018). Oh, and he hasn’t thrown an interception.
He has rushed for 326 yards on 46 carries, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. On a team loaded with talent at the running back position, Leonard is holding his own as the second-leading rusher.
He has run for seven touchdowns, and his total of eight for the season ties him for fourth in the nation among all quarterbacks. He is on pace to set the all-time ND season record (held by Brandon Wimbush with 14 in 2017).
Most importantly, Notre Dame has gone 4-0, remaining on track to achieve every team’s regular-season goal: a berth in the College Football Playoffs and a shot at greatness.
After some anxious early moments against Stanford on Saturday, Notre Dame could not be stopped by anyone other than themselves. They scored on seven of their next eight possessions; the only drive that didn’t end in the end zone ended on a forced fumble by Beaux Collins, who was fighting for extra yards after a long catch-and-run.
Leonard was accurate, and the offense was diverse. He hit nine different receivers, tossed three touchdown passes, and ran one in himself. The running game, featuring TD runs from Jadarian Price, Jeremiyah Love, and in mop-up duty from Aneyas Williams, was explosive.
When asked post-game about how close this team is to achieving what he envisions, Marcus Freeman did not hesitate: “It’s close; it’s getting closer.”
The Irish offense indeed has the look of a unit that is close to becoming formidable. It is building an identity of diversity and reliability: explosive runs, a solid passing game, and a dual-threat quarterback that can cause nightmares for opposing defenses. In the last four games, Notre Dame is averaging over 42 points per game, and Riley Leonard, once dismissed as a wasted scholarship recipient, is playing some outstanding football.
Notre Dame in 2024 cannot of course be called a great team, yet. But after a rude awakening at the hands of a 23-point underdog in week two, the Fighting Irish, led by Riley Leonard, have played some great football.
Championship-caliber defense has been a season-long given for this group, and now the offense is arriving at the party.
Bill Walsh Take note because, “they are close, getting closer”.