When Notre Dame opened preseason practices three months ago, its first-unit offense featured names like Cole Kmet, Michael Young and Jafar Armstrong. The right side of the line consisted of three-year starters Tommy Kraemer and Robert Hainsey. Of the 11 to start practice on Aug. 4, only sophomore center Jarrett Patterson looked to be a distinct question.
When the now-No. 15 Irish (6-2) opened the season on Labor Day in Louisville, Tony Jones joined Armstrong in the starting lineup, a two-back look that drove the offense down the field in only six plays on the first drive of the season.