Chip Long was exaggerating to make a point, but he did not need to. Notre Dame’s offense lacked explosion last season, managing just six plays of 50 yards-plus and only five more exceeding 40. In 2017, the Irish broke off 50-yard chunks on a weekly basis, 16 in total, with four additional breaking 40.
That difference stood out during 2018, though perhaps not to the extent the offensive coordinator’s glibness indicated Thursday.
“We had two plays over 50 yards last year and went to the College Football Playoff. That’s very rare,” Long said. “The year before, we averaged that a series.