Part of the offensive firepower expected to help No. 8 Notre Dame outpace USC on Saturday was junior running back Jafar Armstrong, sidelined since the first series of the Irish season with a torn abdomen muscle. Shortly after the injury, Armstrong’s targeted return date was Saturday night.
Technically speaking, he did return in the 30-27 victory, but aside from a rush losing four yards in the third quarter, Armstrong had no statistical impact. (He also missed a blitz pickup earlier in the game.)
Notre Dame made do without him, largely thanks to senior running back Tony Jones’ 176 yards on 25 carries leading the way to 309 total rushing yards (sack adjusted).