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Irish fans have been waiting all season long for Theo Riddick to become a big part of the offense. If Saturday’s game against Air Force is any indication, Notre Dame fans will no longer have to wait to see that happen.
In Notre Dame’s blowout victory over the service academy a couple of days back, the junior receiver tied Tyler Eifert with the lead in catches for the game with eight. He also had 83 receiving yards and a touchdown, his third of the season and his first since the Michigan game.
Coming into the game, Riddick had 16 catches on the season. 12 of those 16 grabs came in two games against Michigan and Pittsburgh. In the other three games, the speedster did next to nothing, even being held without a catch against a bad Purdue defense.
Dropped passes have plagued him throughout the season. Riddick had a number of key drops in the opening game of the season and he also had a key fumble on a punt return.
Why did Riddick suddenly emerge in the Irish offense on Saturday? For one, Brian Kelly did a wonderful of lining up his receiver and putting him in different positions like he has done with Michael Floyd. He even got the ball in his hands on a reverse which he for 14 yards and an Irish first down.
Getting the ball in the hands of Riddick is the key. He is so shifty and quick in the open field that it is hard for opposing defensive backs to bring him down. Riddick happens to be one of the best on the team in getting yards after the catch.
If this offense wants to remain as dominant as it has been over the last two weeks in big wins over Purdue and Air Force, having Riddick continuing to get touches will be the key. If he can become a more consistent option and put his dropped passes and fumble problems behind him, that makes the Irish offense that much more dangerous and will allow teams to no longer put double teams on Floyd and Eifert.
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