Notre Dame RB Tarean Folston Needs To Continue Recent Success

By Nick Wilder @NickCWilder on October 27, 2014

Through the first five games for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Tarean Folston, or any running back on the roster for that matter, wasn’t producing the way head coach Brian Kelly wanted. The team was able to win all of those games, but easy competition and solid play from quarterback Everett Golson were key reasons why the team remained undefeated. However, over the past two games, Folston has provided the team with consistency from the run game, which had been significantly lacking.

The sophomore running back posted 39 carries, 218 yards and two touchdowns in Notre Dame’s last two contests combined, with 120 of those yards coming against No. 2 ranked Florida State. He has blossomed into the team’s top running back and demonstrated that he can be a well-rounded player at the position. Folston has shown improvement with his pass blocking and receiving out the backfield throughout the year.

The Fighting Irish have received uneven play from other running backs on the roster, such as Cam McDaniel and Greg Bryant. Consequently, a large amount of pressure will now be placed on Folston’s shoulders to carry the load for the remainder of the year. If he’s able to build on his recent performances, the opponents left on Notre Dame’s schedule will have a very difficult time beating them.

Folston has the talent to boost Notre Dame’s offense and keep time of possession in their favor throughout the game. The Fighting Irish can’t simply rely on Golson’s heroics the rest of the season, as one more loss would likely end their chance of making the College Football Playoff.

They’ll need the dependable play that Folston has exhibited in recent games, especially in the upcoming weeks against Arizona State and USC on the road, in order to run the table.

Nick Wilder is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickCWilder and add him to your network on Google.