Going into Notre Dame’s 2024 football season, the offensive line was a major concern due to its lack of experience and a spate of early injuries. Joe Rudolph managed to piece the line together using makeshift methods, alongside some remarkable talent, leading to significant achievements for the team.
Now, they have been named semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, which honors the best offensive line in college football.
Based in South Bend, Indiana, Notre Dame is one of ten programs on this year’s semifinalist list. They previously claimed the Joe Moore Award in 2017 and have been finalists in 2015, 2017, and 2020, as well as semifinalists in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2023.
The award is named in honor of Joe Moore, a legendary offensive line coach known for his work at Notre Dame and the University of Pittsburgh.
Despite having several new starters this season, the Notre Dame offensive line has continued the tradition of excellence. For 2024, three players have made their first career starts, including freshman Anthonie Knapp and sophomore Aamil Wagner, both of whom have participated in every game so far. The line has exemplified a strong next-man-up attitude amidst injuries.
This season, Notre Dame has outscored its opponents by an average of 27.2 points per game and boasts a 0.909 success rate in red zone situations. They rank 12th among FBS programs for scoring offense, averaging 38.3 points per game.
Additionally, the Irish are averaging 100.1 more total offensive yards than their opponents have allowed, entering their matchups in 2024.
With a rushing offense ranked 12th nationally, they average 214.8 rushing yards per game and have outperformed their opponents’ average yards allowed in every game. On average, the Irish have surpassed their opponents’ allowed rushing yards by 92.6 yards this season.
Among Power 4 teams, Notre Dame ranks second and fifth overall in the FBS for yards-per-carry at 5.98. They have 30 rushing touchdowns this season, placing them third in Power 4 and fifth in the FBS for rushing touchdowns per game at 3.33.
In terms of pass protection, the Irish are 21st among Power 4 teams in sacks allowed per game (1.33) and 18th in tackles for loss allowed (4.44). The young offensive line has shown consistent improvement, allowing just six sacks and four quarterback hurries in the last six games. They also rank fourth nationally in fewest interceptions, having thrown only three this season, thanks to the solid protection the line has provided quarterback Riley Leonard.
