Notre Dame running backs Theo Riddick, Cierre Wood and George Atkinson III are all expected to catch passes out of the backfield for the Fighting Irish offense in 2012. For Riddick, the transition won't be that difficult, as he told Mark Lazerus of the Chicago-Sun Times.
Riddick started his career as a running back before being moved to wide receiver and then back to running back. He said it's just a matter of remembering routes. Offensive coordinator Chuck Martin agrees.
"It’s not that sophisticated," Martin said. "They’re taking classes at Notre Dame; they can learn how to run a wheel route. They just took a Calc 2 test, and now they’re going to learn how to run a wheel route. … What I’m asking you here is not a four-page physics problem."
Wood is the starter after splitting carries with Jonas Gray last year. Wood led the team in all-purpose yards last year with 1,102 rushing and 189 receiving yards.
Riddick, who moved back to the backfield after Gray tore his ACL, was the Irish’s third-leading receiver with 38 catches for 436 yards and three touchdowns. Atkinson had nine carries last year and averaged 26.1 yards per kick return, including two touchdowns.
Notre Dame opens the season Sept. 1 against Navy in Dublin, Ireland.
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