‘I Wouldn’t Say You’ve Seen All Of Me Yet’: Jeremiyah Love Has More To Prove

One would think Jeremiyah Love would be satisfied with his game at this point of his college career. After all, the sophomore running back has emerged as one of the best in the country, and has reached the end zone in every game this season (15) while rushing for 949 yards across 12 games. 

But with the opportunity to contend for a national title, Love is still striving for more, and the St. Louis, Missouri native still believes he has another gear to reach. 

“I do moves based off the situation,” Love said. “If I see somebody going low, I’ll jump over you. If you’re off balance I might try to run you over. I wouldn’t say you’ve seen all of me yet.” 

While the individual accolades are always something to celebrate, Love still recognizes what this group has the ability to do — win a national championship for the first time since 1988 — and that’s more important than any record. 

“It’s very special to be a part of the very first home (playoff) game here at Notre Dame Stadium,” Love said. “It’s an honor to continue to work hard with my brothers everyday. I’m just looking forward to competing on Friday.” 

In the Irish’s last game against USC Nov. 30, Love exited the game with a right-knee injury. He was spotted at practice Monday sporting a brace, but still appeared to be moving well. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock didn’t seem concerned with his availability. 

“My expectation is always for the best of the best to play their best,” Denbrock said. “He was great out there today and bopping around like we expect Jeremiyah Love to.”

The competition that lays ahead may be the toughest Love has faced up to this point in his career. Indiana currently has the best run defense in the nation, allowing 80.5 rushing yards per game. 

But if anyone can crack the Hoosier code, it may very well be Love and the Irish backfield. 

“It’s a challenge, but I like to just focus on me and what I can do,” Love said. “When I’m watching film I’m watching how they scheme, how they’re pass rushing. They have a very good team, but I’m just trying to focus on me.” 

For Love, he’s not focused on the mighty Indiana defense, instead he’s approaching Friday’s first round matchup with a more simple mindset: hit the hole and do everything necessary to win. 

“I’m going to do what I do whether I need to hit the hole faster or anything like that,” Love said. “I’m going to read the situation in front of me and if there’s a situation that means I need to run through somebody, I’ll just do what I need to do in that situation.” 

Even if his number isn’t called in the huddle, Love has taken an extra sense of pride in his ability to block, giving his quarterback Riley Leonard more time to make a play. 

“I’ve always been a pretty good blocker,” Love said. “Once I’m put in a situation I’ll do whatever I need to do to help the play. I’ve always been happy to help the team whether it’s blocking or running, but when it comes to blocking, it’s just keep my technique and don’t let anybody get past me, it’s pretty simple.” 

Over the course of his breakout season, Love has become a staple of every Saturday night highlight reel. Whether his trucking a linebacker or hurdling a USC defender, the running back has a bevy of tools to pull from out in the open field. 

“I feel like (trucking) makes a bigger statement than jumping over somebody,” Love said. “Physically dominating somebody rather than — I’m very athletic, so my athleticism is going to show regardless of what I do, but when I physically dominate, then I feel like that makes a bigger impact.” 

When Love straps up his helmet Friday night inside Notre Dame Stadium, it won’t matter who’s on the other side — they’re just in his way. 

“This is just another team in our way to achieving team glory,” Love said. “They have a really good run defense and that’s great but … we’re just focusing on ourselves and what we have to do to make the plays that need to be made.”

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