Josh Adams Focused on Perfection
Notre Dame running back Josh Adams is off to another great start this fall, and only injuries look to be the only way to slow down the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder. Adams has 73 carries for 658 yards and four touchdowns on the year, but he hasn’t played in six quarters due to the Irish boasting a substantial lead.
Adams has been a little banged up as of late, but the junior stated he was feeling fine other than having some allergies.
“(I’m) feeling pretty good,” stated Adams. “Allergies are acting up a little bit this morning, so that's never too good, but took some vitamin C. Other than that, the body is feeling very well. Of course, you've always got that after-the-game bruises, so it's kind of normal. Just going through the week progressing, trying to get ready for the next game.”
It’s not a secret the Notre Dame offense has taken massive steps in the run game, and Adams has been the leading force. Adams admitted the Irish have been successful in the game, but they aren’t satisfied with the first five games of the season.
“As an offense, I think we know we can do more,” explained Adams. “We have guys that want to do more. We're never just satisfied with where we're at. We always want to do better. We always want to improve. I don't think we're even close to being at the level we know we can be at. So that's why we come in each week after practice, and we work hard, and we try to perfect our craft.
“This week we're preparing for UNC. We're working on our game plan, and we're going to attack that.”
While Adams likely can't-do too much more with the ball in his hands, the Pennsylvania native was quick to point out his game can improve when he isn’t carrying the rock.
“I have to do a better job playing without the ball, anybody can run the ball, especially behind this fantastic offensive line,” Adams said. “I have to do a better job of playing without the ball, you know, in the pass protection, carrying out my fade, stuff like that, running routes full speed. The little things you can always do better at. Even running the ball, you might have missed a read on one run, but that is what it is.”
When it comes to grading out his performances, a perfect game is what Adams strives for each week. The nation’s fourth-leading rusher doesn’t know what a perfect game would be, but he knows he hasn’t achieved it.
“I haven't had it yet,” stated Adams. “Hopefully I can get there. Like I said, all those areas, when you can put all those things together, then you're getting close to a perfect game. When you can run pass protect and play without the ball, I think then you're getting close to what looks like a perfect game. I'm still working on it. I attack every week the same, just trying to get better, trying to improve and learn from my mistakes.”
Adams ran for 159 yards on just eight carries last Saturday. The highlight was a 59-yard touchdown run that included a massive stiff arm to finish off the run.
“I almost got caught from behind again,” laughed Adams. “So that wouldn't have been too good if I didn't finish that one. That happened to me a couple of times this year. No, the only thing that's going through my mind is finishing the run, trying to put points on the board. You don't want to go all the way down there and do that much work to just stop short. Definitely, want to finish every run. That's mainly what I was trying to do. Just make sure I can get in the end zone this time and not get taken out and not be able to get in there, you know what I mean?
“It was a fun game. Just watching the different guys get in there, just having fun with my teammates and just enjoying the sport of football.”
When it comes to this weekend’s game at North Carolina, Notre Dame could have a new face at quarterback. Starting quarterback Brandon Wimbush has a grade one ankle strain, and sophomore Ian Book could be forced into action.
“He's here for the same reasons that Brandon's here, to become a great player and academically, you know, be outstanding. We want to excel towards excellence in both of those areas, and I think Ian's here for the same reason we're all here is to get better and progress as players. He goes out there and works every week as the rest of us do, and from the moment he got here, he's progressing. He's having fun. He goes out there and practices and knows he might make mistakes. But he still comes back the next day trying to get better and trying to improve.
“Just like the rest of us, he wants it just as bad. We're all here together. We're all here as brothers and all on the same team. So we want to see each other succeed. He wants to contribute to the offense just like everybody on the offense wants to. So, I think he has the right mindset.”