Now 1-2 on the season, the Irish offense is led by their junior running back, Jeremiyah Love. Known for hurdling the opposing team’s defense, running further than anyone can imagine and being an all-around fantastic football player, it is fair to say that his fellow football players also think highly of him.
Redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr said, “It’s easy when you have Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price and the best O-line in the country, it just takes all the pressure off my shoulders.”
Head coach Marcus Freeman also commented on the strong offensive line and run game, saying, "Our offense is explosive. They’re getting big plays. They’re able to control the clock, control the line of scrimmage, and that’s detrimental to a defense.”
In his freshman season, Love competed in all 13 games. He finished off his freshman season with 385 rushing yards with an average of 5.4 yards per carry, totaling 77 receiving yards.
Love came into the light in the 2024 season with highlights that most people won’t forget. This includes things such as his hurdling touchdown against Army or his 98-yard touchdown in the first round of the College Football Playoff against Indiana. He started every game and led the team with a total of 17 touchdowns, 949 rushing yards and 7.1 yards per carry.
A powerhouse in the backfield, the University City, Missouri native started off the season strong and continues to support the team. In the game against Miami, Love had a total of 10 rushes for 33 yards and added four catches for 26 yards. Against Texas A&M, Love raised the bar by rushing for 94 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown, catching four passes for 53 yards with an amazing one-handed catch on the run for a 36-yard touchdown. In the most recent game against Purdue, Love finished with a career high 157 rushing yards on 19 carries, averaging 8.3 yards per carry with two touchdowns and five rushes of 10-plus yards.
Love also commented on the humility of the team and staying grounded leading up to the game.
“We believe that no matter who we are up against, we are going out there to make plays, and the only people that can stop us are us.”
When asked about his success on the field, Love responded, “I want everybody to have their time in the spotlight, their time in the sun and their opportunity to do something great.”
The Irish now prepare to go on the road for the second time this season to go up against Arkansas, a team that is not to be taken lightly.
“As a person who has been in that type of environment before, I have knowledge to give to the young guys who are going to have their opportunity on going out and starting in this hostile environment,” Love said. “But, at the end of the day, we’re ready for it, they’re ready for it, I’m ready for it, the team’s ready for it."
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock also commented on the unselfishness of the running backs, saying, “Those guys understand there’s a lot of really talented football players in that room. It obviously starts with J Love and JD, the camaraderie that’s in that room, how they trust, love and respect each other, it’s not just coach speak, it’s real and you can see that by the way they play.”
The team is facing off against Arkansas in its second away game of the season. The game is set for a noon kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 27.
