Notre Dame’s Dynamic Duo: Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price Named Pony Express Award Finalists
In a season where Notre Dame’s offense has been nothing short of electric, junior running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price have emerged as one of the most dangerous tandems in college football - and now, they’re being recognized for it. The pair has been named finalists for the Pony Express Award, which honors duos whose combined leadership, sacrifice, and impact elevate their team on and off the field. And when it comes to impact, few duos in the country have done it better - or more consistently - than Love and Price.
The award winner will be announced on December 9, but regardless of the outcome, what these two have accomplished this season speaks volumes.
A Backfield Built on Balance and Big Plays
Love and Price have become the engine behind Notre Dame’s high-powered offense, forming a one-two punch that’s both explosive and reliable. Their latest performance - a win over Stanford - marked the 15th time in their careers that both backs found the end zone in the same game.
When that happens, Notre Dame is nearly unbeatable, holding a 14-1 record in those contests. That’s not just a fun stat - it’s a blueprint for success.
Let’s start with Love. The numbers are staggering: 185 carries, 1,306 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns.
Add 26 catches for 274 yards and three more scores through the air, and you’ve got one of the most complete backs in the country. He’s averaging 7.1 yards per carry - a number that jumps off the page in any era, but especially today’s.
What separates Love even further is his efficiency. He’s the only player in the nation with more than 1,100 rushing yards while averaging at least 6.6 yards per carry. That’s elite company, and it’s why he’s in the running for both the Maxwell Award (given to the nation's best all-around player) and the Doak Walker Award (best running back).
He’s also near the top of just about every major offensive category:
- 2nd nationally in scoring (10.5 points per game)
- 2nd in total points (126)
- 2nd in total touchdowns (21)
- 3rd in rushing touchdowns (18)
- 4th in rushing yards (1,372)
- 5th in rushing yards per game (114.3)
- 5th in yards per carry (6.89)
- 5th in all-purpose yards per game (137.67)
That’s not just production - that’s dominance.
Price: The Swiss Army Knife
While Love has been a workhorse, Price has carved out a role as a do-it-all playmaker. He’s rushed 113 times for 674 yards and 11 touchdowns, caught six passes for 87 yards and two scores, and added a serious spark in the return game.
And when we say spark, we mean fire. Price has returned 12 kickoffs this season - two of them have gone the distance, both for 100 yards. He leads the nation in kickoff return average (37.5) and kickoff return touchdowns (2), making him a game-changer every time the ball is in his hands.
That versatility hasn’t gone unnoticed. Price is a finalist for both the Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player) and the Jet Award (top return specialist). And with 15 total touchdowns, he’s tied for ninth nationally - not bad for a guy who shares a backfield with one of the most productive runners in the country.
Fueling One of the Nation’s Top Offenses
Together, Love and Price have helped power a Notre Dame offense that’s been among the best in the country from start to finish. The Irish rank:
- 5th in scoring offense (41.8 points per game)
- 5th in team passing efficiency (168.61)
- 10th in passing yards per completion (14.11)
- 17th in fewest interceptions thrown (6)
- 18th in total offense (458.5 yards per game)
- 18th in third down conversion rate (48.1%)
- 18th in rushing offense (203.4 yards per game)
- 20th in completion percentage (67.2%)
That’s a balanced, explosive offense - and the Love-Price tandem is right at the heart of it.
More Than the Stats
What makes this duo special isn’t just their production - it’s their chemistry, their consistency, and the way they complement each other. Love brings the power and the polish.
Price brings the burst and the big-play ability. Together, they’ve become the kind of backfield that defenses dread seeing on the schedule.
As finalists for the Pony Express Award, they’re being recognized not just for what they do individually, but for what they do together. And in a sport where individual accolades often dominate the conversation, this is a reminder that sometimes, greatness comes in pairs.
December 9 is when the official winner will be announced. But for Notre Dame, the impact of Love and Price has already been felt - in the win column, in the stat sheets, and in the identity of a team that’s been one of the most exciting in college football this season.