SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame tailback Josh Adams has tried to help set the tone in practice for the Fighting Irish as they prepare to face Duke following a disappointing loss that knocked them out of the playoff race.Thats what we can control is how hard we work and how fast we play. Thats something we can control, the 6-2, 220-pound sophomore said. Hopefully that affects everyone else by our example and our setting the tone as a group, other people will follow.When the Irish (1-2) faced Michigan State last week , Adams wore a jersey bearing No. 1, awarded each week to the player that coach Brian Kelly believes best represents the ideals of the program on and off the field. Kelly said Adams, the first underclassman to wear the jersey, earned the honor for the way hes worked since arriving on campus.Its been a championship level kind of work ethic. To have the all-time winning percentage for college football, you have to have players that are your best players. Also, theyve got to be your best workers. Hes one of clearly our best workers in practice. So he sets a high bar, Kelly said.Adams was expected to compete last season with fellow freshman Dexter Williams for playing time as the No. 4 running back. But after Greg Bryant left school because he was academically ineligible and Tarean Folston sustained a season-ending knee injury in the opening game, Adams emerged as the No. 2 back behind C.J. Prosise.Adams had four 100-yard rushing games, tying a school record for freshmen. He fell a yard shy of tying the school freshman record for yards in a game when he ran for 147 yards on 20 carries against Pittsburgh. A week later, he had the longest run ever in Notre Dame Stadium on a 98-yard touchdown against Wake Forest. He set the school freshman record with 835 yards rushing.Heading into the game against Duke (1-2), Adams is leading the Irish in rushing this season with 178 yards on 33 carries, although he has yet to score. Folston has rushed for 129 yards on 32 carries and quarterback DeShone Kizer has run for 126 yards on 32 carries.The rushing game struggled last week in the 36-28 loss to Michigan State, managing just 57 yards. Adams finished with 29 yards on 12 carries, although six of his seven carries in the first half were for three yards or more.Kelly said he wasnt disappointed in the Irish running game.I believe our running game is going to be where it needs to be. I think we made some mistakes and then never got in the kind of committed run flow in the second half that we needed to because we got down so quickly, he said.Adams said he is focused on becoming a better pass blocker. He failed to see a linebacker rushing in unblocked against the Spartans, leading to Kizer being sacked.Adams also is working on trying to break through the first tackle.Not getting tackled by one man is something you definitely have to pride yourself in in being a running back, he said. 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The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months.Sky Sports football pundit Paul Merson has given us his thoughts on the race for the PFA Fans Player of the Month award for January. The Premier League shortlist has been narrowed down to three candidates - Tottenham striker Harry Kane, Liverpools Roberto Firmino and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney.There is still time for you to cast your vote this month (voting closes at midnight, with the winner announced on Tuesday, February 9), and you could win the chance to meet and present the award to the winning player. As well as the Barclays Premier League award, you can also vote for the PFA Fans Player of the Month in the Sky Bet Championship, Sky Bet League One and Sky Bet League Two. Vote now! Vote now for your January Player of the Month And if you are still undecided, Merse thinks Rooneys return to form in front of goal deserves to get the nod this month, despite Kanes outstanding form and Firminos goals for Liverpool.Heres why...Harry Kane - Tottenham Harry Kanes performances have helped Tottenham rise to second in the Premier League MERSE SAYS: What can you say about Harry Kane? Im a huge fan of his. Hes put in some superb performances this month. He scores goals with ease and is a proper centre forward. Hes been outstanding in Spurs rise up the table.Roberto Firmino - Liverpool Roberto Firmino scored four Premier League goals in January for Liverpool MERSE SAYS: Roberto Firmino has taken time to settle into the Premier League but started to find the back of the net in January.dddddddddddd He scored two in the draw with Arsenal, including a superb second against the Gunners, and grabbed another double in the thriller at Norwich. However, for me its not his month.Wayne Rooney - Manchester United Wayne Rooney has scored seven goals in his last eight appearances for Man Utd MERSE SAYS: Wayne Rooney is back playing near his best. He has five goals in his last six Premier League games. Hes a player that could hit 10 goals in as many games because when hes hot, he can go on a real streak. Hes that type of player. Hes been outstanding and hes my pick to win it. He wasnt playing that well before but to switch it on and score seven goals in eight games in all competitions is a superb return to form.Have your say NOW - vote at www.skysports.com/pfafanvoteTo be eligible for the prize, voters must be 18 or over and be a resident of UK or ROI. Travel costs are not included as part of the prize. Click or tap here to read the full terms and conditions. Also See: Premier League - Vote Now! Championship - Vote Now! League One - Vote Now! League Two - Vote Now! 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