Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1179920
14 NOV. 2, 2019 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED UNDER THE DOME TOP 10 COLLEGE FOOTBALL FIGHT SONGS, PER SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Ranking Song School No. 1 "The Victors" Michigan* No. 2 "Boomer Sooner" Oklahoma No. 3 "Rocky Top" Tennessee No. 4 "Victory March" Notre Dame No. 5 "On Wisconsin" Wisconsin* No. 6 "Fight On" USC* No. 7 "Tiger Rag" Clemson* No. 8 "Anchors Aweigh" Navy* No. 9 "FSU Fight Song" Florida State No. 10 "Bow Down to Washington" Washington * 2019 or 2020 Notre Dame opponent Irish student-athletes excelling on the field and in the classroom Kristin Baer — Volleyball The 6-2 fifth-year senior middle blocker from San Jose, Calif., played in just 20 matches during her first four years on campus, but has emerged as an important con- tributor for an Irish team that was off to a 14-4 (7-1 ACC) start this season. She posted a team-high six blocks in a 3-1 win over Duke Oct. 13 that helped Notre Dame match its best-ever ACC start (6-0). Heading into the final weekend of October, Baer ranked third in the ACC with 82 total blocks. Ryan Bischel — Hockey The freshman from Me- dina, Minn., started each of Notre Dame's first two contests in goal and led the Fighting Irish to pair of wins over Air Force Oct. 11-12. The netminder turned away 33 shots in a 4-3 victory over the Falcons in the opener, and then made 22 saves in a 6-1 Irish triumph the following night. Bischel boasted a 2.00 goals against average and a .932 save percentage after his first week- end of collegiate action. Jack Lynn — Soccer The sophomore from St. Louis found the back of the net in the 65th minute to give the Fighting Irish their first ACC win with a 1-0 triumph over No. 21 Duke Oct. 11. He followed that effort up with another goal in a 2-1 loss at Virginia Tech Oct. 18, giving him four in his last three matches. Lynn had a career-high eight goals heading into Notre Dame's final two regular-season contests. Jackson Palmer — Golf The freshman from Murrysville, Pa., delivered a clutch birdie to secure Notre Dame's program- record fourth tournament championship of the fall at the Quail Valley Collegiate in Vero Beach, Fla. His birdie also solidified the individual cham- pionship for himself, with a 16-under-par 200 total to set a new tournament record. Palmer's 16-under effort also set a new 54- hole program record and marked his first col- legiate individual title. TOP OF THE CLASS ✦ GIMME FIVE During Brian Kelly's 10 seasons at Notre Dame, USC has brought out the best in Fight- ing Irish running backs. In the 30-27 victory at home Oct. 12, a Notre Dame running back rushed for at least 170 yards against the Trojans for the third time in four seasons. Senior Tony Jones Jr. did the honors this time while producing career highs in carries (25) and rushing yards (176). In other years under Kelly, C.J. Prosise romped for 143 yards on 19 carries in a 41-31 conquest of USC in 2015, while Theo Riddick amassed a career-high 146 yards on 20 at- tempts during a 22-13 win in 2012 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to clinch a bid to play in the BCS National Championship Game. Jones' total actually is only the sixth highest by a Notre Dame back versus the Trojans since 1991, which is a notable team feat unto itself. Here are the top five outputs on the ground by Fighting Irish ball carriers against USC. Player (Year) Yards (Carries) 1. Reggie Brooks (1992) 227 (19) 2. Josh Adams (2017) 191 (19) 3. Josh Adams (2016) 180 (17) 4. Jim Morse (1954) 179 (19) 5. Jerome Bettis (1991) 178 (24) Note: During a 31-13 Irish win versus USC in 1993, Lee Becton rampaged for 177 yards, one more than Jones this season. CHARTING THE IRISH BATTLE OF THE BANDS It's often hard to notice a school fight song in an era where every college football stadium has a huge sound system that blares modern and classic hits throughout a game. Yet, a few still stand out. Prior to the season, Sports Illustrated released its top 10 fight songs in cel- ebration of 150 years of college football. Notre Dame's fight song "Victory March" appearing at No. 4, gives Irish fans an opportunity to hear the band play a nationally renowned collection of notes every time their team scores. This honor (or perhaps dismay) also extends to many of Notre Dame's 2019 and 2020 opponents. Two long-standing rivals, USC and Navy, both made the list. The Trojans and their fight song "Fight On" is No. 6, while the Midshipman's "Anchors Aweigh" came in at No. 8. The Michigan Wolver- ines, who the Irish played this past weekend, and its song "The Victors" were given the top spot. Two 2020 opponents, Wisconsin and Clemson, also earned a nod. Wis- consin's "On Wisconsin" is No. 5 and Clemson's "Tiger Rag" is No. 7. Getting To Know … SENIOR QUARTERBACK IAN BOOK Hometown: El Dorado, Calif. High school: Oak Ridge Major: Marketing Favorite food: "One of my favorite foods has to be a bacon cheese- burger." Favorite movie: "'The Dark Knight' is one of the best movies I have seen." Favorite music: "I am a big fan of rap music." Favorite musician: "One of my favorite art- ists is Future." Favorite TV show: "Not sure if it counts but my favorite show on TV is Thursday Night Football." Greatest football memory: "My favorite memory comes from the 2018 Citrus Bowl when Miles Boykin made the one-handed catch-and-run for the game winning touch- down versus LSU." Who is your idol: "My dad is my idol." Favorite part about playing for Notre Dame: "One of the best things about playing at Notre Dame is the tradition." Toughest player you've ever faced: "Devin White who played linebacker at LSU is the toughest player I have ever faced."