Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com DEC. 19, 2020 11 UNDER THE DOME THEY SAID IT THEY SAID IT "A champion. A guy that has taken the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune and not being given the credit that he has rightfully deserved and that he's going to earn on Saturday as the all-time winningest quarterback in Notre Dame history. That's an incredible feat for all the great players that have played here at Notre Dame. He's done it with the scrutiny, he's done it with unfair criticism, and he's done it with class and dignity all the way. I love Ian Book. I love what he represents and what he stands for and how he's handled himself throughout his time here at Notre Dame. We are a better football program because of his presence at Notre Dame." — Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly on quarterback Ian Book (ESPN's SportsCenter) "The Fighting Irish sport a [10-0] record with a win over Clemson. If they lose the ACC Championship rematch with Clemson (Trevor Lawrence missed the game in South Bend due to COVID-19), they would still have one of the four best résumés in the country. That's as long as they don't lose the rematch by 30 points and force everyone to think that the game of the year — a 47-40 double overtime win at Notre Dame — was solely a product of Lawrence not being available. So that's the first challenge for Aggies fans. Learn the Irish fight song. Be ready to cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame on Dec. 19, and if Clemson falls again, then there's a definite opening in the top four." — Tim Cowlishaw of The Dallas Morning News on why Texas A&M fans should root for Notre Dame "I try to do my job and talk about them as college guys. But you're right. I told Mike Tirico that just the other day. I said, 'Mike, I'm not going back to the NFL as a coach, but if I did, there's about six of these guys I would definitely take with me.' Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, that's what everybody is looking for as a nickel linebacker now. A guy who can cover in open space, cover backs down the field, that can blitz. He can make open field tackles. He's physical. That's what you want. Everybody wants a big safety like Kyle Hamilton in the middle of the field, who has got great range, who can tackle. And I think about what these guys are going to do in the NFL. Then you look at that offensive line and think, 'Gosh, these are gonna be high draft choices. Michael Mayer, they're all talking about 'Baby Gronk.' Well, what is he going to be like in three years?" — NBC football analyst Tony Dungy on the NFL prospects on Notre Dame's current roster (The South Bend Tribune) "Notre Dame is the big thing. Not only have they secured a spot in Charlotte [for the ACC Championship] … to me, maybe they've secured a spot into the playoffs because even if they lose to Clemson, there's a really good chance that they're still going to stay in the top four." — ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit "Though there's a strong sense that Vanderbilt will look hard to go with an offensive guy who can ener- gize the program, there is one very obvious candidate who with a defensive background has to get serious consideration. Notre Dame defensive coordinator Clark Lea, a Nashville native and former Vanderbilt player, is a very hot name — and rightly so. The 38-year-old Lea has impressed everywhere he's worked, and he's been integral in Notre Dame's rise as a College Football Playoff contender. … The potential downside from a timing standpoint is Lea could still be very busy with the Irish in the middle of a CFP run into January, which other candidates may not have to navigate." — The Athletic's Bruce Feldman on Clark Lea as a candidate to become Vanderbilt's next head coach OF THE WEEK ➤ "From one first to another, go get 'em, @SarahFuller_27. "Keep showing the world that when you #PlayLikeAGirl, incredible things happen." The Notre Dame Leprechaun (@NDTheLeprechaun) on Vanderbilt kicker Sarah Fuller Nov. 28 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED PO Box 2331 Durham, NC 27702 www.BlueGoldOnline.com 1-800-421-7751 DELIVERY LIMITED TO CONTINENTAL U.S. PLEASE ADD SALES TAX FOR ITEMS SHIPPING TO: (NC 7.5%, IN 7%, MI 6%) Made to order & shipped direct from manufacturer, returns not related to damage may incur fee. GRILL MAT $49.95 + FREE S&H Available in 2 Styles: ND or Leprechaun (Item #6622-ND or #6622-LEP) (Item #6621) CUSTOM GRILL COVERS Hand-made in USA using the finest com- mercial grade breathable vinyl featuring double-stitching, buckle clasps and mois- ture vent. Logo printed with UV-resistant ink in official school colors. AVAILABLE IN 2 SIZES & 3 LOGOS: Small: 60" wide x 36" tall x 21" deep $51.95 + $15.00 S&H Large: 72" wide x 36" tall x 21" deep $54.95 + $15.00 S&H Please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery.