Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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12 NOV. 23, 2024 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED UNDER THE DOME Brennan Ali— Hockey The sophomore forward from Glencoe, Ill., did his part in consecutive losses for No. 20 Notre Dame during a recent two-game series at No. 7 Michigan. He scored a goal in each game, a 2-1 overtime defeat Nov. 8 and a 4-2 loss to the Wolverines Nov. 9. Through 10 games, Ali had 3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points and 18 shots. Sebastian Dominko — Tennis The junior from Maribor, Slovenia, had a strong showing at the ITA Conference Mas- ters Tournament Nov. 10 in Rome, Ga., where he claimed the singles title without dropping a set and finished runner-up in doubles with freshman teammate Peter Nad. Dominko's performance qualified him for both the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships Nov. 19-24 in Waco, Texas, marking the third time he has earned a spot in both events during his three-year Irish career. Leah Klenke — Soccer The junior midfielder from Houston was named to the All-ACC first team Nov. 6, de- spite missing the first seven games this season while playing with Team USA in the U20 World Cup. Klenke — who was a sec- ond-team All-ACC selection in 2023 — tallied 1 goal and 1 assist, but it was her defensive per- formance on the back three that really stood out. Prior to NCAA Tournament play, the Irish allowed only 16 goals in 18 matches. Phyona Schrader — Volleyball The senior setter from Ankeny, Iowa, enjoyed one of her best performances of the season in a heart-break- ing 3-2 defeat at Syracuse Nov. 10. She set the tone for the Irish with her ninth triple-double of the year, re- cording 17 kills, 20 assists and 19 digs. Through Nov. 11, Schrader led Notre Dame with 233 kills, 405 sets and 277.5 points, and was second on the team with 249 digs. TOP TOP OF THE CLASS OF THE CLASS Irish student-athletes excelling on the field and in the classroom ✦ GIMME FIVE Sophomore Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has scored in every game this season — an impressive feat, considering he does not actually lead his team in touchdowns. Senior quarterback Riley Leonard does, with 13 (not including his 9 passing touchdowns). But Love, with 10 scores on the ground and 1 through the air, has been Mr. Consistent. He's one of five players in FBS with a touchdown in each of their team's games, alongside Tulane's Makhi Hughes, Iowa's Kaleb Johnson, San Jose State's Nick Nash and Tennessee's Dylan Sampson. Nash's feat is particularly impressive; he has accomplished this feat as a wide receiver, while the other four are running backs. Love, as most (including Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman) predicted, has enjoyed his breakout season in 2024. He burst onto the national scene in Week 1 when he broke through the Texas A&M defense for a 21-yard, game-winning touchdown run in Notre Dame's 23-13 season-opening victory. The St. Louis native has found the end zone once in every game since, with the exception of Week 5 versus Louisville and Week 9 against Navy. Love scored twice in those matchups, both of which resulted in Notre Dame wins. — Jack Soble CHARTING THE IRISH WHICH FRESHMEN HAVE BURNED THEIR REDSHIRTS? Notre Dame isn't afraid to play freshmen, particularly in a campaign in which several starters at premium positions have suffered season-ending injuries. Eight Irish newcomers have burned their redshirts already in 2024, including two locked-in starters. Left tackle Anthonie Knapp and cornerback Leonard Moore have become vital players due to sophomore Charles Jagusah and junior Benjamin Morrison's inju- ries, respectively. Knapp struggled at times early in the season, but he's stepped his game up as of late. Moore has been a strong starter since he was thrust into the lineup in Week 8, and he has every trait imaginable to be an elite corner within the next two years. Linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and defensive end Bryce Young are sig- nificant contributors on defense, while running back Aneyas Williams is a criti- cal role player on offense. Viliamu-Asa rotates at Mike and Will linebacker and even rushes off the edge occasionally. Young plays starter's reps at field end and is part of Notre Dame's third-down pass rush package. Williams is the primary third-down back, and he had a 28-yard reception to open the Florida State win. There are also two players who have burned their redshirts on special teams: vyper Loghan Thomas and safety Kennedy Urlacher. Thomas in particular has been a monster in the third phase, ranking third on the Irish with 110 special teams snaps. Finally, cornerback Karson Hobbs is a rare case. He's not a key special teamer nor a defensive contributor, but the Irish burned his redshirt because they have to get him ready in case another cornerback goes down. — Jack Soble FIVE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYERS WHO HAVE SCORED A TOUCHDOWN IN EVERY GAME IN 2024 Through Week 11 Player, Pos. School TD Kaleb Johnson, RB Iowa 21 Dylan Sampson, RB Tennessee 20 Makhi Hughes, RB Tulane 15 Nick Nash, WR San Jose State 13 Jeremiyah Love, RB Notre Dame 11 Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB 9 Bryce Young, DE 9 Anthonie Knapp, LT 9 Leonard Moore, CB 9 Loghan Thomas, VYP 8 Aneyas Williams, RB 8 Kennedy Urlacher, S 7 Karson Hobbs, CB 6 Teddy Rezac, LB 3 Guerby Lambert, OT 3 Kedren Young, RB 3 Micah Gilbert, WR 3 Matt Jeffery, WR (walk-on) 2 CJ Carr, QB 1 Peter Jones, OL 1 Tae Johnson, DB 1 Bodie Kahoun, LB 1 Jack Larsen, TE 1 Logan Saldate, WR 1 Sean Sevillano Jr., DT 1 Taebron Bennie-Powell, S 0 Cole Mullins, DT 0 Styles Prescod, OT 0 Cam Williams, WR 0 GAMES PLAYED BY NOTRE DAME FRESHMEN Through Week 11 Player, Pos. Games Played Player, Pos. Games Played Player, Pos. Games Played