Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/167574
top players of the game By tom loy Junior tight end Troy Niklas came up big for Notre Dame with six catches for 76 yards, highlighted by a 20-yard touchdown, his second score in as many games. photo by bill panzica Offense: Troy Niklas The junior tight end continued his strong start in 2013 with another solid performance against Michigan. In the loss, the 6-6½, 270-pounder caught six passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. Throughout the game, Niklas showed an impressive ability to get open, and he was key in the blocking game for many carries by the Notre Dame running backs. The loss of Tyler Eifert to the NFL was a tough blow for the Irish, but Niklas is making the transition much smoother than many expected. Defense: Jaylon Smith The freshman linebacker showed why he was one of the nation's elite prospects in the class of 2013. He was all over the field, recording five tack- les, and just missed an interception. Smith showed discipline, tackled well in the open field and displayed the ability to cover in space. He performed well in his first experience in a hostile environment. Special Teams: Kyle Brindza After struggling in the season opener against Temple, the junior specialist bounced back in a strong way during the matchup with the Wolverines. Brindza was 3 of 3 on extra points and 3 of 3 on field goals, nailing attempts from 40, 24 and 44 yards. He also shined as the team's punter, averaging 40.0 yards per punt on two attempts. He also notched four touchbacks on his seven kickoffs, while averaging 64.7 yards per attempt.