Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Under the Dome six touchdown passes. Defensive end Tuitt was credited with only one tackle in Notre Dame's two Big Ten road trips this year, but assignment wise he graded out high at Purdue, enabling the Irish to hold the Boilermakers to 38 yards rushing. "Just being on every play, physically at the point of attack, two-gapping, doing the things we want him to do, effort level," recited Kelly of the production that doesn't show up on stat sheets. "I really liked his play up front." Although junior defensive end Stephon Tuitt graded out high against Grades on the stat sheet and on the field of play can Purdue, he was only credited with one tackle in the road victory. photo by Bill Panzica sometimes differ. Personnel Notes • Sophomore defensive end Sheldon Day suffered a sprained ankle Sept. 14 at Purdue and had his walking boot taken off the Wednesday prior to the Michigan State game. He was listed as "day to day," and a gameday decision for the Michigan State contest. Senior Kona Schwenke, junior Ishaq Williams, sophomore Jarron Jones and freshman Isaac Rochell were all expected to pick up the slack if Day couldn't go. • One area where Notre Dame graded out exceptionally well in the first three games was pass protection, especially because senior quarterback Tommy Rees is not deemed a running threat. The offensive line has excelled in its assignments, but junior tight end Troy Niklas' improved play in space and in maximum protection and Rees' ability to read where the pressures might emanate also has greatly aided that area. "Tommy gets us into the right protections nine out of 10 times," Kelly said. "Whereas last year, Everett [Golson] was still learning and sometimes he wasn't able to slide the right way and give us the best look possible." • Senior linebacker Kendall Moore and junior safety Eilar Hardy, both special teams starters, were back practicing with the team after getting suspended for the Purdue game for team rule violations. • Freshman quarterback Malik Zaire was practicing with the team again after missing the first three games while battling mononucleosis. However, his rookie mistake of tweeting to his followers that he is ready to play led Kelly to contemplate a suspension. "He learned his lesson relative to what is information that needs to stay within the program," Kelly said. Kelly is also considering rotating Zaire with the scout team and varsity during practices.