Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/181992
top players of the game By tom loy Offense: George Atkinson III Notre Dame had struggled running the ball, averaging only 114.2 yards per game in its first four contests, but that all changed against Oklahoma. The junior tailback had the best game of his career against the Sooners, carrying the ball 14 times for 148 yards, highlighted by an 80-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. The Irish ran for a season-best 220 yards. During the first four games against Temple, Purdue, Michigan and Michigan State, Atkinson had 24 carries for 121 yards, but he surpassed that total by the third quarter. During postgame interviews, he said head coach Brian Kelly had questioned his effort and wanted him to run the ball harder, be stronger and avoid getting ankle tackled. Atkinson answered his coach's call, and then some. Defense: Carlo Calabrese The fifth-year senior linebacker finished with a team-high 10 tackles against the Sooners. He excelled at keeping Oklahoma quarterback Blake Bell inside the pocket and was impressive against the run. Calabrese may not be filling up the stat sheet with interceptions and forced fumbles, but he is giving a consistent, and needed, effort on defense. Special Teams: George Atkinson III On a day where Notre Dame specialist Kyle Brindza didn't kick any field goals and averaged only 41.0 yards on five punts, Atkinson earned the edge Fifth-year senior linebacker Carlo Calabrese had his second consecutive strong game for the Irish defense, recording a team-best 10 tackles. Photo by Bill Panzica for the top special teams player due to his kickoff return in the first quarter. After Oklahoma went up 7-0 on an interception return thrown by Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees, Atkinson took the ensuing kickoff back 29 yards to the Irish 34-yard line and put some life back into Notre Dame Stadium.