Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/204831
top players of the game Offense: Tarean Folston The freshman running back showed speed, quickness and an ability to make people miss during his stellar performance. Folston carried the ball 18 times for 140 yards and one touchdown, and he displayed all the attributes that made him one of the nation's most coveted running backs last year as a high school senior. "This was big for me, and I've been itching for a game like this," Folston said after the 38-34 win. Throughout the season, the talented ball carrier showed flashes of greatness, but he put it all together against Navy. Defense: Kona Schwenke The triple option that Navy runs is extremely challenging to defend and By tom loy it gave the Notre Dame defense fits all night. However, the senior defensive lineman stepped up his play in the absence of starting nose guard Louis Nix III. Schwenke did an excellent job of plugging up the middle in the second half and led the team in tackles with 11. Special Teams: George Atkinson III The junior running back carried the ball seven times for 74 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown run, but his efforts on special teams should be applauded as well. He returned five kicks for 113 yards (22.6 yards per attempt) and was key in giving the Irish solid field position to start many of their drives. In addition to running for 74 yards and a touchdown on seven attempts, junior running back George Atkinson III returned five kicks for 113 yards (22.6 yards per runback) to give the Irish good field position throughout the game. photo by Bill Panzica