Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/216396
top players of the game By tom loy Offense: Cam McDaniel The grass was slick, the snow was coming down and the Irish leaned heavily on the running game. McDaniel answered the call and ran for 117 yards on 24 carries, consistently extending drives for the Irish offense. "This was the coldest game I've ever played in by far," McDaniel said. "It's a game where the coaches wanted to run the ball a lot, and it was going to be won or lost on the ground. We did a good job of making the run game work, and a major credit should go to the offensive line. They were incredible tonight." Defense: Jarron Jones It may have been Senior Day, but it was a sophomore that stepped up big for the Irish defense. Jones played the best game of his young career. The versatile lineman had seven total tackles, batted down two passes and blocked a field goal late in the fourth quarter to keep the Irish lead at 10. "I struggled earlier this year and wasn't quite into it," Jones said. "I was dropped to scout team, and that really bothered me. I said I would take advantage of the next opportunity I had on the field, and I think I did that tonight. But this is only one game, and I need to keep it up next week against Stanford." Special Teams: Kyle Brindza After the game, head coach Brian Kelly gave the game ball to the junior kicker. He made all three of his field goal attempts, including a 51-yarder late in the fourth quarter that gave the Irish a 10-point lead. Starting in place of injured senior nose guard Louis Nix III, sophomore defensive lineman Jarron Jones came up with a seven-tackle performance and blocked a field goal attempt in the fourth quarter. photo by Bill Panzica