Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/216396
Sophomore defensive lineman Jarron Jones, who was motivated by being moved to the scout team in early October, doubled his season tackle total with a career-best effort (seven stops) against BYU. photo by bill panzica practice. Then [playing well against BYU], I want to do more of that, and I know I can do more of that. "I don't even know how quick it was [before I emerged from the scout team]. It took a good two weeks. But that's what taught me to be more consistent. That was my biggest problem: being consistent in practice." With Nix out for the next two games, Jones sees an opportunity on the defensive line. "This game adds to my confidence a lot," he said. "Just knowing I can do something like this and have a big game like this and just keeping it consistent. I've got to look to Stanford and keep the same focus I had coming into BYU week. … Stanford's a top-10 team in the country. This could make or break our season, so going into Stanford week I need to keep my focus." Despite not impacting the defense much until the BYU game, Jones has shown a knack for blocking kicks. He also got a hand on a Temple extra point in the Aug. 31 season opener. "I think it's because I have the longest arms on the team, based on what everybody says, especially the [offensive] linemen," Jones said. "It's just me getting a push and reaching my arms up as high as possible and getting to it." Kyle Brindza Shines In The Clutch Again On a windy, wintery night in late November, Irish head coach Brian Kelly decided not to shelve the loaded right leg of placekicker Kyle Brindza. Brindza wouldn't let him. Kelly said the junior kicker was "in my face" during Notre Dame's 23-13 win against BYU. The squeaky wheel got its grease, and carried his team to a win. Brindza connected on all three of his field goal attempts, including a 51-yarder in the fourth quarter that