Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/219972
top players of the game Offense: DaVaris Daniels The junior wide receiver had another strong performance. He caught six passes for 107 yards and a touchdown against BYU Nov. 23, and followed that up with five catches for 79 yards and a score versus the Cardinal. He found the end zone a third straight game and for the seventh time this season. With the Irish down 24-13 late in the third quarter, Daniels broke free in the corner of the end zone and caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Tommy Rees and flipped momentum toward the Irish heading into the fourth quarter. Defense: Bennett Jackson The senior captain had a strong game in the Notre Dame secondary and showed flashes of what was expected out of him heading into the season. With 6:23 left in the game, By tom loy the cornerback intercepted Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan to set up a potential game-tying drive. Just a few plays later, however, Rees was intercepted by the Cardinal defense. This marked Jackson's first interception since he returned a pick for a touchdown in week three against Purdue. Special Teams: Kyle Brindza The junior kicker continues to be one of the most consistent players for the Fighting Irish during the second half of the season. At punter, he averaged 41.0 yards on four attempts and placed two inside Stanford's 20-yard line. At placekicker, he connected on both of his extra point tries and both of his field goal attempts (21 and 27 yards). Over the last six games, Brindza has connected on 7 of 9 field goals, including his last five attempts. Junior wide receiver DaVaris Daniels had a hand in all four Irish scoring drives, highlighted by nabbing a 14-yard touchdown pass that narrowed the Irish deficit to 24-20 late in the third quarter. Photo by bill panzica