Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Upon Further Review todd D. burlage T Good Or Bad Season, A Few Stars Shined he great debate will live on — probably well after the bowl game — on whether 2013 was a successful or disappointing football season for Notre Dame. There is plenty of evidence to support both arguments. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder for team evaluation, but plenty of individual performances kept Notre Dame entertaining. Here are the top players for 2013: ford Nov. 30, and he ranks in the top 10 in all-time victories (22) as a starting quarterback at Notre Dame. The Irish trailed at some point in nine of their first 11 games this season, but thanks to Rees still managed to rally and win six of those nine. In the first 11 games, he completed 181 of 333 passes for 2,739 yards with 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Defensive MVP Junior defensive end Stephon Stephon Tuitt Tuitt overcame a slow start to Offensive MVP Notre Dame's prelead the Irish in tackles for loss Tommy Rees (7.5), sacks (six) and quarter- season All-American deAs maligned as Rees back hurries (13) through 11 fensive lineman looked far was for the frustrating in- games. from it after the lingering photo by bill Panzica effects of hernia surgery terceptions throughout his career, without his production and con- limited his offseason conditioning and tributions this season the Irish would his early-season production. Through have struggled to even finish .500. All the first three games this season, Tuitt reyou need to do is take into account how corded only four total tackles, one tackle the offense stalled in the second half for loss, one sack, and plenty of criticism against USC after he left the game with regarding his weight and commitment. an injury. Yet, as his conditioning improved durDespite all the venom spewed his way ing the season, so did his performance, for four years, Rees will still leave Notre dramatically. Tuitt steadily became the Dame ranked near the top of about ev- disruptive force he was projected to be ery career statistical category for a quar- and a fixture at or near the top of every terback — including touchdown passes, important defensive category by seapass completions and passing yardage. son's end. He ranked sixth on the team Rees also had won 73.3 percent of his 30 in tackles (42) through 11 games, and starts heading into the contest at Stan- led the way in tackles for loss (7.5), sacks