Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/234294
MOST UNDERRATED: CB KEIVARAE RUSSELL Cornerbacks are usually more conspicuous on negative defensive plays, and Russell had a rough night in the Sept. 7 loss at Michigan. But thereafter he became a more consistent tackler and cover man on a secondary that collectively had too many breakdowns. 2. OG Chris Watt — Although overshadowed by close friend and classmate Zack Martin, he provided the same work ethic and consistency to a line that had to rebuild or reshuffle in the middle and on the right side. 3. PK/P Kyle Brindza — A case could be made for the kicker/punter/kickoff man to be among the top five in the MVP voting. A supremely clutch performer (14 of 15 in his career in fourth-quarter or overtime situations), his punting earned him the game ball against Michigan State. Honorable mention: Senior nose guard Kona Schwenke, an NFL prospect. Senior quarterback Tommy Rees stepped in for quarterback Everett Golson after last year's starter was suspended from the university in May. Rees led the Irish to an 9-4 record while throwing 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA Difference Makers Revisited In August, we listed Notre Dame's 10 potential difference makers in 2013. That didn't necessarily mean the 10 "best" players, otherwise left tackle Zack Martin would have been included. Rather, it was about how much might be on their shoulders. How did they fare? 1. NG Louis Nix III Stats: 27 tackles, two stops for loss and two passes defended. He didn't do anything to hurt his first-round status as the man who eats up blockers in the middle, particularly in wins over Michigan State (14-10) and USC (17-13), but an ailing knee finally shut him down in November. 2. QB Tommy Rees Stats: Completed 224 passes at a 54.1-percent clip for 3,257 yards with 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.