Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/377020
"It helped that the coaches were basi- cally driving in the idea of commu- nication every day in practice. It was focused and emphasized all week in practice. We knew we needed to im- prove it, and then we did." Sophomore linebacker Jaylon Smith said he noticed the improvements dur- ing game week. "It was preached to us the whole week: 'You guys need to communi- cate,' " Smith said. "The hand signal drills really helped. They're young players and they're maturing. You can see it." Under the lights, Michigan did not run a single play from the red zone and committed four turnovers. The Wolverines have not scored a touch- down at Notre Dame Stadium in eight quarters and mustered six points the past two meetings in South Bend. "They haven't had a goose egg since 1984," Smith said. "We're setting our own standards here, and it's an amaz- ing feeling." Michigan's fifth-year senior quar- terback Devin Gardner tossed three interceptions. Junior wide receiver Devin Funchess — who torched Ap- palachian State for three scores in the Wolverines' season-opening rout — caught nine passes for 107 yards, but was unable to make the type of game- changing play the Irish have come to expect from Michigan wide receivers. "I was very fired up," said fifth-year senior cornerback Cody Riggs, who also grabbed an interception. "I was trying to press him as much as I could to make it difficult for him." Mission accomplished by Riggs — and the rest of his defensive team- mates. KOLIN HILL MAKES IMPACT Ten freshmen played in Notre Dame's season-opening win over Rice, including seven on defense. An 11th, and eighth on defense, freshman joined the fray against Michigan. Line- backer Kolin Hill provided consistent pressure on fifth-year senior quarter- back Devin Gardner. The Texas na- tive made two tackles, including an 11-yard sack, one of the team's eight tackles for loss. "Kolin played well," senior line- • Fifth-year senior cornerback Cody Riggs's in- terception was his first in a Notre Dame jersey, and sophomore Max Redfield's was his first in his collegiate career. • Senior slot receiver Amir Carlisle recorded his first touchdown in a Notre Dame uniform when he caught an Everett Golson pass from one-yard out in the second quarter. Carlisle scored once while at USC before he transferred to South Bend. "The slot receiver position has been an area that has been a bit of a concern for me," Kelly said. "We finally got a guy [in Carlisle] that can matchup inside-out. And that inside-out position puts him on safeties, linebackers, and we can do a lot of re- ally good things there." • Sophomore linebacker James Onwaulu re- turned his first career punt against Michigan after he picked up a Riggs muff before any Wolverines could get to it. Onwualu returned the near-disas- ter six yards. • Sophomore linebacker Doug Randolph saw his first career action during the rout. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES