Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/380743
• Notre Dame sophomore running back Greg Bryant provided senior quarterback Everett Gol- son with a safety valve when scrambling on the final play of the first quarter, turning a simple dump-off into a 17-yard gain. That 17-yard gain was the first catch of Bryant's collegiate career and one of two receptions for him on the day. Coincidentally, the other was a 17-yard reception as well. Bryant became the ninth Irish receiver Golson has connected with this season, after he had found Tarean Folston earlier in the quarter for the sophomore running back's first catch of the season. Folston finished with two receptions for 26 yards. • Senior offensive lineman Matt Hegarty made his first career start at right guard, and third over- all, filling in for fifth-year senior Christian Lom- bard. He replaced now-senior Nick Martin at cen- ter in last season's final two games after Martin suffered a season-ending knee injury. • When defensive back after defensive back departed the Notre Dame secondary, sophomore cornerback Devin Butler's playing time naturally increased. He capitalized by intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter to essentially seal the Irish victory. The pick was the first of Butler's career. Senior linebacker Joe Schmidt also recorded his first career interception later in the fourth quarter. • Golson's 259 passing yards make him the first Notre Dame quarterback to throw for at least 200 yards in each of his last eight games played. The last time Golson appeared in a contest for the Irish but did not exceed the two-century mark was the 2012 matchup with No. 8 Oklahoma when he threw for 177 yards in a 30-13 Notre Dame victory. • Senior kicker Kyle Brindza's 19-yard field goal in the second quarter moved him into second place in school history for career field goals. His 49 trail only John Carney's 51. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES Sophomore cornerback Cole Luke suffered a neck injury on this tackle and became one of six Notre Dame defensive backs sidelined for one reason or another against Purdue. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA