Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/388723
OFFENSE: COREY ROBINSON AND WILL FULLER We realize quarterback Everett Gol- son set a Notre Dame record with 25 consecutive completions, but because of his four turnovers (two lost fumbles and two interceptions), our nod goes to the sophomore receiving tandem of Robinson and Fuller, which combined for 14 catches, 210 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Robinson (eight catches, 91 yards and one TD) established the receiver screen with his hands and yards af- ter catch, and he also made a sensa- tional, leaping catch on a fade to begin the second-half scoring. His previous highs in a game were three catches and 54 yards. Fuller (six catches for 119 yards and two TD) had a 72-yard score in which he gained excellent sep- aration, but his first touchdown was a Golden Tate-like, reverse-the-field 23- yard run. It's the first time he eclipsed the century mark in receiving yards. DEFENSE: JOE SCHMIDT The senior linebacker has been a consistent, steadying hand all season on a defense that has exceeded outside expectations. His five solo tackles, among seven total stops, tied sophomore Jaylon Smith for the team high against the Orange, but where he made a signifi- cant difference was on several blitzes up the middle that forced errant tosses — most notably the interception by senior nickel Matthias Farley during the first series of the second half that set up a Notre Dame touchdown. SPECIAL TEAMS: KYLE BRINDZA It would take something special for kicker/punter/kickoff man Brin- dza not to receive this virtually every week. Four of his six kickoffs were touchbacks, giving him 21 out of 28 this season (75.0 percent), one of his two punts was downed inside the 20 and he made his lone field goal try (37 yards). Special mention goes to freshman linebacker Greer Martini and Farley for recovering onside kicks and help- ing squelch the opportunity for Syra- cuse to pick up some momentum. TOP PLAYERS OF THE GAME BY LOU SOMOGYI Senior linebacker Joe Schmidt recorded seven tackles (five solo) and provided pressure up the middle on several blitzes, including one that forced a bad throw that resulted in an interception. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA