Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/393046
OFFENSE: EVERETT GOLSON Many of the legendary moments for a Notre Dame quarterback don't involve glittering stats, but rather delivering in the 11th hour. Joe Mon- tana was 13-of-34 passing with four interceptions plus a fumble in the leg- endary 35-34 "Chicken Soup" victory over Houston in the 1979 Cotton Bowl. Tony Rice was only 3-of-12 passing in the 19-17 win over Michigan in 1988, but he led a gutsy final drive to the game-winner. Likewise, the senior Golson — who finished only 20-of-43 passing, threw an interception near the Stanford goal line and also lost a fumble that set up Stanford's first touchdown — deliv- ered in the clutch. Trailing 14-10 with 3:01 left, Golson marched the Irish down the field, and then on fourth- and-11 he extended the play and fired a 23-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Ben Koyack with 1:01 re- maining. DEFENSE: COLE LUKE Sometimes matched against game- breaking Stanford wide receiver Ty Montgomery, Luke intercepted two passes — the first Irish player to do so in a game since linebacker Manti Te'o in a 13-6 win versus Michigan in 2012 — forced a fumble, and had a sack among his four stops. The overall coverage by the Irish defensive backfield was active and productive, allowing only 4.4 yards per pass attempt and 8.8 yards per completion. SPECIAL TEAMS: SCOTT DALY, HUNTER SMITH & KYLE BRINDZA The junior snapper Daly and junior walk-on holder Smith were involved in two botched field goal attempts for senior kicker Brindza. Then, with the score 7-7 and only 7:32 left in the game, this trio lined up for a 45-yard attempt. It takes mental toughness and resil- ience to not let past mistakes get into your head, and this trio executed the operation perfectly for a temporary 10-7 lead. The three points became the final margin of victory. TOP PLAYERS OF THE GAME BY TOM LOY Sophomore cornerback Cole Luke notched a pair of interceptions — the first Irish player to pick off two passes in a game since September 2012 — and compiled four stops, one sack and a forced fumble. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA