more than ever before, though that was
not always the case.
During his freshman season, McDan-
iel could not control much of his foot-
ball fate. In practice, a 195-pound shell
of his current frame would try to block
future NFL talents such as Troy Niklas
(then a linebacker), Aaron Lynch, Ste-
phon Tuitt, Prince Shembo and Darius
Fleming. Those mismatches did not go
real well.
"There is film of me in practice get-
ting absolutely flattened, because we're
not allowed to cut in practice," Mc-
Daniel said of his first attempts at pass
protection. "It's truly a psychological
thing. Once you adapt that mindset,
that mentality, and you follow up with
the technique that your coaches give
you, that's how you execute in pass
protection."
Now, McDaniel passes those les-
sons onto sophomore backfield mates
Tarean Folston and Greg Bryant. With
their gradual improvement, they chip
away at his carries, though the senior
leads the team through five games
with 48 carries, six more than the next
running back. His 171 yards rate sec-
ond behind Bryant's 188.
To hear McDaniel say it, his stats
would likely be lower this year if not
for his marriage.
"To me, the power of a couple and
what a couple can accomplish is phe-
nomenal. Even the way that she sup-
ports me off the field, just from an
emotional, psychological standpoint,
spiritual standpoint. It has just been
extremely favoring."
All that from one little ring that one
has to know is there to spot. ✦
"Man Cave"
ND Mats
Available in four sizes!
Starter (19"x30")
$23.95
All Star (34"x45")
$48.95
Tailgater (5'x6')
$139.95
UltiMat (5'x8')
$179.95
Plus S&H and
Sales Tax: NC, MI, IN
1-800-421-7751 • www.BlueGoldOnline.com
NOTRE DAME MAN CAVE MATs
