Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/400621
OFFENSE: OFFENSIVE LINE To be clear, this is really senior quar- terback Everett Golson's award pretty much every week because of his play- making attributes. But against a fierce FSU defense, the oft-maligned line had its best surge and push this season, while helping running back Tarean Folston rush for 120 yards and protect- ing Golson relatively well most of the time. DEFENSE: JOE SCHMIDT AND JARRON JONES Schmidt, a senior linebacker, re- corded a team-high nine tackles (eight solo), broke through on some blitzes to create pass pressure and made a leaping interception to set up an Irish touchdown. Jones, a junior nose guard, helped control the middle and limit Florida State to 50 rushing yards. He was cred- ited with six tackles (five solo), and made three of Notre Dame's six tackles for lost yardage, while also adding a QB hurry to force the interception by Schmidt. SPECIAL TEAMS: KYLE BRINDZA He made both of his field goal at- tempts, with his clutch 46-yarder with 11:40 left in the game giving Notre Dame a 27-24 lead. It also made him 22 of 24 in his career on field goals he attempted in the fourth quarter or in overtime. Two of his three punts also pinned Florida State inside its 20-yard line, including the last one downed at the 7 that helped set up the Irish to nearly win the game at the end. TOP PLAYERS OF THE GAME BY LOU SOMOGYI Senior linebacker Joe Schmidt pressured Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston on several blitzes, recorded a team-high nine stops (eight solo) and set up a short Irish touchdown drive with an interception. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA