Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/408565
OFFENSE: EVERETT GOLSON The senior quarterback entered the contest tied for seventh nationally in points responsible for per game at 20.0. Against Navy he totaled a career- high 36 points by tossing three touch- down passes and running for three more, the last on an eight-yard run after picking up his own fumble to help seal the outcome. It is the first time ever that an Irish QB had three touchdowns in a game both via rushing and passing. Golson passed for 315 yards while completing 18 of 25 passes, and he added 33 yards on the ground. DEFENSE: JAMES ONWUALU This is a tough call when the de- fense yields 39 points and 336 rushing yards, but the sophomore outside line- backer — who has been replaced by senior nickel Matthias Farley most of the year — was a conspicuous figure with seven tackles (five solo), includ- ing two for lost yardage. His work on the perimeter also helped limit Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds, who carried 39 times for a career-high high 251 yards a week earlier, to 47 rushing yards. SPECIAL TEAMS: C.J. PROSISE On a night where special teams floundered, especially in the fourth quarter, the junior slot receiver 's re- covery of Navy's onside kick with 4:18 remaining while holding on to a pre- carious 42-39 lead was the highlight. He did mishandle it when two Navy players hit him, but he maintained his concentration to recover the loose ball at the Midshipmen 48-yard line to set up the final Irish touchdown drive. Prosise's 78-yard catch and run to open the scoring is extra credit. TOP PLAYERS OF THE GAME BY LOU SOMOGYI Sophomore linebacker James Onwualu had just eight tackles in Notre Dame's first seven games, but made seven stops (two for loss) versus Navy. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA