Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/49969
• Notre Dame senior Michael Floyd last week fell out of contention for the Biletnikoff award, which UNDER THE DOME MISCELLANEOUS NOTES is given annually to the best wide receiver in college football. The three finalists are USC's Robert Woods, Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles and Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon, who was last year's winner. The last player to win the award for Notre Dame was Golden Tate in 2009. • The awards watch list for Irish junior linebacker Manti Te'o also shrank last week. He dropped out of the running for best defense player of the year (Nagurski Trophy). Boston College's Luck Kuechly made the final cut. Te'o is still being considered for the defender who best combines community service with talent on the field (Ronnie Lott Trophy) and the best linebacker (Butkus Trophy). • Two Irish volleyball players earned second-team all-conference nods in the Big East this season. Senior Kristen Dealy won the award for the first time in her career. She did a little bit of everything for Notre Dame this season, finish- ing in the top five of each statistical category. It was the first all-conference award of the two-time captain's career, although she has been named to the all-tournament team in postseason play all four years of her career. Freshman Jeni Houser also got her first all-conference award this season. The 6-2 middle blocker led the team with 143 kills in her first collegiate season. She hit double digits nine times this season. • Notre Dame softball coach Deanna Gumpf became an honorary member of the Monogram Club last GUMPF Saturday. Gumpf, who graduated from the University of Nebraska, has coached the Irish for 10 years, leading them to 10 straight NCAA Tournament appearances and four Big East titles. She was shocked to receive the letterman's jacket and honorary scroll at the conclusion of a dedication ceremony for the team's new batting cages. • The men's tennis team stocked its shelves well with three five-star recruits during the early signing period. Irish coach Bobby Bayliss said he is excited about the work ethic and competitive nature of the new signees, all three of whom are ranked in the top 75 recruits in the country. Quentin Monaghan headlines the class as the best player from the state of New Jersey and 30th- ranked player in the country. He is joined by Alex Lawson (66th) from Tempe, Ariz. and Kenneth Saba- cinski (74th) from Plantation, Fla. — Dan Murphy G Call Jan today to experience her personalized service. ranger's Real Estate Expert #1 Realtor® for Cressy & Everett - 2003-2010 #1 Realtor® in St. Joseph County MLS - 2007-2010 "Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest events in your life. As the top local real estate expert, I have the experience, the proven track record and the value of community you are looking for." ~ Jan Lazzara Jan Lazzara 574-651-1665 Broker associate, GRI Relocation and Luxury Home Specialist Licensed in IN & MI J A N @ J A N L A Z Z A R A . C O M JANLAZZARA.COM NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL TICKETS PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY! ✶ Notre Dame Bowl Game ✶ ✶ 2012 Home & Away Games ✶ GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE! 800-925-2500 www.notredametickets.com (a division of Preferred Tickets ~ Indianapolis ✶ 23 Years In Business) www.BLUEANDGOLD.com DECEMBER 2011 13