OFFENSE: QB MALIK ZAIRE
Coming into the season opener there
were still questions about the junior
quarterback, who had just one career
start. He quickly put those concerns to
rest, completing 9 of 10 passes for 111
yards with a touchdown in the first
quarter.
Zaire never slowed down, domi-
nating the Texas defense to the tune
of 19-of-22 passing (86.4 percent) for
313 yards with three scores and no
interceptions, while also rushing for
16 yards.
His poise set the tone for the entire
unit. He handled the Texas pressure
well, and when given time to throw he
picked apart the Longhorns secondary
with ease, connecting with seven dif-
ferent receivers.
DEFENSE: DT SHELDON DAY
The senior defensive lineman did
not have the most impressive stat line
for the Irish defense. That belonged to
junior linebacker Jaylon Smith (seven
tackles and one sack), who also played
a strong game.
Day and his linemates, however, set
the tone for the entire defense. The
Longhorns struggled to block Day
all game long, with his quickness and
strength overwhelming the interior
of the Texas line. He finished with a
sack and four quarterback hurries,
and his pressure up the middle had
Texas quarterback Tyrone Swoopes
scrambling around all game long.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
P TYLER NEWSOME
Field position is an important in-
gredient to victory, especially for
the Irish defense. Notre Dame gave
Texas long fields all night long, and
the sophomore punter was the key
factor to that success.
The Longhorns starting field posi-
tion was the 20-yard line on kickoffs
and the 15-yard line on Newsome's
four punts. Three of Newsome's four
punts pinned Texas inside the 20-
yard line. Those long fields were too
much for the Texas offense to over-
come against a suffocating Notre
Dame defense.
TOP PLAYERS OF THE GAME BY BRIAN DRISKELL
Junior quarterback Malik Zaire connected on 86.4
percent (19 of 22) of his passing attempts, while
throwing for 313 yards and three touchdowns.
PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA
