Blue and Gold Illustrated

IRISH IN THE PROS thrilling 27‑26 win over the New York Giants Sept. 13 on Sunday Night Football. • Running back Theo Riddick (2009‑12) caught two passes for 37 yards and one touchdown in the Detroit Lions' 33‑28 loss to San Diego Sept. 13. • Tennessee Titans defensive back Cody Riggs (2014) recorded one tackle in a 42‑14 win over Tampa Bay Sept. 13. • Vikings safety Harrison Smith (2007‑11) recorded nine tackles in a 20‑3 loss at San Francisco Sept. 14, and registered one of the top week one hits in that game. • Vikings center John Sullivan (2003‑07) was placed on injured reserve designated to return, which means he will be eligible to play after the team's eighth game if healthy. • Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (2007‑09) caught four passes for 24 yards in a 33‑28 loss at San Diego Sept. 13. • San Diego Chargers linebacker Manti Te'o (2009‑12) notched five tackles in a 33‑28 win over Detroit Sept. 13. • Oakland Raiders defensive end Justin Tuck (2001‑04) registered five tackles and two pass de‑ flections in a 33‑13 loss to Cincinnati Sept. 13. • Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt (2011‑13) recorded one tackle in a 28‑21 loss at New England Sept. 10. • New York Jets cornerback Darrin Walls (2006‑10) made one tackle in a 31‑10 win over Cleveland Sept. 13. • San Diego Chargers center Chris Watt (2009‑13) notched his first start of the season in a 33‑28 win over Detroit Sept. 13. • San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ian Wil‑ liams (2007‑10) registered three tackles in a 20‑3 win over Minnesota Sept. 14. • Offensive linemen Sam Young (2006‑09) and Trevor Robinson (2008‑11) played but did not start in week one games for the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Diego Chargers, respectively. • In all, 36 former Notre Dame players are cur‑ rently on team's active or practice squad rosters. MLB PLAYERS UPDATE Through Sept. 17 • John Axford (Played at Notre Dame from 2002‐05), RHP, Colorado Rockies: Converted seven straight save opportunities before blowing one in an eventual 5‑4 win against the Los Angeles Dodg‑ ers Sept. 15 … Has pitched in 54 games out of the bullpen with a 4‑5 record, 23 saves and 3.93 ERA. • David Phelps (2006‐08), RHP, Miami Marlins: Out for the season with a season‑ending stress fracture in the radius bone of his pitching arm … Notched a 4‑8 record and 4.50 ERA in 23 games (19 starts) before being shut down . • A.J. Pollock (2007‐10), OF, Arizona Diamond‐ backs: Was hitting .315 with 17 home runs and 67 RBI in 141 games played … Also totaled 35 doubles and 35 stolen bases in 2015. • Jeff Samardzija (2003‐06), RHP, Chicago White Sox: Possesses a 9‑13 record and 5.27 ERA in 30 starts … In 198 innings of work, he has whiffed 154 batters while allowing 219 hits and 49 walks … He will be a free agent at season's end. ✦ George Atkinson (2011‑13)# RB Oakland Raiders Robert Blanton (2008‑11) DB Minnesota Vikings Kyle Brindza (2011‑14) K/P Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sergio Brown (2006‑09) S Jacksonville Jaguars IRISH IN THE NFL Through Aug. 23 Name (Years At Notre Dame) Pos. Current Team

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