OFFENSE: C.J. PROSISE
The senior running back continued
his outstanding start to the 2015 sea-
son. On Notre Dame's second series of
the game, Prosise ripped off a 57-yard
touchdown run to open the scoring.
By the end of the first quarter, he had
already rushed for 124 yards on just
nine carries.
Notre Dame's big lead kept him
from continuing that pace, but Prosise
still managed 15 carries for 149 yards
(9.9 yards per rush) and two scores,
despite not playing the majority of
the second half. Through four games,
Prosise has rushed for 600 yards and is
averaging 8.1 yards per carry.
DEFENSE: JAMES ONWUALU
The Irish defense had a rough start,
but the junior Sam linebacker helped
Notre Dame bounce back. Onwualu
sacked UMass quarterback Blake
Frohnapfel on the second series of
the game, which led to an UMass
punt and allowed the Irish offense
to score, putting Notre Dame up 7-0.
Onwualu's speed helped slow
down the UMass screen game and
perimeter runs that were so effective
early in the game. He finished with
four tackles and tied his career high
with two tackles for loss. His sack
was the first of his career.
SPECIAL TEAMS: CJ SANDERS
As good as punter Tyler Newsome
performed in this game, the big-play
ability of the freshman returner stole
the show. With Notre Dame up just
21-20 with a bit less than four minutes
left in the first half, Sanders fielded a
punt and immediately broke right.
A seam opened up and the athletic
freshman cut up field, broke to the
backside and scored inside the left py-
lon for Notre Dame's first punt return
for a score since 2009 and the first at
home since 2006.
TOP PLAYERS OF THE GAME BY BRYAN DRISKELL
Junior linebacker James Onwualu registered four
tackles (two for loss) and the first sack of his
career against the Minutemen.
PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA
