Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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IRISH IN THE PROS safety valve for quarterback Matthew Stafford. "The way you earn a quarterback's trust is you go out there and you get open," Stafford told reporters. "And when you get open, I throw it to you, you catch it. And he does that pretty well, so it's been working out for us." Interestingly, the NFL's top receiver among running backs does so with a relatively unorthodox catching style. "A lot of people say my hands are kind of placed differently at times," Riddick said. "I don't know. I just kind of look it in and my hands do the rest. "I think [my receiving skills] defi- nitely help. It's an extra receiver out there. You can obviously create mis- matches with strong safeties and line- backers. So, like I said, it's another element to the game that we bring." That style made him valuable dur- ing his four years in South Bend, and it's allowed him to make a name for himself in the NFL as well. NFL NOTES For games played Oct. 22‑26, unless otherwise noted • Minnesota Vikings safety Robert Blanton (2008‑11) recorded one tackle in a 28‑19 win over the Detroit Lions. He has played in six games, but started only one. • Tennessee Titans tight end Anthony Fasano (2002‑05) caught three passes for 21 yards in a 10‑7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. • Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (2008‑11) had a three‑yard touchdown reception — giving him scoring grabs in consecutive games after being shutout in the first seven contests — among four receptions for 59 yards in a 26‑18 over the Baltimore Ravens. • Miami Dolphins running back Jonas Gray (2008‑11) rushed 12 times for 48 yards and caught one pass for 10 yards in a 44‑26 win over the Houston Texans. • Arizona Cardinals tight end Troy Niklas (2011‑13) caught his first pass of the season for 13 yards in a 25‑13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers Oct. 18. • Tennessee Titans defensive back Cody Riggs (2014) recorded one pass broken up in the 10‑7 loss to the Falcons. He has now appeared in three games this season. • San Diego Chargers offensive lineman Trevor Rob‑ inson (2008‑11) started for the fourth straight week, a 37‑29 loss to the Oakland Raiders, and has appeared in seven games this season. • Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (2008‑10) notched two receptions for 10 yards and a touchdown in the 28‑19 win over the Lions. • Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (2007‑11) recorded nine tackles and a sack in the 28‑19 win over the Lions. • Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (2007‑09) snagged two receptions for 14 yards in the 28‑19 loss to the Vikings. • San Diego Chargers linebacker Manti Te'o (2009‑12) has missed the past two games due to an ankle injury. • San Diego Chargers offensive lineman Chris Watt (2009‑13) has missed the past three games due to injury. • San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ian Wil‑ liams (2007‑10) recorded five tackles in a 20‑3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. NBA NOTES • In his professional debut, New York Knicks guard Jerian Grant (2010‑15) scored 10 points, notched five assists and recorded three steals in a 122‑97 win over the Milwaukee Bucks Oct. 28. • Fellow rookie Pat Connaughton (2011‑15) did not appear in the Portland Trail Blazers' season opener, a 112‑94 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans Oct. 28. ✦