Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/605097
OFFENSE: CHRIS BROWN The senior wide receiver had the best game of his Notre Dame career, and it could not have come at a bet- ter time. Boston College spent much of the game doubling up Will Fuller, and when the standout junior wide- out had chances late to put the Eagles away he dropped the ball. With the Irish offense needing someone to emerge, Brown stepped into the spotlight and shined. He fin- ished with six catches for a career- high 104 yards — the first 100-yard game of his career — and had a 12- yard touchdown grab in the third quarter. DEFENSE: JAYLON SMITH The junior linebacker racked up double figures in tackles for the fourth time in the last five games. BC tried to get its ground game going early against the Irish, but Smith was able to attack the football and make sure the Eagles were not able to get anything going early on. Smith led both teams with 11 tack- les, and his nine solo stops marked a career high. His second-quarter tackle on BC running back Myles Willis be- hind the line of scrimmage was the game's most punishing tackle. SPECIAL TEAMS: MATTHIAS FARLEY With the Irish offense struggling with turnovers, the special teams came up big in the win. The senior captain was the star, earning the game ball from Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly. Farley downed a Tyler Newsome punt at the 6-yard line, tackled safety Justin Simmons on a first-quarter fake punt, and delivered a big hit on return man Sherman Alston, forcing a fumble that Notre Dame recovered. After BC cut the Irish lead to 19-16 late in the fourth quarter, Farley recovered the onside kick attempt to seal the game. TOP PLAYERS OF THE GAME BY BRYAN DRISKELL Junior linebacker Jaylon Smith's 11 tackles, nine of which were solo, paced an Irish defense that dominated until the closing minutes of the game. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA