Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/621849
OFFENSE: WILL FULLER Senior Chris Brown and ju- nior Torii Hunter Jr. were the more consistent players, but the junior Fuller was the impact re- ceiver for the Notre Dame of- fense. Ohio State kept him in check for much of the game, but with the Irish needing a spark the speedy wideout turned a short fourth-quarter stop route into an 81-yard touchdown to provide a boost. The Buckeyes spent much of the game keying on Fuller, which opened up opportuni- ties for Brown and Hunter over the middle. Fuller finished with six catches for 113 yards, giving him 1,258 yards on the season and passing Jeff Samardzija (2003-06) for the second best single-season mark in Notre Dame history. DEFENSE: JARRETT GRACE Early in the first quarter, Notre Dame All-American linebacker Jaylon Smith went out for the game after injuring his knee. A series later his backup, freshman Te'von Coney, was lost to a shoulder injury. The fifth-year senior Grace — a Mike linebacker by trade — was thrust into the lineup. Ohio State went after him early, but Grace quickly got up to speed and made a number of plays. He finished with a season-high nine tackles, including one for loss. Grace had a key quarterback hurry in the second quarter, forcing Ohio State's first punt of the game. SPECIAL TEAMS: TYLER NEWSOME With the Irish struggling to stay in the game, the sophomore punter pinned Ohio State at its own 5-yard line. The defense held and Notre Dame was able to convert its next possession into a score. Newsome finished the game with six punts that averaged 48.9 yards and had two touchbacks on five kickoffs. TOP PLAYERS OF THE GAME BY LOU SOMOGYI Junior wide receiver Will Fuller caught six passes for 113 yards, including an 81-yard touchdown reception, and his presence also helped open up some lanes other players. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA