Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/82255
Top Players of The Game By Jason Sapp Offense: Everett Golson Sophomore signal-caller Everett Golson is just two starts into his college career, and he has already shown how his athleticism, ability to stretch the field and accuracy in the short- to mid-range passing game adds a needed element to the Irish offense. The sophomore threw for 289 yards and a touchdown, while adding a rushing score. Even though he was sacked on five occasions and lost a fumble in a bad position on the field, he kept his composure and also displayed his escapability while leading the offense. Junior Tommy Rees, who relieved Golson on the final drive due to his level of poise and the fact he prevailed in high-pressure situations in the past, is also worthy of mention. He completed 3 of 8 passes for 35 yards to help set up a game-winning field goal. Defense: Louis Nix III and Stephon Tuitt The defensive line tandem of junior Louis Nix III and sophomore Stephon Tuitt turned it up a notch after fifth-year senior Kapron Lewis-Moore and freshman Sheldon Day left the game due to a strained calf and dehydration, respectively. Nix III displayed great timing on the snap by getting off of the ball first and quickly entering the backfield with good hand technique and strength. He was able to not only register 1.5 tackles for loss, but he also batted down two passes in key situations. Tuitt, who received national recognition after his performance in Dublin against Navy a week earlier, sacked the quarterback twice and added a pair of quarterback hurries. Special Teams: Kyle Brindza Kyle Brindza entered the week thinking he’d only be handling the kickoff duties, but the sophomore added placekicking to his list with senior Nick Tausch unavailable due to a strained groin. He may have missed from 40 yards out in his first college attempt, but Brindza redeemed himself by connecting on a 27-yard field goal with just seconds left on the clock to help secure the 20-17 victory. Three Observations By Lou Somogyi Turning Point How many people in Notre Dame Stadium would have guessed prior to the game that maybe the most pivotal play would be junior quarterback Tommy Rees connecting with fifth-year senior wideout John Goodman? With the score knotted at 17, about two minutes left and Notre Dame facing third-and-six at its 49, Rees almost signaled for a time out (the Irish had none left), while the play clock was reaching zero. Amid the chaos and pass pressure from Purdue, Rees lofted a pass toward the left sideline that Goodman caught — his first reception of the season — for a 10-yard gain. Rees also completed a clutch 21-yarder to senior Robby Toma on third-and-10 three plays later to help set up sophomore Kyle Brindza’s 27-yard field goal … but could you have imagined the hue and outcry that would have swamped head coach Brian Kelly about the late switch at quarterback had the Irish failed on this drive and Purdue ended up winning? Rees has been undeservedly maligned often by many fans, but he continues to display heart. Top Stat(s) Of The Game Notre Dame was 11 of 19 (57.9 percent) on third-down conversions, but particularly crucial was the four third-and-longs it converted during scoring drives. On third-and-nine from the Notre Dame 13 during a scoreless affair in the second quarter, sophomore quarterback Everett Golson evaded a pass rush and found sophomore tight end Troy Niklas for 30 yards. The Irish recorded two other third downs on the drive, including Golson’s three-yard rushing touchdown on third-and-goal. On the drive that put the Irish ahead 14-7, junior running back Theo Riddick gained nine yards on third-and-three from his 42, and then Golson fired a 23-yard completion to senior tight end Tyler Eifert on third-and-16. During the game-winning drive in the closing seconds, junior quarterback Tommy Rees found fifth-year John Goodman for 10 yards on third-and-six and senior Robby Toma for 21 on third-and-10 to set up sophomore kicker Kyle Brindza’s 27-yard field goal with seconds left. Quelling Questions Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly adamantly stated after the game “there is no quarterback controversy,” after junior Tommy Rees was called on to lead the game-winning drive against Purdue. “Everett Golson is our starter,” Kelly emphasized. “He will start against Michigan State. We know we have assets at that position with Andrew Hendrix and Tommy Rees.” Nevertheless, Kelly wanted to make sure potential problems didn’t arise in the line of questioning by deciding that neither Golson or Rees would be available to speak after the game. A coach should do whatever he believes is in the best interest of his program, but this was an un-Notre Dame-like move. The school has always prided itself on players being available amid all kinds of circumstances. This had the makings of a second guesser’s delight, but the Irish rode it out with a victory with what could have been a controversial decision and a haunting one to Kelly had it not worked.