Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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MURPHY'S LAW DAN MURPHY Run Of The Year: Stephon Tuitt Atkinson plays second fiddle again. He didn't really stand a chance after Tuitt showed a frightening top gear during a fumble return in the first half against Navy. The 77-yard run is the longest play of any type for Notre Dame so far this season. The fact that it was completed by a 303-pound chisled force leaving running backs and wide receivers in his wake will make it tough to top this season. It's also our midseason winner for Scariest Moment of the Year. strongest tendon in the human body, and it's the worst if you are a one- time projected secondary starter for the Irish. Junior Lo Wood's preseason Achilles rupture, which made the per- ceived weak spot in a strong defense even weaker, was enough irony for one season. Fifth-year senior Jamoris Slaughter suffering an almost identi- cal injury in the Michigan State game earns a Middie mention. The labrum, which has claimed safety Austin Col- linsworth and defensive end Chase Hounshell for the season, finishes a close second in voting for this cate- gory. Worst Body Part: Achilles Tendon The Achilles is the thickest and award every time he stops by for a media chat. His most recent appear- ance, leading up to a pocket-collapsing performance against Miami, topped them all. Nix held court, sharing sto- ries about his pack of younger sib- lings who like to tell folks that the Best Interview: Louis Nix Big Lou raises the stakes on this 320-pounder is Notre Dame's quar- terback and his compulsory pregame Cinnamon Toast Crunch meal. ("If they don't have it, I get cranky. I don't want to eat Honey Bunches of Oats," he said.) This might not be the last red carpet he walks down once his playing days are over. Unsung Hero: Theo Riddick Riddick normally manages to slip out of the picture just before the major accolades start to come. Not this time. He missed out on the jailbreak second half against Miami when his counter- parts racked up more than 200 yards on the ground. Still, he entered the Stanford game only six yards behind Atkinson for the team lead in rushing. He was tied for most on the team with three touchdowns and led the offense with 17 receptions out of the backfield. The senior picks up his yards the hard way. He's been an important and consistent grinder for the Irish, while helping to seal a couple close games and setting the tone in a few others. Second Half Sleeper: Ishaq Williams This year 's reverse hibernation award goes to sophomore linebacker Ishaq Williams. The former five-star recruit was a popular preseason choice for the defense's breakout player of the year. He has yet to show himself to be a game breaker on the edge, but there's too much talent there to remain dormant for the rest of the season. ✦ Dan Murphy has been a writer for Blue & Gold Illustrated since August 2011. He can be reached at dmurphy@blueandgold.com