Under Armour All Americans on ESPN

Since we’re in the middle of the High School Football All American Season let’s take a peek into the future. 

Notre Dame had s

even verbal commits in the Under Armour Game on ESPN this week from the class of 2014; 6’6” 285lb OT Alex Bars, 6’3” 2436lb #1 ranked TE Tyler Luatua, 6’1” 180lb CB Nick Watkins, 6’2” 176lb WR Corey Holmes, 6’5” 250lb DE Andrew Trumbetti, 6’3” 294lb OG Sam Mustipher and 5’8” 160lb ATH Isaiah McKenzie*

Looking into the class of 2015 the Irish currently have three verbal commits in the ESPN Jr300.  #140 6’7” 310lb OT Jerry Tillery, #70 6’4” 284lb OG Tristen Hoge and #64 6’4” 185lb QB Blake Barnett.

* Isaiah McKenzie has made a verbal commitment to Notre Dame but has not yet qualified academically.

 

Pinstripe Bowl Win by the numbers

Coming into the Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday against Rutgers several Irish players had significant statistical milestones within reach and several were achieved.

T.J. Jones had 5 receptions moving him into 2^nd in all time school history with 181.  His 5 receptions also move him into 7th in single-season school history with 70.

T.J. Jones’s 66 receiving yards on the day moved him into 7th in single-season school history with 1108.

Tommy Rees’s passed for 319 yards moving him into 3rd all-time in school history with 7670.  It also made him only the 3^rd quarterback in Notre dame history to pass for 3000+ yards in a single season.  That yardage also moved him into 4th in single-season history with 3257 and with 5 300+ passing yard games into 2nd in single-season school history.

Tommy Rees’s victory moved him into 7^th in all time school history at quarterback at 23.

Troy Niklas’s 76 yards receiving moved him into 7th in single-season TE history with 498.

Stephon Tuitt’s 1.5 sacks against Rutgers moved into tie for 4th all-time in school history with 21.5.

Kyle Brindza’s five field goals moved him into 3rd in single-season history with 20.

Zack Martin finished his Notre Dame career extending his current record with 52 consecutive starts.

One that was not achieved and could not be achieved was George Atkinson III needed 57 rushing yards to reach 1,000 for his career.  He was suspended for violation of team rules (supposedly for texting during a team meal).

Outside of the record books there were some other players who I would like to recognize for their performances on Saturday.

Team Offense; 31 first downs, 38:16 Time of possession, 5-5 in the Red Zone (2 touchdowns and 3 field goals), 7-16 on third down conversions (43.75%), 1-1 on fourth down conversions.

Team Defense; 4 interceptions, 4 sacks, held Rutgers to 3 of 12 on third down conversions (25%).

Camp McDaniel; rushing for 80 yards for 4.7 yards per carry and 29 yards receiving for 109 all-purpose yards.

Amir Carlisle; 81 yards on 3 kickoff returns (27 yards per return).

Tarean Folston; rushing for 73 yards for 4.3 yards per carry, 1 touchdown and 21 yards receiving for 94 all-purpose yards.

Alex Wulfeck had 1 punt for 25 yards but it placed inside the 20 yard line.

Dan Fox had 1 interception to cap of his career at Notre Dame.

With Saturdays results Notre Dame beating Rutgers 29-16 and Michigan losing 31-14 to Kansas State, the Irish has reclaimed the top all-time winning percentage. Notre Dame 874-305-42 = .73301 is once again the winningest program in college football history, surpassing Michigan 910-321-36 = .73244