The Last Home Stand

Saturday is Senior Day in South Bend.  For many of the Irish Seniors it will be their last game in Notre Dame Stadium, for some they may be offered a fifth year.  Let’s take a quick look at those who will definitely not be back due to being out of NCAA eligibility and what their legacy will be.  The first group of end of the line seniors we are going to take a look at are the Graduate Students also referred to as fifth year seniors and what their legacies may be.

Chris Watt has been a mainstay on the offensive line for the past three seasons mostly at left guard.  As unfair as it is some would say he has been playing in the shadow or maybe Robin to his teammate and best friend Zack Martin’s Batman.  He will however be remembered as a solid offensive lineman who was more than above average.  I would defiantly say he was underrated and deserved to be remembered as an important contributor.

Nick Tausch will be remembered for his freshman year where he put himself in the Notre Dame Record Books; Single-Game Field Goals (Oct. 3, 2009 vs. Washington, 5, t-1st) Single-Game Points (Oct. 3, 2009 vs. Washington, 17, t-1st) Single-Season Consecutive Field Goals (2009, 14, 2nd) Single-Season Field Goals (2009, 14, t-7th) Career Consecutive Field Goals (2009, 14, 2nd).  After 2009 he was leapfrogged and has served has an excellent safety net at the kicking position.

 

Tyler Stockton will be remembered as the biggest surprise to be offered a fifth year.  After being a U.S. Army High School All American; 2009, 2011, 2012 did not see the field and in 2010 he registered one tackle and one sack while appearing in six games.  Stockton should be remembered as a great teammate and for his smile and attitude.

Zack Martin after redshirting his freshman year will go down as one of the best offensive linemen in Irish history.  He will also set the record for the most games played and most consecutive games played and most games started by any Notre Dame Player in history.

 Dan Fox  appeared in 13 games each of his seasons heading into his fifth year after redshirting his freshman year.  He will, in addition to his hair will be remembered for his tag team efforts with Carlo Calabrese.  Because of solid but not outstanding statistics his efforts will be underrated.

Carlo Calabrese will be forever linked with Dan Fox at the middle linebacker position.  He will be remembered as a stereotype rock head linebacker from working out in the off season at a place called House of Iron as well as his threatening the police with his incident with Tommy Rees.

Overall these players will be better remembered for their senior season as a whole going to the BCS Championship rather than their Graduate season.