The independent newspaper serving Notre Dame 30, Notre Dame and Oklahoma 13 Saint Mary’s

Volume 46, Issue 43 | monday, october 29, 2012 | ndsmcobserver.com Statement win

SUZANNA PRATT | The Observer Irish freshman wide receiver Chris Brown hauls in a pass that resulted in a 50-yard gain in the fourth quarter of Notre Dame’s 30-13 victory over Oklahoma on Saturday. The catch, the first of Brown’s career at Notre Dame, came with the score tied at 13-13 and led to a rushing by Irish sophomore Everett Golson.

By ANDREW OWENS physical and mental toughness.” coverage and I think the play ac- good to see it go through.” a 10-6 halftime deficit. Assistant Managing Editor Before the game-winning, sev- tion set it up,” he said. “[Brown] Notre Dame controlled the tem- Oklahoma coach en-play, 52-yard drive, Oklahoma ended up winning with a great po by outrushing Oklahoma to the was visibly livid after the call and NORMAN, Okla. — With the backup quarterback move and I just kind of stepped up count of 215 yards to the Sooners’ voiced his frustration to the refer- game and national champion- knotted the score with a 1-yard in the pocket and gave it a little bit 15. The Irish took a 7-3 lead in the ees through the remainder of the ship implications on the line, touchdown run — the first rush- of air and let him run under.” first quarter when senior run- half. Irish coach Brian Kelly placed his ing score Notre Dame had allowed After the Irish regained the ning back Cierre Wood burst “We had it in the end zone, and trust on the arm of Everett Golson. since last November. lead, they sealed the victory on a through the middle for a 62-yard it’s a judgment call, they call hold- The sophomore heaved a strike Though miffed after surrender- deflected pass into the hands of touchdown. ing,” Stoops said. “Those are frus- through the chilly Oklahoma air ing the touchdown, the defense senior linebacker Manti Te’o, his Moments before, on the game’s trating situations, but that’s the to freshman receiver Chris Brown, still wasn’t concerned about the fifth of the season. first drive, the momentum was in way it is. We didn’t get the calls.” who pulled it in for a 50-yard gain. game’s outcome, graduate stu- Officials reviewed the play and Oklahoma’s favor as the Sooners With three games remaining Five plays later, Golson dove into dent defensive end Kapron Lewis- upheld the call, but Te’o didn’t marched down the field for 42 before the season finale at USC the end zone to put Notre Dame Moore said. need to wait for their confirmation. yards on five plays before the drive and an undefeated season and ahead for good in its 30-13 signa- “We’re always confident in our “[The coaches] came up to me was stalled by a snap that sailed possible berth in the national title ture victory in Norman, Okla., on offense,” he said. “Whatever hap- and said, ‘Did you catch it?’ and I past quarterback Landry Jones game on the line, Kelly said the fo- Saturday. pens, happens.” said, ‘Yeah, I caught it,” he said. “It out of the shotgun formation. The cus must shift to Pittsburgh, and For Kelly, the gutsy play-action But Golson showed a prime- bobbled around a little bit, but I Sooners recovered it, but lost 19 only Pittsburgh. call, drawn up for a true freshman, time audience he’s not the same had possession of it.” yards on the play and punted two “We’ll lose,” Kelly said bluntly was a no-brainer. quarterback that had struggled at Four rushes later, kicker Kyle plays later. about his team if it looks ahead. “I wanted to win the game,” times and been pulled in previous Brindza converted a 46-yard field “We changed the play and there “If we start listening to national he said matter-of-factly after the weeks. goal to give Notre Dame a 23-13 was miscommunication between championship and BCS, we’ll lose game. “I don’t think six or seven weeks lead. The sophomore had missed myself and Landry,” Oklahoma a football game. Notre Dame indeed won, and ago I could’ve done something like a 35-yard attempt on the first drive center Gabe Ikard said. “I snapped “They’re a pretty smart group proved its validity as a national that,” he said. “I didn’t have the of the second half after the Irish it when I normally snap it, and and know if they start with what championship contender in the same feel for the guys then.” had driven 60 yards on 13 plays in nothing good came from that. we’ve done and the process of process. Golson, who finished 13-of-25 a possession that lasted 6:54. That was a huge drive kill for our preparing for Pittsburgh, they’ll “Our kids were confident,” Kelly passing for 177 yards and added 66 Brindza, who finished the game team.” be fine. That’s what I told them in said. “They came in well prepared. rushing yards, said he doesn’t let 3-for-4 on attempts, said the re- The game’s most controver- the locker room — I said to enjoy I told them that I was very confi- the game situation influence his demption was sweet. sial sequence occurred late in the a great victory against Oklahoma. dent in their ability to go out on the play. He saw Oklahoma in man-to- “I tried to keep my head down,” second quarter with the Sooners Now let’s find a way to beat road and play very good football. man coverage, and knew it was up he said. “I was going to let the trailing 10-3. Bell rumbled into the Pittsburgh.” “I thought that they exhibited to him and the freshman speed- crowd tell me if it was good or not. I end zone, but the play was called that confidence in the first half and ster to execute. peeked up. It was just a weight lift- back due to a holding penalty. The Contact Andrew Owens at in the second half the focus was on “We saw that they were in man ed off of my shoulders. It felt really Sooners settled for a field goal and [email protected] 2 The observer | Monday, october 29, 2012 | ndsmcobserver.com Insider Report Card A- This was a coming-of-age game for sophomore Everett Golson. His numbers will not jump off the stat sheet, but Golson protected the ball and made big plays. Tommy Rees converted a key third-down on his only throw. Running Backs B+ The duo of seniors Theo Riddick and Cierre Wood didn’t produce the eye-popping numbers of some pre- vious weeks, but Wood started the scoring with a huge 62-yard run. Riddick ran hard to finish the game. Receivers B+ It was receiving by committee yet again for the Irish, but T.J. Jones and Tyler Eifert stepped up yet again as Golson’s top targets. Freshman Chris Brown turned in the play of the game in the fourth quarter, hauling in a 50-yard deep ball for his first career catch. Offensive line B+ The group got off to its usual slow start, but down the ASHLEY DACY | The Observer stretch physically dominated the line of scrimmage. Senior linebacker Manti Te’o sacks Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones. Te’o continued his productive Golson took only one sack and Wood ran through the senior season Saturday with 11 tackles, one sack and one interception. line nearly untouched on his touchdown run. Defensive LIne It’s not hype anymore: B The pressure on Landry Jones was not consistent but did just enough to stop him at the right times. Louis Te’o deserves the Heisman Nix dominated Oklahoma center Gabe Ikard to col- lapse the pocket and even hustled to make tackles And on the biggest stage of watching the frontrunner down the field. Andrew Gastelum his legendary career Saturday crash out on weekly basis. Associate Sports Editor night, Te’o’s legend grew. While one loss can ruin the Linebackers When the Notre Dame of- Heisman hopes of Klein — as NORMAN, Okla. — You know fense could not sustain a drive it did to Barkley, Manuel and A- Manti Te’o continued to add to his Heisman resume something special when you of more than two minutes in Smith — a loss for Te’o will not with 11 tackles, a sack and an interception. His intercep- see it. the first quarter, Te’o recorded muffle the Heisman noise. He tion was crucial in preserving a fourth-quarter lead, but What we saw in primetime at eight tackles and gave the of- simply means too much to the could not have happened without the coverage of Dan Memorial Stadium, that was it. fense a chance to find itself sport. Fox. Fox and Danny Spond played well in coverage. A special victory at a special without having to play catch And as we’ve seen with time, led by a special player. up. With one of those first- Robert Griffin III, Mark Ingram Defensive Backs For Manti Te’o, this is a spe- quarter tackles, Te’o recorded and Tebow, it’s not just about cial year. So it should be specu- his 400th career tackle, just the stat sheet. B+ First, the obvious. Landry Jones threw for 356 yards — lation no more: He deserves the another testament to one of the “He represents all of the a season high. But the group of defensive backs played Heisman. greatest collegiate careers in things the Heisman trophy exactly to defensive coordator Bob Diaco’s game plan. This is a Notre Dame team Notre Dame history. espouses: integrity, charac- Freshman KeiVarae Russell shined in open-field tackling. that is 8-0, the only team in the He finished the first half with ter, a great football player,” country with four wins over 11 tackles — two for a loss — Irish coach Brian Kelly said Special teams top-25 teams — including two and his first sack of the season. postgame. road wins over top-10 teams. That massive second-quarter The way he inspired an B Kyle Brindza missed a crucial field goal and Notre Dame This is a Notre Dame team sack by Te’o sent the up-tempo island, a university and a na- failed to record punt return yardage, but Brindza’s that was expected to struggle Oklahoma offense to the side- tion through personal tragedy three field goals he did make were even more impor- with a first-year quarterback lines with its first three-and- showed the character of a true tant. His 46-yard effort late sealed the win. and the toughest schedule in out, right after it seemed to champion. The stories of help- . drive down the field with ease ing a young and dying cancer Coaching This is a Notre Dame team in the first quarter. patient and her family showed with one of the country’s top And with his sprawling the integrity of a true hero. The A Brian Kelly coached his best game in three seasons in defenses, giving up less than 10 fourth-quarter interception, answer to the following ques- charge of Notre Dame on Saturday. His bend-but-don’t- points per game with only one Te’o silenced any chance of a tion showed the linebacker’s break defense and offensive play calling were flawless. rushing touchdown allowed Landry Jones-led comeback heart. since last November. and sealed the victory, put- “Have you been able to com- This is Te’o’s team. ting him tied for second in prehend the of people Most Heisman candidates the entire country with five that you have affected in a Overall GPA: 3.40 represent their respective . positive manner?” I asked Te’o teams. Yet this Irish team He hasn’t thrown for four after the game. On paper, no individual unit shined quite like the team did. The represents Te’o, the best com- passing and 300 His response was swift. Irish were greater than the sum of their parts on Saturday. Solid pliment a player can ask for. yards. He hasn’t even scored a “No, not really,” he replied. offensive play, captained by Golson, and a brilliant defensive plan His incredible work ethic, touchdown at all. And yet he “For me, I’m just trying to secured the win. Brian Kelly finally has his signature win, a tri- his levelheadedness and his can change the course of an have an impact on as many umph that will live on in Notre Dame’s history books. whole-is-greater-than-the- entire game from the side of people as possible. If that’s sum-of-its-parts mentality the ball that prevents points, one, if that’s 10 or 20 I don’t all shine through this team, not scores them. really know. As long as I change from the veteran offensive line Since the preseason, Marcus somebody’s life, I would con- returning four starters to the Lattimore, , E.J. sider that a success for me.” Play of the game young secondary with three Manuel, Geno Smith and now His words read of honor, players converted from offense. Kansas State quarterback humility and sacrifice, but all I This linebacker’s influence Collin Klein have all taken read was Heisman. can be heard, seen and felt their turns atop the presump- Golson’s 50-yard pass to freshman chris brown on the field, even when he’s tive Heisman list. Contact Andrew Gastelum at not on it. The last time college Since his inspired perfor- [email protected] After Oklahoma backup quarterback Blake Bell recorded the first football saw a player like that, mance at Michigan State in The views expressed in this rushing touchdown against the Notre Dame defense all season to told the world no Week 3, Te’o has remained column are those of the author knot the score at 13, Golson responded on the second play of the one would work as hard as he near the top of that list and and not necessarily those of next drive with a long pass to the freshman Brown to set up a score. would for the rest of the season. improved his status while The Observer. Insider ndsmcobserver.com | Monday, October 29, 2012 | The Observer 3 Irish defense displays Scoring Summary resiliency against Jones 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total 3 3 0 7 13 7 3 0 20 30

1 oklahoma 3, Notre Dame 0 Mike Hunnicutt 28-yard field goal 7:12 remaining Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 3:04 elapsed Notre Dame 7, oklahoma 3 Cierre Wood 62-yard run (Brindza kick) 6:24 remaining Drive: 2 plays, 67 yards, 0:41 elapsed 2 Notre Dame 10, oklahoma 3 Kyle Brindza 34-yard field goal 5:58 remaining Drive: 13 plays, 64 yards, 5:46 elapsed

SUZANNA PRATT | The Observer Notre Dame 10, oklahoma 6 Mike Hunnicutt 30-yard field goal Junior linebacker Prince Shembo attempts to get past a Sooner lineman. Shembo recorded one of two Irish sacks on the night. The Irish defense held the high-powered Oklahoma offense to 13 points. 0:43 remaining Drive: 14 plays, 66 yards, 5:07 elapsed By ANDREW GASTELUM Landry Jones threw for a sea- and that’s the point right there. Associate Sports Editor son-high 356 yards on 35-for-51 “[Bend-but-don’t-break] 3 NO SCORING DRIVES passing, but the Irish held him defense worked pretty good. NORMAN, Okla. — Since day without a touchdown and lim- Obviously we gave up a touch- 4 Notre Dame 13, oklahoma 6 one, the Notre Dame defense has ited Oklahoma’s big-play ability down. I think with this defense, Kyle Brindza 44-yard field goal adopted a bend-but-don’t-break — the Sooners’ biggest gain was a when somebody scores we get 13:57 remaining defensive philosophy. Against 35-yard pass from Jones to junior really frustrated. It showed our Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 5:44 elapsed the most explosive offense they receiver Jalen Saunders. maturity about how we rallied have seen all year, the Irish stuck “We sensed some frustration after that touchdown. We just Notre Dame 13, oklahoma 13 to their guns. and we understood [their inabil- kept going and I’m very proud of Blake Bell 1-yard run (Hunnicutt kick) “That [bend-don’t-break] was ity to break a big play],” senior our guys.” 9:10 remaining the way it was set up,” Irish coach linebacker Manti Te’o said. “We Lining up against a talented Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 2:45 elapsed Brian Kelly said. “It’s been a con- just had to play our ballgame. veteran receiving corps just two sistent part of why we’re here. Everybody do their job and hope- months after converting from Notre Dame 20, oklahoma 13 Everett Golson 1-yard run (Brindza kick) Week in and week out, we’ve fully everything works.” running back, freshman cor- structured the gameplan to keep Despite holding the Sooners nerback KeiVarae Russell led 5:05 remaining the points down. We were willing to 184 yards below their sea- the Irish secondary with nine Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 4:00 elapsed to give up yardage in the pass- son average on the ground, the tackles. ing game today just to keep the Irish gave up their first rushing “There’s a young man that Notre Dame 23, oklahoma 13 Kyle Brindza 46-yard field goal points down. We’re not offen- touchdown of the season when keeps getting better and keeps sively at a point where can score sophomore quarterback Blake competing,” Kelly said. “Who 3:22 remaining like Oklahoma. I thought Bob Bell bulldozed his way into the would’ve thought a true fresh- Drive: 5 plays, 16 yards, 1:05 elapsed Diaco and the defense did a great end zone on a one-yard run with man would be able to go out and job with the plan and it proved to just over nine minutes left in the do the things he’s done? He’s Notre Dame 30, oklahoma 13 Theo Riddick 15-yard run (Brindza kick) be a good one.“ fourth quarter to tie the game at been so instrumental in what Notre Dame came into the 13. we’re doing on the back end of 1:36 remaining primetime showdown with the “Yeah we gave up a rushing the defense.” Drive: 3 plays, 20 yards, 0:55 elapsed 15th best rushing defense in the touchdown, but we came away To Te’o, the effort was just an- country, giving up 106.71 rush- with a ‘W’ and that’s more impor- other showcase of Notre Dame’s ing yards per game. Against the tant,” graduate student defensive defensive strength and mental statistics Sooners, the Irish allowed just end Kapron Lewis-Moore said. fortitude. 15 rushing yards, while limiting Bell’s rushing touchdown was “We knew what we could do,” the Sooners to 4-for-14 on third- the first given up by the Irish in Te’o said. “Today is no surprise. Rushing yards down conversions. 41 quarters, dating back to a 16-14 We knew that if we came in to 15 “That always is tough when win over Boston College on Nov. work, if we came into today with 215 you’re not able to run it and 19, 2011. confidence and everybody doing when you throw it more than you “Man, I was just frustrated that their job, we would be fine.” Passing yards want,” Sooners coach Bob Stoops they got in the end zone,” Te’o 364 said. said. “I didn’t care if it was a pass Contact Andrew Gastelum at 188 Sooners senior quarterback or run. They got in the end zone [email protected]

Time of Possession Time of Possession ND wins on the ground 27:32 32:28

By ANDREW OWENS since the start of the 2005 sea- first quarter. It was the lon- Passing Assistant Managing Editor son when outrushing their gest career of and topped a Jones 35-51-356 Golson 13-25-177 opponent. previous best of 55 yards at Bell 1-1-8 Rees 1-1-11 NORMAN, Okla. — The high- “The team that would win Purdue in 2011. Wood’s run Goodman 0-1-0 powered Sooner offense pos- this game would control it was the team’s longest since sessed the ball for 10:04 in the in that manner,” Irish coach Jonas Gray’s 79-yard score at RUSHING first quarter, but only 17:28 of Brian Kelly said. “I thought we Pittsburgh last season. Williams 13-29 Riddick 19-74 the final 45 minutes as the No. did it. The third quarter was “The one early touchdown Millard 3-11 Wood 7-74 5 Irish controlled the tempo for huge for us. We controlled the was a big play,” Oklahoma Bell 4-6 Golson 11-66 most of their 30-13 win at No. 8 football and limited the pos- coach Bob Stoops said. “They Oklahoma on Saturday. sessions for Oklahoma.” made some key plays that way Receiving With its 215 rushing yards that picked up first downs and Saunders 15-181 Jones 5-55 compared to Oklahoma’s 15, Running away helped move the football for Stills 7-86 Eifert 3-22 Notre Dame won its 12th con- Irish senior running back them.” secutive game when accu- Cierre Wood jumpstarted the Tackles mulating 200-plus yards on Irish offense with a 62-yard Contact Andrew Owens at Jefferson 11 Te’o 11 the ground. The Irish are 39-2 rushing touchdown in the [email protected] Colvin 10 Russell 9 4 The observer | MONDAY, OCTOber 29, 2012 | ndsmcobserver.com Insider

SUZANNA PRATT | The Observer Senior running back Theo Riddick runs celebrates a fourth-quarter touchdown run in Notre Dame’s 30-13 victory over Oklahoma on Saturday. Riddick’s visit to the end zone capped the scoring in the contest with 1:36 remaining in the game. Riddick was Notre Dame’s leading rusher with 74 yards, tied with fellow senior Cierre Wood.

In a much anticipated matchup of top-10 teams in Norman, Okla., it was the Irish who delivered a statement win to stay undefeated stopping the on the 2012 season. Sophomore quarterback Everett Golson had 177 yards passing and 64 yards on the ground in a nearly mistake- sooners free performance. The Notre Dame defense continued its strong run, keeping vaunted passer Landry Jones at bay the whole game.

SUZANNA PRATT | The Observer ASHLEY DACY | The Observer SUZANNA PRATT | The Observer Sophomore kick returner Cam McDaniel sheds an Sophomore quarterback Everett Golson hands the ball off Senior running back Cierre Wood breaks free on his first- Oklahoma player in the open field. to senior running back Theo Riddick. quarter touchdown run to open the Irish scoring.

ASHLEY DACY | The Observer SUZANNA PRATT | The Observer Senior Tyler Eifert breaks off the line of scrimmage against an Oklahoma Senior safety Zeke Motta, right, and graduate student defensive end Kapron Lewis- defender. Eifert had three catches for 22 yards against the Sooners. Moore celebrate during Notre Dame’s victory on the road against Oklahoma.