Tuesday, November 29, 2011 The Observer | ndsmcobserver.com Notre Dame 14, Stanford 28 Flat finale Irish close out regular season 8-4 with lackluster performance against Stanford

By CHRIS MASOUD Assistant Managing Editor

STANFORD, Calif. — In 2009, it was Toby Gerhart’s three runs. In 2011, it was ’s four touchdown passes. In two of the past three sea- sons, Notre Dame has walked off the field of Stanford Stadi- um in defeat at the hands of a hopeful. The Irish fell to the Cardinal 28-14 Saturday, marking the third consecutive loss to Stanford. “[I’m] disappointed that we didn’t come here and get a vic- tory,” Irish coach Brian Kelly said. “We didn’t come here to get second prize. We came here to get a win. Nobody in that locker room is happy with the outcome. We got off to a slow start and battled against it, kept playing, kept compet- ing. To me, the scoreboard showed 28-14 and that’s not good enough, but I love the heart of our team.” Entering the contest as the No. 6 ranked team in the na- tion, the Cardinal (11-1, 8-1 PAC-12) throttled then-No. 22 Notre Dame (8-4), holding the Irish to just 57 yards on the ground and 309 yards of total offense. Junior quarter- back Tommy Rees completed just six of 13 passes for 60 yards, threw an interception THOMAS LA/The Observer and lost a fumble as Stanford Stanford senior quarterback Andrew Luck stiff arms Notre Dame freshman linebacker Ishaq Williams during the Cardinal’s 28-14 contained the Irish attack to victory over the Irish on Saturday. Luck threw for 233 yards and four in the win. a meager 75 yards of total of- fense in the first half. finished Saturday’s contest ter the break. Hendrix con- dinal in the fourth quarter. missed some plays. We’re just Kelly replaced Rees with with 233 yards on 20 for 30 nected with junior tight end Luck completed a 55-yard toss going to go back to the film sophomore quarterback An- passing and four touchdowns. Tyler Eifert on passes of 14 to tight end Coby Fleener to room Monday and see what I drew Hendrix to start the sec- The senior quarterback con- and 24 yards, moving the Irish push the lead to 28-7 with just did well and what I didn’t do ond half. Hendrix finished 11 tinued to build his case for to their own 44-yard line. The under six minutes remain- so well.” of 24 through the air for 192 the Heisman Trophy, eclipsing sophomore picked up 25 yards ing in the game. Two drives Despite falling for the fourth yards and one former Stan- of his own on the ground be- later, Hendrix responded with time this season, the com- touchdown, ford quarter- fore finding senior receiver a touchdown drive of his own, bined winning percentage of adding 20 back and NFL Michael Floyd on a six-yard rushing into the end zone on a Notre Dame’s opponents in more yards Hall of Famer strike to pull the Irish within two-yard run that took just 43 those losses (South Florida, and a touch- “We picked it up a lot in ’s 14. seconds off the clock. Michigan, USC and Stanford) down on the the second half, but we record of 77 Eifert finished with 79 yards Notre Dame failed to recover is a staggering .766. Kelly said ground. just couldn’t recover. ” career touch- on four catches, becoming the the ensuing onside kick, and his team’s willingness to bat- “Obv iously down passes fifth tight end in Notre Dame Stanford ran out the clock to tle to the end will be the most [ H e n d r i x ] Darius Fleming with the 80th history to eclipse 1,000 yards end the 2011 regular season. important takeaway from Sat- can run the touchdown receiving in a single season. “We didn’t start how we urday’s loss. ball a little senior linebacker throw of his Floyd tallied 92 yards and wanted to,” senior linebacker “We got off to a slow start, bit,” Kelly career. the lone touchdown on eight Darius Fleming said. “You didn’t put points on the board said. “He’s “We were catches, setting a new school can’t do that against a talent- and then had to fight against a change of all excited as record with 95 total recep- ed team like Stanford, and it us … That’s going to be the pace in the a secondary tions on the season and ex- hurt us. We picked it up a lot difference,” Kelly said. “When sense that we haven’t seen [to face Luck],” Irish senior tending his career touchdown in the second half, but we just you finish this whole analysis, that all year. That’s not Tom- safety Harrison Smith said. receptions record to 36. couldn’t recover.” we got off to a bad start, bat- my’s strength. We needed to “It’s always good to go against “I think we all realized we As Notre Dame prepares for tled our butts off, but against run the quarterback a little the best.” had to step it up,” Floyd said. a bowl game selection and its a good football team that’s not bit, and he did some of that. Like the season-opening loss “We knew our role behind, final contest of the season, good enough. We have a long way to go, and to South Florida, the season fi- and we had to do something Kelly said “anything is pos- “I’m trying to build a pro- we’ll evaluate all those things nale was a tale of two halves. about it. Coach told us to step sible” regarding who will take gram. Building programs, you at a later time. We’re just try- Hendrix’ insertion sparked an it up, and I think the guys had the first snaps under center. want guys that compete. You ing to win a football game.” Irish offense that outscored a lot of courage knowing that “Coach Kelly called my want guys that love to play. Notre Dame’s recurring the Cardinal 14 to 7 in the sec- the game wasn’t over and that number and I did everything I You want all that competitive- quarterback woes were a con- ond half on 234 yards to the we still had to compete.” could to help this team win,” ness in your football team.” trast to the consistent per- Cardinal’s 142. But the Irish failed to score Hendrix said Saturday. “Ob- formance of Stanford quar- Notre Dame found the end on their next four drives, trad- viously we came up a little Contact Chris Masoud at terback Andrew Luck, who zone on its second drive af- ing touchdowns with the Car- short. I made some plays, I [email protected]

player of the game stat of the game play of the game quote of the game

Andrew Luck 1.8 yards per rush Quarterback Tommy Rees’ fumble in “We didn’t come here to get Stanford quarterback the first quarter second prize. We came here to get a win. Nobody in that locker Luck showed why he is one The Stanford front seven After Stanford took a 7-0 lead, the room is happy with the outcome.” of the frontrunners for the dominated Notre Dame on the the Irish were in position to tie it up Heisman Trophy, throwing line of scrimmage, as the Irish when Rees fumbled, making it clear Brian Kelly for four touchdown passes. averaged just 1.8 yards per carry. the Irish just couldn’t compete. Irish coach page 2 | ndsmcobserver.com The Observer u IRISH INSIDER Tuesday, November 29, 2011 report card

quarterbacks: It was an ugly day for the quarterbacks on the stat line, and the two interceptions really cost the Irish. C However, Andrew Hendrix did show a glimpse of his potential.

running backs: Notre Dame really missed the physical presence of Jonas Gray, as Cierre Wood struggled to find C space around the periphery. Theo Rid- dick was mediocre in spot duty.

receivers: Michael Floyd and Tyler Eif- ert had big days statistically, as did Riddick. Despite the receivers’ big-play B ability, a number of dropped passes hurt Notre Dame often.

offensive line: The Cardinal defense blitzed the Irish early and often, and Notre Dame did not respond well. When D a team averages just 1.8 yards per carry and gives up five sacks, it’s on the line.

defensive line: While Louis Nix and Aaron Lynch showed flashes of bril- liance, Stanford quarterback Andrew C+ Luck rarely faced pressure, and the Cardinal ran roughshod.

linebackers: Dan Fox played his best game of the season, but the linebackers struggled to contain Stanford’s stable B- of tight ends, especially senior Coby Fleener. PAT COVENEY/The Observer Senior quarterback Dayne Crist, left, and sophomore quarterback Tommy Rees converse during Notre Dame’s defensive backs: The normally-consis- 28-14 loss to Stanford on Saturday. Crist and Rees battled for the starting position this summer. tent Robert Blanton made a number of uncharacteristic mistakes, and while C- the secondary limited Luck to just 233 yards, it also gave up four touchdowns. I told you so: quarterbacks don’t matter

special teams: David Ruffer did not STANFORD, Calif. — This Then and now, whoever takes of scrimmage. have a good night, missing an early column seems very familiar. In the snap from center doesn’t mat- From a physical standpoint, field goal that could have helped the fact, above it could sit a sentence ter. Kelly’s designee should not have C- Irish. The punt return unit is still ter- in italics: “Editor’s note: This Both Rees and Hendrix are im- to do much in the bowl game or rible, but Ben Turk punted well. column originally ran online at mensely talented, and each has next season. This year’s Irish did ndsmcob- skills the other lacks, but neither not lose four games because of coaching: The move to Hendrix in the server.com is the key to this version of the Crist or Rees. Notre Dame lost second half was clearly a good one, but Monday, Irish, be it in the bowl game or four games because of repeated it’s hard to understand why the Irish August 22.” next season. If the success of next defensive secondary collapses B- didn’t even come close when Stanford That column’s season comes down to whom Kel- and an inexcusable influx of provided a huge opportunity.. title still rings ly names bowl game starter, next turnovers. This year’s Irish lost true: “Kelly’s season is already doomed. Not four games because of unrecover- overall: Though there were bright quarterback because neither Rees nor Hendrix able slow starts and special team spots here and there, the Irish announce- is up to the task, but because so woes. This year’s Irish lost four struggled to even keep it close. In ment doesn’t much else already would have games for a multitude of reasons, a game where its best was needed, matter.” gone wrong. but Tommy Rees was not among 2.11 Notre Dame played far from it. Then, Irish Douglas Farmer Look at Bob Diaco’s defense. them. fans won- Next year it will return seven Furthermore, starting the bowl dered if senior Editor-in-Chief starters, as well as current fresh- game will not give either Rees Dayne Crist men linemen Stephon Tuitt and or Hendrix the added experi- or sophomore Aaron Lynch — both of whom ence necessary to be a star next adding up Tommy Rees have excelled in extended playing season. The bowl game will ac- would lead the offense against time — as well as their classmate complish little for the Irish in any South Florida in the season- and linebacker Ishaq Williams. sense aside from possibly adding opener. With this defense, Kelly’s starter another win to the season’s tally. the numbers Now, Irish fans wonder if Rees should not face an 80-yard field When it comes to the gauntlet or sophomore Andrew Hendrix very often. known as the 2012 schedule, how- will take the field first in the Look at the offensive weapons ever, don’t look to bowl game suc- Saturday’s loss was the first for Brian Champs Sports Bowl on Dec. 29, waiting for either Rees or Hen- cesses or failures as precursors. Kelly in the last 15 November games and, subsequently, who will have drix. Yes, senior Michael Floyd Winter lifting, spring practice in which he coached. the advantage to start at quarter- only has one game left in a Notre and summer workouts all exist 15 back next season. Dame uniform, but do not un- for a reason. The Champs Sports Then, prevailing sentiment derestimate current sophomore Bowl exists solely to provide an leaned toward Crist, thanks to his TJ Jones, junior Theo Riddick enjoyable nightcap to this up- Quarterback Andrew Hendrix record- physical appearance, high-profile and junior tight end Tyler Eifert. and-down season. ed the first touchdown pass and first recruitment and general skill set. Add in junior Cierre Wood with In the end, Notre Dame fans touchdown run of his career Saturday. Now, prevailing sentiment leans the backfield all to his own and need not worry about the quar- 1 toward Hendrix, thanks to his another 1,000-yard season is terback, whoever it may be. Their running ability, relative success inevitable. Who knows what cur- time is better spent biting their against Stanford and future pos- rent freshman receiver DaVaris fingernails over Manti Te’o’s NFL Stanford sacked Notre Dame quarter- sibilities. Daniels and freshman running Draft status. backs five times Saturday, resulting in Then and now, worries about back George Atkinson will add to a total loss of 44 yards. Rees stemmed from his lack of the recipe? Contact Douglas Farmer at 5 speed, arm strength and low pro- With that corps, points will [email protected] file. Then and now, Irish coach come if Kelly’s quarterback can The views expressed in this Brian Kelly stood by Rees thanks simply get the ball within a few column are those of the author to his record as a starter, now at feet of Eifert or to Riddick and and not necessarily those of The Six Stanford receivers caught at least 12-3. Woods three yards past the line Observer. two passes, compared to just three 6 Notre Dame receivers.

Saturday’s loss was just Notre Dame’s fourth in the last 16 games, and sec- ond in the last 10. 4

Saturday’s primetime contest marked the sixth night game for the Irish this 6 season, a school record. Tuesday, November 29, 2011 The Observer u IRISH INSIDER ndsmcobserver.com | page 3 Hendrix seizes rare opportunity scoring summary

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total ND 0 0 7 7 14 SU 7 14 0 7 28

First quarter Stanford 7, Notre Dame 0 Levine Toilolo 3-yd pass from Andrew Luck (Jordan Williamson kick) with 9:16 remaining Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:31 elapsed Second quarter Stanford 14, Notre Dame 0 Coby Fleener 28-yd pass from Andrew Luck (Jor- dan Williamson kick) with 4:45 remaining Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:14 elapsed Stanford 21, Notre Dame 0 Ty Montgomery 11-yd pass from Andrew Luck (Jor- dan Williamson kick) with 0:10 remaining Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 1:28 elapsed Third quarter Stanford 21, Notre Dame 7 Michael Floyd 6-yd pass from Andrew Hendrix (Da- vid Ruffer kick) with 6:21 remaining PAT COVENEY/The Observer Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 2:53 elapsed Irish sophomore quarterback Andrew Hendrix runs with the ball during Notre Dame’s 28-14 loss to Stanford on Saturday. Hendrix threw for 192 yards and accounted for two touchdowns. Fourth quarter Stanford 28, Notre Dame 7 Coby Fleener 55-yd pass from Andrew Luck (Jor- By DOUGLAS FARMER also a sophomore. “Probably not the same.” dan Williamson kick) with 5:40 remaining Editor-in-Chief as extensive of a knowledge of the Nonetheless, with Hendrix in the Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:31 elapsed passing game as Tommy has. You game, Notre Dame relies on the STANFORD, Calif. — When Irish give a little, you get a little with package of plays he knows explic- Stanford 28, Notre Dame 14 sophomore quarterback Tommy me.” itly. Andrew Hendrix 2-yd run (David Ruffer kick) with Rees took a hard hit on Notre Thanks to Hendrix’s limited “It’s a pretty extensive package 0:23 remaining Dame’s first play from scrimmage snaps thus far, for me,” Hendrix Drive: 4 plays, 87 yards, 0:39 elapsed Saturday, Andrew Hendrix was Stanford had limit- said as he tried standing nearby Irish coach Brian ed knowledge of his to describe the Kelly with his helmet in hand. Sec- repertoire, mak- “We’re just trying motley of plays onds later, Hendrix was taking a ing his time in the on his personal snap from senior center Mike Gol- lineup a learn-as- to win games. We’re wristband. “I ic, Jr. you-go experience trying to find ways have a large statistics “When Tommy goes down in the for the defense. to move the ball.” number of plays first half, I’m always ready to go in “We felt like get- where if I were rushing yards for a play or two,” Hendrix said. ting the ball on Brian Kelly to come into the Rees returned to the field on the perimeter with Irish coach game, I would Notre Dame’s next drive, but after some of their load- feel comfortable halftime, Kelly went with Hendrix ed-box looks might with. all the way to the finish, and not help us out,” Kelly “Even when because Rees was injured. said. “Andrew did a my number was “In , the quarter- pretty good job in some instances called in the second half, it didn’t passing yards back is going to get hit a couple of … It was his first real live situa- get too much out of the package. times,” Kelly said after the 28-14 tion, competitive.” There were a couple pass plays loss at Stanford. “But [Rees] was Hendrix’s primary target echoed that he asked that I was comfort- not in a situation where he could Kelly’s praise. Hendrix connected able with since I executed them in not come back in.” with senior receiver Michael Floyd spring ball and summer practices.” Rather, Rees’ six completions on five times for 67 yards and a touch- Amid the added pass plays and 13 attempts for 60 yards had not down. taking every snap, Hendrix still time of possession produced enough. Add in two turn- “He played well,” Floyd said. had time to realize he was Notre overs and zero points, Kelly saw “He stayed poised. Not having that Dame’s primary quarterback in cause for a change. much experience, to be able to go Saturday’s second half. Even the “We’re just trying to win games,” in there and execute on plays that Cincinnati native was caught off he said. “We’re trying to find ways coach called, he did a good job.” guard. to move the ball.” Despite the change in play-call- “I was a little surprised,” he Hendrix certainly did move the ing and general offensive strat- said. “I didn’t expect to come in ball, finishing the day with 11 com- egy, Floyd said the receivers do and play the entire half. I thought pletions for 192 yards and a touch- not notice when their quarterback I was going to keep switching off, down, as well as 20 rushing yards switches. but when I was called, there was on 12 carries. “I know all the quarterbacks,” he no looking back.” “Obviously there is more of a said. “Whoever coach Kelly decides run-pass option when I’m in there, to put in the game, they have the Contact Douglas Farmer at passing a little more mobile,” said Hendrix, ability to make plays. I see them all [email protected] Hendrix 11-24-192 Luck 20-30-233 rushing TE Eifert reaches rare milestone Wood 12-41 Taylor 20-118 Hendrix 12-20 Gaffney 6-30 By CHRIS MASOUD Stanford senior quarterback times over the course of the sea- receiving Assistant Managing Editor Andrew Luck threw four touch- son, yielding a lone touchdown to downs Saturday, pushing his Pittsburgh on Sept. 24. Floyd 8-92 Montgomery 6-77 STANFORD, Calif. — Junior three-year career total to 80 Eifert 4-79 Fleener 4-97 tight end Tyler Eifert eclipsed the and eclipsing former Cardinal Penalty-ridden game Riddick 2-67 Hewitt 3-11 1,000-yard receiving mark on a quarterback John Elway’s four- Notre Dame committed 10 pen- Goodman 1-6 Toilolo 2-19 23-yard catch in the first quar- year career mark of 77. Luck has alties for 68 yards, including six ter, making him the fifth Irish thrown 35 touchdowns this sea- penalties for 38 yards in the first tackles tight end to accomplish the feat. son. half. Senior receiver Michael Floyd The 10 penalties marked a sea- Te’o 8 Thomas 8 caught eight passes, pushing his Halftime inspiration son high, but the Irish proved to Blanton 6 Howell 8 season total to 95, a new Irish Notre Dame continued its domi- be more disciplined than the Car- Lynch 6 Lancaster 6 record. Former receiver Golden nance in the third quarter, out- dinal, who committed a total of Gray 6 Thomas 5 Tate held the previous record scoring the Cardinal 7-0 and ex- 11 penalties for 113 yards, includ- Motta 6 Bernard 3 with 93 catches. Floyd also caught tending its season margin in the ing seven penalties for 63 yards in Fleming 5 Masifilo 2 the 36th touchdown reception of third quarter to 84-13. The de- the second half alone. Slaughter 5 Gardner 2 his career in the third quarter, fense has shut out the opposing Nix 4 Tarpley 2 extending his Notre Dame career offense in the third period in each Contact Chris Masoud at Fox 4 Gatewood 2 touchdown receptions record. of its last five contests and 11 [email protected] Smith 4 Murphy 1 page 4 | ndsmcobserver.com The Observer u IRISH INSIDER Tuesday, November 29, 2011

THOMAS LA/The Observer PAT COVENEY/The Observer Irish have no Luck

Facing their final chance to make a regular-season statement, the Irish had no answer for Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, who bolstered his case for the Heisman Trophy with a four-touchdown performance. Needing its best performance to take down the one-loss Cardinal, Notre Dame instead turned in a gaffe-ridden effort that left the Irish with no chance of pulling off the upset. Sophomore quarterback Andrew Hendrix sparked Notre Dame in the second half, but his effort was too little, too late, as the Irish finished the regular season with a middling 8-4 record.

PAT COVENEY/The Observer

THOMAS LA/The Observer THOMAS LA/The Observer Clockwise from top: Irish running back Cierre Wood hurdles a Stanford defender; quarterback Tommy Rees scrambles from Cardinal defenders; receiver Michael Floyd catches a pass; tight end Tyler Eifert runs with the ball after making a catch; safety Harrison Smith breaks up a Stanford pass.