Standing Tall

Without a doubt, Saturday night's thrilling 20-13 overtime victory over Stanford marked one of my all time highs as a Notre Dame fan.  I would have to say the last time I felt that nervous/excited/ecstatic was when Brady Quinn scored the go ahead touchdown against #1 USC in 2005.  Ironically enough, that was the last time ESPN's College Gameday was at Notre Dame, and also featured similar circumstances at the goal line.  This time however, the favor fell with the Irish in what no doubt will be etched in the memories of Stanford fans with an asterisk.


HEISMAN BABY

MANTI TE'O - 11 tackles - Te'o continues to cement his status as a Notre Dame legend, amassing double digit tackles for the second straight week, and leading the Irish defense to their fourth consecutive game without giving up a TD.  Oh and they stopped Stanford four straight downs inside the five yard line to win the game - no big deal.


ROCK SOLID

FOUR HORSEMEN -  173 net rushing yards - We may be witnessing a modern rebirth of the legendary Irish rushing attack in Cierre Wood, Everett Golson, Theo Riddick and George Atkinson III.  On a rain soaked field, the Irish ground game allowed the Irish to move the ball down the field against a physical and talented front seven for Stanford. 

TYLER EIFERT - 4 rec. for 57 yards, TD - It's no secret that opposing defenses have keyed in on stopped Eifert, often double teaming him every play.  However, that didn't stop Eifert from hauling in a crucial 24-yard TD reception in double coverage to tie the game early in the 4th quarter. 

TOMMY REES - 4 of 4 for 43 yards, TD - While Rees has taken a beating from most ND fans (including this guy), he again stepped up and led the Irish to victory following Golson's departure late in the 4th quarter with a concussion.  His lob pass to Theo Riddick on 3rd-8 in overtime may be the play of the game.

STEPHON TUITT - 7 tackles, .5 sack, blocked FG - Tuitt anchored the defensive line in the touchdown shut out performance, even picking up a half sack to push his season total to 6.5.  Tuitt has been a force all season long, and he starting to garner national attention for it.


GET HIM OUTTA THERE

EVERETT GOLSON - 12 of 24 for 141 yards, TD; 15 rushes for 41 yards, 4 fumbles (3 lost) - If it was not for the sloppy conditions, the four fumbles would have Irish fans in an uproar, especially the one for the TD.  However, Golson stayed positive, played hard and brought the Irish back with a beauty to Eifert for the game tying score.


WAIT, WHAT

With the win, the Irish secured a post season bowl berth, one of 16 teams to do so at this point in the season.  With the win, the Irish are clearly in the National Championship picture, and will surely be ranked in the BCS top five.  This will be the first BCS ranking for the Irish since 2006 when they finished the regular season ranked 11th.