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NOTRE DAMENOTRE DAMEFOOTBALL

C el ebra ti n g 1 2 5 Y ea rs o f

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What is Notre Dame football?

Its six Hall o Fame coaches,rom Jesse Harper to Lou Holtz.

Its seven Heisman Trophy winners,rom Angelo Bertelli to Tim Brown.

Its the House thatRockne Built (Notre Dame Stadium)

and the Rocket (Raghib Ismail)racing down its sideline.

Its 11 consensus national championshipsand 853 victories.Its the Four Horsemen

and Win One For The Gipper.Its 185 All-Americans

and 56 Academic All-Americans.Its a 99 percent graduation rate

and 225 consecutive home-game sellouts.Its bowl-game connections

rom chicken soup to Cheerios.Its Gus Dorais to Knute Rockne

on the beach and at West Point.Its Tom Clements to Robin Webervs. #1 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

Its Brady Quinn to Je Samardzija vs. UCLA.Its barnstorming tours

and a celebration o independent status.Its Friday night pep ralliesand tailgating on Saturday.

Its a spirit that could light the universe i bottled,as Joe Theismann once suggested.

What is Notre Dame football?

Its 125 years since the rst season.Its the 2012 squad preparing to wake up the echoes.

Its Irish head coach Brian Kelly.Its standout homegrown tight end Tyler Eiert.

Its Manti Teo, the tackler whopacks a Hawaiian punch with every hit.

Its 2012 games in the Emerald Isle,the Windy City and under the Golden Dome.

This is Notre Dame Football.

And there isnt anything like it in all o college athletics.


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11National Championships |7 Heisman Trophy Winners |185 First-Team All-Americans

Table Of Contents

2011 Game-by-Game Team Statistics ............................................1192011 Game-by-Game Starters ......................................................... 120

HISTORY AND RECORDS

Individual Records .....................................................................121-127Team Records ............................................................................128-131Opponent Records ............................................................................ 132Longest Plays .................................................................................... 133

Year-by-Year Leaders ................................................................134-137NCAA Statistical Leaders ................................................................ 138NCAA Records .................................................................................. 139Statistical Trends .............................................................................. 140All-Time Scores .........................................................................141-155Year-by-Year Record ......................................................................... 156Super Seasons ................................................................................. 157Series Scores .............................................................................158-163Records vs. Conerences .................................................................. 164Records vs. Opponents .................................................................... 165Bowl Summaries .......................................................................166-167Bowl Records.............................................................................168-169

National Championships.................................................................. 170Heisman Trophy .........................................................................171-174Consensus All-Americans ................................................................ 175All-Time All-Americans .............................................................176-177College Football Hall o Fame .........................................................178Pro Football Hall o Fame ................................................................. 179Honors and Accolades ..............................................................180-183Irish in the NFL ..........................................................................184-187Irish and the NFL Drat ..............................................................188-191Knute Rockne.................................................................................... 192George Gipp ...................................................................................... 193The Four Horsemen .......................................................................... 194

UNIVERSITY AND MEDIA INFORMATION

University o Notre Dame ................................................................ 195University Leadership................................................................196-197Notre Dame Stadium ....................................................................... 198Guglielmino Athletics Complex ....................................................... 199Football Practice Facilities ............................................................... 200Media Inormation ....................................................................201-202Athletics Media Relations Sta ...................................................... 203NBC Sports ....................................................................................... 204Notre Dame IMG College Network ................................................. 205Primary Media Outlets ..................................................................... 206

HERE COME THE IRISH

Notre Dame Football At A Glance ...............................................3-4Preseason Depth Chart ........................................................................ 52012 Notre Dame Roster ..................................................................6-72012 Irish by State and Hometown..................................................8-9How the Irish Were Built ................................................................... 102012 Notre Dame Outlook ............................................................11-172012 Opponent Inormation ..........................................................18-19

THE FIGHTING IRISH

2012 Notre Dame Veterans ..........................................................21-752012 Notre Dame Freshmen ........................................................76-79

COACHES AND STAFF

Head Coach Brian Kelly ................................................................80-84Bob Diaco............................................................................................ 85Chuck Martin ...................................................................................... 86Tony Alord .......................................................................................... 87Scott Booker ....................................................................................... 88Kerry Cooks ......................................................................................... 89

Mike Denbrock ................................................................................... 90Bob Elliott ........................................................................................... 91Mike Elston ......................................................................................... 92Harry Hiestand.................................................................................... 93Paul Longo .......................................................................................... 94Support Sta .................................................................................95-98

2011 SEASON IN REVIEW

USF ...................................................................................................... 99Michigan ........................................................................................... 100Michigan State ................................................................................. 101Pittsburgh .......................................................................................... 102

Purdue ............................................................................................... 103Air Force ............................................................................................ 104USC ................................................................................................... 105Navy .................................................................................................. 106Wake Forest ..................................................................................... 107Maryland........................................................................................... 108Boston College ................................................................................. 109Stanord ............................................................................................ 110Florida State ..................................................................................... 1112011 Honors and Awards ................................................................ 1122011 Results and Deensive Statistics ........................................... 1132011 Individual Statistics .........................................................114-115

2011 Game-by-Game Individual Statistics ..............................116-118

2012 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE CREDITS

The 2012 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE is a copyright production o the University o Notre Dame Athletics Media RelationsDepartment, 112C Joyce Center, Notre Dame, IN 46556, AC (574) 631-7516.

This publication was written, compiled and edited by director o ootball media relations Brian Hardin and assistant media relationsdirector Michael Bertsch with assistance rom senior associate athletics director John Heisler, associate media relations directors TimConnor and Chris Masters, media relations assistant Brent Henningeld, student assistant emeritus Michael Scholl, student assistantsAndrew Bartolini, Nick Bucholtz, Aaron Horvath and Mike Korman, senior administrative assistant Susan McGonigal and senior staassistant Carol Copley.

Page layout and design, as well as cover designs by Cathy Scholz o C Graphics in Granger, Ind.

Special thanks to Chuck Cealka o Ave Maria Press, the entire South Bend Tribune photographic department, Mike and Sue Bennett andeveryone at Lighthouse Imaging, Matt Cashore, Kevin Leahy, Marcus Snowden, Brian Spurlock Photography, Joe Raymond, Linda Dunn,Kevin Burke, Heather Gollatz, David Berta, Gary Mills, Ed Ballotts, Mike Binette, Chuck Linster, Scott Ecker, John Dlugolecki, John Dunn,Cheryl Ertelt, Pete Fontaine, Bruce Harlan, Greg Kohs, Pete LaFleur, Br. Charles McBride, Steven Navratil, Bill Panzica/Sporting Shots,Bob Rosato, Mike Stahlschimdt, James Smith, Jack Stohlman, Jack Berry, Don Stacy, Vince Wehby, Rico Casaraes, Vince Muzik, ortheir photographic contributions.

Printing by Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, Ind.

University o Notre Dame, Athletics Media Relations Department, 2012. All rights reserved.


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UNIVERSITY&MEDIA

HISTORY&RECORDS

2011SEASONINREVIEW

COACHING&STAFF

THEFIGHTINGIRISH

HERECOMETHEIRISH

99 Percent Graduation Rate |44 College Football Hall of Famers |6 Hall of Fame Coaches

Notre Dame At a Glance

2011 SCHEDULE & RESULTS

Date Opponent W/L Score Attendance TVSept. 3 USF L 20-23 80,795 NBC

Sept. 10 at Michigan L 31-35 114,804 ESPN

Sept. 17 #15 Michigan State W 31-13 80,795 NBC

Sept. 24 at Pittsburgh W 15-12 65,050 ABC

Oct. 1 at Purdue W 38-10 61,555 ESPN

Oct. 8 Air Force W 59-33 80,795 NBCOct. 22 USC L 17-31 80,795 NBC

Oct. 29 Navy W 56-14 80,795 NBC

Nov. 5 at Wake Forest W 24-17 36,307 ABC

Nov. 12 vs. Maryland W 45-21 70,251 NBC

Nov. 19 Boston College W 16-14 80,795 NBC

Nov. 26 at #4 Stanord L 14-28 50,360 ABC

Dec. 29 vs. #25 Florida State L 14-18 68,305 ESPN

RETURNING STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing Comp. Att. Yards Pct. TD INT Avg./Gm Efc.

Tommy Rees 269 411 2,871 65.5 20 14 220.8 133.37Andrew Hendrix 18 37 249 48.6 1 2 49.8 103.29

Rushing Att. Yards Avg. TD Yds/Gm LongCierre Wood 217 1,102 5.1 9 84.8 55

Andrew Hendrix 25 162 6.5 1 32.4 78

Receiving Rec. Yards Avg. TD Yds/Gm LongTyler Eiert 63 803 12.7 5 61.8 38

Theo Riddick 38 436 11.5 3 39.6 45

Tackles Total Solo Assist Sacks TFL INT PBU FF FRManti Teo 128 62 66 5.0 13.5 0 2 0 1

Dan Fox 48 21 27 1.0 2.5 0 1 1 0

RETURNING IN 2012

OFFENSIVE LETTERMEN RETURNING (18)RB George Atkinson III, C Braxston Cave, TE Tyler Eiert, C Mike Golic Jr., WR

John Goodman, QB Andrew Hendrix, WR TJ Jones, TE Ben Koyack, OT Chris-

tian Lombard, OT Dennis Mahoney, OT Zack Martin, TE Troy Niklas (lettered at

OLB), QB Tommy Rees, RB Theo Riddick, WR Daniel Smith, WR Robby Toma,

OG Chris Watt, RB Cierre Wood

DEFENSIVE LETTERMEN RETURNING (19)ILB Carlo Calabrese, S Austin Collinsworth, ILB Dan Fox, DE Chase Hounshell,

CB Bennett Jackson, DE Kapron Lewis-Moore, S Dan McCarthy, ILB Kendall

Moore, S Zeke Motta, NG Louis Nix III, S Chris Salvi, DE Kona Schwenke, OLB

Prince Shembo, S Jamoris Slaughter, OLB Danny Spond, ILB Manti Teo, DE

Stephon Tuitt, OLB Ishaq Williams, CB Lo Wood

SPECIAL TEAMS LETTERMEN RETURNING (4)PK Kyle Brindza, LS Jordan Cowart, PK Nick Tausch, P Ben Turk

LETTERMEN LOST (31)CB Robert Blanton, OT Lane Clelland, RB Patrick Coughlin, QB Dayne Crist,

NG Sean Cwynar, OT Taylor Dever, OLB Steve Filer, OLB Darius Fleming, WR

Michael Floyd, OLB Jonathan Frantz, CB Gary Gray, RB Jonas Gray, P Mike

Grieco, DE Ethan Johnson, LS/H Ryan Kavanagh, CB Nick Lezynski, DE Aaron

Lynch, ILB Anthony McDonald, QB Matt Mulvey, NG Brandon Newman, OG

Andrew Nuss, ILB Sean Oxley, CB Andrew Plaska, ILB David Posluszny, TE

Mike Ragone, OG Trevor Robinson, PK David Ruer, CB Ryan Sheehan, S Har-

rison Smith, WR Deion Walker, DE Hafs Williams

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

Location: Notre Dame, Ind.Founded: 1842Nickname: Fighting IrishColors: Blue and GoldEnrollment: 8,372 (undergraduates), 11,816 (total)Stadium: Notre Dame Stadium (Natural Grass/80,795)

President: Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.Provost: Thomas BurishNCAA Faculty Representative: Patricia BelliaAthletics Director: Jack SwarbrickSr. Associate Athletics Director/Media Relations and BroadcastProperties: John HeislerDirector o Football Media Relations: Brian HardinAthletics Department Website: und.com

FOOTBALL INFORMATION

Oensive Formation: Spread

Deensive Formation: 3-42011 Overall Record: 8-5Final Ranking: Unranked/UnrankedStarters Returning/Lost: 16/9Oensive Starters From 2011 Returning/Lost: 8/3Deensive Starters From 2011 Returning/Lost: 6/5Special Teams Starters From 2011 Returning/Lost: 2/1Lettermen Returning/Lost: 41/31

COACHING STAFF

Name (Alma Mater, Year) TitleBrian Kelly (Assumption, 83) Head Coach

Bob Diaco (Iowa, 95) Assistant Head Coach/Deensive

Coordinator/ Linebackers

Chuck Martin (Millikin, 90) Oensive Coordinator/

Quarterbacks

Kerry Cooks (Iowa, 00) Co-Deensive Coordinator/

Cornerbacks

Tony Alord (Colorado State, 92) Running Backs/Slot Wide

Receivers/Recruiting

Coordinator

Scott Booker (Kent State, 03) Tight Ends/Special TeamsCoordinator

Mike Denbrock (Grand Valley State, 87) Outside Wide Receivers/Pass

Game Coordinator

Bob Elliott (Iowa, 76) Saeties

Mike Elston (Michigan, 98) Deensive Line

Harry Hiestand (East Stroudsburg, 83) Oensive Line/Run Game

Coordinator

Bill Brechin (Grand Valley State, 06) Graduate Assistant (Oense)

Corey Brown (Iowa, 05) Graduate Assistant (Deense)

Josh Reardon (Central Michigan, 06) Graduate Assistant (Deense)

Pat Welsh (Grand Valley State, 10) Graduate Assistant (Oense)


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Notre Dame At a Glance

What Returns by Percentage

Rushing Yards ................................................................................................62.2

Passing Yards ................................................................................................95.0

Receiving Yards .............................................................................................63.6

Punt Return Yards ...........................................................................................8.3

Kicko Return Yards .....................................................................................100.0

Scoring ...........................................................................................................44.7

Total Yards .....................................................................................................82.3All-Purpose Yards ..........................................................................................68.7

Field Goals ......................................................................................................0.0

Punting Yards ................................................................................................100.0

Tackles ...........................................................................................................60.6

Tackles or Loss .............................................................................................60.0

Sacks ..............................................................................................................60.0

Fumble Recoveries ........................................................................................33.3

Interceptions ..................................................................................................37.5

Passes Broken Up..........................................................................................34.1

IRISH BY CLASS

GRADUATES (7)

C Braxston Cave, C/G Mike Golic Jr., WR John Goodman, DE Kapron Lewis-

Moore, OT Dennis Mahoney, S Dan McCarthy, S Jamoris Slaughter

SENIORS (21)

S Blake Breslau, ILB Carlo Calabrese, LS Jordan Cowart, TE Tyler Eiert, WR

Nick Fitzpatrick, ILB Dan Fox, TE Jake Golic, OT Zack Martin, S Zeke Motta,

DE Grant Patton, RB Theo Riddick, S Chris Salvi, CB Will Salvi, NG Tyler

Stockton, OL Matt Tansey, K Nick Tausch, ILB Manti Teo, WR Robby Toma, P

Ben Turk, OG Chris Watt, RB Cierre Wood

JUNIORS (24)

DE Kevin Carr, S Austin Collinsworth, C Bruce Heggie, QB Andrew Hendrix,

CB Bennett Jackson, WR TJ Jones, G/T Christian Lombard, DE Arturo Marti-

nez, WR Luke Massa, ILB Kendall Moore, OT Tate Nichols, NG Louis Nix III,

RB Tyler Plantz, QB Tommy Rees, K/P Jude Rhodes, RB Cameron Roberson,

CB Joe Romano, NG Kona Schwenke, OLB Prince Shembo, WR Daniel

Smith, OLB Danny Spond, ILB Justin Utupo, TE Alex Welch, CB Lo Wood

SOPHOMORES (31)RB George Atkinson III, CB Josh Atkinson, K/P Kyle Brindza, CB Jalen Brown,

RB Amir Carlisle, S Connor Cavalaris, OG Brad Carrico, OLB Ben Councell,

WR DaVaris Daniels, S Matthias Farley, QB Charlie Fiessinger, QB Everett

Golson, ILB Jarrett Grace, C/G Conor Hanratty, S Eilar Hardy, C Matt Hegarty,

DE Chase Hounshell, TE Ben Koyack, WR Eric Lee, OLB Connor Little, G/T

Nick Martin, CB Cam McDaniel, TE Troy Niklas, OT Jordan Prestwood, OLB

Anthony Rabasa, ILB Joe Schmidt, WR Andre Smith, S Ernie Soto, NG Tony

Springmann, DE Stephon Tuitt, OLB Ishaq Williams

FRESHMEN (17)

S Chris Badger, S Nick Baratti, WR Chris Brown, LS Scott Daly, DE SheldonDay, WR Justin Ferguson, OL Mark Harrell, DE Jarron Jones, QB Gunner

Kiel, RB Will Mahone, WR Davonte Neal, OLB Romeo Okwara, S C.J.

Prosise, RB KeiVarae Russell, S Elijah Shumate, OL Ronnie Stanley, S John

Turner

STARTERS

Oensive Players With Starting Experience Returning (13)

Pos. Name Career 2011OT Zack Martin ...............................................................26 ...........................13

C Braxston Cave .............................................................22 ............................9

TE Tyler Eiert..................................................................21 ...........................13

WR TJ Jones ..................................................................19 ...........................12

RB Theo Riddick* ...........................................................18 ............................9QB Tommy Rees .............................................................16 ...........................12

RB Cierre Wood ..............................................................14 ............................9

OG Chris Watt ................................................................13 ...........................13

WR Robby Toma ..............................................................6 .............................4

WR John Goodman .........................................................5 .............................1

C Mike Golic Jr. ...............................................................4 .............................4

TE Ben Koyack .................................................................1 .............................1

TE Troy Niklas^ ................................................................1 .............................1

*Starts came at wide receiver

^Start came at outside linebacker

Oensive Players With Starting Experience Lost (6)

Pos. Name Career 2011WR Michael Floyd ..........................................................41 ...........................12

OG Trevor Robinson ........................................................40 ...........................13

OT Taylor Dever ..............................................................23 ...........................13

QB Dayne Crist ...............................................................10 ............................1

TE Mike Ragone ..............................................................9 .............................0

RB Jonas Gray .................................................................5 .............................4

Deensive Players With Starting Experience Returning (9)Pos. Name Career 2011ILB Manti Teo ................................................................36 ...........................13

DE Kapron Lewis-Moore ................................................29 ............................7

S Jamoris Slaughter.......................................................16 ...........................10

S Zeke Motta ..................................................................15 ............................7

ILB Dan Fox .....................................................................13 ...........................13

NG Louis Nix III...............................................................11 ...........................11

OLB Prince Shembo .........................................................9 .............................9

ILB Carlo Calabrese .........................................................8 .............................0

DE Stephon Tuitt ..............................................................3 .............................3

Deensive Players With Starting Experience Lost (7)

Pos. Name Career 2011S Harrison Smith ............................................................47 ...........................13

DE Ethan Johnson ..........................................................37 ............................9

OLB Darius Fleming ........................................................36 ...........................13

CB Gary Gray ..................................................................33 ...........................13

CB Robert Blanton ..........................................................26 ...........................13

NG Sean Cwynar .............................................................7 .............................2

DE Aaron Lynch ...............................................................6 .............................6


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UNIVERSITY&MEDIA

HISTORY&RECORDS

2011SEASONINREVIEW

COACHING&STAFF

THEFIGHTINGIRISH

HERECOMETHEIRISH


RB 20 CIERRE WOOD 6-0 215 Sr./36 THEO RIDDICK 5-11 200 Sr./434 George Atkinson III 6-1 210 So./2

IRISH DEFENSE

DE 89 KAPRON LEWIS-MOORE 6-4 306 Gr./491 Sheldon Day 6-2 286 Fr./1

NG 96 Kona Schwenke 6-4 290 Jr./39 LOUIS NIX III 6-3 326 Jr./269 Tony Springmann 6-6 300 So./1

DE 7 Stephon Tuitt 6-6 303 So./250 Chase Hounshell 6-4 275 So./2

OLB 55 PRINCE SHEMBO 6-2 250 Jr./311 Ishaq Williams 6-5 255 So./256 Anthony Rabasa 6-3 240 So./1

ILB 48 DAN FOX 6-3 240 Sr./3

or 44 Carlo Calabrese 6-1 245 Sr./3

53 Justin Utupo 6-1 258 Jr./2

ILB 5 MANTI TEO 6-2 255 Sr./459 Jarrett Grace 6-3 240 So./18 Kendall Moore 6-1 242 Jr./2

OLB 13 Danny Spond 6-2 248 Jr./330 Ben Councell 6-5 240 So./1

CB 23 Lo Wood 5-10 195 Jr./343 Josh Atkinson 5-11 185 So./2

S 17 ZEKE MOTTA 6-2 215 Sr./4

15 Dan McCarthy 6-2 205 Gr./44 Eilar Hardy 5-11 185 So./1

S 26 JAMORIS SLAUGHTER 6-0 200 Gr./424 Chris Salvi 5-10 190 Sr./4

CB 2 Bennett Jackson 6-0 185 Jr./321 Jalen Brown 6-1 199 So./133 Cam McDaniel 5-10 195 So./2

IRISH SPECIAL TEAMS

PK 40 Nick Tausch 6-0 201 Sr./3

27 Kyle Brindza 6-1 225 So./2P 35 Ben Turk 5-11 186 Sr./427 Kyle Brindza 6-1 225 So./2

LS 60 Jordan Cowart 6-2 230 Sr./461 Scott Daly 6-2 245 Fr./1

SS 60 Jordan Cowart 6-2 230 Sr./461 Scott Daly 6-2 245 Fr./1

HLD 35 Ben Turk 5-11 186 Sr./4

KO 27 Kyle Brindza 6-1 225 So./2

KR 34 George Atkinson III 6-1 210 So./26 Theo Riddick 5-11 200 Sr./42 Bennett Jackson 6-0 185 Jr./3

PR 81 John Goodman 6-3 215 Gr./46 Theo Riddick 5-11 200 Sr./420 Cierre Wood 6-0 215 Sr./3

ALL CAPS = Started at least seven games in 2011

IRISH OFFENSE

WR 7 TJ JONES 5-11 190 Jr./316 DaVaris Daniels 6-2 190 So./1

WR 9 Robby Toma 5-9 185 Sr./47 TJ Jones 5-11 190 Jr./3

LT 70 ZACK MARTIN 6-4 304 Sr./3

79 Jordan Prestwood 6-5 295 So./1LG 66 CHRIS WATT 6-3 310 Sr./351 Bruce Heggie 6-5 285 Jr./2

C 52 BRAXSTON CAVE 6-3 304 Gr./457 Mike Golic Jr. 6-3 295 Gr./477 Matt Hegarty 6-5 296 So./1

RG 57 Mike Golic Jr. 6-3 295 Gr./4or 72 Nick Martin 6-4 290 So./1

65 Conor Hanratty 6-5 305 So./1

RT 74 Christian Lombard 6-5 309 Jr./2

64 Tate Nichols 6-8 320 Jr./2TE 80 TYLER EIFERT 6-6 251 Sr./3

18 Ben Koyack 6-5 253 So./2

or 82 Alex Welch 6-4 250 Jr./285 Troy Niklas 6-7 260 So./2

WR 81 John Goodman 6-3 215 Gr./487 Daniel Smith 6-4 215 Jr./3

QB 11 TOMMY REES 6-2 210 Jr./3or 12 Andrew Hendrix 6-2 220 Jr./2

or 5 Everett Golson 6-0 185 So./1or 1 Gunner Kiel 6-4 210 Fr./1

Preseason Depth Chart


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No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl./Elg.^ Hometown/High School4 *Atkinson III, George RB 6-1 210 So./2 Stockton, CA/Granada43 Atkinson, Josh CB 5-11 185 So./2 Stockton, CA/Granada37 Badger, Chris S 6-0 193 Fr./1 Timpview, UT/Timpview29 Baratti, Nicky S 6-1 206 Fr./1 Tomball, TX/Klein Oak49 Breslau, Blake+ S 5-10 185 Sr./2 San Diego, CA/Francis Parker27 *Brindza, Kyle K/P 6-1 225 So./2 Canton, MI/Plymouth

2 Brown, Chris WR 6-2 172 Fr./1 Hanahan, SC/Hanahan21 Brown, Jalen CB 6-1 199 So./1 Irving, TX/MacArthur44 **Calabrese, Carlo ILB 6-1 245 Sr./3 Verona, NJ/Verona3 Carlisle, Amir RB 5-10 185 So./2 Santa Clara, CA/Kings Academy67 Carr, Kevin+ DE 6-7 325 Jr./1 Nashville, TN/Montgomery Bell Academy56 Carrico, Brad 06 6-5 290 So./1 Dublin, OH/Coman40 Cavalaris, Connor+ S 5-10 194 So./1 Lake Forest, IL/Lake Forest52 ***Cave, Braxston C 6-3 304 Gr./4 Mishawaka, IN/Penn28 **Collinsworth, Austin S 6-1 202 Jr./3 Fort Thomas, KY/Highlands30 Councell, Ben OLB 6-5 240 So./1 Asheville, NC/A.C. Reynolds60 **Cowart, Jordan LS 6-2 230 Sr./4 Plantation, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas

61 Daly, Scott LS 6-2 245 Fr./1 Downers Grove, IL/South10 Daniels, DaVaris WR 6-2 190 So./1 Vernon Hills, IL/Vernon Hills91 Day, Sheldon DE 6-2 286 Fr./1 Indianapolis, IN/Warren Central80 **Eiert, Tyler TE 6-6 251 Sr./3 Fort Wayne, IN/Bishop Dwenger41 Farley, Matthias S 5-11 200 So./1 Charlotte, NC/Christian15 Ferguson, Justin WR 6-2 196 Fr./1 Pembroke Pines, FL/Flanagan17 Fiessinger, Charlie+ QB 6-1 185 So./1 Mason, OH/Moeller38 Fitzpatrick, Nick+ WR 5-8 170 Sr./2 Mishawaka, IN/Marian48 **Fox, Dan ILB 6-3 240 Sr./3 Rocky River, OH/St. Ignatius88 Golic, Jake TE 6-4 245 Sr./2 West Hartord, CT/Northwest Catholic57 **Golic Jr., Mike C/G 6-3 300 Gr./4 West Hartord, CT/Northwest Catholic

5 Golson, Everett QB 6-0 185 So./1 Myrtle Beach, SC/Myrtle Beach81 ***Goodman, John WR 6-3 215 Gr./4 Fort Wayne, IN/Bishop Dwenger59 Grace, Jarrett ILB 6-3 240 So./1 Cincinnati, OH/Colerain65 Hanratty, Conor C/G 6-5 305 So./1 New Canaan, CT/New Canaan4 Hardy, Eilar S 5-11 185 So./1 Reynoldsburg, OH/Pickerington Central75 Harrell, Mark OL 6-4 287 Fr./1 Charlotte, NC/Catholic77 Hegarty, Matt C 6-5 296 So./1 Aztec, NM/Atec51 Heggie, Bruce C 6-5 285 Jr./2 Sorrento, FL/Mount Dora12 *Hendrix, Andrew QB 6-2 220 Jr./2 Cincinnati, OH/Moeller50 *Hounshell, Chase DE 6-4 275 So./2 Kirtland, OH/Lake Catholic2 **Jackson, Bennett CB 6-0 185 Jr./3 Hazlet, NJ (Raritan)94 Jones, Jarron DE 6-5 299 Fr./1 Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute7 **Jones, TJ WR 5-11 190 Jr./3 Roswell, GA/Gainesville1 Kiel, Gunner QB 6-4 210 Fr./1 Columbus, IN/Columbus East18 *Koyack, Ben TE 6-5 253 So./2 Oil City, PA/Oil City37 Lee, Eric+ WR 5-9 180 So./1 West Des Moines, IA/Dowling Catholic89 ***Lewis-Moore, Kapron DE 6-4 306 Gr./4 Weatherord, TX/Weatherord93 Little, Connor+ OLB 6-3 225 So./1 Lake Elmo, MN/Hill-Murray74 *Lombard, Christian G/T 6-5 309 Jr./2 Inverness, IL/Fremd32 Mahone, Will RB 5-10 211 Fr./1 Austintown, OH/Fitch71 *Mahoney, Dennis+ OT 6-7 294 Gr./3 Baltimore, MD/Boys Latin School

72 Martin, Nick G/T 6-4 290 So./1 Indianapolis, IN/Bishop Chatard70 **Martin, Zack OT 6-4 304 Sr./3 Indianapolis, IN/Bishop Chatard86 Martinez, Arturo+ DE 6-4 250 Jr./1 Miami, FL/Belen Jesuit14 Massa, Luke WR 6-4 225 Jr./2 Cincinnati, OH/St. Xavier15 *McCarthy, Dan S 6-2 205 Gr./4 Youngstown, OH/Cardinal Mooney33 McDaniel, Cam CB 5-10 195 So./2 Coppell,TX/Coppell8 *Moore, Kendall ILB 6-1 242 Jr./2 Raleigh, NC/Southeast Raleigh17 ***Motta, Zeke S 6-2 215 Sr./4 Vero Beach, FL/Vero Beach3 Neal, Davonte WR 5-9 171 Fr./1 Scottsdale, AZ/Central64 Nichols, Tate OT 6-8 320 Jr./2 Walton, KY/Ryle

Notre Dame Roster

No. Name Position

1 Gunner Kiel QB

2 Chris Brown WR

2 Bennett Jackson CB

3 Amir Carlisle RB

3 Davonte Neal WR

4 George Atkinson III RB

4 Eilar Hardy S

5 Everett Golson QB

5 Manti Teo ILB

6 Theo Riddick RB

7 TJ Jones WR

7 Stephon Tuitt DE

8 Kendall Moore ILB

8 KeiVarae Russell RB

9 Louis Nix III NG9 Robby Toma WR

10 DaVaris Daniels WR

11 Tommy Rees QB

11 Ishaq Williams OLB

12 Andrew Hendrix QB

13 Danny Spond OLB

14 Luke Massa WR

15 Justin Ferguson WR

15 Dan McCarthy S17 Charlie Fiessinger QB

17 Zeke Motta S

18 Ben Koyack TE

20 Cierre Wood RB

21 Jalen Brown CB

22 Elijah Shumate S

23 Lo Wood CB

24 Chris Salvi S

26 Jamoris Slaughter S27 Kyle Brindza K/P

28 Austin Collinsworth S

29 Nicky Baratti S

30 Ben Councell OLB

31 Cameron Roberson RB

31 John Turner S

32 Will Mahone RB

33 Cam McDaniel CB

34 C.J. Prosise S35 Joe Romano CB

35 Ben Turk P

36 Will Salvi CB

37 Chris Badger S

37 Eric Lee WR

38 Nick Fitzpatrick WR

38 Joe Schmidt ILB

39 Jude Rhodes K/P


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UNIVERSITY&MEDIA

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2011SEASONINREVIEW

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HERECOMETHEIRISH


No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl./Elg.^ Hometown/High School85 *Niklas, Troy TE 6-7 260 So./2 Fullerton, CA/Servite9 *Nix III, Louis NG 6-3 326 Jr./2 Jacksonville, FL/Raines45 Okwara, Romeo OLB 6-4 239 Fr./1 Charlotte, NC/Ardrey Kell63 Patton, Grant+ DE 6-6 256 Sr./1 Louisville, KY/Saint Xavier49 Plantz, Tyler+ RB 5-9 202 Jr./1 Frankort, IL/Providence Catholic79 Prestwood, Jordan OT 6-5 295 So./1 Plant City, FL/Plant City

34 Prosise, C.J. S 6-2 208 Fr./1 Petersburg, VA/Woodberry Forest56 Rabasa, Anthony OLB 6-3 240 So./1 Miami, FL/Columbus11 **Rees, Tommy QB 6-2 210 Jr./3 Lake Forest, IL/Lake Forest39 Rhodes, Jude+ K/P 5-10 180 Jr./1 Kapsowar, Kenya/Nordho (Oja, CA)6 ***Riddick, Theo RB 5-11 200 Sr./4 Manville, NJ/Immaculata31 Roberson, Cameron RB 6-0 218 Jr./1 Newbury Park, CA/Newbury Park35 Romano, Joe+ CB 5-9 175 Jr./1 River Forest, IL/Fenwick8 Russell, KeiVarae RB 5-11 182 Fr./1 Everett, WA/Mariner24 **Salvi, Chris S 5-10 190 Sr./4 Lake Forest, IL/Carmel Catholic36 Salvi, Will+ CB 5-10 176 Sr./1 Lake Forest, IL/Carmel Catholic38 Schmidt, Joe+ ILB 6-0 230 So./1 Orange, CA/Mater Dei

96 *Schwenke, Kona NG 6-4 290 Jr./3 Hauula, HI/Kahuku55 **Shembo, Prince OLB 6-2 250 Jr./3 Charlotte, NC/Ardrey Kell22 Shumate, Elijah S 6-0 198 Fr./1 East Orange, NJ/Don Bosco Prep26 ***Slaughter, Jamoris S 6-0 200 Gr./4 Stone Mountain, GA/Tucker84 Smith, Andre+ WR 6-2 190 So./1 Davie, FL/North Broward Prep87 *Smith, Daniel WR 6-4 215 Jr./3 South Bend, IN/Clay42 Soto, Ernie+ S 5-9 188 So./1 Davie, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas13 **Spond, Danny OLB 6-2 248 Jr./3 Littleton, CO/Columbine69 Springmann, Tony NG 6-6 300 So./1 Fort Wayne, IN/Bishop Dwenger78 Stanley, Ronnie OL 6-6 304 Fr./1 Las Vegas, NV/Bishop Gorman92 Stockton, Tyler NG 6-0 285 Sr./2 Linwood, NJ/Hun School

62 Tansey, Matt+ OL 6-6 270 Sr./3 Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston40 *Tausch, Nick K 6-0 201 Sr./3 Plano, TX/Jesuit5 ***Teo, Manti ILB 6-2 255 Sr./4 Laie, HI/Punahou9 **Toma, Robby WR 5-9 185 Sr./4 Laie, HI/Punahou7 *Tuitt, Stephon DE 6-6 303 So./2 Monroe, GA/Monroe35 **Turk, Ben P 5-11 186 Sr./4 Davie, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas31 Turner, John S 6-2 207 Fr./1 Indianapolis, IN/Cathedral53 Utupo, Justin ILB 6-1 258 Jr./2 Lakewood, CA/Lakewood66 **Watt, Chris OG 6-3 310 Sr./3 Glen Ellyn, IL/Glenbard West82 Welch, Alex TE 6-4 250 Jr./2 Cincinnati, OH/Elder11 *Williams, Ishaq OLB 6-5 255 So./2 Brooklyn, NY/Lincoln20 **Wood, Cierre RB 6-0 215 Sr./3 Oxnard, CA/Santa Clara23 **Wood, Lo CB 5-10 195 Jr./3 Apopka, FL/Apopka

^ Class is the academic year they will be this all (Gr. = Graduate Student)/Eligibility is the athletic season they will be thisall+ Walk-on Player* Number o monograms earned

Notre Dame Roster

PRONUNCIATION GUIDEBaratti, Nicky buh-RAH-teeBrindza, Kyle BRIND-zuh

Calabrese, Carlo CAL-uh-breezeCarlisle, Amir ah-MEERCarrico, Brad CARE-uh-coCowart, Jordan COW-ertDaniels, DaVaris duh-VAR-issEiert, Tyler EYE-ertHardy, Eilar EYE-larHarrell, Mark HAIR-elHeggie, Bruce HEGG-eeJones, Jarron juh-RON

Kiel, Gunner - keelKoyack, Ben KOY-ackLewis-Moore, Kapron cap-rin

Mahone, Will muh-HONEMassa, Luke MASS-uhNeal, Davonte duh-VONN-tayOkwara, Romeo oak-WAR-uh,ROME-ee-ohProsise, C.J. PRO-cise (like precisely)Russell, KeiVarae key-var-A (longA at end)Schwenke, Kona sh-wenk-ee,COE-nuh

Slaughter, Jamoris juh-MORE-issTausch, Nick TOWSHTeo, Manti TAY-oh, MAN-tie

Toma, Robby TOE-muhTuitt, Stephon TWO-it, stuh-FONUtupo, Justin you-TOO-poeWilliams, Ishaq EE-shackWood, Cierre see-AIR

No. Name Position

40 Connor Cavalaris S

40 Nick Tausch K

41 Matthias Farley S

42 Ernie Soto S

43 Josh Atkinson CB

44 Carlo Calabrese ILB

45 Romeo Okwara OLB

48 Dan Fox ILB

49 Blake Breslau S

49 Tyler Plantz RB

50 Chase Hounshell DE

51 Bruce Heggie C/G

52 Braxston Cave C

53 Justin Utupo ILB

55 Prince Shembo OLB56 Brad Carrico OG

56 Anthony Rabasa OLB

57 Mike Golic Jr. C/G

59 Jarrett Grace ILB

60 Jordan Cowart LS

61 Scott Daly LS

62 Matt Tansey OL

63 Grant Patton DE

64 Tate Nichols OT65 Connor Hanratty OG

66 Chris Watt OG

67 Kevin Carr DE

69 Tony Springmann NG

70 Zack Martin OT

71 Dennis Mahoney OT

72 Nick Martin C/G

74 Christian Lombard OT

75 Mark Harrell OL77 Matt Hegarty OT

78 Ronnie Stanley OL

79 Jordan Prestwood OT

80 Tyler Eiert TE

81 John Goodman WR

82 Alex Welch TE

84 Andre Smith WR

85 Troy Niklas TE

86 Arturo Martinez DE87 Daniel Smith WR

88 Jake Golic TE

89 Kapron Lewis-Moore DE

91 Sheldon Day DE

92 Tyler Stockton NG

93 Connor Little OLB

94 Jarron Jones DE

96 Kona Schwenke NG


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Player Hometown High School

Indiana (11)

Braxston Cave Mishawaka PennSheldon Day Indianapolis Warren CentralTyler Eiert Ft. Wayne Bishop DwengerNick Fitzparick Mishawaka Marian

John Goodman Ft. Wayne Bishop DwengerGunner Kiel Columbus Columbus EastNick Martin Indianapolis Bishop ChatardZack Martin Indianapolis Bishop ChatardDaniel Smith South Bend ClayTony Springmann Ft. Wayne Bishop DwengerJohn Turner Indianapolis Cathedral

Iowa (1)

Eric Lee West Des Moines Dowling Catholic

Kenya (1)

Jude Rhodes Kapsowar Nordhoff (Ojai, Calif.)

Kentucky (3)

Austin Collinsworth Fort Thomas HighlandsTate Nichols Walton RyleGrant Patton Louisville St. Xavier

Maryland (1)

Dennis Mahoney Baltimore Boys Latin School

Michigan (1)

Kyle Brindza Canton Plymouth

Minnesota (1)

Connor Little Lake Elmo Hill-Murray

Nevada (1)

Ronnie Stanley Las Vegas Bishop Gorman

New Jersey (6)

Carlo Calabrese Verona VeronaBennett Jackson Hazlet RaritanTheo Riddick Manville ImmaculataElijah Shumate East Orange Don Bosco PrepTyler Stockton Linwood Hun SchoolMatt Tansey Berkely Heights Governor Livingston

New Mexico (1)

Matt Hegarty Aztec AztecNew York (2)

Jarron Jones Rochester Aquinas InstituteIshaq Williams Brooklyn Lincoln

Player Hometown High School

Arizona (1)

Davonte Neal Scottsdale Central

Caliornia (9)

George Atkinson III Stockton Granada

Josh Atkinson Stockton GranadaBlake Breslau San Diego Francis ParkerAmir Carlisle Santa Clara Kings AcademyTroy Niklas Fullerton ServiteCameron Roberson Newbury Park Newbury ParkJoe Schmidt Orange Mater DeiJustin Utupo Lakewood LakewoodCierre Wood Oxnard Santa Clara

Colorado (1)

Danny Spond Littleton Columbine

Connecticut (3)

Jake Golic West Hartord Northwest CatholicMike Golic Jr. West Hartord Northwest CatholicConor Hanratty New Canaan New Canaan

Florida (12)

Jordan Cowart Plantation St. Thomas AquinasJustin Ferguson Pembroke Pines FlanaganBruce Heggie Sorrento Mount DoraArturo Martinez Miami Belen JesuitZeke Motta Vero Beach Vero BeachLouis Nix III Jacksonville RainesJordan Prestwood Plant City Plant CityAnthony Rabasa Miami ColumbusAndre Smith Davie North Broward PrepErnie Soto Davie St. Thomas AquinasBen Turk Davie St. Thomas AquinasLo Wood Apopka Apopka

Georgia (3)TJ Jones Roswell GainesvilleJamoris Slaughter Tucker TuckerStephon Tuitt Monroe Monroe

Hawaii (3)

Kona Schwenke Hauula KahukuManti Teo Laie PunahouRobby Toma Laie Punahou

Illinois (10)

Connor Cavalaris Lake Forest Lake ForestDaVaris Daniels Vernon Hills Vernon HillsScott Daly Downers Grove SouthChristian Lombard Inverness FremdTyler Plantz Frankfort Providence CatholicTommy Rees Lake Forest Lake ForestJoe Romano River Forest FenwickChris Salvi Lake Forest Carmel CatholicWill Salvi Lake Forest Carmel CatholicChris Watt Glen Ellyn Glenbard West

2012 Irish by State and Hometown


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South Carolina (2)

Chris Brown Hanahan HanahanEverett Golson Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach

Tennessee (1)

Kevin Carr Nashville Montgomery Bell Academy

Texas (5)

Nicky Baratti Tomball Klein OakJalen Brown Irving MacArthurKapron Lewis-Moore Weatherord WeatherordCam McDaniel Coppell CoppellNick Tausch Plano Jesuit

Utah (1)

Chris Badger Timpview Timpview

Virginia (1)

C.J. Prosise Petersburg Woodberry ForestWashington (1)

KeiVarae Russell Everett Mariner

(non-scholarship players in italics)

North Carolina (6)

Ben Councell Asheville A.C. ReynoldsMatthias Farley Charlotte ChristianMark Harrell Charlotte CatholicKendall Moore Raleigh Southeast RaleighRomeo Okwara Charlotte Ardrey KellPrince Shembo Charlotte Ardrey Kell

Ohio (11)Brad Carrico Dublin ComanCharlie Fiessinger Mason MoellerDan Fox Rocky River St. IgnatiusJarrett Grace Cincinnati ColerainEilar Hardy Reynoldsburg Pickerington CentralAndrew Hendrix Cincinnati MoellerChase Hounshell Kirtland Lake CatholicWill Mahone Austintown FitchLuke Massa Cincinnati St. Xavier

Dan McCarthy Youngstown Cardinal MooneyAlex Welch Cincinnati Elder

Pennsylvania (1)

Ben Koyack Oil City Oil City

2012 Irish by State and Hometown


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Juniors (10)*QB Andrew HendrixC Bruce Heggie**WR TJ JONES*OT Christian LombardWR Luke MassaOT Tate Nichols**QB TOMMY REESRB Cameron Roberson*WR Daniel Smith

TE Alex Welch

Juniors (9)

**S Austin Collinsworth**CB Bennett Jackson*ILB Kendall Moore*NG LOUIS NIX III

*NG Kona Schwenke**OLB PRINCE SHEMBO**OLB Danny SpondILB Justin Utupo**CB Lo Wood

Juniors (0)

Seniors (7)**TE TYLER EIFERTTE Jake Golic**OT ZACK MARTIN***WR THEO RIDDICK**WR Robby Toma**OG CHRIS WATT**RB CIERRE WOOD

Seniors (6)

**ILB Carlo Calabrese**ILB DAN FOX***S ZEKE MOTTA**S Chris Salvi

NG Tyler Stockton***ILB MANTI TEO

Seniors (3)

**LS JORDAN COWART*K Nick Tausch***P BEN TURK

Graduates (3)***C BRAXSTON CAVE**C/G Mike Golic Jr.***WR John Goodman

Graduates (3)

***DE KAPRONLEWIS-MOORE

*S Dan McCarthy***S JAMORIS

SLAUGHTER

Graduates (0)

Freshmen (8)WR Chris BrownWR Justin FergusonOL Mark HarrellQB Gunner KielRB Will MahoneWR Davonte NealRB KeiVarae RussellOL Ronnie Stanley

Class Oense Deense Specialists TotalFreshman 8 7 1 16Sophomore 10 (3 lettermen) 12 (3 lettermen) 1 (1 letterman) 23 (7 lettermen)Junior 10 (5 lettermen) 9 (8 lettermen) 0 (0 lettermen) 19 (13 lettermen)Senior 7 (6 lettermen) 6 (5 lettermen) 3 (3 lettermen) 16 (14 lettermen)Graduate 3 (3 lettermen) 3 (3 lettermen) 0 (0 lettermen) 6 (6 lettermen)Total 38 (17 lettermen) 37 (19 lettermen) 5 (4 lettermen) 80 (40 lettermen)

Freshmen (7)

S Nicky BarattiDE Sheldon DayDE Jarron JonesOLB Romeo Okwara

S C.J. ProsiseS Elijah ShumateS John Turner

Freshman (1)

LS Scott Daly

Sophomores (10)*RB George Atkinson IIIRB Amir CarlisleOG Brad CarricoWR DaVaris DanielsQB Everett GolsonC/G Conor HanrattyC Matt Hegarty*TE Ben KoyackG/T Nick Martin

*TE Troy Niklas

Sophomores (12)

CB Josh AtkinsonCB Jalen BrownOLB Ben CouncellS Matthias Farley

ILB Jarrett GraceS Eilar Hardy*DE Chase HounshellCB Cam McDanielOLB Anthony RabasaNG Tony Springmann*DE Stephon Tuitt*OLB Ishaq Williams

Sophomore (1)

*K/P Kyle Brindza

How The Irish Were Built

OFFENSE (38)

THE 12 IRISH BY CLASS

DEFENSE (35)

SPECIALISTS (5)

BOLD CAPS indicates started at least seven games in 2011 * indicates monograms earnedScholarship players only


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ing All-America linebacker Manti Teoand a talented, but young, deensive line.

The Irish must replace one deensive line-man, one linebacker and three memberso the secondary that combined to start61 games in 2011 and 179 games in theirrespective Notre Dame careers.

One position that has an incumbentstarter but will be challenged this Augustis quarterback--and Kelly is as interestedin that race as the Irish aithul.

Im excited to see the competition atquarterback, Kelly said. We have ourtalented players who will all be giventhe opportunity to earn the starting job,and Im looking orward to how this willunold.

Notre Dames oense tallied more than500 yards ve times in 2011, equal to thecombined number o 500-yard games pro-duced by the Irish rom 2006-10. The Irishimproved their ranking in many oensivecategories, including total oense (No. 61

When Brian Kelly was hired as headootball coach at the University o Notre

Dame, he made two o his top prioritiesclear--improving the Irish deense and cre-ating an atmosphere that encouraged theplayers to develop themselves mentallyand physically to play better in the secondhalves o games.

Over the last two seasons, NotreDames deense has allowed less than 21points per game, making it the rst timein a decade an Irish deense surrenderedthat ew points in consecutive seasons.Notre Dame has also registered a 15-3record in games it has led at haltime un-der Kelly, marked improvement rom the9-6 record the Irish had when leading athaltime in the two seasons prior to Kellysarrival.

Kelly knows where the ocus needs tobe as he enters his third season in 2012.

We need to continue the develop-ment o our players across the board,

Kelly said. In our rst season, we werelearning the players names and they were

learning our concepts. Last year, we werestill installing portions o our oense anddeense. Now, in year three, its about tak-ing everyones game to a higher level.

Based on the depth chart rom the 2011Champs Sports Bowl, Notre Dame returns34 o 45 players listed on the oensiveand deensive two-deep projections. Byadding in players listed on the special-teams depth chart, the Irish return 44 o56 players on the bowl game depth chart.

Notre Dame begins 2012 training campwith 41 returning monogram winners and16 combined starters (players who startedat least seven games) rom oense, de-ense and special teams. The Irish oenseeatures eight returning starters--as NotreDame must replace its right guard andright tackle plus Michael Floyd, the mostprolic wide receiver in school history.Deensively, six starters are back, includ-

2012 Season Preview

Notre Dame Ready to Tackle Challenging 2012 SlateIrish set to ace ve top-15 teams and enter season with 16 returning starters


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2012 Season Preview

Offensive Preview

For the second straight training camp,plenty o attention will be devoted to thequarterback competition at Notre Dame.Not to be overshadowed, though, willbe eorts to replace the right side o the

oensive line--as well as the open widereceiver position created with MichaelFloyds graduation. Talented players romthe sophomore, junior and senior classescompeted or starting spots in spring drillsand will be joined in competition this allrom three reshmen.

Eight players that started at least ninegames in 2011 return to the Irish oense,and the 2012 Notre Dame oense willeature 10 players that have started at

least six games in their Irish careers.O a possible 143 starts last season (13

games with 11 starters), 100 total startsreturn or Notre Dames oense in 2012,the highest percentage Brian Kelly hashad in his Notre Dame coaching career.The Irish return 95 percent o their totalpassing yards rom 2011 as well as 63.6percent o their receiving yards and 62.2percent o rushing yards.

Quarterbacks

New quarterbacks coach Chuck Martininherits a quarterback competition or thethird straight season, albeit this years iscompletely dierent than the previoustwo years. Juniors Tommy Rees and An-drew Hendrix both played last year, whilesophomore Everett Golson preserved aseason o athletic eligibility in his rookie

year and early-enrollee reshman GunnerKiel was busy leading his Columbus (Ind.)East High School team in 2011. The oursignal-callers will all get an opportunity tostake their claim as starting Notre Damequarterback this all.

Rees (11 games started, 269 o 411passing or 2,871 yards, 20 TDs, 14 INTs in11) is the most experienced quarterbacko the bunch, having ashioned a 12-4record as a starting quarterback at Notre

Dame. Only Jimmy Clausen and BradyQuinn started more games in their resh-man and sophomore seasons combined atNotre Dame than the 16 contests openedby Rees. He is the current career leader incompletion percentage (64.2 percent) bya Notre Dame quarterback--and Clausenand Quinn are the only two Irish quarter-backs to pass or more yards and TDs in aseason than Rees did in 11.

to No. 35), rushing oense (No. 92 to No.54) and scoring oense (No. 67 to No. 49).

Deensively, the Irish in 2011 rankedin the top 50 in total deense, scoringdeense, rushing deense and passingdeense or only the second time since2003 and just the ourth time in the last

15 seasons.Notre Dames 2012 schedule arguably

could be the toughest in the nation, as veo the 12 opponents have been ranked inthe top 25 o numerous preseason pollsand our opponents have been ratedamong the top 11 teams in the country.The Irish play host to Michigan (11-2 in11; Sugar Bowl champions; No. 12 in nalAssociated Press poll) and Stanord (11-2

in 11; Lost in Fiesta Bowl; No. 7 in nal APpoll) and travel to Michigan State (11-3 in11; No. 11 in nal AP poll), Oklahoma (10-3 in 11; No. 16 in nal AP poll) and USC(10-2 in 11; No. 6 in nal AP poll). NotreDame opens the season in Dublin, Ireland,against Navy and hosts a game at SoldierField in Chicago against Miami (Fla.). TheIrish will accumulate major requent fyermiles in 2012 as fights to Dublin, Boston,Norman, Okla., Pittsburgh and Los Ange-

les total 10,899 miles. Notre Dame willbus to Chicago and East Lansing, Mich.,or its battle with Michigan State.

The Fighting Irish coaching sta hasbeen remodeled on oense as Chuck Mar-tin moves rom coaching Notre Damessaeties the last two years to becomeoensive coordinator and quarterbackscoach. Harry Hiestand (most recently anassistant at Tennessee) joins the sta as

oensive line coach and run game coor-dinator, while Mike Denbrock moves romtight ends to outside wide receivers andwill serve as the pass game coordinator.Tony Alord shits rom wide receivers torunning backs, but he will continue coach-ing the slot receivers. Scott Booker hasbeen promoted rom oensive intern totight ends coach and also serves as spe-cial teams coordinator. Deensively, BobDiaco has been elevated to assistant headcoach and Kerry Cooks has been promotedto co-deensive coordinator. Mike Elstonremains with the deensive line, and BobElliott (most recently an assistant at IowaState) joins the Irish sta to coach NotreDames saeties.

Here is a more detailed position-by-position breakdown o Irish personnel or2012:

Position-by-Position Listing

QUARTERBACK:

+Charlie Fiessinger, 6-1, 185, So./1Everett Golson, 6-0, 185, So./1*Andrew Hendrix, 6-2, 220, Jr./2Gunner Kiel, 6-4, 210, Fr./1

**TOMMY REES, 6-2, 210, Jr./3

RUNNING BACK:

*George Atkinson III, 6-1, 210, So./2Amir Carlisle, 5-10, 185, So./2Will Mahone, 5-10, 211, Fr./1Cam McDaniel, 5-10, 195, So./2+Tyler Plantz, 5-9, 202, Jr./1***THEO RIDDICK, 5-11, 200, Sr./4Cameron Roberson, 6-0, 218, Jr./1

KeiVarae Russell, 5-11, 182, Fr./1**CIERRE WOOD, 6-0, 215, Sr./3

WIDE RECEIVER:

Chris Brown, 6-2, 172, Fr./1DaVaris Daniels, 6-2, 190, So./1Justin Ferguson, 6-2, 196, Fr./1+Nick Fitzpatrick, 5-8, 170, Sr./2***John Goodman, 6-3, 215, Gr./4**TJ JONES, 5-11, 190, Jr./3+Eric Lee, 5-9, 180, So./1

Luke Massa, 6-4, 225, Jr./2Davonte Neal, 5-9, 171, Fr./1+Andre Smith, 6-2, 190, So./1*Daniel Smith, 6-4, 215, Jr./2**Robby Toma, 5-9, 185, Sr./4

BOLD CAPS indicates player startedat least seven games in 2011* indicates number o monogramsearned

+ indicates walk-on player


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2012 Season Preview

th season with the Irish ater graduatingrom Notre Dame in May and will com-pete or the vacant wide receiver position.Goodman has started our games in hisNotre Dame career and totaled 28 recep-tions or 315 yards and one TD.

Juniors Luke Massa and Daniel Smith

and sophomore DaVaris Daniels are threeother options at wide receiver. At 6-oot-4and 225 pounds, Massa has the biggestrame among the Irish wide receivers buttore the anterior cruciate ligament in aknee and might not be available this sea-son. Smith, another 6-oot-4 wide receiver,has been hampered by injuries in his NotreDame career but has fashed signs o be-ing a good playmaker when healthy. Dan-iels has the best vertical on the team at 38inches and preserved a year o eligibilityin 2011. An electric player in high school,Daniels showed fashes o his potentialduring spring practices and could be a a-vorite to eventually win the open receiverbattle.

Three dynamic reshmen will all get anopportunity to compete or playing time in2012. Chris Brown was the South Carolinastate champion in triple jump while plac-

ing second in the 100-meter and 200-me-ter dashes plus the high jump and couldbe the astest receiver on the team. JustinFerguson recorded 21 receiving TDs overhis nal two seasons at Flanagan HighSchool in Pembroke Pines, Fla. DavonteNeal was the Gatorade Arizona player othe year ollowing his junior and seniorseasons and could be a natural slot re-ceiver or the Irish.

Hendrix (5 games played, 18 o 37passing or 249 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT and 25carries or 162 yards, 1 TD in 11) electri-ed the Irish aithul against Air Force ashe led Notre Dame with 111 rushing yardson six carries. He also completed all ourpass attempts against the Falcons or 33

yards, displaying his ability to both passand run in Kellys oense.

Golson earned oensive scout teamplayer-o-the-year honors in 2011 aterpreparing the Irish deense most weeksas the upcoming opponents quarterback.Prior to the USC game, Golson fashedhis athletic ability by practicing as RobertWoods, the All-America wide receiveror the Trojans. Golson passed or 11,634yards with 151 TDs while helping MyrtleBeach (S.C.) High School win 44 o 49games he started.

The consensus top prep quarterback inthe nation in the 2012 class, Kiel enrolledin January at Notre Dame, allowing himto participate in spring drills and learn theoense. Indianas Mr. Football passed or2,517 yards and 28 TDs while rushing or452 yards and 11 TDs as a senior in highschool.

Running Backs

Notre Dames running backs arguablyhad the best season o any oensive posi-tion group last year, as they averaged 5.8yards per carry and 153.2 rushing yardsper game with 23 rushing TDs.

Senior Cierre Wood (217 carries or1,102 yards, 9 TDs in 11; 27 receptions or189 yards) became the 10th Notre Dame

running back and rst Irish running backin ve seasons to gain over 1,000 yardson the ground. He recorded the 12th-bestsingle-season rushing total in Notre Damehistory--and his 1,291 yards rom scrim-mage (total o rushing yards and receiv-ing yards) were the ninth most in schoolhistory.

Senior Theo Riddick moved rom slotreceiver to running back or the nal twogames o 2011 and sticks at that positionas training camp opens. Riddick, who ar-rived at Notre Dame as a heralded runningback, has rushed 54 times or 252 yards inhis college career. He gained 36 yards oneight carries in the Champs Sports Bowlagainst Florida State.

Sophomore George Atkinson III playeda limited role on oense in his rookieseason, as Atkinson rushed or 27 yardson nine carries with two TDs. However,

Atkinson thrilled the Irish aithul in the2012 Blue-Gold Spring Football Game bygaining 124 yards on 15 carries and added54 yards on three pass receptions.

Sophomore Amir Carlisle transerred toNotre Dame rom USC prior to the start othe 2012 spring semester. Carlisle gained

118 yards on 19 rushes in 2011 and will beeligible or the Irish in 2012 ater receivinga waiver rom the NCAA. Carlisle missedspring practice with a broken ankle.

Junior Cameron Roberson was a lim-ited participant in spring drills while herecovered rom a serious knee injury su-ered in 2011 spring practice. He beginsAugust drills hoping to be closer to 100percent.

Two reshmen join the mix in Augustto add quality depth to the Irish runningbacks. Will Mahone gained 700 yards andscored nine TDs as senior at Fitch HighSchool in Austintown, Ohio, despite miss-ing almost hal o his senior season withan ankle injury. KeiVarae Russell was arst-team all-state player at Mariner HighSchool in Everett, Wash., and rushed or1,293 yards and scored 14 rushing TDs in2011.

Wide Receivers

The 2012 Irish wide receiving corpswont be the only group attempting toll the void created by the graduation ostandout Michael Floydas Notre Dametight ends and running backs are expectedto become greater receiving threats thisyear. But it will be important or the Irishto identiy someone who can ll the role

o an outside wide receiver this trainingcamp.

Junior TJ Jones tied or third on theteam in receptions (38 or 366, 3 TDs) and,with Theo Riddick moving to running backthis year, Jones ranks as the leading re-turning pass-catcher among wide receiv-ers in 2012. A concise route-runner, Joneshas 61 total receptions in his rst twoseasons and has started 19 o 25 careergames or the Irish.

Senior slot receiver Robby Toma (19or 207, 1 TD) emerged late in 2011 aterRiddick missed two games due to injury.A shity player with reliable hands, Tomastarted the nal our games and recorded16 receptions or 172 yards over the nalour games o 2011 (only Floyd and All-America tight end Tyler Eiert had morecatches and yards over that stretch).

Graduate John Goodman will utilize his


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2012 Season Preview

in 13 games (1.31/game) qualied as theewest by an Irish oensive line since1998 (0.8/game).

The centerpiece or the Irish in 2012will be graduate Braxston Cave. In thenine games he started beore suering aoot injury that caused him to miss the -

nal our games, Notre Dame signal-callersendured only ve sacks and the Irish aver-aged 173.6 rushing yards per game, help-ing the Irish to a 6-3 record.

Senior let tackle Zack Martin hasstarted every game the last two years a-ter sitting out his reshman season. He hasbeen recipient o the Guardian o the Yearaward, signiying Martin as the top oen-sive lineman on the Irish, in both seasons

he has played.Senior let guard Chris Watt started ev-ery game last year ater sitting out in 2009and playing primarily as a reserve in 2010.A powerul interior player, Watt is a strongplayer who helped the Irish average 160.4rushing yards per game in 2011, most by aNotre Dame squad since 2001.

A host o players competed or the va-cant right guard and right tackle positionsin spring. One player, graduate Mike Golic

Jr., already has the experience o start-ing on the oensive line as he lled in atcenter or Cave or the nal our games o2011. Golic enters training camp as a a-vorite to win the right guard battle..

Juniors Christian Lombard, Tate Nich-ols and Bruce Heggie will try to breakinto the depth chart--with Lombard andNichols playing tackle and Heggie ocus-ing on center. Lombard was Taylor Devers

backup at right tackle in 2011 and wouldappear to have an inside track on win-ning the job. Nichols, the largest playeron the Irish oense, backed up Martin atlet tackle last year when he was healthy.

Tight Ends

Notre Dame continued its tradition oproducing great tight ends in 2011 as se-nior Tyler Eiert excelled arguably as thetop player at his position last year. Eiertled all FBS tight ends with 63 receptions

and 803 yards. He set the school recordor most receptions and receiving yardsin a season by a tight end, ranks secondin career receiving yards by a Notre Dametight end and is tied or ourth in career re-ceptions by an Irish tight end. A nalist orthe 2011 Mackey Award as the nationstop tight end, Eiert received rst-teamAll-America recognition rom the WalterCamp Football Foundation.

Junior Alex Welch and sophomore Ben

Koyack were thrust into action in 2011when veteran Mike Ragone was lost orthe season with an injury. Welch (1 or 8yards) appeared in 10 games or the Irishand improved as a blocker as the seasonprogressed. Koyack (1 or 5 yards) playedin 12 games and started one contest.

Senior Jake Golic missed the 2011season with an injury and will be look-ing to work his way up the depth chart

this all. New to the tight ends group issophomore Troy Niklas. The 6-oot-7, 252pounder played in 12 games as an outsidelinebacker in his rst season with the Irish,totaling 20 tackles. As a junior in highschool, Niklas caught 16 passes as a tightend or 128 yards and three TDs.

Offensive Line

Probably no position group on the 2011

Irish squad made bigger strides than theoensive line, and three starters rom thatunit return in 2012. Notre Dame averaged4.8 yards per carry, its best rushing aver-age since 1996, and the 17 sacks allowed

TIGHT END:

**TYLER EIFERT, 6-6, 251, Sr./3Jake Golic, 6-4, 245, Sr./2*Ben Koyack, 6-5, 253, So./2*Troy Niklas, 6-7, 260, So./2Alex Welch, 6-4, 250, Jr./2

OFFENSIVE LINE:

Brad Carrico, 6-5, 290, So./1***BRAXSTON CAVE, 6-3, 304,

Gr./4**Mike Golic Jr., 6-3, 295, Gr./4Conor Hanratty, 6-5, 305, So./1Mark Harrell, 6-4, 287, Fr./1Matt Hegarty, 6-5, 296, So./1Bruce Heggie, 6-5, 285, Jr./2*Christian Lombard, 6-5, 309, Jr./2

+*Dennis Mahoney, 6-7, 294, Gr./3Nick Martin, 6-4, 290, So./1**ZACK MARTIN, 6-4, 304, Sr./3Tate Nichols, 6-8, 320, Jr./2Jordan Prestwood, 6-5, 295, So./1Ronnie Stanley, 6-6, 304, Fr./1+Matt Tansey, 6-6, 270, Sr./3**CHRIS WATT, 6-3, 310, Sr./3

NOSE GUARD:

*LOUIS NIX III, 6-3, 326, Jr./2*Kona Schwenke, 6-4, 290, Jr./3Tony Springmann, 6-6, 300, So./1Tyler Stockton, 6-0, 285, Sr./2

DEFENSIVE END:

+Kevin Carr, 6-7, 325, Jr./1Sheldon Day, 6-2, 286, Fr./1*Chase Hounshell, 6-4, 275, So./2Jarron Jones, 6-5, 299, Fr./1***KAPRON LEWIS-MOORE,

6-4, 306, Gr./4+Arturo Martinez, 6-4, 250, Jr./1+Grant Patton, 6-6, 256, Sr./1*Stephon Tuitt, 6-6, 303, So./2

BOLD CAPS indicates player startedat least seven games in 2011* indicates number o monogramsearned+ indicates walk-on player

Senior tight end Tyler Eifert earned All-America honors in 2011 after leading all FBS tight ends inreceptions and receiving yards. Eifert enters 2012 needing 39 catches and 605 receiving yards tobreak Ken MacAfees school records for most receptions and receiving yards in a career by a tightend.


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and a hal sacks, two pass breakups anda orced umble, beore a knee injury side-lined him or the remainder o the season.Lewis-Moore practiced in the spring andshould be 100 percent entering trainingcamp.

The 2011 Irish deense ound itsel

greatly buoyed by the arrival o sophomoreStephon Tuitt last year. Tuitt provided greatversatility as he lined up at both deensiveend and deensive tackle, depending onthe deensive situation. Tuitt missed a ewgames due to mononucleosis but still re-corded 30 tackles in nine games.

A classmate o Tuitt, Chase Hounshellwas orced into action due to injuries toEthan Johnson and Lewis-Moore. Houn-shell participated in seven games and wasanother reshman deender who fashedgreat potential in 2011.

Another young, big body gets added tothe Irish deensive line in 2012 as resh-man Jarron Jones is added to the roster.Jones, a 6-6, 298 pound deensive endrom Rochester, N.Y., was rated as one othe top deensive linemen in the countryby many recruiting outlets.

LinebackersFor the second straight season, three o

our starting Notre Dame linebackers re-turn but competition or starting spots andplaying time will remain erce as the line-backers unit eatures more upperclassmenthan any other position on deense.

The linebackers and the entire deense,or that matter are led by All-AmericanManti Teo. A nalist last year or the

Butkus Trophy and Lott Award, Teo ledthe Irish in tackles or a second-straightseason with 128 stops while settingcareer highs o 13.5 tackles or loss andve sacks. Ater considering entering theNFL Drat, Teo chose to return to schooland will undoubtedly be a preseason All-American by virtually every selector.

Senior Dan Fox emerged rom a packo contenders to earn the starting insidelinebacker job opposite Teo last year andplayed well enough to start all 13 games.Fox ranked sixth on the squad with 48tackles and added two and a hal tacklesor loss and one sack.

Senior Carlo Calabrese split time withFox in 2011 and played especially wellagainst the run. Only three players on theteam have more career tackles than Cal-abreses 97 stops.

Junior Kendall Moore and sophomore

Heggie has added almost 45 pounds to hisrame since he arrived at Notre Dame andis beginning to learn the nuances o play-ing center ater entering Notre Dame as adeensive lineman.

A quintet o talented sophomores didnot play last year. Brad Carrico, ConorHanratty, Matt Hegarty, Nick Martin andJordan Prestwood all preserved a seasono eligibility. Carrico and Hanratty prac-ticed at guard in spring, Hegarty movedto center during spring drills, Martin willplay both guard and tackle this year--and

Prestwood will ocus solely on tackle.Mark Harrell and Ronnie Stanley were

both highly-decorated high school playersin their home states. Harrell was a rst-team all-state selection in North Carolinain 2010 and 2011 and Stanley was widelyconsidered the top ootball player in Ne-vada in 2011.

Defensive Preview

Not many deenses in the FootballBowl Subdivision have seen the type odrastic improvement displayed by NotreDames deense over the past two sea-sons. The Irish have improved at least 38spots in FBS deensive rankings in ourcategories rom 2009 to 2011: total de-ense rom being ranked No. 86 in 2009to 30th in 2011, scoring deense rom 63rdto 24th, rushing deense rom 89th to 47thand passing deense 76th to 38th.

Seven players who started at least sev-en games in 2011 return this year--as doplayers that accounted last year or 60.6percent o tackles, 60.0 percent o tacklesor loss and 60.0 percent o sacks.

Notre Dame must replace graduatedplayers deensive end Ethan Johnson,outside linebacker Darius Fleming, corner-backs Robert Blanton and Gary Gray plussaety Harrison Smith. Their experience

and leadership will leave voids that willstart to be lled this season.

Defensive LineThe Irish deensive line proved young

but talented in 2011, as three o the sixplayers who started games a year ago orthe Irish were in their rst season o com-petition. The ront line o Notre Damesdeense became a major reason why op-ponents recorded only eight rushing TDslast year, the second ewest by a NotreDame deense since 1990.

Junior Louis Nix III anchored the middleo the 2011 deensive line and started 11games in his rst season o competition.Nix led all deensive linemen and rankedseventh on the team with 45 tackles, in-cluding our and a hal tackles or loss andone-hal sack.

Junior Kona Schwenke arguably wasthe biggest and most pleasant surprise orthe Irish in spring drills. The Hawaii native

moved rom deensive end to nose guardin the spring and thrived during practicesand the spring game.

Joining Nix and Schwenke as other op-tions on the interior o the Irish deensiveline are senior Tyler Stockton, sophomoreTony Springmann and early-enrollee resh-man Sheldon Day. Neither Stockton norSpringmann played or Notre Dame in2011 while contributing to the Irish pri-marily as members o the scout team. Daywas runner-up or Mr. Football in Indianalast year, losing out to ellow early en-rollee and quarterback Gunner Kiel.

The youth movement on the NotreDame deensive line extends to deensiveend where only graduate Kapron Lewis-Moore is in his nal season o athletic eli-gibility. Lewis-Moore started each o therst seven games last year and had tallied32 tackles with our tackles or loss, one

Graduate Kapron Lewis-Moore has recovered from a knee injury that ended his 2011 season and isback to lead a talented defensive line. Only one active player on Notre Dames roster has more careertackles and tackles for loss than Lewis-Moores 140 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss.


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2012 Season Preview

Dame in May, started 10 games in 2011as a saety and also can be an outsidelinebacker in certain deensive packages.Always known or his erocious tackles,Slaughter recorded a career-best 45 tack-les, our tackles or loss and two sackslast year.

Motta started seven games and hasopened 15 contests in his Irish career.Only Kapron Lewis-Moore and Manti Teohave more career stops among active Irishplayers than Mottas 102 tackles.

Behind Slaughter and Motta at thesaety positions are graduate Dan Mc-Carthy, senior Chris Salvi and sophomoresMatthias Farley and Eilar Hardy. McCarthyreturns or a th year and has been pri-

marily a special-teams player in his NotreDame career. Salvi is a walk-on who wasrewarded with a scholarship this year.The hard-hitting saety packs even biggerpunches in the boxing ring, as Salvi wonthe 188-pound title at the 2012 BengalBouts on Notre Dames campus. Farleyis entering his rst season as a saety atNotre Dame ater playing wide receiver inhis reshman year. Hardy suered a kneeinjury early in 2011 and missed the entire

season while recovering.Junior Austin Collinsworth was great in

spring and would have been in the saetyrotation this season, but a shoulder injurysuered near the end the spring drills re-quired surgery and Collinsworth will mostlikely miss the 2012 season.

The Irish secondary was boosted withthe addition o ve reshmen saeties thisall. Chris Badger enrolled early in Janu-

ary 2010 and participated in Brian Kellysrst set o spring drills beore Badger letNotre Dame or his Mormon mission. NickBaratti played ve positions in high schooland was named a rst-team all-state se-lection in Texas as a senior. Virginias C.J.Prosise earned all-state honors as a juniorand senior and Elijah Shumate played orthe top-rated high school in the countrylast year (Don Bosco Prep in East Orange,N.J.) and was ranked as a top-10 deen-sive back last year. John Turner helpedCathedral High School in Indianapolis winthe state championship last year and hewas selected to the Indianapolis Star Su-per Team in 2011.

Only ve scholarship cornerbacks dotthe Irish roster at the start o trainingcamp--and juniors Lo Wood and BennettJackson enter as the avorites to start.

Jarrett Grace have received good reviewsrom the Irish coaching sta and providequality depth at both inside linebackerpositions.

A consistent contributor on specialteams, junior Justin Utupo moved to in-side linebacker last year and could be an

option or the Irish down the road.At outside linebacker, junior Prince Sh-

embo started eight o 12 games played in2011; the only our games he didnt startcame when the Irish opened with ve de-ensive backs on the eld. Shembo record-ed 31 tackles with three and a hal tacklesor loss and two sacks in 2011thoughhe moves to the outside linebacker posi-tion owned by Darius Fleming the previous

two seasons.Junior Danny Spond proved a special-teams stalwart in 2011, with a chancenow to become the starter at the dogoutside linebacker position with Shembosmove to the other side o the ormationand Troy Niklas deection to oense.

Sophomore Ishaq Williams spent mucho his rst year with the Irish learning howto play outside linebacker ater being oneo the top deensive ends in the country

as a high school senior. Standing 6-oot-5and 255 pounds, he has the physical attri-butes needed to compete at the highest olevels and will get a chance in his secondseason to become a larger contributor.

Sophomore Ben Councell has tre-mendous potential and should be a solidaddition to the special teams units. Hebeneted rom the extra snaps in springpractices and will compete with Spond or

the starting outside linebacker spot. Soph-omore Anthony Rabasa did not play as areshman in 2011 but adds great depth tothe position this year.

Romeo Okwara, a reshman rom Char-lotte, N.C., attended the same high schoolas Shembo and was a rst-team all-statedeensive player in 2011.

Defensive Backs

The most inexperienced unit on the2012 Fighting Irish ootball team, withoutquestion, is the secondary where saetiesJamoris Slaughter and Zeke Motta arethe only players with starting experience.However, the entire group o deensivebacks has combined to appear in 201games at Notre Dame.

Slaughter, who graduated rom Notre

INSIDE LINEBACKER:

**Carlo Calabrese, 6-1, 245, Sr./3**DAN FOX, 6-3, 240, Sr./3Jarrett Grace, 6-3, 240, So./1+Connor Little, 6-3, 225, So./1*Kendall Moore, 6-1, 242, Jr./2

Anthony Rabasa, 6-3, 240, So./1+Joe Schmidt, 6-0, 230, So./1***MANTI TEO, 6-2, 255, Sr./4Justin Utupo, 6-1, 258, Jr./2

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER:

Ben Councell, 6-5, 240, So./1Romeo Okwara, 6-4, 239, Fr./1**PRINCE SHEMBO, 6-2, 250, Jr./3**Danny Spond, 6-2, 248, Jr./3*Ishaq Williams, 6-5, 255, So./2

CORNERBACK:

Josh Atkinson, 5-11, 185, So./2Jalen Brown, 6-1, 199, So./1**Bennett Jackson, 6-0, 185, Jr./3+Joe Romano, 5-9, 175, Jr./1+Will Salvi, 5-10, 176, Sr./1**Lo Wood, 5-10, 195, Jr./3

SAFETY:

Chris Badger, 6-0, 193, Fr./1

Nick Baratti, 6-1, 206, Fr./1+Blake Breslau, 5-10, 185, Sr./2+Connor Cavalaris, 5-10, 194, So./1**Austin Collinsworth, 6-1, 202, Jr./3Matthias Farley, 5-11, 200, So./1Eilar Hardy, 5-11, 185, So./1*Dan McCarthy, 6-2, 205, Gr./4***ZEKE MOTTA, 6-2, 215, Sr./4C.J. Prosise, 6-2, 208, Fr./1**Chris Salvi, 5-10, 190, Sr./4

***JAMORIS SLAUGHTER, 6-0,198, Gr./4

Elijah Shumate, 6-0, 198, Fr./1+Ernie Solo, 5-9, 188, So./1John Turner, 6-2, 207, Fr./1

BOLD CAPS indicates player startedat least seven games in 2011* indicates number o monogramsearned+ indicates walk-on player


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cord with 19 made eld goals as a senior,and converted six o nine rom beyond 50yards.

Punter

Ater a shaky start to the 2011 season,senior Ben Turk rebounded nicely to aver-

age 41.6 yards per punt over the last 11games with 17 o 44 punts landing insidethe 20 yard line. In his Notre Dame career,54 o Turks 147 career punts have landedinside the 20 and 52 o his punts havebeen air caught.

Long Snapper

Senior Jordan Cowart enters his ourthyear as Notre Dames long snapper and

will get the rst opportunity to serve asthe snapper on punts as well as eld goalsthis year. Cowart was the snapper or therst hal o last season beore he injuredhis hand against Purdue allowing Ryan Ka-vanagh to take over and not give up thatposition or the rest o 2011. Cowart hasnever had a punt blocked when he wassnapping at Notre Dame.

Freshman Scott Daly was the nationstop long snapper last year and will com-pete with Cowart or snapping duties thisyear.

Returners

The Irish ound one kicko returner in2011 but will be searching this August ora second kicko returner and someonethat can return punts.

Freshman George Atkinson III ranked19th in the nation by averaging 26.1 yards

per kicko return, the best average by aplayer that led the Irish in kicko returnssince Vontez Du in 2002. Atkinson setthe Notre Dame record with 914 returnyards and his 35 returns were the secondmost in school history. He returned twokickos or TDs (one against MichiganState and one against USC) to tie a schoolrecord or most kicko returns or TDs ina season and he became the rst Notre

Dame reshman to score twice on kickossince Raghib Rocket Ismail.

Wood played in 10 games, while Jacksonplayed in 13--though both were primar-ily contributors to special teams. Jacksonhelped Notre Dames indoor track teamwin the 2012 BIG EAST Championship,competing in the 60-meter hurdles. Atrack teammate o Jackson, sophomore

Josh Atkinson placed th in the 60-meterdash and sixth in the 200 at the 2012 BIGEAST Indoor Championships and ollowedthat up by placing ourth in the 100-meterdash and th in the 200-meter dash at theBIG EAST Outdoor Championships. Atkin-son played in eight games in his reshmanseason, mostly on special teams. Sopho-more Jalen Brown is the tallest o NotreDames cornerbacks at 6-oot-1. He did notplay as a reshman in 2011 but deendedMichael Floyd in practice every day as amember o the scout team. Floyd actuallythanked Brown in his speech ater winningthe team MVP award or the eort Browngave every day in practice, helping makeFloyd a better player. Sophomore CamMcDaniel moved rom running back tocornerback in the spring and could be anoption this all.

Special Teams PreviewThe Irish ound success in the kicko

return game in 2011 as they ranked 36thin the nation averaging 22.9 yards perkicko return. Notre Dame averaged only3.7 yards per punt return last year and apriority this year will be on nding a play-maker the return punts in 2012.

Notre Dame returns its punter, longsnapper, kicko specialist and best re-

turner but must replace its record-settingplacekicker in 2012.

Kicker

Senior Nick Tausch looks to reclaim thestarting kicking job he had as a reshmanin 2009 and continue the accurate kickinghe displayed in his rst year. As a resh-man, Tausch set the Notre Dame recordor most consecutive made eld goals in

a season when he converted 14 straighteld goals. That record lasted only oneseason, though, as David Ruer made 18consecutive eld goals in 2010.

Challenging Tausch could be sopho-more Kyle Brindza. As a reshman, Brindzawas Notre Dames kicko specialist andhe averaged 65.3 yards per kicko andrecorded 12 touchbacks on 71 kickos.One o the nations top high school kick-ers in 2009, Brindza set the Michigan re-

PUNTER:

*Kyle Brindza, 6-1, 225, So./2+Jude Rhodes, 5-10, 180, Jr./1***BEN TURK, 5-11, 186, Sr./4

KICKER:

*Kyle Brindza, 6-1, 225, So./2

+Jude Rhodes, 5-10, 180, Jr./1*Nick Tausch, 6-0, 201, Sr./3

LONG SNAPPER:

**Jordan Cowart, 6-2, 230, Sr./4Scott Daly, 6-2, 245, Fr./1

BOLD CAPS indicates player startedat least seven games in 2011* indicates number o monograms

earned+ indicates walk-on player


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MICHIGAN

Sept. 22Notre Dame Stadium

Notre Dame, Ind.

GENERAL INFORMATION

School: University o MichiganLocation: Ann Arbor, Mich.Founded: 1817

Enrollment: 41,942Nickname: WolverinesColors: Maize and BlueConerence: Big Ten


Series: Michigan leads 23-15-1First Played: Nov. 23, 1887

(Michigan 8, at Notre Dame 0)Last Played: Sept. 10, 2011

(at Michigan 35, Notre Dame 31)2011 Record: 11-22011 Bowl Game: Allstate Sugar

Bowl vs. Virginia Tech (W, 23-20 OT)2011 Final Rankings: 12/9Starters Returning/Lost: 13/9

MEDIA RELATIONSINFORMATION

Football Contact: Justin DickensPhone: (734) 615-0680Email: [email protected]: www.MGoBlue.com

2012 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 vs. Alabama

Sept. 8 Air ForceSept. 15 MassachusettsSept. 22 at Notre DameOct. 6 at PurdueOct. 13 IllinoisOct. 20 Michigan StateOct. 27 at NebraskaNov. 3 at MinnesotaNov. 10 NorthwesternNov. 17 IowaNov. 24 at Ohio State

MIAMI (FLA.)

Oct. 6Solider FieldChicago, Ill.

GENERAL INFORMATION

School: University o Miami (Fla.)Location: Coral Gables, Fla.Founded: 1925Enrollment: 15,629Nickname: HurricanesColors: Orange, Green and WhiteConerence: ACC


Series: Notre Dame leads 16-7-1First Played:Oct. 7, 1955

(Notre Dame 14, at Miami 0)Last Played: Dec. 31, 2010

(at Sun Bowl Stadium Notre Dame33, Miami 17)

2011 Record: 6-62011 Bowl Game: None2011 Final Rankings: NR/NRStarters Returning/Lost: 11/14


Football Contact: Chris YandlePhone: (305) 284-3248Email: [email protected]: www.hurricanesports.com

2012 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 at Boston CollegeSept. 8 at Kansas StateSept. 15 Bethune CookmanSept. 22 at Georgia TechSept. 29 North Carolina StateOct. 6 vs. Notre Dame (Chicago, Ill.)Oct. 13 North CarolinaOct. 20 Florida StateNov. 1 Virginia TechNov. 10 at VirginiaNov. 17 USFNov. 24 at Duke

STANFORD

Oct. 13Notre Dame Stadium

Notre Dame, Ind.

GENERAL INFORMATION

School: Stanord UniversityLocation: Stanord, Cali.Founded: 1891Enrollment: 15,319Nickname: CardinalColors: Cardinal and WhiteConerence: Pac-12

FOOTBALL INFORMATIONSeries: Notre Dame leads 17-9-0First Played: Jan. 1, 1925

(1925 Rose Bowl: Notre Dame 27,Stanord 10)

Last Played: Nov. 26, 2011(at Stanord 28, Notre Dame 14)

2011 Record: 11-22011 Bowl Game:Tostitos Fiesta

Bowl vs. Oklahoma State (L, 41-38 OT)2011 Final Rankings: 7/7Starters Returning/Lost: 15/10


Football Contact: Jim YoungPhone: (650) 721-1989Email: [email protected]: www.gostanord.com

2012 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 San Jose StateSept. 8 DukeSept. 15 USCSept. 27 at WashingtonOct. 6 ArizonaOct. 13 at Notre DameOct. 20 at CaliorniaOct. 27 Washington StateNov. 3 at ColoradoNov. 10 Oregon StateNov. 17 at OregonNov. 24 at UCLA

NAVY

Sept. 1Aviva StadiumDublin, Ireland

GENERAL INFORMATION

School: United States Naval AcademyLocation: Annapolis, Md.Founded: 1845

Enrollment: 4,400Nickname: MidshipmenColors: Navy Blue and GoldConerence: Independent


Series: Notre Dame leads 72-12-1First Played: Oct. 15, 1927

(at Baltimore, Notre Dame 19, Navy 6)Last Played: Oct. 29, 2011

(at Notre Dame 56, Navy 14)2011 Record: 5-72011 Bowl Game: None2011 Final Rankings: NR/NRStarters Returning/Lost: 14/12


Football Contact: Scott StrasemeierPhone: (410) 293-8775Email: [email protected]: www.navysports.com

2012 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 vs. Notre Dame (Dublin)Sept. 15 at Penn State

Sept. 22 VMISept. 29 San Jose StateOct. 6 at Air ForceOct. 13 at Central MichiganOct. 20 IndianaOct. 27 at East CarolinaNov. 3 Florida AtlanticNov. 10 at TroyNov. 17 Texas StateDec. 8 vs. Army (Philadelphia)

PURDUE

Sept. 8Notre Dame Stadium

Notre Dame, Ind.

GENERAL INFORMATION

School: Purdue UniversityLocation: West Laayette, Ind.Founded: 1869Enrollment: 39,726Nickname: BoilermakersColors: Old Gold and BlackConerence: Big Ten


Series: Notre Dame leads 55-26-2First Played: Nov. 14, 1896(Purdue 28, at Notre Dame 22)

Last Played: Oct. 1, 2011(Notre Dame 38, at Purdue 10)

2011 Record: 7-62011 Bowl Game: Little Caesars Pizza

Bowl vs. Western Michigan (W,37-32)

2011 Final Rankings: NR/NRStarters Returning/Lost: 21/6


Football Contact: Matt RectorPhone: (765) 494-3196Email: [email protected]: www.purduesports.com

2012 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 Eastern KentuckySept. 8 at Notre DameSept. 15 Eastern MichiganSept. 29 MarshallOct. 6 MichiganOct. 13 WisconsinOct. 27 at MinnesotaNov. 3 Penn StateNov. 10 at IowaNov. 17 at IllinoisNov. 24 Indiana

MICHIGAN STATE

Sept. 15Spartan StadiumEast Lansing, Mich.

GENERAL INFORMATION

School: Michigan State UniversityLocation: East Lansing, Mich.Founded: 1855Enrollment: 47,965Nickname: SpartansColors: Green and WhiteConerence: Big Ten


Series: Notre Dame leads 46-28-1First Played: Nov. 25,1897

(at Notre Dame 34, Michigan State6)

Last Played: Sept. 17, 2011(at Notre Dame 31, Michigan State13)

2011 Record: 11-32011 Bowl Game: Outback Bowl vs.

Georgia (W, 33-30 3OT)2011 Final Rankings: 11/10Starters Returning/Lost: 17/10


Football Contact: John LewandowskiPhone: (517) 355-2271Email: [email protected]: www.msuspartans.com

2012 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 Boise StateSept. 8 at Central MichiganSept. 15 Notre DameSept. 22 Eastern MichiganSept. 29 Ohio StateOct. 6 at IndianaOct. 13 IowaOct. 20 at MichiganOct. 27 at WisconsinNov. 3 NebraskaNov. 17 NorthwesternNov. 24 at Minnesota

Opponent Information


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BOSTON COLLEGE

Nov. 10Alumni Stadium

Chestnut Hill, Mass.

GENERAL INFORMATION

School: Boston CollegeLocation: Chestnut Hill, Mass.Founded: 1863

Enrollment: 14,640Nickname: EaglesColors: Maroon and GoldConerence: ACC


Series: Notre Dame leads 12-9-0First Played: Sept. 15, 1975

(at Foxboro, Notre Dame 17, BostonCollege 3)

Last Played: Nov. 19, 2011(at Notre Dame 16, Boston College14)

2011 Record: 4-82011 Bowl Game: None2011 Final Rankings: NR/NRStarters Returning/Lost: 17/7


Football Contact: Chris CameronPhone: (617) 552-3004Email: [email protected]: www.bceagles.com

2012 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 MiamiSept. 8 MaineSept. 15 at NorthwesternSept. 29 ClemsonOct. 6 at ArmyOct. 13 at Florida StateOct. 20 at Georgia TechOct. 27 MarylandNov. 3 at Wake ForestNov. 10 Notre DameNov. 17 Virginia TechNov. 24 at North Carolina State

WAKE FORESTNov. 17

Notre Dame StadiumNotre Dame, Ind.

GENERAL INFORMATION

School: Wake Forest UniversityLocation: Winston-Salem, N.C.Founded: 1834Enrollment: 6,830Nickname: Demon DeaconsColors: Old Gold and Black

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