Who would you give yesterdays game ball to?

[BobD]

My vote would be for Robert Blanton, Great game! Go Irish!!


Robert Blanton: His fourth-quarter interception and ensuing return sealed the deal for the Irish. Just as importantly, he had three big tackles for loss, and six overall, helping the Irish secondary respond from a dismal fourth-quarter performance a week ago.

Manti Te'o: The linebacker finished with a game-high 12 tackles, moving all over the field and helping the Irish limit MSU's ground game to 29 measly yards on 23 carries.

George Atkinson III: The Irish finally got a big special teams play, and it was the freshman who stepped up to deliver it. Right after Sparty cut the lead to 7-3 early, Atkinson returned the kickoff 89 yards for the score, helping the Irish keep their distance throughout the rest of the game.

Michael Floyd: The numbers aren't what they were in Weeks 1 and 2, but Floyd's 84 yards on six catches -- including the 200th of his career -- led the Irish. Often drawing two men on him, Floyd opened things up for the rest of the Irish offense, as Tommy Rees spread the ball around much more efficiently his third time around.

Harrison Smith: Eight tackles, a near-pick at the end of the game and setting the tone for the defense throughout the week as the team's lone season captain earns Smith this sticker. Smith seemed to dictate the mentality of the unit in getting Notre Dame its first win of the season.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Blanton

But Lynch gets an atta boy for playing unblock-able football.

 

[notredomer23]

Robert Blanton and it really isn't close.

 

[arrowryan]

Definately Robert Blanton, but Aaron Lynch is a very close second

 

[BobD]

Blanton

But Lynch gets an atta boy for playing unblock-able football.

Lynch is absolutely amazing. I look forward to watching him on Saturdays and Sundays in the future.

 

[IrishGiant]

DEFENSE

The ball goes to Blanton for his clutch play. I agree Manti was kinda overshadowed (which isnt easy to do!) and he did have a huge game in shutting down MSU's RB's. I think he is spoiling us!

OFFENSE;
I do love the fact that Cierre had two TD's. He didnt put up huge rushing totals, but he made the plays when he had to, and is turning into a star.

OVERALL: Blanton

 

[IrishGiant]

Lynch is absolutely amazing. I look forward to watching him on Saturdays and Sundays in the future.

Your not the only one!

 

[irishtrinity]

Lynch.... he got the ball back and kept constant pressure holding penalties etc... BEAST

Blanton.... saved the game... also last week he got an interception with 1 minute left we score that would have been 2 in a row....

 

[irishtrinity]

that was a complete game offense/defense made plays.... STOP THE TURNOVERS.... and we win bye 30 every game....

 

[MacIrish75]

The offensive line & Blanton

Sparty has a pretty solid defensive front and our hogs in the trenches opened gaping holes, blocked downfield, and had great pass protection.

Blanton gets it for reasons that should be obvious.

 

[EddytoNow]

Although Blanton had his best gamer ever, he is a senior and should be showing this kind of leadership. The turning points to me were Atkinson's TD return and Lynch's caused fumble. Those two plays, along with Tuitt's solid play on the defensive line made a statement that the freshmen have arrived.

MVP should go to Jonas Gray. It looks like after 3+ years Jonas has the desire to match his physical skills.

 

[EifertPower]

The ball goes to Blanton in my opinion and that was even before that huge INT. His sack at midfield stopped what likely would've been a drive that put points on the board for Mich State in the 3rd quarter. TJ Jones comes in 2nd place with some great catches and routes. 3rd is Lynch as he was great.

I just don't see it in Te'o. I'm tired of him getting praised for getting to the spot and reading the play correctly but missing the tackle. He's a solid linebacker but he's not great by any means and i really thought he might be. It's still early in the season and id like to be proven wrong.

 

[Riddickulous]

Robert Blanton and it really isn't close.

This.

 

[Irish Man3]

Blanton by a landslide on defense. The interception sealed the game but he played great all day. Best game I've seen from an Irish DB in awhile.

Lynch and Nix played very well. Future is bright. I think the staff was quiet about Nix coming into the season for a reason. He is fantastic.

Cierre Wood continues to impress but lets not forget about Jonas. He played very well today. Both had great success due to another great day by our offensive line. These guys are playing great football.

 

[WaveDomer]

I just don't see it in Te'o. I'm tired of him getting praised for getting to the spot and reading the play correctly but missing the tackle. He's a solid linebacker but he's not great by any means and i really thought he might be. It's still early in the season and id like to be proven wrong.

Teo had a game high 12 tackles. Not sure what you are looking for. Does he miss some tackles? Sure. But even when he misses the tackle he is disrupting the play. But if you see his stats, he is a tackling machine.

 

[WaveDomer]

I just don't see it in Te'o. I'm tired of him getting praised for getting to the spot and reading the play correctly but missing the tackle. He's a solid linebacker but he's not great by any means and i really thought he might be. It's still early in the season and id like to be proven wrong.

Te'o had a game high 12 tackles. Not sure what you are looking for. Does he miss some tackles? Sure. But even when he misses the tackle he is disrupting the play. But if you see his stats, he is a tackling machine.

 

[MacIrish75]

Some of the best players fly under the radar. Teo is in there every play. Just like with an offensive lineman, sometimes you only notice them when they mess up. Give me Teo doing the dirty work 8 days a week.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

Blanton...he is playing himself into a great draft position. Kid was lockdown yesterday and not just in the 4th.

Anyone who doesnt see that Manti is playing great, im not sure what you are watching. He is constantly the focus of every team right now. Msu made it very clear by sending the FB at him, as well as msu focused their O around him...and he still lead the team in tackles. the more lynch/tuitt/nix emerge the more that frees up #5.

PS...the youngsters are ready...this class and saturday are very good starts to what needs to happen at ND. We FINALLY blew a team out. We finally made plays when needed. And those freshmen that were touted...lived up to the hype. Tuitt/Ishaq got holding calls...Lynch, you already know. GA3. Its going to be fun. Niklas played a great game, other than two plays which is remarkable considering he didnt know he was going to start until Friday night.

 

[bert2834]

Blanton hands down.

 

[Old Man Mike]

It's hard not to reward Robert Blanton---just a wonderful game. But I'm going to go WAY "outside the box" and say Louis Nix. Why??

MSU wants to run the ball. Their entire success as a football team depends on it. Louis Nix ended that. Yes, there was a lot of help from the DEs, but it was Nix who stoned the middle of the field . This turned MSU into a one-dimensional mess and they couldn't deal with it. They just stopped trying after a while. Big Lou changed this game.

I'd make a game ball out of chocolate and give it to him, if it wouldn't turn Longo homicidal.

 

[BobD]

It's hard not to reward Robert Blanton---just a wonderful game. But I'm going to go WAY "outside the box" and say Louis Nix. Why??

MSU wants to run the ball. Their entire success as a football team depends on it. Louis Nix ended that. Yes, there was a lot of help from the DEs, but it was Nix who stoned the middle of the field . This turned MSU into a one-dimensional mess and they couldn't deal with it. They just stopped trying after a while. Big Lou changed this game.

I'd make a game ball out of chocolate and give it to him, if it wouldn't turn Longo homicidal.

Great point! Louis Nix did an awesome job yesterday. LOL Chocolate football.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Robert Blanton and it really isn't close.

THIS. RJ was a machine.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

RJ Blanton...

Choosing someone else would be nearly criminal imo.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

RJ Blanton...

Choosing someone else would be nearly criminal imo.

RJ was on another planet yesterday

 

[BeauBenken]

I was always a big fan of Blanton ever since his freshman year. He is a big, physical corner, and I (and I'm sure everyone else) loves that.

No doubt he gets the game ball this week.

He was the only person who could slow down Cunningham yesterday. That being said I liked the play of our secondary yesterday even though Cousins completed so many of his passes. What I liked seeing was the solid tackling and run support by those guys.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I just don't see it in Te'o. I'm tired of him getting praised for getting to the spot and reading the play correctly but missing the tackle. He's a solid linebacker but he's not great by any means and i really thought he might be. It's still early in the season and id like to be proven wrong.

Errr you are entitled to your opinion, but you are completely wrong. The guy is a beast and the heart and soul of the defense. Lord, the defense would be a shell of itself without him. SMH

Anyway, Blanton get's the game ball.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Teo had a game high 12 tackles. Not sure what you are looking for. Does he miss some tackles? Sure. But even when he misses the tackle he is disrupting the play. But if you see his stats, he is a tackling machine.

He also blew up several plays and took out the lead blocker which allowed Hayseed to make the play. Doesn't show up in the box score, but the greats do it.

 

[ulukinatme]

Robert Blanton, Harrison Smith, and Louis Nix all looked good as starters. Lynch was phenominal when he was in, can't wait till he's starting full time. I'd give the ball to Robert Blanton for his incredible plays. Time and time again they tried to test him, and he answered every time.

If I had to pick someone on offense, I'd go with the offensive line as a unit. They dominated the line of scrimmage, that's how you win.

 

[ryno 24]

How can you not think that Teo did not play well. Since South Florida he has been everywhere on the field

 

[Riddickulous]

It's hard not to reward Robert Blanton---just a wonderful game. But I'm going to go WAY "outside the box" and say Louis Nix. Why??

MSU wants to run the ball. Their entire success as a football team depends on it. Louis Nix ended that. Yes, there was a lot of help from the DEs, but it was Nix who stoned the middle of the field . This turned MSU into a one-dimensional mess and they couldn't deal with it. They just stopped trying after a while. Big Lou changed this game.

I'd make a game ball out of chocolate and give it to him, if it wouldn't turn Longo homicidal.

Improper benefits? Pass.