The dependability of Lake Dawson…
I mentioned earlier that Rocket Ismail’s lower career receiving numbers, relative to others on this list, was a product of the Notre Dame game plan at the time. Dawson falls into that category as well. He only recorded 80 career catches, but during his last three years he had 24, 25, and 25 catches respectively. He was the teams leading receiver during his final two seasons and with an offense handing the ball to backs like Reggie Brooks, Jerome Bettis and Lee Becton behind an offensive line full of future pros, why throw the ball? But in tough spots and the biggest games during his career – ‘92 vs Penn State, ‘93 vs. Florida State and Boston College, including the touchdown catch on fourth down with a minute left in the fourth quarter that should have secured them a spot in the battle for the National Championship – Dawson was called upon and he delivered.