I don’t think Iowa State wins this game whether or not they fumble and lose possession on the first punt of the game but it was a big step in getting things off to an at least alright start after Notre Dame’s offense did nothing it’s first chance.
Alohi Gilman gets credit for forcing the fumble on that play and Chase Claypool (more on him later) gets praise for getting downfield to make the recovery but there was a more traditional special teams player who was again huge this afternoon.
Last year Justin Yoon was reliable but hardly a threat as a kicker on anything from deep.
Jonathan Doerer entered the game 13 of 16 on field goal attempts and on a day that Notre Dame’s opponent put up three field goals themselves, the Irish bested them in that department as well as Doerer went 4-for-4 including a 51 yard kick that he knuckled through.
Notre Dame’s field goal team was reliable last year, this year it was actually a strength.
Special Teams Game Ball Award: Jonathan Doerer: 4/4 FG, 3/3 PAT, 15 points
Defense: