Story courtesy of BYU Athletics
Associated Press Photo
Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson, linebacker Manti Te’o and kicker Kyle Brindza have been named FBS Independent Players of the Week, for games played through October 27th. Golson is the cited on Offense, Te’o is honored on Defense, and Brindza is recognized on Special Teams. Te’o is honored for an eighth time (fifth time this season) while Golson and Brindza are both two-time recipients.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Notre Dame QB Everett Golson
A sophomore from Myrtle Beach, S.C., Golson was an offensive catalyst in Notre Dame’s 30-13 win at No. 8 Oklahoma. Golson completed 13 of 25 passes for 177 yards, and ran 11 times for 64 yards, including a decisive one-yard plunge that snapped a 13-13 tie with 5:05 remaining in the game. Returning to action after missing the previous game due to injury, Golson led the Irish offense in putting forth a turnover-free effort on the road; Notre Dame is now 9-0 under head coach Brian Kelly when failing to commit a turnover.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Notre Dame LB Manti Te’o
A senior from Laie, Hawai’i, Te’o tallied a team-high 11 tackles, including two tackles for loss and his first sack of the season, and added an interception that set up a game-sealing field goal, as Notre Dame pulled away for a 30-13 win at No. 8 Oklahoma. Te’o finished as his team’s leading tackler for a 26th time in his career; the double-digit tackle tally was his fourth consecutive, sixth this season and 24th of his Irish career. Only one player in the FBS has generated more turnovers than Te’o’s seven (five interceptions and two fumble recoveries).
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Notre Dame PK Kyle Brindza
A sophomore from Canton, Mich., Brindza came through in the clutch with a pair of long fourth-quarter field goals in Notre Dame’s 30-13 win at No. 8 Oklahoma; included was a 46-yarder that gave the Irish a 23-13 lead with 3:22 to play. Brindza connected on a 44-yard FG earlier in the quarter, in addition to a 34-yarder in the second quarter. On the night, Brindza finished 3-for-4 on his field goal attempts, 3-for-3 on his PAT attempts, and had three touchbacks on seven kickoffs.
The FBS Independent Players of the Week are selected by members of a nationwide media panel, which includes equal representation from each of the independent institutions’ coverage markets.