Notre Dame Fighting Irish VS Pittsburgh Panthers: Top Player Performances

Too close for comfort, but the Notre Dame Fighting Irish improved to 7-0 with a 19-14 win over the Pittsburgh Panthers. It was not pretty but a win is a win. Almost every team has a game like this, where they play down to the competition and have to win it late. This game was easy for me to pick three players to highlight.

Miles Boykin

I have yet to highlight him this year and that’s on me. Boykin has been so consistent for the Irish that he sometimes gets forgotten about. He was Ian Book’s favorite target on Saturday and made many key catches. Boykin caught a pass to move the chains on 3rd and 5 and then eventually caught the game winning pass to take the lead. Miles Boykin, welcome to the player performances!

Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images

Julian Okwara

I was at the game, and it looked like Okwara was moving faster than everyone else on the field. It was amazing to me to see how he always finds himself around the ball making plays. His football instincts must be off the charts. Julian Okwara gets himself into position, and makes athletic plays on the ball. Between Kareem and Okwara, offensive lines must have nightmare about trying to block them.

Khalid Kareem

Game winning sack. That’s about all there is to it. He was an absolute monster rushing the passer. Kareem is also getting to be the guy the Irish turn to when they need something to happen. With a 19-14 lead late in the 4th, Kareem sacked the Pittsburgh quarterback for a 14 yard loss. A truly game changing play by a terrific player.

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The Irish are 7-0. I can’t believe it’s true. But now they get a Bye week to recharge before heading to San Diego to play Navy.

Only five games to go, and one at Notre Dame Stadium. The year is flying by but I’m sure we still have many exciting moments to go.