clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Notre Dame Football: Irish receive ALL the accolades after win over Clemson

Winning a big game means something — like the B.Y.O.G. Trophy

Brian Kelly hoisting the BYOG trophy over Dabo and Hebie.
Brendan McAlinden

The press releases came in fast and furious after the 47-40 win for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish over the Clemson Tigers. Notre Dame upended the #1 team in the country and it was a beautiful thing. Games like these don’t go unrewarded in the media world, and by Tuesday... the Irish racked up a ton of accolades.

Besides the press love, the Irish also bring home the coveted B.Y.O.G Trophy.

I’m going to provide all of the press releases below, but here is the list that I have available:

  • Ian Book named to Davey O’Brian Great 8 List.
  • Kyren Williams, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and Aaron Banks named as ACC Players of the week.
  • Irish named as team of the week by the FWAA.
  • Jonathan Doerer named as Lou Groza Star of the Week.
  • Brian Kelly named as Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week.
  • Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah named Bednarik Award Player of the Week.
  • Avery Davis was named honorable mention for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Player of the Week award.
  • Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah named as the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week.
  • Ian Book and Kyren Williams named to the 2020 CFPA National Performer of the Year Trophy November Watch List.

All press releases received via Claire Kramer with Notre Dame Athletics.

Book Named to Davey O’Brien Great 8 List

NOTRE DAME, Indiana — Leading Notre Dame to a double-overtime win over then-No. 1 Clemson Saturday, graduate student quarterback Ian Book was named to the Davey O’Brien Award Great 8 List for Week 10. It marks the fifth time in Book’s career that he has been named to the Great 8 list, and his second appearance in 2020.

Book was awarded the game ball for his performance, in which he completed 22 passes for 310 yards and a touchdown, with zero interceptions and 14 rushes for 67 yards.

His 310 passing yards came against the top-ranked passing defense in the ACC in Clemson (allows 191.8 avg./game), marking the eighth 300-yard game of his career. He now ranks third all-time in 300-yard passing games among all Irish quarterbacks, passing John and Bobbie Arlotta Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees (7). His 310 yards ranked third among all ACC quarterbacks on the weekend.

Book went 5-for-5 to start the game, not throwing his first incompletion until 13:20 remained in the second quarter. Thirteen of Book’s 22 completions were for gains of 10 yards or more, and four gained 28 yards or more. Six of Book’s completions came on successful third-down conversions.

Book has totaled 168-consecutive passing attempts without an interception, the longest current streak in the ACC and fourth-longest among all FBS QBs. Only one Power 5 quarterback has a longer streak (Arizona State’s Jayden Daniels, 157).

His 67 rushing yards alone outpaced the entire Clemson offense, which posted 34 rushing yards Saturday.

The Irish go back on the road this week to face Boston College. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC.

Williams, Banks, Owusu-Koramoah Named ACC Players of the Week

NOTRE DAME, Indiana — University of Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams, offensive lineman Aaron Banks and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah have been named ACC Players of the Week at their respective positions for their performances in the double-overtime win over then-No. 1 Clemson.

The first ACC weekly honor for Banks and Owusu-Koramoah, it is Williams’ third weekly honor from the conference. In all, the Irish have won nine ACC weekly awards.

KYREN WILLIAMS

Williams posted 23 rushes for 140 yards (65-yard long) and three touchdowns, including both scores in overtime, vs. Clemson. It marked his first-career three-touchdown game, and his fourth-career game with multiple rushing touchdowns (all occurring this season). He is the second Irish player to rush for three touchdowns in a single game this season (Ian Book vs. South Florida). His140 yards came against the third-ranked rushing defense in the ACC, as Clemson entered Saturday allowing just 99.9 rushing yards per game. Prior to Saturday, Clemson’s defense had allowed just three rushing touchdowns all season. Williams single-handedly doubled that figure.

Williams broke through for a 65-yard rush on the first official play of the game’s opening drive, tying his career-long rush (Florida State) and marking the longest scoring rush of his career. Only one player in the ACC this weekend had a longer scoring rush. Williams surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark with a five-yard run on Notre Dame’s final drive of the first half, and he contributed six of Notre Dame’s 22 first downs on the day.

AARON BANKS

Banks and the Irish offensive line paved the way for 518 yards of total offense (208 rushing with three touchdowns, 310 passing with one touchdown). The Irish have now won the time of possession battle in six of seven games this season, posting 30:22 minutes Saturday, and lead the ACC in time of possession, averaging 34:01 per game.

The Irish posted 208 rushing yards against Clemson, which, entering Saturday, had allowed just 99.9 rushing yards per game. Notre Dame’s three rushing touchdowns doubled Clemson’s season total of rushing touchdowns allowed (was three entering the weekend, now totals six). The line made it possible for Ian Book to pass for 310 yards against the ACC’s then-second-ranked passing defense, as Clemson entered Saturday allowing 174.9 passing yards per game. Notre Dame continues to lead the ACC in third-down conversions, executing successfully at a 54.4 percent rate.

Three of Notre Dame’s five starting offensive lineman have been named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week.

JEREMIAH OWUSU-KORAMOAH

Owusu-Koramoah posted nine tackles (seven solo), 0.5 sack and 2.0 TFL (-6 yards) vs. Clemson. He recovered a Clemson fumble and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, marking the only fumble returned for a touchdown this week in the ACC.

It was the first touchdown of the senior’s career, and the third fumble recovery of his career (first this season, last came in 2019 vs. Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl). Owusu-Koramoah’s touchdown marks the first true defensive touchdown of the season, as both prior non-offensive touchdowns were on opponent punts.

Three plays later, Owusu-Koramoah forced a Clemson fumble, which was recovered by cornerback Nick McCloud. It led to an Irish field goal.

Owusu-Koramoah tied for the team lead in tackles with nine, and ranks 14th overall in the ACC in total TFL with 8.0 this season.

NOTRE DAME ACC WEEKLY HONORS:

9/14: Kyren Williams, Running Back of the Week (Duke)

9/21: Robert Hainsey, co-Offensive Lineman of the Week (South Florida)

10/19: Kyren Williams, Rookie of the Week (Louisville)

10/26: Ian Book, Quarterback of the Week; Liam Eichenberg, Offensive Lineman of the Week (Pittsburgh)

11/2: Daelin Hayes, Defensive Lineman of the Week (Georgia Tech)

11/9: Kyren Williams, Running Back of the Week; Aaron Banks, Offensive Lineman of the Week; Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Linebacker of the Week (Clemson)

No. 2 Irish Named Reveal Suits National Team of the Week

NOTRE DAME, Indiana — The University of Notre Dame Football team has been named the Reveal Suits National Team of the Week by the Football Writers Association of America with its performance in the win over No. 1 Clemson. It marks the sixth time the Irish have earned the award, and the first time since 2017 (vs. Southern Cal).

Saturday marked Notre Dame’s ninth win over an Associated Press (AP) No. 1 opponent, which is tied for second all-time (Miami). The Irish trail just Alabama (10 wins over No. 1) in wins over No. 1. Notre Dame has won six of the last seven games when playing No. 1 as a top-five team.

The last two times the Irish have played at Notre Dame Stadium as a top-five team against a No. 1 program the Irish are undefeated (1993 vs. Florida State), and Notre Dame’s 47 points against Clemson were the most an Irish team has ever scored against a No. 1 opponent.

The Irish own the longest win streak among all FBS teams (13 games), and are now 30-3 overall since the beginning of the 2018 season (.909). Additionally, they boast a 23-game home winning streak, the second-longest in the nation. Through Saturday, the Irish have only trailed for 23:20 total minutes this season out of a total 420:00 regulation minutes.

Through the first seven games of the season, Clemson averaged 167 rushing yards per game. In the first half, Notre Dame limited Clemson to just five rushing yards. The Tigers finished with 34 yards rushing on 33 carries. It marked the second time this season that Notre Dame has held an opponent to single-digit rushing yards in a half (First half at Pitt). Travis Etienne, the ACC’s all-time leading rusher, averaged 86.6 yards per game this season entering Saturday. The Irish defense held him to 28 yards on 18 rushes.

Entering the game, Notre Dame was averaging 34:11 time of possession, a figure which led the ACC. The Irish have now won the time of possession battle in six of seven games this season, posting 30:22 minutes Saturday.

Scoring on the first official play of the game’s opening drive, the Irish posted a one-play, 75-yard drive, marking the fewest plays and shortest amount of time in an Irish scoring drive this season. It marked the first time since 2016 (Syracuse) that Notre Dame scored on its first offensive play, and the first time in the last 15 seasons that Clemson has allowed a touchdown on its first defensive play.

Doerer Named Lou Groza Star of the Week

NOTRE DAME, Indiana — University of Notre Dame placekicker Jonathan Doerer has been named a Lou Groza Award “Star of the Week” for his performance in the double-overtime win over then-No. 1 Clemson.

Doerer was 5-5 on PAT and 4-5 on FGA (made field goals of 24, 27, 45 and 44 yards, missed 57). Doerer matched the Notre Dame record for kicking points in a game, accounting for 17 kicking points vs. Clemson. His 17 points tie for the most kicking points in a single game by any FBS player this season, and are the most by any FBS player this weekend.

Doerer made four field goals on the day, matching his previous career high in the 2019 Camping World Bowl vs. Iowa State. His previous single-game point high was 15 in the 2019 Camping World Bowl. Doerer’s five field goal attempts match a single-game high in the ACC this season.

The senior has a team-leading total of 63 points, which ranks ninth among FBS kickers. He is 11-14 on field-goal attempts through the season, connecting on all 30 PAT attempts. He has now connected on 92-consecutive PATs, a streak which extends to 2018 vs. Navy and ranks 10th among all FBS active streaks. The streak is the fourth-longest current streak in the ACC.

The Irish return to the road this week at Boston College. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC.

Kelly Named Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week

NOTRE DAME, Indiana — Notre Dame’s Dick Corbett Head Football Coach Brian Kelly has been named the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week after the win over then-No. 1 Clemson. The award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award’s three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity.

Posting a win in Brian Kelly’s first game against a No. 1 opponent, Saturday marked Notre Dame’s ninth win over an Associated Press (AP) No. 1 opponent, which is tied for second all-time (Miami). The Irish trail just Alabama (10 wins over No. 1) in wins over No. 1. Notre Dame has won six of the last seven games when playing No. 1 as a top-five team.

Kelly is the winningest coach in the FBS (270ˆ wins), and has coached 366ˆ games, second only to North Carolina’s Mack Brown among FBS coaches. He is in his 30th season as a head coach, the second-most seasons among all active FBS coaches (Mack Brown - 31).

Notre Dame is now ranked No. 2, the team’s highest ranking since 2012. The Irish own the longest win streak among all FBS teams (13 games), and are now 30-3 overall since the beginning of the 2018 season (.909). Additionally, they boast a 23-game home winning streak, the second-longest in the nation. Through Saturday, the Irish have only trailed for 23:20 total minutes this season out of a total 420:00 regulation minutes.

Entering the game, Notre Dame was averaging 34:11 time of possession, a figure which led the ACC. The Irish have now won the time of possession battle in six of seven games this season, posting 30:22 minutes Saturday.

Through the first seven games of the season, Clemson averaged 167 rushing yards per game. In the first half, Notre Dame limited Clemson to just five rushing yards. The Tigers finished with 34 yards rushing on 33 carries. It marked the second time this season that Notre Dame has held an opponent to single-digit rushing yards in a half (First half at Pitt). Travis Etienne, the ACC’s all-time leading rusher, averaged 86.6 yards per game this season entering Saturday. The Irish defense held him to 28 yards on 18 rushes.

ˆ - Includes 20 regular-season wins and two postseason appearances vacated under discretionary NCAA penalty.

Owusu-Koramoah Selected as Bednarik Award Player of the Week

NOTRE DAME, Indiana — University of Notre Dame senior linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has been selected as the Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week, honoring the nation’s top defensive player, for his performance in the win over then-No. 1 Clemson.

Owusu-Koramoah posted nine tackles (seven solo), 0.5 sack and 2.0 TFL (-6 yards) vs. Clemson. He recovered a Clemson fumble and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, marking the only fumble returned for a touchdown this week in the ACC.

It was the first touchdown of the senior’s career, and the third fumble recovery of his career (first this season, last came in 2019 vs. Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl). Owusu-Koramoah’s touchdown marks the first true defensive touchdown of the season, as both prior non-offensive touchdowns were on opponent punts.

Three plays later, Owusu-Koramoah forced a Clemson fumble, which was recovered by cornerback Nick McCloud. It led to an Irish field goal.

Owusu-Koramoah tied for the team lead in tackles with nine, and ranks 14th overall in the ACC in total TFL with 8.0 this season.

Davis Tabbed Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Honorable Mention

NOTRE DAME, Indiana — University of Notre Dame wide receiver Avery Davis was named honorable mention for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Player of the Week award for his performance in the win over then-No. 1 Clemson. The award recognizes breakout performances from players who hail from Texas or attend school in the state.

Davis made the game-changing play vs. Clemson to keep Irish hopes alive on their final drive of the fourth quarter. With less than two minutes remaining in regulation, Davis sped downfield and reeled in a 53-yard pass from quarterback Ian Book, and was brought down at the Clemson four-yard line. Two plays later, Book hit Davis for the equalizing touchdown to send the game to overtime.

The 53-yard reception in the fourth quarter was Davis’ longest of the season. The touchdown pass to Davis from Book was Davis’ second TD reception of the season and fourth of his career.

In total, Davis caught four passes for 78 yards in the win.

Owusu-Koramoah Named Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week

NOTRE DAME, Indiana — University of Notre Dame senior linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has been selected as the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the win over then-No. 1 Clemson.

The senior is the sixth Notre Dame player to earn the honor, and is the first since Jerry Tillery in 2018 vs. No. 7 Stanford. This week, Owusu-Koramoah has also been named the Bednarik Award Player of the Week and the ACC Linebacker of the Week.

Owusu-Koramoah posted nine tackles (seven solo), 0.5 sack and 2.0 TFL (-6 yards) vs. Clemson. He recovered a Clemson fumble and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, marking the only fumble returned for a touchdown this week in the ACC.

It was the first touchdown of the senior’s career, and the third fumble recovery of his career (first this season, last came in 2019 vs. Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl). Owusu-Koramoah’s touchdown marks the first true defensive touchdown of the season, as both prior non-offensive touchdowns were on opponent punts.

Three plays later, Owusu-Koramoah forced a Clemson fumble, which was recovered by cornerback Nick McCloud. It led to an Irish field goal.

Owusu-Koramoah tied for the team lead in tackles with nine, and ranks 14th overall in the ACC in total TFL with 8.0 this season.

Book, Williams Tabbed for CFPA National Player of the Year November Watch List

NOTRE DAME, Indiana — University of Notre Dame graduate student quarterback Ian Book and sophomore running back Kyren Williams have been selected to the 2020 CFPA National Performer of the Year Trophy November Watch List after their performances in the win over then-No. 1 Clemson.

The CFPA National Performer of the Year Trophy is selected based on objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.

This week, Book was also named to the Davey O’Brien Award Great 8 List, while Williams was selected as the ACC Running Back of the Week.

IAN BOOK

Book was awarded the game ball for his performance, in which he completed 22 passes for 310 yards and a touchdown, with zero interceptions and 14 rushes for 67 yards.

His 310 passing yards came against the top-ranked passing defense in the ACC in Clemson (allows 191.8 avg./game), marking the eighth 300-yard game of his career. He now ranks third all-time in 300-yard passing games among all Irish quarterbacks, passing John and Bobbie Arlotta Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees (7). His 310 yards ranked third among all ACC quarterbacks on the weekend.

Book went 5-for-5 to start the game, not throwing his first incompletion until 13:20 remained in the second quarter. Thirteen of Book’s 22 completions were for gains of 10 yards or more, and four gained 28 yards or more. Six of Book’s completions came on successful third-down conversions.

Book has totaled 168-consecutive passing attempts without an interception, the longest current streak in the ACC and fourth-longest among all FBS QBs. Only one Power 5 quarterback has a longer streak (Arizona State’s Jayden Daniels, 157).

His 67 rushing yards alone outpaced the entire Clemson offense, which posted 34 rushing yards Saturday.

KYREN WILLIAMS

Williams posted 23 rushes for 140 yards (65-yard long) and three touchdowns, including both scores in overtime, vs. Clemson. It marked his first-career three-touchdown game, and his fourth-career game with multiple rushing touchdowns (all occurring this season). He is the second Irish player to rush for three touchdowns in a single game this season (Ian Book vs. South Florida). His140 yards came against the third-ranked rushing defense in the ACC, as Clemson entered Saturday allowing just 99.9 rushing yards per game. Prior to Saturday, Clemson’s defense had allowed just three rushing touchdowns all season. Williams single-handedly doubled that figure.

Williams broke through for a 65-yard rush on the first official play of the game’s opening drive, tying his career-long rush (Florida State) and marking the longest scoring rush of his career. Only one player in the ACC this weekend had a longer scoring rush. Williams surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark with a five-yard run on Notre Dame’s final drive of the first half, and he contributed six of Notre Dame’s 22 first downs on the day.