Last week, we gave you the Top Five Games of the Brian Kelly Years.
Last night, you watched The Oscars.
This morning, for your consideration and viewing pleasure, we present the Top Fifteen Plays of the Brian Kelly Years.
@SupermanTDJesus helped with this project. I am grateful for his technical abilities and efficiency.
Let’s face it, though. There have been a lot of plays in five seasons of football. And, if we’re being honest, a lot of booze chased away the memory of the bad ones. These are the plays that have remained through it all. Through all the “Tommy NOOOO!” moments and through all the turnovers in 2014. These are the plays we can’t forget. Some were season-changing or -defining. Others were just plain incredible. So without further ado, if will, please:
15. C.J. Prosise versus Georgia Tech, 2015
The scene is a gorgeous sunny day at Notre Dame and the Irish are tangling with the Wrambling Wreck. The game was a defensive clinic by the Irish, but on O, C.J. Prosise was the man. This 91 yard run from scrimmage was one of three touchdowns he would score that day.
14. Jaylon Smith versus U.S.C., 2013
Remember when Jaylon was a freshman? This play was our entrée to his once-in-a-generation talent, as he covered fifteen hectares in four strides.
13. Stephon Tuitt versus Michigan, 2013
This play has everything you could want. A pick-six against Michigan. A diving Stephon Tuitt. A shockingly bad decision by a Michigan quarterback.
12. Tommy Rees to Robby Toma versus Purdue, 2012
Who would have thought the Purdue game would be the epic win that it was? A loss would have landed the Irish outside the Championship. This play, a third-and-ten conversion, set up the win.
11. Everett Golson “Superman” versus Purdue, 2012
Continuing the theme, this touchdown, though initially uncalled, made Rees and Golson to scoring what Lennon and McCarthy were to song-writing.
10. DeShone Kizer to Will Fuller versus USC, 2015
Of all the Kizer-to-Fuller moments, this is one of the brightest. Watch him torch Adorée Jackson. Looks like 4.32 speed to me.
9. Josh Adams versus Wake Forest, 2015
Longest run from scrimmage. True freshman. Fourth on the depth-chart.
8. Tommy Rees to TJ Jones versus Stanford, 2012
Did you think you’d see this much Tommy Rees on this list? It’s TJ Jones who makes the play.
7. Stephon Tuitt versus Navy, 2012
You knew 2012 would be a special season when we handed Navy its worse loss since Savo Island. This play, a scoop and score by Stephon Tuitt, showcased his NFL-caliber talent and set his team up for a run to the Championship.
6. CJ Sanders versus Stanford, 2015
“When the team is up against it, and the breaks are beating the boys…” you look for plays like this. Sure, the Irish ended up losing the game, but this was one for the ages.
5. Dayne Crist to Kyle Rudolph versus Michigan, 2010
There’s a reason Kyle Rudolph plays on Sundays. This is it.
4. Everett Golson to Chris Brown versus Oklahoma, 2012
One of the brightest plays under the brightest lights, this was the moment the relevance returned.
3. DeShone Kizer to Will Fuller versus Virginia, 2015
Rarely does a season turn on one play, but 2015 did. This is that play.
2. The D-line versus Stanford, 2012
“The Stand.”
1. Louis Nix, III versus Notre Dame, 2014
Best call ever.
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- Irish Finish Regular Season Perfect 12-0 - November 26, 2018
KyNDfan
Take out Rees to Toma and add Cierra Wood’s TD run vs Oklahoma.
andrewwinn
Other plays worth consideration:
2010 – Crist lobs a pass to Michael Floyd, who makes a nifty spin move and takes it to the house. 80 yards vs. Western Michigan
2011 – Pittsburgh – Jonas Gray breaks about 8 tackles on his way to a 79-yard TD.
2011 – Purdue – Cierre Wood explodes through the line and scores basically untouched on a 55-yard score.
2011 – Air Force – The emergence of Andrew Hendrix. It doesn’t go for a score, but Hendrix goes 78 yards before being dragged down at the 2.
2012 – Navy – George Atkinson demonstrates his 4.48 40 speed as he just absolutely blows by every Navy defender en route to a touchdown.
2012 – Michigan State – John Goodman catches a TD bomb from Everett Golson with a dude draped all over him.
2012 – Miami – George Atkinson needs exactly one block – from Tyler Eifert – and he beats the Miami defender to the outside. 55 yards later…touchdown.
2012 – Oklahoma – Manti’s diving pick and Cierre Wood’s 62 yard score straight up the gut.
2012 – Wake Forest – Notre Dame runs the option! (Sort of.) Golson shovels to Wood at the last moment and Wood is sprung – thanks to some downfield blocking by Chris Brown – for a 68 yard score.
2014 – Rice – Welcome to the 2014 season. Golson to Fuller – 75 yards. This connection was going to work a lot this year.
2014 – Rice – The emergence of Malik Zaire. It doesn’t go for a score, but Zaire goes 56 yards.
2015 – Texas – Malik to Big Bill Fuller. 66 yards. TD.
2015 – Clemson – Wheel route! Prosise takes it to the house for a 56-yard score.
2015 – Temple – DeShone Kizer hugs the sideline as he scampers for 79 yards. Touchdown.
2016 – Ohio State – Kizer to Fuller. 81 yards. Touchdown. The last time we’ll see that connection, sadly.