2007 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

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Penn State

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Michigan

] Michigan senior running back Mike Hart guaranteed a victory over the Irish. [

Despite outgaining the Boilermakers in total yards (426-371) and Clausen throwing his first collegiate touchdown, the Irish fell to 0-5 on the season to Purdue by a score of 33–19. Down 23–0 at halftime, the Irish came out in the second half and drove to a 37 yard touchdown drive with Clausen's pass to John Carlson. Clausen left the game afterwards with an undisclosed injury. Evan Sharpley replaced him and threw his first collegiate touchdown in the fourth quarter and later threw another to put the Irish down by a touchdown, but they wouldn't score again. The Irish had much trouble in their kicking game with only one extra point made on three attempts and a blocked field goal. [In what was the largest margin victory the Trojans have put forth on the Irish to date, Notre Dame was shut out by USC for the first time since 1998. USC came into this game 5–1
ESPN reported, "A week after the Midshipmen eked out a triple overtime victory against the Fighting Irish for the first time since 1963, Air Force beat Notre Dame 41-24 for its worst loss to a service academy since that Navy victory 44 years ago...It was the largest margin of victory for Air Force in six wins over the Irish and the biggest by a military academy since Navy beat the Irish 35-14 in 1963 behind Roger Staubach."

With the loss to Air Force, the Fighting Irish have lost nine games in one season for the first time in school history.The Irish concluded their season on a high note, winning its second straight game and its second win on the road.cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=273280024|title=Notre Dame 21, Stanford 14|publisher=ESPN.com|date=2008-11-24 |accessdate=2008-07-06] Robert Hughes ran for 136 yards and the go-ahead 6-yard touchdown with 6:06 remaining in the 4th quarter to help the beat Stanford 21-14. Jimmy Clausen went 19-32 for 196 yards and one touchdown. The game was one of missed field goals, turnovers and controversial calls against the Irish. The Cardinal missed 4 field goals and turned the ball over twice. Notre Dame, meanwhile, committed 4 turnovers, including 3 fumbles and an interception. Notre Dame would have added a score in the 3rd quarter, but a touchdown pass from Clausen to David Grimes was overturned on inconclusive evidence, despite the ruling on the field of a touchdown.

Notre Dame almost added another score on what would have been a spectacular finish to the half. David Bruton intercepted Stanford quarterback Tavita Pritchard's last-play heave at the 3 yard line and began a three-lateral return to the end zone that was called back on a personal foul on Notre Dame defensive lineman Trevor Laws. Safety Tom Zbikowski ran the final 30 yards after a lateral from Darrin Walls and the only thing missing was the band on the field as it was 25 years ago when California shocked Stanford with The Play.

Post season

Awards

Upon the conclusion of the 2007 season, several players won All-American honors. Freshman standout Ian Williams was named to the 2007 AON Insurance Freshman All-America Team, the Football Writers Association of America announced during their annual banquet.cite news|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010808aac.html|title=Ian Williams Named 2007 Freshman All-American |publisher=UND.cstv.com|date=2008-01-08 |accessdate=2008-07-06] He was one of six true freshmen named to the defensive unit on the FWAA Freshman All-America Team and was one of 13 of the 28 freshman All-America selections who was a true freshman this season. Williams was also named to the CollegeFootballNews.com all-freshman third team and was an honorable mention member of The Sporting News all-freshman team. Seniors John Carlson and Trevor Laws also picked up second team Academic All-American honors from ESPN The Magazine and the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). [cite news|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112907aaa.html|title=John Carlson and Trevor Laws Named Second Team Academic All-Americans |date=2007-11-29 |accessdate=2008-07-06]

NFL Draft

Four Notre Dame players were drafted in the 2008 NFL Draft.cite news|url=http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042708aae.html|title=Four Notre Dame Players Selected in 2008 NFL Draft |publisher=UND.cstv.com|date=2008-04-27 |accessdate=2008-07-06] Senior tight end John Carlson went 38th overall to the Seattle Seahawks. Later in the second round, DE Trevor Laws was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles at 47th overall. In the third round, safety Tom Zibikowski was the 86th selection, going to the Baltimore Ravens. Center John Sullivan was the final Notre Dame draftee, going to the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round. Three players that were not drafted quickly signed with NFL teams as free agents following the NFL Draft: linebacker Joe Brockington signed with the Buffalo Bills, long snapper J.J. Jansen signed with the Green Bay Packers, while running back Travis Thomas will join former teammate and co-captain Brady Quinn in Cleveland.

References

External links

* [http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/nd-m-footbl-body.html Notre Dame Official Athletic Site]
* [http://www.nd.edu University of Notre Dame Official Website]
* [http://www.blueandgold.com Blue and Gold Illustrated]
* [http://www.irishpreview.com 2007 Preview of Notre Dame football]