Freshman Michael Floyd had a career high in yards despite lining up across from Stanford cornerback Wopamo Osaisai Saturday. Osaisai, a fifth-year senior, was the 2008 Pac-10 Track and Field Champion in the 100-meters and holds the Stanford record in the event with a time of 10.39 seconds.
"Not only is he making plays, but he obviously has top 10 speed," coach Charlie Weis said. "He's a tall guy, but he's deceptively fast. He reminds me a bit of (former Irish receiver Jeff) Samardzija in that way."
Just like the Shark
Speaking of Samardzija, Floyd became the first receiver to have back-to-back 100-yard games since Samardzija did it in 2006 against North Carolina and Navy. Floyd had 100 yards receiving Sept. 27 against Purdue and 115 yard receiving Saturday.
Wake up the echoes
Saturday's game marked the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Notre Dame Victory March. Brothers and Notre Dame graduates Michael and John Shea collaborated to write the lyrics and compose the music for the song in 1908.
In honor of the event, the marching band invited some of its former members to join them during the pre-game and halftime shows.
Sneak Attack
The Irish ran a fake punt for the first time in 2008 in the third quarter. It was fourth-and-eight on the Notre Dame 33-yard line when senior Harrison Smith took a direct snap and rushed for 23 yards and a first down.
Kicking himself
Sophomore kicker Brandon Walker missed a 41-yard field goal in the second quarter and a 46-yard attempt in the fourth. Walker is now 1-for-7 in field goal attempts.
Weis acknowledged that the missed kicks had an effect on the momentum of the team.
"To miss those kicks is a little deflating. I think the first one, which was shorter, was more deflating to tell you the truth, to come out after a turnover and get no points," Weis said. "That's something we're definitely going to have to address because it's putting us in a disadvantageous situation."
Tempers flaring
The game had plenty of tension, including a slight skirmish at the end of the game when both teams emptied the benches and rushed onto the field. Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh said he did not think it was anything to worry about.
"We're two programs with a lot of pride," he said. "It's a game played and coached by emotional people, passionate people. That's what makes it so great. It's a collision sport. It's played with your gut, with your passion. That's what makes it an interesting ballgame."
Weis had a slightly different take, given his recent leg injury suffered against Michigan.
"I don't know exactly what happened," he said. "I know one thing, I was not going in there. I've already taken my hits for the team."
