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Newsstand: Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore named Thorpe Award Semifinalist

IMG_7504by: Jack Soble13 hours agojacksoble56
Notre Dame CB Leonard Moore Boise State
Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore. (Mike Miller, Blue & Gold)

The midseason honors have treated Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore well, and he added another on Tuesday. Moore was named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which honors the top defensive back in the country.

The sophomore superstar also earned midseason first-team All-American honors from The Associated Press, The Sporting News, CBS Sports, The Athletic, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Focus and Athlon Sports. He’s one of 15 finalists for the Thorpe Award, with finalists scheduled to be released Nov. 25 and the winner set to be announced Dec. 12.

Moore missed two games due to an ankle injury in September, but when he’s on the field, he has been the nation’s best cornerback. The Round Rock, Texas product has 3 interceptions in 5 starts this season, and he’s tied for the lead among Power Four players with an 89.7 Pro Football Focus coverage grade. Moore has also forced a fumble and broken up 2 passes.

Moore’s tour de force came on Oct. 18, when he lined up up in the slot — where he rarely plays — and shadowed star USC wide receiver Makai Lemon. The leading receiver in the Power Four entering that game, Lemon caught 2 passes for 28 yards on 3 targets when Moore faced off against him.

Moore and the Irish face Boston College after a Week 9 bye at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

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Quote of the day

“Jeremiyah [Love is] a great running back. They have two really good backs, and they do a good job. Their offensive line’s excellent. Huge, tough, physical. It’s going to be a physical match. The strength of their team is up front on both sides of the ball. I mean, both the offensive line and defensive line are very, very good, very well coached.

“If we’re struggling to stop the run, it’s going to be a long night.”

— Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien

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