Newsstand: Notre Dame special teams coordinator Brian Mason a Broyles Award nominee
Brian Mason’s work in his first year as Notre Dame special teams coordinator has him in play for a national award. Mason is one of 51 midseason nominees for the Broyles Award, which goes to the nation’s best assistant coach. He is the only special teams coordinator on the list.
Glance at the stats, and his impact is clear.
Notre Dame leads the country with seven blocked kicks and has one in five straight games. The Irish are also fourth in opponent punting average. Punter Jon Sot is 40th in average distance per kick, at 43.40 yards, and just eight of his 43 punts have been returned. Kicker Zac Yoakam is 39th in touchback percentage, at 61.54 percent. Only 14 of his 52 kicks have been returned, and for an average of 17.86 yards (39th nationally).
All told, Notre Dame ranks second in the FBS in net field position, at 9.33 yards.
The Broyles Award, created in 1996, is presented annually. Former defensive coordinator Bob Diaco (2012) is the only Notre Dame assistant to win it since its inception. A special teams coordinator has never been awarded it.
The 2022 winner will be chosen from a list of five finalists in December.
Notre Dame Tweets of the Day
No. 18 in the College Football Playoff rankings.
Isaiah Foskey is closing in on the program’s career sack record.
Nate Laszewski: ACC Player of the Week.
Quote of the Day
“I would welcome the challenge if teams want to play us that way. It can be a lot like it was in the first half. The first three touchdowns were against cover 0. You’re risking a lot there as a defensive coach. Guys are going to see it and be aggressive.”
– Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees on seeing more teams possibly blitzing like Navy
Headlines of the Day
Learning to fly: Boston College faces Notre Dame with newfound optimism (Tyler Horka, Blue & Gold)
Why opportunity arose for two Notre Dame freshmen to make college debuts vs. Navy (Patrick Engel, Blue & Gold)
Analyzing every throw from QB Drew Pyne in first quarter vs. Navy (Tyler Horka, Blue & Gold)
Irish in the NFL, Week 10: Julian Okwara sack clinches Lions win (Patrick Engel, Blue & Gold)
Where Notre Dame stands in post-Week 11 bowl projections after beating Navy (Patrick Engel, Blue & Gold)
Everything Boston College coach Jeff Hafley said about Notre Dame football (Tyler Horka, Blue & Gold)
Quick-hitters: DC Al Golden on freshmen LBs, Navy game, Boston College WR Zay Flowers (Patrick Engel, Blue & Gold)
Lucky Charms: USC wide receiver commit expected to visit Notre Dame this weekend (Mike Singer, Blue & Gold)
Notre Dame women’s basketball lands commitment from five-star PG Hannah Hidalgo (Tyler Horka, Blue & Gold)
Notre Dame 2024 QB commit CJ Carr discusses junior season, recruiting for the Irish (Mike Singer, Blue & Gold)
