Terrail Lambert's two interceptions late in the game led Notre Dame to the 40-37 win over MSU

Master Football Coaches Award MCS Game Balls
Notre Dame’s Terrail Lambert Named Defensive Player of the Week

By MCS Staff

ATLANTA (September 25, 2006) –After losing to Michigan the previous week, Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis was asked what the Fighting Irish needed to do about their pass coverage.  Weis replied the whole team had a lot of work ahead of them in the next 48 hours.  On this past Saturday, at halftime against the Michigan State, it looked like the Irish didn’t heed Weis’ call for hard work.  With Notre Dame’s season slipping away in the fourth quarter, trailing the Spartans by 16 points, the Irish struck with ferocity only outdone by the driving rain.  After Notre Dame’s offense started to click, Cornerback Terrail Lambert sealed the deal for the Irish by returning an interception 23 yards for a touchdown with just under three minutes remaining to give them a 40-37 lead over the Spartans.  Lambert followed up with a game-ending interception from the Spartan’s Drew Stanton.  For his outstanding game-saving effort, Terrail Lambert is awarded the “MCS Game Ball” for defensive player of the week.
 

Each week during the 2006 college football season, the 17 Master Football Coaches will award an MCS Game Ball to the respective schools of an Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Week.  The Master Coaches will also present a game ball to the offensive and defensive coordinator whose game plans made the biggest impact in their respective teams’ victory.

In addition to Lambert, the Master Football Coaches will also award MCS Game Balls to Washington Quarterback Isaiah Stanback, Virginia Tech special teams player Josh Morgan, Clemson offensive coordinator Rob Spence and Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock. 

Defense
Terrail Lambert, CB Notre Dame

Notre Dame trailed Michigan State 37-21 on the road in the fourth quarter.  The Irish stepped up their defense, and cornerback Terrail Lambert capped off a fantastic comeback by intercepting a Drew Stanton pass and returning 23 yards for the score with 2:53 remaining.  Moments later, Lambert sealed the 40-37 victory for the Irish by intercepting another Stanton pass in the final seconds of the game.  Lambert also added five tackles.

Offense
Isaiah Stanback, QB Washington

Quarterback Isaiah Stanback started the game vs. UCLA slowly, but he and the Washington Huskies surged past the Bruins 29-19, outscoring their opponent 29-3 in the final 35 minutes of the game.  Stanback connected with wide receiver Sonny Shackelford 9 times for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns.  He added another touchdown to Johnie Kirton and rushed for 48 yards on 13 carries.

Special Teams
Josh Morgan, Virginia Tech

Frank Beamer and No. 11 Virginia Tech are well-known for their special teams play, and “Beamer Ball” was in full force this past weekend against Cincinnati.  On the Bearcats second drive, the Hokies forced a punt from Cincinnati’s own end zone.  Josh Morgan blasted through the line nearly untouched and batted Brian Steel’s punt through the back of the end zone for a safety.  “He’s a blocking machine,” Beamer said of Morgan, who had a punt block against North Carolina earlier this year.  “He’s fast and he’s got enough size to fight through a block.”

Offensive Coordinator
Rob Spence, Clemson

Coming off of a huge win at ACC rival, Florida State, the No. 19 Clemson Tigers were wary of a letdown.  Offensive coordinator Rob Spence saw to it that the Clemson offense put their worries to bed.  Clemson scored 7 rushing touchdowns en route to a 52-7 victory over North Carolina.  Spence’s Tigers totaled 504 yards of offense, including 324 yards on the ground, which is the first time Clemson has rushed for more than 300 yards since 2001 against Duke. 

Defensive Coordinator
Jim Heacock, Ohio State

Facing a stingy Penn State team in wet conditions, No. 1 Ohio State knew they were headed for a defensive battle.  Defensive coordinator Jim Heacock and the Buckeyes held the Penn State offense out of the end zone and to just two field goals the entire game.  Leading 14-6 with under 2:30 to play in the game, Ohio State’s defense put the game out of reach with two interceptions returned for touchdowns by Malcom Jenkins and Antonio Smith.  The Buckeyes’ defense held Penn State to 248 total yards and 3-for-14 on 3rd down conversions.