Walton turns in MVP performance
By CHRIS FEDERICO
Sports Editor
It isn't often that a player grabs three interceptions in a football game and fails to earn MVP honors for his performance. But that's what happened to Irish cornerback Shane Walton Saturday night in the Kickoff Classic against Maryland.
The fifth-year senior and Irish co-captain for the game grabbed two interceptions from starting quarterback Scott O'Brien and one from replacement Chris Kelley, becoming the first Notre Dame player since Dave Duerson in 1982 to have three interceptions in a game.
But the effort wasn't enough to grab MVP honors. Those went to Irish kicker Nicholas Setta who made five field goals — including kicks from 46 and 51 yards — and scored 16 of Notre Dame's 22 points.
"As fine a job as Nicholas Setta did, it's hard to believe that a guy with three interceptions isn't at least a co-MVP," Irish coach Tyrone Willingham said. "[Walton] played a fantastic ball game. He was one of our captains, and he provided us not only with the leadership but also the excellent play that we expect from a guy in that role."
Walton led an Irish secondary — and an Irish defense — that held the Maryland offense to just 133 total yards in the shutout. Last season, the Terrapins put up 35.5 points a game and averaged 390 yards of offense.
"Any time you get a shutout on such a balanced team coming out of last year — if you remember they were one of the top team's in the country in terms of offensive production and balance — to hold them to a shutout is almost unbelievable," Willingham said.
Walton sent a message to the Terrapins early in the game — on their first possesion, in fact.
On the third play of the game, Walton reached up and snared a Scott McBrien pass over the middle. The Irish were unable to convert the turnover into points, but the pick made the Maryland quarterbacks aware that they weren't going to be able to throw at will.
The confident and sometimes cocky cornerbacks Walton and Vontez Duff terrorized the Maryland signal callers for the rest of the night.
"When [Walton's] on the other side I have confidence because I know he's going to make a play _ he's a playmaker," Duff said. "Shane and I always strive to be great. We worked all summer, and we're working together to be the great corners."
The injury of Bruce Perry, Maryland's leading rusher and receiver from last season, took some pressure off the Irish defense. In effect, it took away the Terrapin rushing game and forced the inexperienced quarterbacks McBrien and Kelley to the air, where Irish defensive backs were waiting for them.
"We pride ourselves on stopping the run and the pass," Walton said. "When we stop the run like we did tonight, they've got to throw the ball. That's what we love as defensive backs, because we get picks on that."
In addition to the three interceptions, Walton had a drive-stopping tackle in the third quarter with Notre Dame up 16-0 and Maryland deep into Irish territory. On fourth-and-4 at the Notre Dame 26, McBrien ran the option down the line to Walton's side and pitched to Mario Merrils as Walton dropped him for a three-yard loss.
Just before that, Walton had a key block to spring Duff's 76-yard punt return for touchdown.
"Yeah, that was me [on the block]," Walton said with a smile. "Vontez [Duff] is my boy, and I've got to protect my boy. But there were 10 other blocks that were just as good. It was just one of 10 blocks."
The play of the defense also made life easier for young quarterback Carlyle Holiday and the rest of the Irish offense, playing its first game with Willingham's new scheme.
"The way the defense played, it got the confidence up for the entire team," Holiday said. "The secondary did a heck of a job today, and our front held their ground. Whenever you can do that, you feel like you can be more aggressive and make a few more plays."
Ironically, heading into Saturday night's game, most of the focus had been on the Irish offense and its ability to convert to Willingham's new style of play. But the defensive players don't mind that role out of the spotlight, and they especially don't mind shocking opposing offenses.
"I want people to focus on the offense," Walton said. "We can be the silent assassins on the defense."
Contact Chris Federico at cfederic@nd.edu
All Sports Stories for Monday, September 2, 2002
