Jefferson gets first interceptions of his career
By JEFF BALTRUZAK
Assistant Sports Editor
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.
Much maligned cornerback Clifford Jefferson's play in Saturday's game was a perfect microcosm of the secondary's role in Saturday's game.
Jefferson gave up several long gains and was flagged for pass interference. But when it counted, Jefferson came up big with the only two interceptions of his career in his final quarter in an Irish uniform, including the final Boilermaker Hail Mary.
"I think Thursday in practice I said `Cliff, go get a pick' and I guess that came true," said Jefferson. "I remember a couple of years ago I said I would average two picks a game and I guess that came true."
It was revenge for a cornerback who Purdue had been testing all day, sometimes successfully, including a 25-yard catch by Boilermaker wideout John Standeford that was the key play in a Purdue drive leading to a field goal in the second quarter.
"[Jefferson] kept battling," said Irish safety Glenn Earl. "He was hanging tight and they were going at him and he knew that and he stepped up and made the picks when it counted."
The Irish secondary gave up 258 yards on the day, but picked off three passes from Purdue quarterback Kyle Orten. The Irish were called for pass interference twice and got away with some questionable contact, but made 32 tackles and had nine passes defensed in their most spirited performance of the season.
But in the end, it was the big plays from the secondary, including Jason Beckstrom's 29-yard interception return for a touchdown, that helped Notre Dame overcome a Purdue team that statistically dominated the Irish.
"They battled their butts off," said Irish defensive coordinator Greg Mattison. "They've been getting hung out to dry a lot ... but they stepped up ... [and] for them to do what they have done today shows that our corners and safeties have come a long way."
A long way indeed. The Irish secondary had just eight interceptions in 10 games entering Saturday, and only 26 passes broken up of 222 thrown at them all year.
Shane Walton, who contributed four tackles and broke up a pair of passes, agreed with his coordinator.
"Our DBs took a challenge this game," said Walton. "We were looking to make big plays."
The biggest play made by the Irish all afternoon would prove to be Beckstrom's interception return for touchdown. With the Irish up 17-9 and failing to move the ball on offense, Beckstrom anticipated Orten's sideline throw and ran untouched into the end zone to put Notre Dame up 24-9.
"You can't think too much, You've got to just play and have some instinct," said Beckstrom, who also broke up another pass.
Beckstrom's big play that sealed the game for the Irish had its roots came earlier in the week, as the senior studied the Purdue offense closely in preparation for Saturday.
"I kind of noticed on film he had a tendency to stick with one receiver when he came up to the line," said Beckstrom. "So I just kind of watched his eyes and his shoulders."
Earl also became well-acquainted with Orten, sacking the Purdue signal-caller twice. The junior safety, dogged by injuries much of this season, had what can only be described as a monster game, with 12 tackles and a fumble recovery to go with his pair of sacks.
For a secondary that has had its ups and downs this year, to end the season with a win orchestrated in part with big defensive back plays was sweet.
"We just stepped it up this game, that's what we've been trying to do every game," said Walton. "Just telling people, we've got one of the best secondaries in the country."
All Sports Stories for Monday, December 3, 2001
