Jan. 16, 2006
Five Notre Dame senior football players are committed to play in postseason all-star games in this month. Placekicker/punter D.J. Fitzpatrick, linebacker Brandon Hoyte, linebacker Corey Mays, wide receiver Maurice Stovall and offensive guard Dan Stevenson all received and accepted invitations to play in various games.
Hoyte and Stevenson will play for the East team in the 81st East-West Shrine Game scheduled for Jan. 21 at 4 p.m. EST at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Hoyte, from Parlin, N.J., led the Irish in tackles with 92 in 2005, including 16.5 tackles for losses and six quarterback sacks. Named one of two team captains for ’05 by his teammates, Hoyte finished his career with 297 tackles, including 180 solos and 36 tackles for losses. The 2005 Knute Rockne Scholar-Athlete Award winner ranks seventh in Notre Dame history for total tackles in a career (297) and seventh on the Irish list for tackles for loss in a career with 36. Hoyte is a dual degree candidate enrolled in the College of Arts and Letters and the Mendoza College of Business, pursuing degrees in Psychology and Management.
Stevenson, of Barrington, IL, was one of 10 members of the Irish football team’s Leadership Committee and the winner of the 2005 Guardian Life Insurance Guardian of the Year Award, presented annually to Notre Dame’s top offensive lineman. Stevenson started all 12 games in `05 and 35 in his career, including the last 34. He was a factor in an offense that averaged 36.7 points and 477.3 yards per game during the ’05 season. Stevenson is a 2005 graduate of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business with a degree in Marketing and he is currently enrolled in Graduate Studies.
Fitzpatrick and Mays will suit up for the East team in the 60th Hula Bowl Game scheduled for Saturday, January 21 at 7 p.m. EST at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. Fitzpatrick rose from non-scholarship status to a reliable punter and placekicker over the course of his Notre Dame career. The Mishawaka, IN, native averaged 40.3 yards per punt attempt in ’05 while converting 52 of 54 point-after conversion kicks and 11 of 17 field goal attempts. Fitzpatrick set school record for point-after kicks made and attempted in ’05 when he made 52 of 54 tries and ended his Irish career ranked among the top 10 in several statistical categories: field goal attempts (fifth with 47), extra points made in a career (fifth with 103), kicking points in a season (fourth with 85) and a career (fifth with 205). He also ranks 10th in Irish history for total points scored with 205. Fitzpatrick is a 2005 graduate of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business with a degree in Accounting and is currently enrolled in Graduate Studies.
Mays, of Chicago, IL, was one of 10 members of the `05 Irish selected to the team’s Leadership Committee by a vote of his teammates and was one of four recipients of the Nick Pietrosante Award, presented each year to the Notre Dame player who best exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and pride of the late Irish All-America fullback. Mays started all 12 games in ’05 at middle linebacker and was second on the team with 80 tackles (43 solos), including 12.5 for losses (58 yards), five quarterback sacks (35 yards), three quarterback hurries, two pass deflections, three fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. He capped his Irish career with a 12-tackle performance against Ohio State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Mays forced a fumble, had two tackles for loss and notched a quarterback sack against the Buckeyes. Mays is a 2005 graduate of Notre Dame’s College of Arts and Letters with a degree in Psychology. He is currently enrolled in Graduate Studies at Notre Dame.
?Stovall, of Philadelphia, PA, will be Notre Dame’s lone representative in the 2006 Senior Bowl to be held on Jan. 28 at 4 p.m. EST at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, AL. Stovall enjoyed one of the most productive pass receiving years in Notre Dame history in 2005, making 69 catches for 1,149 yards and 11 touchdowns. Stovall started all 12 games for the Irish in ’05 and had 23 starts overall during his career. Stovall had a stellar outing against Ohio State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, grabbing nine catches for 126 yards in his final Notre Dame appearance. He ended his career ranked fourth in Notre Dame history for career receiving yards with 2,195 and is fourth in Irish history for career receptions with 130. Stovall’s 19 career touchdown catches ranks tied for second in Notre Dame annals. His ’05 totals rank third for single-season catches (69), second for single-season yards (2,195) and tied for second in single-season touchdown catches (11). Stovall is a 2005 graduate of Notre Dame’s College of Arts and Letters, majoring in Sociology and Computer Applications.