Senior co-captain Manti Te'o.

Manti Te'o Named Lott IMPACT Player of the Week Again

Sept. 24, 2012

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – For the second consecutive week, Notre Dame senior All-American linebacker Manti Te’o has been named the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week.

Te’o had two first-half interceptions, forced another pick and registered eight total tackles to help the Irish defeat No. 18 Michigan, 13-6, to improve to 4-0. It marked the second time in two weeks that Notre Dame held a ranked opponent to six or fewer points. Notre Dame has not accomplished such a feat in 69 years (1943).

Te’o, a Lott IMPACT Trophy finalist a year ago, was also the player of the week for his performance against Michigan State Sept. 15.

In recognition of Te’o’s performance, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, sponsors of the Lott IMPACT Trophy, will make a $1,000 donation to the general scholarship fund at Notre Dame.

“He’s been the most powerful force on the field tonight,” said NBC announcer Tom Hammond near the end of the telecast.

“I’m taking being a leader on this team very seriously and it’s very humbling,” Te’o said last week. “The sky’s the limit for not only this defense, but this team.

“I tend to play the game with controlled rage. I’m not one to get out there, jumping around and hollering. That’s not my thing. But when the coaches asked me to be more vocal, I thought that’s what being vocal meant. That just wasn’t me.”

For the season, Te’o has 38 tackles (two for losses), three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Previous winners of the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week in 2012.
Week One – Bjoern Werner, Florida State
Week Two – Jarvis Jones, Georgia
Week Three – Manti Te’o, Notre Dame
Week Four – Manti Te’o, Notre Dame

— ND —