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Notre Dame Football: Julian Love was Defensive Player of the Game

By Mason Plummer

BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 6: Wide receiver Damon Hazelton #14 of the Virginia Tech Hokies is tackled by safety Jalen Elliott #21 and cornerback Julian Love #27 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half at Lane Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 6: Wide receiver Damon Hazelton #14 of the Virginia Tech Hokies is tackled by safety Jalen Elliott #21 and cornerback Julian Love #27 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half at Lane Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /
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In an outstanding defensive performance against yet another Top-25 opponent, Julian Love stood out as my Defensive Player of the Game for Notre Dame football.

After another “Love-ly” individual performance from Notre Dame’s star corner, he was a no-doubter to be my Defensive Player of the Game for Notre Dame football.

I’m slightly sorry about that pun, by the way.

Julian Love was simply the best player on the field Saturday night, and it wasn’t close. With seven tackles (five solo), an interception, and a fumble recovery that he took to the house, Julian Love made key plays when his team needed him.

Love’s scoop and score late in the first half was huge for the Irish as it quieted the crowd and also gave Notre Dame a much needed score at that point. The Notre Dame offense struggled to get anything going in the 2nd quarter, with nearly zero total yards and no points scored.

The play by Khalid Kareem to get the strip sack, then Love to find the ball and have the wherewithal to pick it up and take it to the house for six was HUGE for the Irish.

Later on in the game, unsurprisingly, Love played a part in yet another turnover. The star corner picked off Virginia Tech quarterback Ryan Willis in the 4th quarter to close out the game for good.

Coming into the 2018 season, everyone knew Love was a shutdown cover corner. However, he has turned into an entirely new player this season. Love has improved massively as a tackler and picked up right where he left off last season when it comes to his big-play ability. Now, not only is Love shutting down the opposition’s best receiver week-in and week-out, he is also flying around making big plays for this Irish defense.

Next. Kareem was Unsung Hero vs. Virginia Tech. dark

There is no doubt that Julian Love will be a 1st or 2nd round draft pick once April comes around –should he decide to declare for the draft. As a selfish Notre Dame fan who loves to watch him play, I’d love to see him stay in South Bend for one more year and earn his degree. However, if he is destined for the NFL, I suppose watching him play on Sunday’s will have to do.

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