The Notre Dame football team took a break from preparations for the ND-FSU matchup in the Champs Sports Bowl to visit some special kids - then were able to act like kids during a visit to Universal Orlando.
Tyler Eifert scores game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter for road victory.
CAREER: Took over starting tight end responsibilities following the season-ending injury to Kyle Rudolph in 2010 ... named Notre Dame Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2010 ... hauled in 27 passes for 352 yards and two touchdowns over his career ... enters 2011 as the starter at tight end ... played in season opener of freshman season (2009) but missed remainder of year after suffering back injury.
2010 (SOPHOMORE): Appeared in 11 games for the Irish during his second season with the program (did not see game action against Boston College or Pittsburgh) ... named Notre Dame Offensive Newcomer of the Year ... registered six receptions of 20 yards or more ... 16 of 27 catches resulted in a touchdown or first down ... seven of nine receptions on third down plays resulted in a TD or first down ... played somewhat sparingly in each of the first four games (totaled one reception for 17 yards against Michigan) behind starting tight end Kyle Rudolph ... forced into the starting lineup following Rudolph's season-ending injury ... started the final seven games of the season and made a major impact for the Irish ... registered 352 yards receiving on 27 catches, including a pair of TDs ... averaged 17.0 yards per reception or more in three separate games (Michigan, Western Michigan and Army) ... snatched a 17-yard reception against Michigan ... started for the first time in his career against Stanford ... scored his first career touchdown on a career-long 39-yard reception against Western Michigan ... recorded four receptions for 42 yards against Navy ... hauled in five catches for 61 yards in the matchup with Tulsa ... registered two receptions for 15 yards in the victory over Utah ... his top game of his career came in the defeat of Army ... recorded four catches for a career-best 78 yards and one TD ... hauled in a 31-yard TD pass ... the TD reception was his second of the season and career ... also had a 35-yard grab to setup another TD ... registered a 22-yard reception to setup a first and goal situation late in the second quarter which led to an Irish TD at USC ... totaled six receptions of 20+ yards over the last seven games of the season ... totaled 434 snaps on offense, the most of any Irish tight end.
2009 (FRESHMAN): Saw limited action during first campaign with Irish, playing in season opener against Nevada Wolf Pack ... did not record a catch in that contest.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Named to Indiana Class 4A first-team all-state team as a defensive back in 2008 by Associated Press ... named to Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State team as tight end as senior ... placed on all-Northeast Indiana first team by Fort Wayne Journal Gazette in 2008 ... rated as 10th-best prospect in Indiana according to Rivals.com's postseason state rankings ... rated as 12th-best tight end in the country by ESPN ... ranked 24th-best tight end according to both Rivals.com and Scout.com ... recorded nine touchdowns on offense and 97 tackles as well as five interceptions, returning one for a TD on defense as a senior in 2008 ... caught 33 passes for 586 yards and four TDs as a junior ... received honorable mention all-state accolades as a junior in 2007 ... tallied 40 tackles and three interceptions as a defensive back during junior season ... logged minutes at tight end, wide receiver, linebacker and safety during senior season at Bishop Dwenger High School ... led team to perfect record entering Indiana 4A state championship game in 2008 ... SuperPrep named him 51st-best overall player in Midwest ... as junior his quarterback was current Irish wide receiver John Goodman ... played for head coach Chris Svarczkopf in high school ... born Sept. 8, 1990 ... son of Greg and Julie Eifert ... enrolled in Mendoza College of Business, majoring in finance.
