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Courtney Watson |
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Is back as the starting middle linebacker for the Irish in 03
is a leading candidate for many postseason honors including the Butkus Award, given to the nations most outstanding linebacker and the Bronko Nagurski Award given to the nations best defensive player
named a preseason first-team All-American by Athlon
also on the Butkus, Nagurski preseason watch list
earned first-team All-America honors in 02 from ESPN.com and a third-team accolades from The Sporting News and Associated Press
one of three finalists for the Butkus Award, given to the nations outstanding linebacker in 02
has become the leader of the Irish defense is in his third season as starting middle backer
a three-time monogram winner for the Irish
has tremendous confidence and good awareness on the field.
AS A SENIOR: Starting inside linebacker for Irish in 2002
led team with 90 tackles in only 10 games
named a first-team All-American by ESPN.com and a third-teamer by The Sporting News and Associated Press
preseason honorable mention All-American by Street & Smiths
ranked as the 17th best middle linebacker nationally by The Sporting News
served as a game captain vs. Michigan State, Florida State, Navy and Rutgers
played in 249:02 minutes for the Irish
part of linebacker corps that helped hold Michigan to under 100 yards rushing for the first time in 02
in first appearance of the season, led the team in tackles vs. Michigan with nine tackles
led team in tackles vs. Michigan State with 15 tackles, including 12 solos and the first two sacks of the season for a total loss of 19 yards
also broke up a pass vs. Michigan State
recorded second career interception return for a touchdown vs. Stanford, a 34-yard interception return that opened the flood gates against the Cardinal in the third quarter
also recorded a team-high 11 tackles vs. Stanford
led team with nine tackles vs. Pittsburgh
second on team in tackles vs. Air Force with nine
helped Irish defense hold Air Force, which was ranked #1 in rushing offense in the nation, to 104 yards rushing, its lowest rushing total of the season
recorded 10 tackles and made second interception this season (21-yard return) vs. Florida State
helped Notre Dame defense hold Florida State to 93 yards rushing, its lowest rushing total of the season
posted six tackles vs. Boston College
made 30th career appearance for Irish vs. Navy
led team with 12 tackles vs. Navy, including one sack for a loss of eight yards
also sealed the win vs. Navy by making third interception this season (eight-yard return) with 0:31 remaining in the fourth quarter
recorded two tackles and broke up a pass vs. Rutgers
had a 60-yard interception return vs. USC, his fourth interception in 02 to go with seven tackles.
AS A JUNIOR: Won starting inside linebacker job for 2001 ... second on the team in tackles with 76
led Irish with a career-high 18 tackles vs. Nebraska
named ABC/Chevrolet Most Valuable Player for Notre Dame vs. Nebraska
followed that performance in leading Irish with 10 tackles, including a sack vs. Michigan State
recorded 10 tackles vs. Texas A&M, his third straight game in double digits
had first career fumble recovery vs. Pittsburgh
recorded five tackles including one for a loss of two yards vs. West Virginia
made five tackles vs. Boston College
had 13 tackles for loss this season
recorded eight tackles, one sack, and a 33-yard interception return, the first of his career, for a touchdown vs. Tennessee
recorded six tackles, including one for a loss vs. Navy.
AS A SOPHOMORE: Reserve inside linebacker for Notre Dame in 2000
played on defense in nine games (missed only vs. Stanford, West Virginia and Rutgers), including vs. Oregon State in 2001 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl vs. Oregon State
played in first career game vs. Texas A&M and made his first career tackle
had two solo stops vs. Navy
made one tackle vs. Oregon State
played on special teams in each game, making 175 regular-season special team appearances to win a monogram, then 18 more vs. Oregon State in Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
AS A FRESHMAN: Did not see varsity action for Irish in 99.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Rushed for 1,220 yards on 133 carries and scored 15 touchdowns as senior running back in 98
earned all-Sarasota area honors at Riverview High School in Sarasota, Fla.
added more than 1,100 rushing yards as junior in 97 to give him career totals of 2,500 yards and 25 TDs
played wide receiver as freshman and sophomore, then switched to running back as junior and senior, while also returning kickoffs and punts
won four letters in football, captaining team as senior
two-time all-league and all-Sarasota selection who won team MVP honors as junior and senior
selected for Florida Shrine Bowl all-star game
also competed in basketball and track and field (has long jumped better than 23 feet)
earned three letters in basketball, captaining team as senior and twice winning all-league and all-city recognition
won two letters in track and field
full name is Courtney Watson
is a two-time winner of the Notre Dame bookstore basketball tournament
was a member of Student Senate in 02
born Sept. 18, 1980 in Sarasota, Fla.
graduated from the Mendoza College of Business, majoring in management
enrolled in graduate studies.
| | G-GS | Solo | Asst. | Total | TL | Sacks | FR | PBU | INT | TD |
| 2000 | 11-0 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 1-15 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 11-11 | 35 | 41 | 76 | 13-27 | 2-10 | 1-0 | 3 | 1-31 | 1 |
| 2002 | 10-10 | 51 | 39 | 90 | 10-39 | 3-27 | 0-0 | 8 | 4-123 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 32-21 | 94 | 83 | 177 | 24-81 | 5-37 | 1-0 | 11 | 5-154 | 2 |
