SOUTH BEND, IND. — Cornerback Chris Milton had 23 career starts behind him entering Saturday’s Notre Dame game, and the better part of a senior season in front of him. No match-ups, past or future, however, may compare in difficulty to the one he faced Saturday.
Across from Milton stood the Fighting Irish’s Will Fuller, who is off to one of the best beginnings of any receiver in college football.
Early in the week, Paul Johnson declared Fuller more than a handful, worthy of his defense’s special attention. Yet, on two glaring occasions, Milton was all alone in coverage, and vulnerable.
Notre Dame’s first touchdown was a simple matter of Fuller running at top speed past Milton, getting behind him from the jump with enough room to spare that he could await a slightly underthrown ball from quarterback DeShone Kizer. Milton never was quite in the play.
“I knew it was third down and I let him get behind me a little. He was a good receiver and we knew that coming in,” Milton said.
Then, on the big play in Notre Dame’s second touchdown drive — four plays, 80 yards late in the second quarter — Kizer floated up a jump ball in Fuller’s direction. Once more, it was just Fuller v. Milton. At 6-0, Fuller is not one of the largest wide receivers. And Milton was nearer on this play. But, still, he beat Milton to the ball for a 36-yard completion.
“Coach gave me the call to guard him, and I kind of let him get behind me a couple times,” Milton said quietly.
With that catch, his fourth of the half, Fuller already went over 100 yards receiving for the game (112). With still a half to go, he became the first Notre Dame receiver to have three consecutive 100-yard receiving games since Tom Gatewood in 1970.
He was much quieter in the second half, finishing with six catches for 131 yards.
Fuller was a secret to no one. His last-second, 39-yard game-winning reception against Virginia last week made all the highlights. He entered the game ranked fourth nationally in receiving touchdowns (four) and fifth in receiving yards per game (133).
Nothing happened Saturday to damage those credentials.
About the Author