No. 88 Lane Yoshida, a junior college transfer, is the new place kicker for SDSU. He did not attempt a field goal last week, but was perfect on three PAT attempts. Brandon Walker returns for his second year as Notre Dame's kicker. Walker was 6-12 on field goals last year, but only 1-7 from 30 yards or more.
Freshman No. 14 Brian Stahovich made his San Diego State debut last week with four punts. He averaged 39.5 yards per, with a long of 49 and two kicks inside the 20. No. 43 Eric Maust will be Notre Dame's full-time punter this year. Last season, Maust averaged 42.1 yards per punt with a long of 53.
Mekell Wesley and defensive back No. 10 Davion Mauldin return kicks for the Aztecs. Wesley averaged 21.8 yards per return with an 89-yard touchdown in 2007. Mauldin is a new returner who had 49 yards on two tries last week. No. 39 Ryan Burkhart is the Irish kickoff specialist this year, a position he did not play last season.
Armando Allen and Golden Tate again will be back deep for the Irish on kickoffs. Allen averaged 21.3 yards per return in 2007; Tate, 21.7. Lane Yoshida also handles kickoffs for San Diego State. Last week he averaged just over 60 yards per kick. Add to that 16.5 yards per return given up, and SDSU's opponent had an average start on the 27 yard line.
Davion Mauldin also returns punts for the Aztecs. He had a rough go in his debut, gaining only four yards on two returns. Armando Allen will be the new Notre Dame punt returner this season.
Notre Dame Players to Watch
Jimmy Clausen, James Aldridge, Kyle Rudolph, Brian Smith, and David Bruton
Prediction
Notre Dame 27, San Diego State 13
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