Notre Dame Football: Grading All 22 Starters from the Oklahoma Game

It's that time of the week, folks. 

Notre Dame's weekly report card grades are in, and the marks are looking bright after a monumental 30-13 victory over Oklahoma in Norman on Saturday evening.

Each starter has been evaluated, with each receiving an individual grade.  

Without further ado, let those grades be distributed. 

Everett Golson, QB

Everett Golson's performance against the Sooners on Saturday evening was a true coming-of-age performance. 

The redshirt freshman passed for 177 yards, while picking up 64 more on the ground. Golson also ran for a score that put the Irish ahead, 20-13, late in the fourth quarter. 

Grade: A

Theo Riddick, RB

Theo Riddick, while he's not always flashy, provided the gritty rushing yards that played a large role in Notre Dame's victory over Oklahoma. 

Riddick finished the evening with 74 rushing yards on 19 carries, as well as the game-clinching touchdown that put the Irish ahead, 30-13. 

Grade: A

TJ Jones, WR

Jones quietly had himself a quality game against the Sooners, leading all Irish receivers with five receptions for 55 yards. 

Grade: B+

DaVaris Daniels, WR

Daniels, who continues to see his role in the offense expand, had two critical receptions for 36 yards against Oklahoma. 

Whether or not he'll permanently replace John Goodman as a starting receiver remains to be seen. 

Grade: B

Robby Toma, WR

Even though his numbers aren't terribly impressive, senior slot receiver Robby Toma has exemplified the mental toughness instilled by head coach Brian Kelly.

Grade: B

Tyler Eifert, TE

Oklahoma's defense was wise, shadowing  Irish tight end Tyler Eifert all evening. The All-American candidate had three receptions for 22 yards

Grade: B

Zack Martin, LT

Zack Martin was the catalyst of Notre Dame's domination of the line of scrimmage on Saturday. His efforts keyed the Irish offense into 215 rushing yards. 

Grade: A

Chris Watt, LG

Along with Zack Martin, Chris Watt did his part to control the left half of the line. His ability to open up holes for the Irish running backs through the B-gaps was critical. 

Grade: A

Braxston Cave, C

In a hostile, noisy environment, Cave's ability to remain composed and call out line shifts for 60 minutes can not go unnoticed. 

Grade: A-

Mike Golic, Jr., RG

Golic, Jr. had a pleasantly surprising performance against Oklahoma, after weeks of getting pummeled by opposing defensive lines in recent weeks. 

Grade: B+

Christian Lombard, RT

Lombard, considered the youngest player along the Notre Dame offensive line, continues to make strides in his first season as a full-time starter. 

Grade: B

Stephon Tuitt, DE

While Stephon Tuitt didn't record a sack, he was a key figure in Notre Dame's domination of the Oklahoma rushing attack that was limited to 15 yards.

Grade: A- 

Louis Nix III, NG

"Irish Chocolate," as he's known by the Irish faithful, clogged the A-gaps all evening against a weaker Oklahoma offensive line. 

Grade: A

Kapron Lewis-Moore, DE

In one of the best games of his career, Kapron Lewis-Moore was highly effective in setting the edge and not allowing any big runs to the outside. 

Grade: A

Danny Spond, LB

Danny Spond continued his emergence as one of the most pleasant surprises of the Notre Dame defense, attacking the run and proving his value in pass coverage. 

Grade: B

Manti Te'o, LB

Manti Te'o pushed his name further into the Heisman Trophy conversation on Saturday, recording 11 tackles, recovering a fumble and picking off one pass. 

Grade: A+

Dan Fox, LB

Fox had a quiet game against Oklahoma and wasn't much of a factor. 

Grade: B-

Prince Shembo, LB

Prince Shembo did an excellent job of setting the edge against Oklahoma. While he didn't cause as much havoc as usual, Shembo did just enough to get in the head of Sooners' quarterback Landry Jones. 

Grade: B+

Bennett Jackson, CB

Being too harsh on Bennett Jackson would be unfair, as the defensive game plan allowed Oklahoma's receivers to have anything underneath in an effort to take away the big play. 

Jackson was burned multiple times in coverage but did enough to keep everything in front of him. 

Grade: B-

KeiVarae Russell, CB

I was thoroughly impressed with Russell's ability as a tackler against the Sooners, though he suffered through the same mistakes as that of Bennett Jackson. 

Grade: B-

Matthias Farley, SS

Matthias Farley played great assignment football, while not allowing big plays down the field. Playing in a two-high safety look proved to be effective against the Sooners. 

Grade: B

Zeke Motta, FS

As the leader of the secondary, Motta did an excellent job of keeping plays in front of the unit, as well as keeping his teammates in position.

Being the proverbial center fielder of a defense against a predominant passing team like Oklahoma is never a small challenge, and Motta accomplished it soundly. 

Grade: A-