It's one thing to be a constant threat and terrorize poor defenses with monster games, it's a whole other story when you step on the field as freshman about to play in your first rivalry game of your college career. Wide recevier Thomas La Rocque did just that weekend and showed up in a big way. Looked to rarely in the first quarter save two overthrown passes, the Fighting Irish capitalized with a two play 94 yard touchdown drive to take an early 7-3 lead.

Over the course of the next three quarters, La Rocque was in a word ... "clutch". He would finish with an impressive nine catches, 159 yards and two scores, but it was the timing that stood out most. Six of La Rocque's catches came one third down and long including a diving 3rd and goal touchdown catch from the 11 and a 3rd and ten in which he broke a tackle and sprinted 31 yards for his second score of the game. Add to that a key catch on second to keep the clock moving late in the game and it is unquestionable the impact he has made on this already very talented team.

The Wolverines won 36-28 to move to 3-0 on the year. When asked about the game and his performance, La Rocque joked, "what's important is that we won the game. I had my first dropped pass of the season today, albeit I got leveled on the play but it's something I need to work on.