Notre Dame safety Alohi Gilman turned in the defensive play of the game that ultimately saved the undefeated Fighting Irish in a 22-17 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Notre Dame is ranked No. 8 in the AP Top 25 this week, thanks in large part to the 2015 Kahuku alumnus, who had to sit out last season after transferring from Navy.
The Irish led 13-0 midway through the second quarter when Vanderbilt completed a 20-yard pass to the 1-yard line. Receiver Donavan Tennyson had both hands on the ball trying to fight his way into the end zone when Gilman reached in with two hands and pulled the ball away, launching it into the air.
It was kicked around and eventually rolled to the back of the end zone, where it was recovered by a Notre Dame player.
It was the second forced fumble of Gilman’s career and first with the Irish.
The 5-foot-11, 202-pound Gilman started 12 games as a freshman at Navy and finished second on the team in tackles (76) before transferring.
Through three games this season, Gilman is third on the team with 22 tackles.
Notre Dame next plays Wake Forest on Saturday.
AROUND THE NATION
>> Tua Tagovailoa, Saint Louis ’17: The Alabama sophomore quarterback remains the betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, according to Bovada, after finishing 11-for-15 for 191 yards and two touchdowns in a 62-7 win over Ole Miss on Saturday. Tagovailoa added 47 yards rushing on seven carries before sitting out the second half. In three games this season, Tagovailoa is completing 72 percent of his passes (36-for-50) for 646 yards and eight touchdowns with no picks.
>> Jordan Ta’amu, Pearl City ’15: The Ole Miss quarterback threw a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage against Alabama and finished 7-for-22 for 133 yards and 19 rushing yards on eight carries.
>> Kanawai Noa, Punahou ’15: The California junior receiver, who caught a 52-yard touchdown pass and finished with eight receptions for 98 yards in a 21-18 win over Brigham Young on Sept. 8, missed Saturday’s game against Idaho State with an injury.
>> Calen Holt, Kamehameha ’14: The Army senior running back had a 63-yard reception and rushed seven times for 24 yards in a 28-21 win over Hawaii on Saturday.
>> Kaulana Apelu, Kamehameha ’15: The Oregon senior linebacker had six tackles and a sack in a 35-22 win over San Jose State on Saturday. The Ducks are 3-0 and ranked No. 20 entering Saturday’s game against No. 7 Stanford. ESPN College GameDay will be in Eugene, Ore., for the game.
>> Isaac Slade-Matautia, Saint Louis ’17: The Oregon redshirt freshman linebacker, who is listed as the backup to Apelu on the depth chart, made three tackles against the Spartans and has made 10 stops in three games this season.
>> Kalani Vakameilalo, Kapolei ’14: The Oregon State defensive tackle made four tackles with 1 1/2 tackles for loss in a 37-35 loss to Nevada on Saturday.
>> LaMone Williams, Kahuku ’14: The Oregon State senior defensive lineman assisted on a sack against the Wolf Pack.
>> Vavae Malepeai, Mililani ’16: The Southern California sophomore running back scored on a 3-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter in a 37-14 loss to Texas on Saturday. Malepeai’s TD gave USC a 14-3 lead before Texas rattled off the final 34 points of the game.
>> Mika Tafua, Kamehameha ’15: The Utah freshman defensive end made five tackles with a sack in a 21-7 loss to Washington on Saturday.
>> Sipa Leafa, Radford ’17: The Adams State sophomore defensive back made nine tackles, broke up a pass and recovered a fumble in a 44-41 win over Black Hills (Col.) State on Saturday to help the Grizzlies win their first game of the season. Leafa is second on the team with 29 tackles in three games.
>> Braeden Meyer, Saint Louis ’17: The Adams State sophomore linebacker made four tackles against the Yellow Jackets.
