Floyd Breaks Samardzija’s Record
El Paso, TX (UHND) – If yesterday’s Sun Bowl was the final game for Michael Floyd in a Notre Dame uniform, the junior wide receiver went out in style by breaking Jeff Samardzija’s school record for receiving touchdowns with his two score performance.
Floyd entered the Sun Bowl with 26 career receiving touchdowns – just one touchdown shy of Samardzija’s record. By the end of the first quarter, the record was Floyd’s after hauling in scores from 3 and 34 yards from freshman Tommy Rees. The Minnesota native could have added to that total in the second and third quarters, but he couldn’t come down with a pair of tough catches in the end zone.
By racking up 105 yards against the talented Miami secondary, Floyd notched his first career 1,000 yard season ending with 1,025 on 79 receptions – both career highs. Floyd’s 79 receptions are good enough for the second most single season receptions behind only Golden Tate’s 93 from last season. His 12 touchdowns are the second highest single season total as well. Golden Tate (2009), Rhema McKnight (2006), and Jeff Samardzija (2005) all recorded 15 touchdown seasons.
After the last three seasons, it should surprise no one to see Floyd’s name a top the Irish record books. From day one, Floyd had a nose for the end zone. In the 2008 season opener against San Diego State, Floyd’s first career catch went for six right at the end of the first half.
Three full seasons after that San Diego State game, Floyd has racked up 28 career receiving touchdowns in just 28 games. Had Floyd not missed significant stretches of playing time as both a freshman and sophomore due to injuries, his career totals would be even more impressive.
Floyd has several other Notre Dame records in his sights, but whether or not he reaches them will depend on whether or not he returns for his senior season. Even with a very deep wide receiver class in this year’s NFL Draft, many draft experts see Floyd leaving early just as Golden Tate did a year ago. Floyd has downplayed his looming decision, but now that the season is officially over for Notre Dame, his focus will shift to deciding on what to do with his future.
Regardless of whether or not Floyd leaves early, he will go down as one of the best wide receivers in school history. Over the course of his career, he also became one of the most well rounded receivers in school history by displaying excellent blocking and improved route running this season.
Should Floyd return, he is just 8 receptions away from tying Samardzija’s career mark of 179 and only 168 yards away from Tate’s career record of 2,707 yards – numbers he could reach in the first game with a big day.
Frank Vitovitch has been Co-Owner and Editor in Chief of UHND.com since joining forces with Kyle Flavin in 1999. Since that time, he has written over 2,000 articles covering Notre Dame football, recruiting, and basketball. He also works with all staff and external writers on all articles published on UHND.com. Frank's love for Notre Dame football started at a young age watching Rocket Ismail give opposing coaches ulcers in the late 1980's. By day Frank works in marketing and holds a degree in Digital Media from Drexel University. Frank's work has been cited by online/print editions of NBC Sports, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated and has been quoted on air by ESPN's Collin Cowherd. He's conducted interviews with Notre Dame legends Rocket Ismail, Randy Kinder, Lee Becton, Reggie Brooks, Michael Stonebreaker, and Ned Bolcar among others over his 20+ years of covering Notre Dame football. He's also been published in the print edition of USA Today Sports Weekly and the USA Today College Football Preview multiple times. Other Published Works/Citations for Frank Three Reasons Notre Dame Will Beat Alabama - USA Today Notre Dame Suspends WR Kevin Stepherson, RB C.J. Holmes Indefinitely - Bleacher Report Notre Dame / Ohio State Fiesta Bowl Preview - Eleven Warriors Brace Yourself: The Fighting Irish are Relevant Again - Sports on Earth Interviews with the Enemy: A Q&A with Frank Vitovitch of UHND - Yahoo! Sports Five Good Minutes: Notre Dame Football Preview With UHND.com - BC Interruption Vicious Electronic Questioning with UHND - MGO Blog
I think he is going, but he could slip and lose some money. Second Round probably
He is a complete player, not only is he an awesome receiver, he is a great blocker, the NFL will love him for that and there is no way 4 -5 receivers go ahead of him. He is a cross between T.O. and Hines Ward. I love him, but he is gone.
one more year!
winning a heismen your senior year at ND will always trump anything you do in the nfl.
I love Floyd as much as anyone, but he could actually earn more money by coming back. I don’t think he goes in the first round of the draft. He could go in the first round next year though. There could be 4-5 WR’s in front of him on draft day whether we agree with it or not.
Totally agree. He should hold out one more year and guarantee himself a first round pick.
Loyalty to one’s word (ie- to be a Notre Dame player) counts for a huge lot. The allure of money on the other side of the fence also tempts against finishing work towards the degree in college education.
The best decision is staying, even recognizing that his sport has great great risk of injury. But loyalty to one’s word is the higher way to go…even at the risk of suffering a career-ending injury.
You’re right Chuck….If I were Floyd I’d pass up millions of dollars too! He could always limp across the stage next spring and then hope he finds a job with a million dollar signing bonus!!
Thanks for the enjoyment of the past three season Michael. Take the money and go back for your degree later!
Why? He’s got nothing to prove. He has only downside for staying. Take the money when you can.
Because he wants to win and will be first or second WR to be drafted in 2012 if he comes back.
He can go early, but just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
There are a lot of good receivers going in the draft this year, and if first round isn’t guaranteed then why would you go? And first round isn’t happening for him this year.. If he’s smart he will come back, and next year lock up a first round pick.
I say he comes back.
He’s gone