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Notre Dame freshman CJ Sanders dances through UMass for punt return TD (Video)

By Cody Williams

Sep 19, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive end KeShun Freeman (42) makes a tackle on Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver C.J. Sanders (9) during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeats Georgia Tech 30-22. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive end KeShun Freeman (42) makes a tackle on Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver C.J. Sanders (9) during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeats Georgia Tech 30-22. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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True freshman CJ Sanders got Notre Dame fans on their feet with this punt return touchdown

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish found themselves unexpectedly in a dogfight during the first half of their game against the UMass Minutemen. The sixth ranked Irish led the Minutemen just 21-20 with less than four minutes left in the first half. That’s when Notre Dame true freshman CJ Sanders took matters into his own hands to put the momentum in the Irish’s favor.

With UMass punting deep in their own territory, Sanders fielded the punt at the 50-yard line. He then proceeded to use tremendous vision, burst, and agility to weave his way through and around the Minutemen defense before galloping his way into the endzone for six points:

There’s no doubt that the Irish still have a ton of talent on their roster, but without Malik Zaire in the lineup, touchdowns like the one Sanders provided with that return are all the more important. Notre Dame is going to need to put points on the board in any way they can and special teams play is a big part of that.

As for the game with the Minutemen, Sanders’ touchdown certainly could serve as a momentum-changer at the end of the first half. We’ll have to see if the Irish can harness that momentum or if they remain gridlocked with UMass throughout the contest.

H/T to Bleacher Report

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