Audric Estime admits Doak Walker Award snub fueled him for big day vs. Stanford

Notre Dame running back Audric Estime was snubbed for the Doak Walker Award, despite a fantastic season. It was a decision that both Estime and Notre Dame took note of ahead of the Irish’s big win over Stanford.

Estime was a huge part of the win and after the game admitted that his performance was fueled by his Doak Walker snub.

“I found out the night before,” Audric Estime said. “It was pretty hard. It was definitely a goal of mine but it wasn’t the end of the world at that point. We still had some football to play, which is all that matters and I just have a bunch of guys that rely on me. So, I couldn’t shut down no matter what. I just had to keep on going. I had to come in the next day at practice like nothing and just keep on rolling.”

Against Stanford, Audric Estime ran for 238 yards and four touchdowns. He did that on 9.5 yards per carry. It was an incredible effort that he was more than motivated to put up.

“I’m not gonna lie, it definitely fueled me. I definitely feel like I’m one of the best running backs in the country if not the best, and I’d definitely want other people to notice but after today I feel like a lot of people noticed.”

Shortly after Estime was snubbed by the Doak Walker Award, he tweeted the word “Bet.” At the time, it was clear that he saw and felt the snub and he explained that feeling after the win against Stanford.

“Exactly what I meant by today. Just bet. I felt like I was kind of cut short. So, that bet was just like, alright. You guys don’t think I’m one of the 10 best in the country, I’m going to show you.”

Jerome Bettis beams each time Audric Estime touches the ball for Notre Dame

Notre Dame fans love watching Audric Estime run. For many, he reminds them of the power backs of the past. One of those power backs, and former Notre Dame star, Jerome Bettis, agrees. Ahead of the USC game, Bettis told NBC sideline reporter Zora Stephenson about how much he loves watching Estime run.

“Hall of Fame running back and Notre Dame great Jerome Bettis was beaming with joy as I asked him about Audric Estime pregame. He said Estime is reminding people of the old-school Notre Dame offenses,” Stephenson said.

“Bettis told me every time Estime does something, he has a huge smile on his face because he would make the same reads he was making. When I asked Bettis if he was okay with people calling Estime ‘Baby Bus.’ he said ‘absolutely.’”