The last time that Notre Dame fans saw Donte Vaughn in action was in the Cotton Bowl, when he was trying to replace Julian Love, who had sustained an apparent concussion during the first half. Vaughn took over for Love, and Clemson quickly pounced by connecting on a pair of touchdown passes that effectively ended the hopes of the Irish. Vaughn also was flagged for a costly defensive holding penalty that led to another score.
That cringe-worthy flashback is necessary because with Love now in the NFL, Vaughn is the player set to replace him in the starting lineup.