Down by 17 points at half time to Big Ten rival Michigan State on September 23, 2006,
Notre Dame needed big plays. Terrail Lambert answered the call with the game-winning and
game-saving plays.
The St. Bonaventure High graduate’s 23-yard interception return for a touchdown with 2:53 left in
the game gave Notre Dame a 40-37 lead. He sealed the victory with a second interception in the game’s final seconds. The performance earned Lambert the “Game Ball” by the Masters Football
Coaches.
Lambert was a three-year starter for the Irish, recording 115 tackles, including 79 unassisted, and four interceptions. In his four-year collegiate career, Notre Dame played in three bowl games:2006 Fiesta Bowl, 2007 Sugar Bowl and 2008 Hawaii Bowl.
Lambert’s skills as a defensive back had attracted section, state and national attention during his
three seasons at St. Bonaventure. As a senior, Lambert not only made the All-CIF-Southern
Section Division IV team as a defensive back, he was also selected to the first team offense.
In St. Bonaventure’s run of two section titles and a runner-up finish from 2002-04, Lambert made
three All-Ventura County teams as well as three all-state selections. His high school football
career ended with an appearance in the 2004 U.S. Army All-American game. Lambert ranked
85th on ESPN’s list of top 100 high school prospects.
After winning the 2004 CIF Division IV 100-meter title, Lambert placed second at the State Track
and Field Championships, clocking the third-best performance in County history with a time of
10.53 seconds. To date, no other Ventura County sprinter had finished as high as second in the
boys 100 at the state meet.
Lambert signed contracts with six NFL teams during his pro career.
A resident of Rancho Cucamonga, Lambert is a firefighter with the Los Angeles City Fire
Department. In his off time, he trains athletes in the Inland Empire and Oxnard.