Sept. 10, 2005

Recap | Final Stats | Photo Gallery

#20/23 Notre Dame at #3 Michigan
Saturday, Sept. 10, 2005 • Michigan Stadium • Ann Arbor, Mich.

Today’s final attendance: 111,386 – the third consecutive meeting between Notre Dame and Michigan at Michigan Stadium to draw over 111,000 fans.

NOTRE DAME TEAM NOTES:

Notre Dame’s victory over #3/3 Michigan today is the highest-ranked team defeated by the Irish since the last victory by Notre Dame at Michigan Stadium in 1993. The 11th-ranked Irish defeated the third-ranked Wolverines 27-23.

Notre Dame ended Michigan’s 16-game home field winning streak against non-conference opponents today (last loss on Sept. 12, 1998 to Syracuse 38-28).

Notre Dame held Michigan to 10 points today, the best defensive effort against the Wolverines for Notre Dame since 1987. The Irish defeated the Wolverines 26-7 in Michigan Stadium on Sept. 12, 1987.

Notre Dame’s captains this afternoon were senior Brandon Hoyte (defense), junior Brady Quinn (offense) and junior Casey Cullen (special teams). The special team’s captain is selected by the Irish coaching staff week-to-week. Hoyte and Quinn were selected as season-long captains by their teammates. Notre Dame won the toss and elected to receive. Michigan started the game defending the south end zone.

Notre Dame opened the contest today with the no-huddle offense. Its first substitution occurred on the 12th (six runs, six passes) play of the drive at the 12:24 mark, when senior WR Matt Shelton entered on the touchdown pass play from junior Brady Quinn to senior Rhema McKnight. Notre Dame also huddled for the first time in the game on that play.

Notre Dame scored on its first drive for the second straight game this season – both scores coming on touchdown passes from Brady Quinn.

Charlie Weis has become the first Notre Dame head coach to win his first two games on the opposing team’s home field since Knute Rockne in 1918 (26-6 at Case Tech, 67-7 at Wabash).

Notre Dame held Michigan without a touchdown in the first half for the first time since the 2004 match up between the Irish and Wolverines (28-20 ND victory).

Notre Dame’s fumble in the fourth quarter was the team’s first lost fumble in 31 quarters (over seven games) and 263 rushing attempts.

Notre Dame broke up eight passes in today’s game – the most for the Irish since they broke up 11 at Florida State in 2002.

Michigan now leads the all-time series with Notre Dame by an 18-14-1 count. Notre Dame is now 7-10 at Michigan Stadium. Notre Dame has won four of the last six meetings in the series.

NOTRE DAME INDIVIDUAL NOTES:

Sophomore Darius Walker’s 104 rushing yards today marks the second consecutive game (and second of his career) that he has rushed for over 100 yards against Michigan. In his collegiate debut last season, Walker rushed for 115 yards (on 31 carries). Today’s performance also is his second consecutive game rushing for over 100 yards – he posted an even 100 yards against Pittsburgh last weekend. Today’s game is the fourth 100 yard rushing game of his career and first time he has achieved that feat in consecutive games.

Senior Brian Beidatsch’s sack in the first quarter was the first solo sack of his career. Entering the game, he previously shared a sack at Stanford during the 2003 season.

Junior Jeff Samardzija’s touchdown catch in the second quarter was the second of his career – and today’s game marks the second consecutive contest in which he has posted a touchdown grab. He caught his first career TD pass last weekend at Pittsburgh – also in the second quarter.

Junior Tom Zbikowski’s interception in the third quarter was the third of his career and second this season. He intercepted a desperation heave at the end of the first half against Pittsburgh last week.

Notre Dame has seen 16 players make their Irish playing debut in the first two games of the season. James Bent, Justin Brown, David Bruton*, Maurice Crum, Jr., Casey Cullen, Paul Duncan*, Leo Ferrine, David Grimes*, LaBrose Hedgemon II, Joey Hiben*, Pat Kuntz*, Terrail Lambert, Asaph Schwapp*, Scott Smith*, Ronald Talley and Michael Turkovich*. * – indicates true freshman

Fifteen of these players saw action last weekend at Pittsburgh. Freshman Scott Smith made his Notre Dame debut in the first quarter today.