Sept. 28, 2009
Notre Dame vs. Washington – UND.com Gameweek Central (new for 2009)
Full Notes Package in PDF Format (recommended for easy reading and enhanced statistical data) 
Game #5 — Notre Dame (3-1) vs. Washington (2-2)
Saturday, October 3, 2009
3:42 p.m. ET
Notre Dame Stadium (80,795); Notre Dame, Ind.
TELEVISION
NBC national telecast with Tom Hammond (play-by-play), Pat Haden (analysis), Alex Flanagan (sideline), Rob Hyland (producer) and David Michaels (director).
RADIO
ISP Sports is the exclusive national rights-holder for Irish football radio broadcasts. ISP manages, produces and syndicates the Irish national football radio network. Notre Dame games will be broadcast by Don Criqui (play-by-play), former Irish great Allen Pinkett (analysis) and Jeff Jeffers providing pre-game, sideline and post-game reports. This broadcast can be heard live on SIRIUS Satellite Radio (channel 159) and XM Satellite Radio (channel 117).
- All Notre Dame games may be heard in South Bend on Sunny 101.5 FM and NewsTalk 960 WSBT-AM.
TICKETS
Saturday is the 208th consecutive sellout at Notre Dame Stadium. Since 1966, every Irish home football game has been a sellout except one – a 1973 Thanksgiving Day game vs. Air Force. Notre Dame has now played in front of sellouts in 256 of its last 257 home games.
- Notre Dame has now played in front of sellout crowds in 214 of its previous 247 games, including 89 of its last 99 contests dating back to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the end of the 2000 season (the 2001, ’03, ’05 and ’07 games at Stanford, the 2004 game vs. Navy at the Meadowlands, the 2005 and ’08 games at Washington, the 2007 game at UCLA, the 2008 Hawai’i Bowl and last week’s game at Purdue were not sellouts).
WEB SITES
Notre Dame (und.com), Washington (gohuskies.com)
REAL-TIME STATS
Live in-game statistics will be provided through CBS College Sports Gametracker via each school’s respective official athletic website.
POLLS
Notre Dame is unranked, but receiving votes in both the AP and coaches polls. Washington is not receiving votes in either poll.
SERIES INFO
This meeting will be the eighth all-time meeting between the two schools and fourth ever matchup in Notre Dame Stadium. The Irish have won all seven previous meetings, including a 33-7 triumph last year in Seattle. The Irish have beaten Washington by at least 19 points in six of the seven all-time games (more on the series history on pages 20-24).
AN IRISH VICTORY THIS WEEK WOULD…
- Improve Notre Dame to 4-1 for the second consecutive year and the fourth time in five years.
- Be the eighth consecutive win over Washington.
- Improve Notre Dame to 8-0 in the all-time series with the Huskies – the most victories over an NCAA FBS opponent without a tie or defeat.
- Improve Notre Dame to 4-0 in the all-time series with Washington in Notre Dame Stadium.
- Give Notre Dame its fourth consecutive victory over the Huskies in Notre Dame Stadium.
- Improve an unranked Irish squad (post 1932) to 4-0 all-time against Washington.
- Improve an unranked Notre Dame squad to 2-0 all-time against the Huskies in Notre Dame Stadium.
- Improve Notre Dame to 6-0 all-time against Washington when the Huskies are unranked.
- Improve Notre Dame to 3-0 all-time against Washington in Notre Dame Stadium when the Huskies are unranked.
- Improve Notre Dame to 81-42-6 (.651) all-time against the Pac-10.
- Improve Notre Dame to 45-15-1 (.746) all-time against the Pac-10 inside Notre Dame Stadium.
- Improve Notre Dame’s all-time record to 835-285-42 (.737).
- Improve Notre Dame’s all-time record at Notre Dame Stadium to 305-98-5 (.754).
- Improve Weis’ record to 33-22 (.600) overall, 9-4 (.692) against the Pac-10 and 3-0 (1.000) against Washington.
- Improve Weis’ home record to 18-11 (.621) overall and 4-2 (.667) against the Pac-10.
- Improve Weis’ record to 10-5 (.667) in October games.
- Improve Weis’ record to 26-17 (.605) in afternoon games.
- Improve Weis’ record to 19-7 (.731) following a victory.
AN IRISH DEFEAT THIS WEEK WOULD…
- Drop Notre Dame to 3-2 for the first time since 2004.
- Snap Notre Dame’s seven-game winning streak in the all-time series against Washington.
- Deny Notre Dame an 8-0 (1.000) record in the all-time series with the Huskies – the most victories over an NCAA FBS opponent without a tie or defeat.
- Drop Notre Dame to 3-1 (.750) in the all-time series with Washington in Notre Dame Stadium.
- Deny Notre Dame its fourth consecutive victory over the Huskies in Notre Dame Stadium.
- Drop an unranked Irish squad (post 1932) to 3-1 (.750) all-time against Washington.
- Drop an unranked Notre Dame squad to 1-1 (.500) all-time against the Huskies in Notre Dame Stadium.
- Drop Notre Dame to 5-1 (.833) all-time against Washington when the Huskies are unranked.
- Drop Notre Dame to 2-1 (.667) all-time against Washington in Notre Dame Stadium when the Huskies are unranked.
- Drop Notre Dame to 80-43-6 (.643) all-time against the Pac-10.
- Drop Notre Dame to 44-16-1 (.730) all-time against the Pac-10 inside Notre Dame Stadium.
- Drop Notre Dame’s all-time record to 834-286-42 (.736).
- Drop Notre Dame’s all-time record at Notre Dame Stadium to 304-99-5 (.751).
- Drop Weis’ record to 32-23 (.582) overall, 8-5 (.615) against the Pac-10 and 2-1 (.667) against Washington.
- Drop Weis’ home record to 17-12 (.586) overall and 3-3 (.500) against the Pac-10.
- Drop Weis’ record to 9-6 (.600) in October games.
- Drop Weis’ record to 25-18 (.581) in afternoon games.
- Drop Weis’ record to 18-8 (.692) following a victory.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Notre Dame owns a perfect 7-0 record in the all-time series against Washington. The seven victories without a defeat are the most victories over an NCAA FBS opponent without a tie or defeat in school history.
ON THIS DATE
Notre Dame has played 14 previous games in its history on Oct. 3. The Irish are 11-3 all-time on this date. The Irish were ranked inside the top 25 on six occasions, but in two of those games were upset.
1998 W (t23) Stanford 35-17 H1992 L (7) Stanford (19) 16-33 H1981 W Michigan State 20-7 H1970 W (4) Michigan State 29-0 A1964 W (9) Purdue 34-15 H1959 L (8) Purdue 7-28 A1953 W (1) Purdue 37-7 A1942 L Georgia Tech 6-13 H1936 W Carnegie Tech 21-7 H1931 W Indiana 25-0 A1925 W Lombard 69-0 H1914 W Alma 56-0 H1908 W Hillsdale 39-0 H1903 W Michigan State 12-0 H
Beginning with the 1936 season, the number in front of the opponent name indicates Notre Dame’s ranking in the Associated Press poll coming into the game. The number following the opponent name indicates its ranking.
Oct. 3, 1914: Notre Dame and head coach Jesse Harper defeat Alma College of Michigan, where he began his coaching career, 56-0.
Oct. 3, 1981: Notre Dame’s Greg Bell rushed for a career-high 165 yards on just 20 carries to lead the Irish past Michigan State, 20-7. Bell recorded a pair of touchdown runs in the first quarter.
HOW DO THEY STACK UP?
Average weight of the offensive and defensive lines:
Notre Dame OL 315.0 lbs. vs. Washington DL 285.5 lbs.
Notre Dame DL 275.0 lbs. vs. Washington OL 297.6 lbs.
Average height of the receivers and the secondaries:
Notre Dame WR/TE 6′ 3 1/3″ vs. Washington DB 5′ 11 3/4″
Notre Dame DB 6′ 1″ vs. Washington WR/TE 5′ 11 1/2″
NUMBER CHANGE
Junior OT Matt Romine changed his uniform number from #70 to #77. Mike Turkovich previously wore #77 before graduating after the 2008 season.
2009 NOTRE DAME OPPONENT UPDATE
Below is a look at Notre Dame opponents’ upcoming games. Since 1977, when the NCAA started rating strength of schedule, Notre Dame’s schedule has been rated the most difficult five times (1978, 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1995).
Opponent '09 Record Oct. 3Nevada 0-3 UNLVMichigan 4-0 at Michigan StateMichigan State 1-3 MichiganPurdue 1-3 NorthwesternWashington 2-2 at Notre DameUSC 3-1 at CaliforniaBoston College 3-1 Florida StateWashington State 1-3 OregonNavy 2-2 Air ForcePittsburgh 3-1 at Louisville (Oct. 2)UConn 3-1 ByeStanford 3-1 UCLAOpponents' combined 2009 record: 26-21 (.553)
ONLY THE BIG BOYS
Notre Dame is one of just four NCAA FBS programs to have not faced a non-FBS opponent since the current setup was established in 1978. The three other remaining schools that have yet to play a non-FBS opponent are USC, UCLA and Washington. The list shrunk from five following Michigan State’s contest with Montana State on Sept. 5.
NOTRE DAME IN SEPTEMBER
- Notre Dame is 126-49-4 (.715) all-time during the month of September.
- The Irish are 80-18-2 (.810) in September home games.
- Notre Dame has an all-time mark of 41-29-2 (.583) in road games during September.
- The Irish have gone 3-1 in September each of the last two seasons.
IRISH DEBUTS
The following players made their Notre Dame debuts in the season opener against Nevada: sophomore LB Anthony McDonald, freshman S Zeke Motta, freshman RB Theo Riddick, senior TE Bobby Burger, freshman LB Manti Te’o, sophomore LB David Posluszny, sophomore CB Jamoris Slaughter, sophomore DE Kapron Lewis-Moore, sophomore QB Dayne Crist, freshman PK Nick Tausch, freshman LS Jordan Cowart, freshman WR Shaquelle Evans, sophomore DT Hafis Williams, sophomore WR Deion Walker, freshman TE Tyler Eifert, sophomore OT Lane Clelland, sophomore WR John Goodman, sophomore DB Dan McCarthy, junior WR Chris Gurries, sophomore OC Mike Golic, Jr. and sophomore DT Sean Cwynar.
LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE ’09
Junior QB Jimmy Clausen, senior SS Kyle McCarthy, senior OC Eric Olsen and senior LB Scott Smith have been selected captains of the 2009 Notre Dame football team.
- Voting was conducted Friday, Aug. 14, with the results announced to the team by head coach Charlie Weis. Clausen and Olsen will captain the offense, McCarthy will serve as the defensive captain and Smith will represent the special teams. The results from the vote also helped form the leadership committee. Joining the four captains on the leadership committee are: senior FB James Aldridge, senior CB Mike Anello, senior S Sergio Brown, sophomore WR Michael Floyd, junior DE Kerry Neal, sophomore TE Kyle Rudolph, senior DE John Ryan, junior LB Brian Smith and senior OT Sam Young.
Player, Pos. Cl. HometownJames Aldridge, FB Sr. St. Louis, Mo.Mike Anello, DB Sr. Orland Park, Ill.Sergio Brown, DB Sr. Maywood, Ill.Jimmy Clausen, QB Jr. Westlake Village, Calif.Michael Floyd, WR So. St. Paul, Minn.Kyle McCarthy, SS Sr. Youngstown, OhioKerry Neal, DE Jr. Bunn, N.C.Eric Olsen, OC Sr. Staten Island, N.Y.Kyle Rudolph, TE So. Cincinnati, OhioJohn Ryan, DE Sr. Westlake, OhioBrian Smith, LB Jr. Overland Park, Kan.Scott Smith, LB Sr. Highland Park, Ill.Sam Young, OT Sr. Coral Springs, Fla.
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME GRADUATES
The 2009 Notre Dame roster features eight players who have already earned their undergraduate degree from the University. Paul Duncan, Evan Sharpley, Mike Anello, Ray Herring, Kyle McCarthy, Scott Smith, Barry Gallup and Chris Stewart all graduated from Notre Dame in May of 2009. Here is a list of the graduates on the 2009 Notre Dame football team.
- OT Paul Duncan: degree in management-entrepreneurship from the Mendoza College of Business.
- QB Evan Sharpley: degree in history from the College of Arts and Letters.
- CB Mike Anello: degree in finance from the Mendoza College of Business.
- S Ray Herring: degree in sociology from the College of Arts and Letters.
- S Kyle McCarthy: degree in finance from the Mendoza College of Business.
- LB Scott Smith: degrees in management from the Mendoza College of Business and sociology from the College of Arts and Letters.
- WR Barry Gallup: degree in finance from the Mendoza College of Business.
- OG Chris Stewart: degree in history from the College of Arts and Letters.
- Notre Dame’s eight graduates is tied with Auburn, Penn State, Texas Tech, UNLV, Miami, Fla. and East Carolina for the fourth-most graduates on a 2009 FBS roster.
Alabama 12, Boston College 10, Virginia Tech 10, Notre Dame 8, Miami, Fla. 8, Auburn 8, East Carolina 8, Penn State 8, Texas Tech 8, UNLV 8, UCF 7, Texas A&M 7
PLAYING STREAKS
- The following players extended active starting streaks last week against Michigan: senior OT Sam Young 42, senior OC Eric Olsen 23, junior QB Jimmy Clausen 20, sophomore TE Kyle Rudolph 17 and senior SS Kyle McCarthy 17.
DOWN TO THE WIRE
- Notre Dame has now won four games in its storied history by scoring a touchdown in the last 30 seconds of regulation. Here is that list of games:
35-34 vs. Houston in the 1979 Cotton Bowl (:00)17-16 vs. Penn State in 1992 (0:19)24-21 vs. Purdue in 2009 (0:25)20-17 vs. UCLA in 2006 (0:27)
- Notre Dame has now won 16 games all-time in overtime or with less than 25 seconds remaining in regulation and only five of those have come on the road.
- The Irish have never registered a longer drive (72 yards) to win a game on the road with less than 25 seconds to go in the contest in school history than it did at Purdue.
- Notre Dame scored with just 24.8 seconds remaining on the clock at Purdue. It is the latest the Irish have scored to secure a victory on the road since 1997 when Scott Cengia booted a field goal with five seconds left to secure a 23-22 victory at Hawaii.
- Notre Dame has now played three consecutive games in which the final outcome was not decided until the waning seconds.
Michigan 38, Notre Dame 34
The Wolverines scored a go-ahead touchdown with 11 seconds left to secure a 38-34 victory over the Irish on Sept. 12.
Notre Dame 33, Michigan State 30
The Irish regained the lead with 5:18 to go in regulation on Golden Tate’s 33-yard touchdown pass, but the Spartans drove to Notre Dame’s 18-yard line before senior SS Kyle McCarthy’s interception at the Irish four-yard line with 57 seconds left secured the victory.
Notre Dame 24, Purdue 21
Junior QB Jimmy Clausen completed a two-yard touchdown pass to sophomore TE Kyle Rudolph with 24.8 seconds to play, and Notre Dame rallied for a 24-21 win over Purdue. Clausen led the Irish on a 12-play, 72-yard drive. He went 6-for-9 on the drive for 69 yards, including the go-ahead touchdown pass.
- Notre Dame’s last three games have been decided by a total of 10 points. The Irish have not had three consecutive games decided by seven points or less since a stretch of games during the 2004 season (Boston College, Tennessee and Pittsburgh). Notre Dame went 1-2 in that stretch of games and the games were decided by a total of seven points.
- Since the series with Purdue resumed in 1946, there have been just five games where the winning points were scored in the final five minutes. Ironically, three have come on the date of Sept. 26. Here is a list of those five games:
Sept. 26, 2009 Notre Dame 24, at Purdue 21Sept. 16, 2000 at #21 Notre Dame 23, #13 Purdue 21Sept. 26, 1998 at #23 Notre Dame 31, Purdue 30Sept. 26, 1981 at Purdue 15, #13 Notre Dame 14Sept. 25, 1971 #2 Notre Dame 8, at Purdue 7
YOUNG PUPS NOW GROWING UP
- Notre Dame had 20 scholarship players make their respective Irish debuts in the season opener against Nevada. That group included seven freshmen and 12 more sophomores for a total of 19 first-year players.
- The Irish have already had 15 different players start on defense over their first three games. Of those 15 players, 10 have at least one year of eligibility remaining and six have at least two years remaining.
- Notre Dame has a tremendous amount of experience on its offensive line. The Irish have a total of 120 combined starts amongst six different players. As experienced as Notre Dame’s front line is on the offensive side of the ball, the defensive line is equally inexperienced. Sophomore DE Kapron Lewis-Moore made his first career start against Michigan State and sophomore DT Ethan Johnson made just his seventh career start.
- Of the 24 players that started the Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl (including punter and placekicker), 18 players return in 2009 and 11 of those players have at least two seasons of eligibility remaining.
- Entering last week’s game with Purdue, Notre Dame was the only offense among all 120 FBS schools that had a running back rank among the top 20 in rushing yards per game (Armando Allen), two wide receivers rank among the top 20 in receiving yards per game (Michael Floyd, Golden Tate) and a quarterback rank among the top 20 in passing yards per game (Jimmy Clausen). All four of those players, as well as sophomore TE Kyle Rudolph, who leads all FBS tight ends in yards per reception among qualifying receivers, are eligible to return in 2010 and both Floyd and Rudolph have two more years.
- The Irish still managed to come away with a victory on the road despite the absence of both Floyd and Allen (each missed the game completely) and a limited Clausen. Notre Dame’s depth was on display. The Irish got quality performances from sophomore QB Dayne Crist (5-for-10 for 45 yards in the air and four carries for 16 yards on the ground), freshman RB Theo Riddick (24-yard rush), sophomore RB Jonas Gray (18 yards rushing and 42 yards receiving) and freshman WR Shaq Evans (one catch for 12 yards). Crist guided the Irish on both of their first half touchdown drives.
LEAVE NO DOUBT
Notre Dame dominated Nevada in every facet of the game, including, and most importantly, the scoreboard. The 35-point margin of victory was the largest under head coach Charlie Weis and the largest since Sept. 25, 2004 when the Irish defeated Washington 38-3.
CHARLIE AND THE IRISH OFFENSIVE FACTORY
Fifth year head coach Charlie Weis came to Notre Dame with a tremendous reputation as one of the premier offensive minds in all of the NFL. The Irish saw immediate results in 2005, setting 11 school records, including passing yards (3,963), touchdown passes (32, bested in 2006 and equalled in 2008), total offense yards (5,728) and total points (440). Notre Dame has surpassed the 40-point barrier on 12 different occasions in Weis’ 54 games as head coach. Prior to his arrival, Notre Dame had eclipsed 40 points just nine times in its previous 97 contests. In addition, the Irish had 83 separate 100-yard receiving games over its first 116 seasons of football, but Notre Dame has had 33 under Weis. To put those numbers in perspective, Notre Dame averaged a 100-yard receiving effort every 13 games before Weis. Under Weis, the Irish are recording a 100-yard receiving effort a little better than every other game.
- Junior QB Jimmy Clausen recently passed for at least 300 yards in four consecutive games, a first in Notre Dame history. It began with 401 at Hawaii last December, followed by efforts of 315 (Nevada), 336 (Michigan) and 300 (Michigan State) this season. Former All-American QB Brady Quinn, another Weis protege, had three consecutive 300 yard passing games during his record setting 2005 season.
- Notre Dame has had 10 players register 54 or more receptions in a single season. Six of those 10 players have come during the Weis era, including former All-American WR Jeff Samardzija’s school record of 78 in 2006.
- Five of the top eight best individual receiving yard seasons have come under Weis.
- Notre Dame has eclipsed 5,000 total yards in a season just seven times over its 119 years of football entering 2009. The Irish have registered 5,000 yard seasons twice under Weis. The 2009 edition is well on its way to giving Weis a third season with 5,000 or more total yards.
NOTRE DAME GROUND GAME TAKES OFF IN “LEPRECAT” FORMATION
- The Irish have broken out their version of the wildcat formation in 2009. Notre Dame lined up in the “leprecat” formation (direct snap to junior WR Golden Tate) five times in the second quarter against Purdue. The Irish rambled for 46 yards out of the formation, including Tate’s 14-yard touchdown run to grab a 17-7 second quarter lead. Notre Dame averaged 9.2 yards per carry out of the formation, registering three rushes of 13 yards or longer, including freshman HB Theo Riddick’s 24-yard rush.
- Notre Dame used the formation to supreme efficiency in the victory over Michigan State as well. Junior HB Armando Allen not only raced 13 yards up the middle for a touchdown on a direct snap in the first quarter, but he added a touchdown pass to senior WR Robby Parris out of the formation in the third quarter.
IRISH RUNNING GAME REAPING MAJOR BENEFITS FROM EXPERIENCED OFFENSIVE LINE
Notre Dame posted its two worst rushing seasons in school history in 2007 (75.25 ypg) and 2008 (109.69 ypg), but the Irish have made significant strides in 2009. Notre Dame is averaging 158.0 yards per game on the ground over its first four games of the season. Here is an interesting comparison of the 2009 rushing attack to last season’s effort after four games (excluding QBs):
2009 Category 2008634 Rushing Yards 4644.9 Average Per Rush 4.020 Rushes for 10+ yards 125 Rushing Touchdowns 320 Rushes for No Gain or Minus Yardage 27
- Notre Dame’s wide outs and running backs had just two negative rushes against Michigan State. Junior WR Golden Tate was tackled for a one-yard loss on a reverse and junior RB Armando Allen had a minus four-yard rush when he was brought down after colliding with Tate. The Irish equalled that total on their first two carries of the game against the Spartans in 2008.
- The Irish struggled mightily on the ground against both Michigan and Michigan State in 2008, but rebounded with impressive efforts against each in 2009 (again, excluding sacks and QB rushes). The Spartans had allowed just 2.2 yards per rush over their first two games.
2009 (vs. Michigan) 2008 (vs. Michigan) 2009 (vs. MSU) 2008 (vs. MSU)Carries 28 30 28 16Rushing Yards 154 111 138 54Yards Per Rush 5.5 3.7 4.9 3.4
- Notre Dame managed just two yards on six rushes in the first quarter against Purdue, but rumbled for 136 yards on 16 carries in the second quarter. The Irish used four different ball carriers (Tate, Theo Riddick, Dayne Crist and Robert Hughes) in that second quarter.
- The Irish outgained the Boilermakers, 169-64, in the second quarter.
- Notre Dame registered six rushes for at least 10 yards in first half against Purdue. In fact, each of the six carries for 10+ yards came in the second quarter. The Irish had 14 such carries over their first three games combined. Notre Dame finished the night with six 10+ yard rushes (which tied the season-high total set against Michigan).
- Notre Dame called 15 rushing plays out of the 16 plays called during its back-to-back touchdown drives covering 73 and 62 yards in the second quarter. The final 13 plays in those two combined drives were runs. The lone pass attempt, by Crist, fell incomplete.
- Crist’s 16 yards gained came on a quarterback misdirection keeper on his first play in the second quarter. That was the longest run by a Notre Dame quarterback since Brady Quinn had a 60-yard scamper in a 44-24 loss at USC in 2006.
- Notre Dame has outrushed both Nevada, Michigan State and Purdue this season and not coincidentally, the Irish are 3-0 in those contests. In fact, since Weis arrived in South Bend, Notre Dame is 18-0 when outrushing its opponent.
MORE ON WEIS’ OFFENSE
- Notre Dame has registered three of its top four passing seasons in school history under Weis. The Irish averaged 330.3 yards (1st) in the air in 2005, 264.7 (2nd) in 2006 and 245.4 (4th) in 2008. Over its first four games of 2009, Notre Dame has averaged 297.0 yards per game passing.
- The Irish have eclipsed 475 or more total yards in 11 games under Weis, including three of Notre Dame’s last five games (Notre Dame still managed 437 yards in one of those contests). Weis has served as offensive coordinator and play caller for each of those games.
- Notre Dame racked up 27 first downs against Michigan – the most by an Irish squad since Oct 7, 2006 against Stanford.
- The Irish followed up the offensive outburst against Michigan with an equally impressive output against Michigan State. Notre Dame registered 25 more first downs.
- The Irish have recorded 75 first downs over their last three games (Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue). Notre Dame has not produced more first downs in three consecutive weeks since Sept. 30, Oct. 7 and Oct. 21 of 2006 against Purdue, Stanford and UCLA.
POINTS A PLENTY
Notre Dame scored 33 or more points in four consecutive games and each of its first three games in 2008 (streak ended last week against Purdue). The last time a Notre Dame team scored at least 33 points in three games to open the season was the 1943 national championship season that began with victories of 41-0 over Pittsburgh, 55-13 over Georgia Tech and 35-12 over #2 Michigan.
- The Irish have not had a longer streak of consecutive 30+ point games since setting the school record of eight straight games during the 2005 season.
- Notre Dame set a school record in 2005 under Weis with 10 games of 30 or more points. The previous school record was nine such games by the 1991 Irish.
IRISH OFFENSE IN MID-SEASON FORM
- Notre Dame piled up 510 and 490 yards, respectively, over its first two games of this season. The 1,000 total yards were the most for the Irish in consecutive weeks since they compiled 1,083 yards on Nov. 19 (Syracuse, 420) and Nov. 26 (at Stanford, 663) of 2005. In fact, it is the most total yards over the first two weeks of a season since the Irish registered 1,051 yards of total offense to open the 1974 campaign.
- Notre Dame’s offense has gotten out to fast starts this year as well, scoring on 14 of 22 first half possessions (10 touchdowns, four field goals) over the Nevada, Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue games.
- The Irish have also been exceptional in 2009 over their opening drives of each half. Notre Dame registered a touchdown on its opening drive of both the first and third quarter against Michigan State. The Irish have recorded touchdowns on four of their eight drives to open each half. In fact, Notre Dame has averaged 6.6 plays and more impressively 57.0 yards per drive to open a half. That stat is even more remarkable when you consider the Irish opened the third quarter against Michigan with a three-play, six-yard drive ending with a fumble. Excluding that drive, Notre Dame averages 7.1 plays and 64.3 yards per drive.
- Notre Dame ranks 10th in the nation in passing efficiency. The Irish have a 165.27 rating over their first four games. The Irish also rank sixth in time of possession (33:30), tied for 10th in total first downs (95), 14th in passing offense (297.0) and 15th in total offense (455.0).
- Prior to sophomore WR Michael Floyd and junior RB Armando Allen’s injuries that caused each to miss the Purdue game (Floyd will also likely miss the rest of the regular season), Notre Dame was the only offense among all 120 FBS schools that had a running back rank among the top 20 in rushing yards per game, two wide receivers rank among the top 20 in receiving yards per game and a quarterback rank among the top 20 in passing yards per game. Floyd ranked seventh (119.33 ypg), junior QB Jimmy Clausen ranked eighth (317.0 ypg), Allen ranked tied for 15th (108.67 ypg) and junior WR Golden Tate ranked 20th (100.33 ypg).
- The quintet has also made its fair share of big plays already in 2009. Clausen has 16 completions over 20 yards, Floyd has collected six passes over 20 yards, Tate has five 20+ yard receptions and Allen has ripped off 10 runs of at least 10 yards. Sophomore Kyle Rudolph has even added three receptions over 20 yards from the tight end position.
- Notre Dame did not have a single three-and-out in the victory over Michigan State. In fact, the Irish had just four three-and-outs over their first three games and three came against Michigan.
THE LONG MARCHES
The Irish have produced numerous long scoring drives during 2009. Throw out Notre Dame’s one touchdown drive after senior SS Kyle McCarthy’s interception in Michigan’s territory and Notre Dame has traversed an average of 74.5 yards on its 15 conventional touchdown drives through the first four games. Those drives have averaged 7.6 plays and include 11 drives of 70 or more yards and four of 80 yards or longer. Here’s the breakdown:
Nevada: 67 yards on 12 plays, 78 yards on nine plays, 79 yards on two plays, 80 yards on eight plays and 99 yards on four plays.
Michigan: 76 yards on seven plays, 69 yards on seven plays and 80 yards on 14 plays.
Michigan State: 84 yards on four plays, 55 yards on five plays, 70 yards on six plays and 73 yards on eight plays.
Purdue: 73 yards on nine plays, 62 yards on seven plays and 72 yards on 12 plays.
IRISH OFFENSE QUICK OUT OF THE BLOCKS
Notre Dame has averaged 264.3 net offensive yards in the first half (1,057 total) of its first four games, compared to 190.8 in the second half (763 total).
Game 1st Half 2nd Half Total DifferenceNevada 300 210 510 -90at Michigan 302 188 490 -114Michigan State 218 219 437 +1at Purdue 237 146 383 -91Total 1,057 763 1,820 -294
- The Irish were even more impressive in the opening 15 minutes of their first three games. Notre Dame totaled 131, 142 and 152 yards of total offense in the opening quarter of its first three games this season against Nevada, Michigan and Michigan State.
- Notre Dame outgained Purdue, 169-64, in total yards in the second quarter and 134 yards to two yards on the ground.
Notre Dame Winning Time-of-Possession Battle
While Notre Dame’s offense has been piling up the yardage this season (averaging 455.0 yards per game), it also has won the time of possession battle in all three games this season. Overall, Notre Dame averages 33:30 minutes per game with the ball, compared to 26:30 for its opponents. Here is a game-by-game breakdown:
Game Notre Dame Opponent MarginNevada 33:40 26:20 7:20at Michigan 31:25 28:35 2:50Michigan State 34:30 25:30 9:00at Purdue 34:25 25:35 8:50Total 134:00 106:00 28:00
- Notre Dame had the ball for 11:40 and ran 21 plays in the third quarter against Purdue. The Boilermakers, on the other hand, had the ball for just 3:20 and ran nine plays. The previous high the Irish had in ball possession during a quarter this season was 10:03 in the second quarter against Nevada in the opener.
- Notre Dame is 3-1 this season and 25-7 under Weis when the Irish win the time of possession battle.
IRISH EFFICIENT ON FIRST & SECOND DOWN
- Notre Dame has a 69.0% completion percentage (40-for-58) on first down. Junior QB Jimmy Clausen is 36-for-52 (69.2%) for 16 first downs and two touchdowns on first down. The Irish (30-for-45) and Clausen (27-for-39) are nearly as good on second down.
- Junior RB Armando Allen is averaging 5.5 yards per carry over Notre Dame’s first three games, including 5.1 yards per carry on first down. He is also gaining 7.0 yards per rush on second down. The Irish, which average 4.2 yards per carry as a team, are ripping off 6.7 yards per rush on second down.
- Allen has also proven he is able to advance the chains on third down. He is averaging 4.0 yards per carry for eight first downs on third down. He is a perfect 6-for-6 on third down and short (two yards or less) on the season. In fact, Allen is averaging 5.2 yards per carry on third and short. As a team, Notre Dame has converted nine of its 12 third down and short rushing plays.
RED-ZONE REPORT
- Notre Dame and its ’09 opponents could not have less similar red-zone success, with the Irish totaling 80 red-zone points (converting 13-of-15 chances) while the first four opponents have combined for a lower red-zone point total (48) and conversion rate (7-of-12). The Notre Dame defense has allowed seven red zone touchdowns (in 12 opponent chances) while the Irish offense has cashed in 10 touchdowns after crossing the opponent’s 20-yard line (in 15 chances).
- The only two drives in which Notre Dame failed to produce points when entering the red zone came against Michigan and Purdue. The Irish took the opening kick and marched 69 yards, but missed a 28-yard field goal against the Wolverines. The other Notre Dame drive came when the Irish recovered a Boilermaker fumble at the nine-yard line with three seconds left in regulation. Notre Dame took a knee to secure the victory. The other drives for Notre Dame that entered the red zone and did not result in a touchdown came against Michigan and Michigan State. The Irish drove to the Wolverine 17-yard line before settling for a field goal (Notre Dame did have a touchdown overturned on the drive). Notre Dame also kicked a field goal against the Spartans after driving down to the MSU one-yard line before a fumble on third down forced the field goal.
- Despite scoring five touchdowns in the 2009 opening win over Nevada, Notre Dame ventured into the “red zone” just twice (other three touchdowns, all by sophomore WR Michael Floyd, came from 24, 70 and 88 yards out). The Irish scored two touchdowns in red zone chances against the Wolf Pack, which marched inside the Irish 20 three times and failed to score a single point.
- Michigan and Michigan State each scored three touchdowns on four red zone attempts.
- Purdue made just one trip into the red zone, but walked away with a touchdown.
- Notre Dame in 2008 came away with points in 31 of 44 red-zone chances (70.5 percent) – including touchdowns on 52.2 percent – while opponents posted points on 81.8 percent of their chances, but barely half of the opposing chances, 22 of 44, produced touchdowns.
Notre Dame in 2009 Category 2009 Opponents15 Red-Zone Chances 125 Passing TDs 45 Rushing TDs 310 Total TDs 7.667 (10/15) TD Pct. .583 (7/12)3 FGs Made 01/0 FGs Missed/Blocked 2/00/0/0 Downs/Interceptions/Fumbles 1/1/180 Total Points (TD-6, FG-3) 48.867 (13/15) Scoring Pct. .583 (7/12)
IRISH OFFENSIVE LINE PASSES CENTURY MARK FOR CAREER STARTS
- First-year offensive line coach Frank Verducci is charged with improving the Irish rushing attack in 2009 and will attempt to do so with one of the most experienced offensive line units in Notre Dame’s recent history.
- Six players having starting experience for the Irish, led by right tackle Sam Young’s 42 starts. Eric Olsen (23 starts), Dan Wenger (18 starts), Paul Duncan (16 starts), Chris Stewart (14 starts) and Trevor Robinson (seven starts) help bring the Irish total to 120 combined career starts. Notre Dame’s total of 100, entering this season, was the second most in the past decade at Notre Dame.
Starts (No. of Players with Starting Experience) Year102 (Six) 2005100 (Six) 200991 (Four) 200679 (Six) 200260 (Five) 200860 (Six) 200149 (Seven) 200046 (Two) 200746 (Six) 200421 (Three) 2003List above was calculated entering the 2009 season.
TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF
The Irish are 13th in the nation with a +1.25 turnover ratio. Just six FBS squads have fewer turnovers than Notre Dame’s three: Arizona State, Air Force, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Idaho and Texas A&M. Two of those Irish turnovers were long desperation tosses near the end of the first half.
AGAINST THE WOLVERINES
- Michigan scored the winning touchdown with 11 seconds remaining in the game. It marked the third meeting between the two rivals where the deciding points were scored with less than 12 seconds to go in the contest. The Wolverines last captured a meeting decided so late into the contest in 1994 when Remy Hamilton kicked a field goal with two seconds left to secure a 26-24 victory in Notre Dame Stadium.
- Junior QB Jimmy Clausen’s 336 yards were the most ever by an Irish signal caller against Michigan.
- Notre Dame racked up 27 first downs and 490 yards on the afternoon, the most ever by an Irish squad in the all-time series with the Wolverines.
- Sophomore WR Michael Floyd’s 131 yards against Michigan set a school record for receiving yards by an Irish player in the series with the Wolverines. The previous record was 127 set last season by junior WR Golden Tate.
- Tate’s nine receptions are the most by an Irish player in the all-time series with the Wolverines, besting the previous high of seven set by three different players (most recently Darius Walker in 2006).
- Tate also tied five other Irish players (most recently junior RB Robert Hughes in 2008) with the most touchdowns against the Wolverines in the series.
- Notre Dame managed just 10 first downs and 79 total yards on 55 plays in the 2007 meeting with Michigan, the last trip to Ann Arbor for the Irish. Notre Dame registered 15 first downs and piled up 302 yards on 37 plays, good for an average of 8.2 per play in the first half.
- The Irish were also held to minus-seven yards on 33 carries in that meeting. Notre Dame rushed for 112 yards on 19 carries, good for a 5.9 average, in the first half.
IRISH DON’T GIVE IT AWAY FOR FREE
- Since Charlie Weis became head coach at Notre Dame, the top priority of every game has been to win the turnover battle. In games the Irish have won the turnover battle, Notre Dame is 23-8.
- Last season, the Irish did not commit a turnover in five games. In fact, Notre Dame has not turned the ball over in 16 games since 2005. Here’s how that ranks nationally (thanks STATS, LLC):
Most Games with 0 Giveaways in 2008 Most Games with 0 Giveaways since 2005No. School No. School6 Ball State 20 West Virginia6 Baylor 18 Florida6 Florida 17 Ball State6 Oklahoma 16 Notre Dame5 Notre Dame 16 Memphis5 Four other teams 16 Buffalo
- Quite often in a season opener a team is sloppy in terms of penalties and turnovers, but the Irish committed just three penalties and did not commit a single turnover. Notre Dame was one of two schools in the county among FBS teams that had fewer than three penalties and no turnovers on opening day. In addition, only seven FBS schools had fewer penalties in its season opener than the Irish.
IRISH OFFENSE ROLLS IN SEASON OPENER AGAINST NEVADA
- Notre Dame finished with 510 yards of total offense, the most since recording 663 yards at Stanford on Nov. 26, 2005.
- The Irish recorded those 510 yards on just 61 plays, good for an average of 8.36 yards per play (best in the Charlie Weis era).
- Notre Dame set new highs for the Weis era in most passing yards per attempt (16.6), yards per completion (19.5), highest passing efficiency (290.44) and yards per play (8.4).
- The Irish have now eclipsed 500 yards of total offense in eight games under Weis.
- Notre Dame not only converted both of its third downs of nine or more yards (nine and 16 yards) in the first half, but did so each time with touchdown passes. Jimmy Clausen’s touchdown pass to Kyle Rudolph in the first quarter came on a third and 16, while Clausen’s second quarter touchdown pass to Michael Floyd came on a third and nine.
- The Irish totaled exactly 300 yards on 34 plays in the opening half, good for an average of 8.8 yards per play.
- Notre Dame averaged just 3.3 yards per rush in 2008. Weis and the Irish coaching staff have established 4.5 yards per carry as a standard for the season. Notre Dame equalled that mark prior to its final drive of the game (158 yards on 35 carries). The Irish also accomplished the feat against a defense that ranked sixth in the nation against the run in 2008 (88.62 yards per game). Notre Dame finished the afternoon with 178 yards on the ground.
- The Irish offensive line did not allow a single sack. Nevada ranked 10th in the nation in sacks a season ago, averaging 2.85 per game.
- Notre Dame registered touchdowns on four of its first five drives. The Irish marched 67, 78, 79 and 80 yards. In fact, Notre Dame added a school record-tying 99-yard drive for its final touchdown of the game. The average scoring drive by the Irish went for 80.6 yards.
- Notre Dame was limited to just one three and out over the course of the entire game.
- The Irish quarterbacks completed passes to seven different receivers.
NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE GAINING STEAM
- The Purdue ground attack entered the game with the Irish ranked 22nd in the country averaging 210.7 yards per game. The Boilermakers were led by Ralph Bolden, who ranked second in the country at 140.3 yards per game.
- The Irish limited Purdue to only 74 yards (136.7 below its average) on the ground on 26 attempts, good for a 2.8 yard per carry average. The Boilermakers were running for just over 6.0 yards per carry coming into the contest. Notre Dame allowed just three rushes of 10 yards or more.
- Bolden totaled just 67 yards on 17 carries, only 3.9 per rush (well below his average of 6.8 yards per carry entering the game). The Irish really kept him intact after halftime when Bolden managed 22 yards on eight rushes. He did register three carries for 56 yards (26, 15 and 15), but was limited to 11 yards on his 14 other carries.
- After Notre Dame’s first two games, the Irish were surrendering 171.5 yards rushing per game. The Irish defensive coaching staff made a couple schematic changes along the defensive line and the results are noticeable. Here is a comparison of Notre Dame’s rush defense over its first two games versus its last two games:
vs. Nevada, at Michigan Category vs. Michigan State, at Purdue343 Rush Yards Allowed 17967 Rush Attempts 515.1 Average Per Rush 3.5171.5 Average Per Game 89.5
MORE ON THE IRISH DEFENSE
- After allowing Purdue to score a touchdown on its opening drive, the Irish forced four punts and a turnover on downs on the Boilermakers final five drives of the opening half.
- Notre Dame limited Purdue to just 1-for-7 on third down over the second and third quarters. In fact, the Boilermakers netted 113 yards on 32 plays (3.5 yards per play) with five punts, a turnover on downs and the end of half possession on seven drives between the first and fourth quarter scoring drives.
IRISH RUSH DEFENSE STEPS UP IN SECOND HALF AGAINST MICHIGAN STATE
- Notre Dame struggled mightily against the rush over its first two games and even the first half against Michigan State. The Irish surrendered 153 and 190 yards on the ground against Nevada and Michigan, respectively, and then allowed another 76 yards on the ground to the Spartans in the first half, but Notre Dame stepped up and limited Michigan State to just 29 yards on nine carries after halftime (just 3.2 per rush).
- The Irish had allowed 16 rushes of 10 or more yards over their first two games, but limited Michigan State to just a pair of 10+ yard rushes, including none in the second half.
IRISH PITCH SHUTOUT AGAINST NEVADA
- Notre Dame posted its first shutout since blanking Rutgers 42-0 on Nov. 23, 2002 — a span of 76 games.
- Notre Dame posted its first shutout in a season opener since blanking Maryland, 22-0, on Aug. 31, 2002.
- Notre Dame posted its first shutout in a season opener inside Notre Dame Stadium since Sept. 22, 1973 when the Irish beat Northwestern, 44-0.
- Nevada was shut out for the first time since Dec. 12, 2007 versus New Mexico. The shutout was also just the third in Hall of Fame coach Chris Ault’s 25-year coaching career at Nevada. This comes after Nevada averaged 37.6 points, 509 total yards and 278 rushing yards per game (school record) last season.
- Notre Dame limited the Wolf Pack to 307 total yards and 153 yards rushing, well below their explosive output from a year ago, and, obviously, no points.
- Notre Dame was one of two FBS schools, Kentucky being the other, to shut out another FBS school in its season opener.
TENUTA AND BROWN’S BOYS MAKE QUITE AN OPENING IMPRESSION
- Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick not only threw two interceptions in the game after throwing just seven all of last year, but he also averaged only 3.9 yards per rush compared to his near 7.0 yards per carry average in 2008.
- Notre Dame forced three Wolf Pack turnovers, including two in the red zone, and denied another possible scoring opportunity for Nevada on a 4th and short stop.
- Notre Dame ranked 20th in the country in 2008 in third down defense (32.76%). The Irish continued their success on third down against Nevada. Notre Dame limited the Wolf Pack to just 2-for-11.
- The Irish red zone defense was equally impressive. Notre Dame did not allow Nevada any points despite the Wolf Pack’s three trips in the red zone. The Irish were the only team in the FBS to deny their season-opening opponent points on three drives that crossed the 20-yard line.
TENUTA AWFULLY TOUGH IN SEASON OPENING GAMES
Notre Dame co-defensive coordinator and play-caller Jon Tenuta has had his way over his career in season-opening games. A Tenuta defense has limited its opponents to 14 points or less in 11 of his 16 years as a defensive coordinator.
IRISH DEFENSE STINGY OUT OF THE GATE
- Notre Dame was quite impressive defensively coming out of the locker room in 2008. The Irish allowed only three touchdowns in the first quarter over the entire 2008 campaign and just one over their last nine games of the year. Notre Dame continued that trend, blanking Nevada over the first 15 minutes.
- The Irish surrendered 14 points in the first quarter at Michigan. Notre Dame had allowed just 19 points in the first quarter over their previous 10 games.
- The Irish allowed just three points in the first quarter against Michigan State. Purdue took the opening kickoff and marched down the field for an opening drive touchdown last week. Notre Dame has still allowed three points or less in the opening quarter in 10 of its last 13 games.
KICKOFF RETURN DEFENSE UNIT PICKS UP WHERE LEFT OFF IN `08
- Notre Dame led the NCAA FBS in kickoff return defense last season allowing only 16.5 yards per return and became the first Irish special teams unit to lead the nation in this category. It was also the first time Notre Dame led the NCAA in a statistical category since 1988. What made the feat even more impressive was the fact that the Irish registered just one touchback during the season. The 16.5 yards allowed on kickoffs was the best by a Notre Dame squad since 1975 when that team permitted only 14.9 yards per kick return.
2007 2008 ImprovementKickoff Return Defense 22.75 (89th) 16.38 (1st) 6.37 yards (28.5%)
- The Irish did not miss a beat in the opening-season victory over Nevada. Notre Dame limited the Wolf Pack to just 17.6 yards per return last week.
- Michigan’s Darryl Stonum returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown to give the Wolverines a 14-3 lead with 34 seconds to go in the opening quarter. Stonum was the first Irish opponent to return a kick for touchdown since Brian Cushing returned an onsides kick for a touchdown in 2006 (42 yards).
- Since that kickoff return, Notre Dame has regained its form from a season ago. The Irish have allowed just 19.3 yards per kickoff return on the 18 kickoffs following Stonum’s touchdown return. In fact, Purdue never started a drive outside its own 20-yard line following a kickoff.
- Freshman PK Nick Tausch has averaged 61.5 yards per kickoff over the first three games, but the rookie averaged 67.4 yards per kick against Purdue. He even had three separate kicks carry into the end zone.
IRISH SPECIAL TEAMS HAVE SHINED OVER PAST FOUR SEASONS
- Notre Dame’s special teams have been solid over the past four seasons and have made critical plays to help turn games several times since 2005.
- Irish special teams have scored seven touchdowns, forced seven turnovers and deflected or blocked 22 kicks in the past four years.
- Notre Dame has scored three TDs on punt returns, one on a kickoff return, one on a blocked punt return, one on a blocked field goal return and one on a fake field goal.
- The Irish have tallied 10 blocked punts, nine blocked field goals and three blocked PATs since 2005.
- Over the past four years, Notre Dame has averaged 10.0 yards per punt return, allowed 7.6 yards on punt returns and permitted 19.9 yards on kickoff returns.
— ND —