September 26, 1998

POSTGAME NOTES
(Purdue at Notre Dame, September 26, 1998)

Final Score: Notre Dame 31, Purdue 30

Today’s game marks the 138th consecutive sellout in Notre Dame Stadium (the first 30 coming in the old 59,075 capacity and the six 1997 games at the 80,225 capacity). Today marks Notre Dame’s 186th home sellout in the last 187 games, dating back to 1964.

Notre Dame won on a late, game-winning field for the first time since Jim Sanson connected from 39 yards as time expired in a 27-24 Irish win at Texas in 1996.

The last time Notre Dame won when trailing after three quarters came against Hawaii when the Rainbow Warriors led 15-14 after the third quarter in a 23-22 Irish win in the final regular-season game in 1997.

Denson rushed for the sixth-best game in his career, matching the 143 yards he recorded against Hawaii in 1997.

Notre Dame is 15-5 in games when Autry Denson rushes for at least 100 yards.

Notre Dame’s and Purdue’s offenses each executed 69 plays in the game. The Boilers gained 384 total yards of offense while the Irish gained 382. Notre Dame had possession of the ball just 44 seconds longer than Purdue (30:22-28:38).

Notre Dame is 14-14 inside the red zone in ’98, scoring nine touchdowns (three passing, six rushing) and connecting on five field goals .

Notre Dame has beaten Purdue 11 straight games at Notre Dame Stadium dating back to a 31-20 Boilermaker win over the second-ranked Irish in 1974.

Notre Dame is 14-2 since 1984 in regular-season games following a bye week.

Notre Dame’s win marks its 46th against Purdue, the most wins by any opponent over Purdue.

Hunter Smith’s 59-yard punt in the fourth quarter was his longest of the season.

Purdue has scored touchdowns on its first possession in three of its four games. The Boilermakers also scored against USC and Rice. Quarterback Drew Brees is 11-14 for 176 with two passing touchdowns , one rushing touchdown and an interception in his four opening drives.

Autry Denson’s 14-yard touchdown run in the second quarter marked Notre Dame’s first, first-half touchdown since Denson scored on a 12-yard run in the second quarter against Hawaii in the final regular-season game of 1997.

Tony Driver’s fourth-quarter interception was the first of his career since moving to the secondary for the ’98 season and Notre Dame’s first of the season.

Denson has moved into third place on Notre Dame’s career rushing touchdown list with 33. Allen Pinkett (1982-85) leads with 49 while Louis (Red) Salmon (1900-03) is second with 36.

Denson has rushed for seven career touchdowns against Purdue and is tied with former Irish fullback Anthony Johnson (1986-89) the most touchdowns in the Notre Dame-Purdue series.

Jarious Jackson’s 51-yard pass to Jabari Holloway was the longest completion of Jackson’s career and the longest reception of Holloway’s career. Holloway’s 94 yards receiving were the most in a single game in his career.

Travis Dorsch’s 47-yard fourth-quarter field goal was Purdue’s longest since 1989 when Larry Sullivan connected from 51 yards in a 35-15 loss at Minnesota.

Notre Dame’s 51-yard pass was its longest since Ron Powlus hit Emmett Mosley for 64 yards against Rutgers in 1996.

Denson’s 143 yards rushing upped his career total to 3,509 yards, surpassing Vagas Ferguson (3,472) for second place on the all-time rushing list. Pinkett leads with 4,131 yards.

Denson has rushed for 100 yards in five of his last six games and for the 19th game in his career, just two short of Pinkett’s record of 21.

Notre Dame has outscored its opponents 30-3 in the third quarter in ’98.

Notre Dame’s opponents have outscored the Irish 38-6 in the first quarter and 79-23 in the first half. Purdue has outscored its opponents 35-7 in the first quarter and 79-27 in the first half.

Jim Sanson’s missed 47-yard field goal was his first miss of the season.

Purdue’s 40-yard field goal with 0:49 left the third quarter were the first points Notre Dame’s defense has allowed in the third quarter this season.