Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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three observations Turning Point Brian Kelly emphasized that a strong start, especially the first two minutes and last two minutes of each half, would be imperative. Entering the contest, the Fighting Irish had outscored its 12 opponents 85‑9 in the first quarter while not allowing a touchdown. Against Alabama, the opening quarter was a Notre Dame nightmare and set a tone that never was stemmed. The Crimson Tide began with an 82yard touchdown drive in 2:57 on the game's first series, followed with a 61yard TD march, and drove to the Notre Dame 1-yard line on its third possession before expanding the lead to 21-0 on the first play of the second quarter. Alabama established its dominance from the jump and outgained the Irish 202-23 yards in the first quarter. It had more points (21) in the first 16 minutes than Notre Dame had allowed all year in four-quarter regulation time (20 versus Pitt). Top Stat(s) Of The Game Alabama's six touchdown drives covered 82, 61, 80, 71, 97 and 86 yards against a Notre Dame defense that entered the contest No. 1 nationally in eight different categories. The Irish had not permitted a TD drive longer than 75 yards all year. The 42 points were the most allowed by Notre Dame since the 45‑38 defeat at Stanford in the 2009 season finale that was head coach Charlie Weis' last game with the Irish. It also represented the most points By lou somogyi surrendered by the Irish in their 32 bowl games, although it was only the third worst defeat, behind the 40‑6 loss to Nebraska in the 1973 Orange Bowl and the 41-9 shellacking from Oregon State in the 2001 Fiesta Bowl. Alabama amassed 529 yards of total offense, the third-best total in BCS National Championship Game history, behind USC's 574 and Texas' 556 in their epic 2006 matchup the Longhorns won 41‑38. Even Greatness Needs An Assist While Alabama has established a dynasty, it also is fortunate that it was able to play in each of the last two national title games despite losing a home game in November (LSU in 2011 and Texas A&M in 2012). It shows how difficult it is to go unscathed en route to a national title and what an amazing achievement a 12‑0 regular season was for Notre Dame. Entering the Nov. 24 weekend, it appeared the national title matchup might be between No. 1 Kansas State and No. 2 Oregon, but both ended up losing. The Crimson Tide proved to be the best — but just think what a break it would have been for Notre Dame had Kansas State been able to defeat Baylor and stay No. 1, with the unbeaten Irish coming in at No. 2. That would have been a more favorable personnel matchup. This outcome reiterated why the SEC will continue to carry its wellfounded confidence that the survivor of that league will be the best team in the nation.