Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1165986
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 23, 2019 25 2 Teams in college football that have allowed 30 or fewer points over the last 16 games they've played: Notre Dame and Washington. Mississippi State was a third through the past 15 games, but lost by a 31-24 count to Kan- sas State this weekend. That is the longest such streak for the Irish since the 18 they had in the last six games of 2011 and first 12 in 2012. 5 Players who scored their first career touchdowns for the Fighting Irish during the romp over New Mexico. Freshman safety Kyle Hamilton on a 34-yard interception return; junior running back Avery Davis, who was con- verted from cornerback during the bye week after lining up at running back last season, on a 59-yard reception; senior wide receiver Javon McKinley, who tallied twice on 65- and 20-yard receptions; sophomore running back C'Bo Flemister on a one-yard run; and sophomore wide receiver Braden Lenzy on a 22-yard reception. In the opener versus Louisville there were two: sophomore running back Jahmir Smith (twice) and sophomore tight end Tommy Tremble. 7 Ranking of Notre Dame in the Associated Press poll entering the game. That is the highest the Fighting Irish have been in head coach Brian Kelly's 10 seasons going into the second game of the season, surpassing the No. 8 placement last season after defeating Michigan in the opener. 12 Consecutive wins at home by the Fighting Irish, extending the third- longest streak since the opening of Notre Dame Stadium in 1930. It trails only the 28 from 1942-50 and 19 from 1987-90. Notre Dame is seeking its fourth unbeaten season at home in the last eight years after achieving it in 2012, 2015 and 2018 — and the first back-to-back since 1987-89. Consider that in the 22 seasons from 1990-2011 it had only one such season, in 1998 (6-0) under current New Mexico head coach Bob Davie, whose health setback Aug. 31 prevented him from making this trip. 31-6 Record Notre Dame has against Mountain West Conference teams following the victory over New Mexico. Air Force (24-6) has been easily the most represented while handing the Fighting Irish all six losses from the league. The four other teams played from the MWC were Hawai'i (3-0), Nevada (2-0) and San Diego State (1-0). 146 Different opponents Notre Dame has played since its initial football game in 1887, with New Mexico the most recent addition. The Fighting Irish are now 121-22-3 all time against first-time foes. Bowling Green will be the 147th Oct. 5. The Lobos also were the 59th different school to play in Notre Dame Stadium, and the Irish record in those games is 47-11-1 (.805). 591 Carries by Notre Dame running backs since their last lost fumble, versus Boston College at Fenway Park on Nov. 21, 2015. That is the longest active streak among all Football Bowl Subdivision teams. The Irish run- ning backs totaled only 20 carries versus New Mexico, and managed 49 net yards. 2008 The last season in which a Notre Dame freshman scored on an interception return, which Hamilton achieved at the 10:09 mark of the first quarter against New Mexico to open the scoring. Doing the honor 11 years ago was Robert Blanton on a 47-yard return on Sept. 27, 2008, to help tie the score at 7-7 during a 38-21 victory against Purdue. BY THE NUMBERS BY LOU SOMOGYI 66 Points scored by Notre Dame, the most in a game since a 69-14 romp over Georgia Tech on Nov. 5, 1977, en route to the national title. The point total also was the most in a home opener since a 73-0 whitewash of Haskell to begin the 1932 season under second-year head coach Hunk Anderson. Only 8,369 were officially in attendance during the backdrop of The Great Depression. PHOTO BY ANDRIS VISOCKIS