Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 20, 2021 23 0 Touchdowns allowed by the Fighting Irish in back-to-back games after taking care of both Navy (34-6) and Virginia (28-3) the past two weeks. It is the first time since 2012 that Notre Dame has not allowed a touchdown in two straight games, when they did it against Boston College (21-6) and Wake Forest (38-0). Brian Kelly is the only Irish head coach since 1996 to have a defense not allow a touchdown in back-to- back games, per Notre Dame media relations, and he has now done it four different times during his 12 years in South Bend. 0-4 All-time record for Virginia against Notre Dame. Each time the Cavaliers have faced the Irish, the Irish have been ranked in the top 10 at the time of the game. UVA has lost to Notre Dame by an average margin of 17.5 points in those four contests. The Cavaliers have not knocked off a top- 10 team since beating Florida State 26-21 in 2005. 5 Different Notre Dame players have now re- corded multiple receiving touchdowns this season — senior wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (six), sophomore tight end Michael Mayer (four), gradu- ate student wide receiver Avery Davis (four), junior running back Kyren Williams (three) and senior wide receiver Braden Lenzy (two). Austin, Mayer and Lenzy all reeled in scoring grabs against the Cavaliers. 7 Sacks for the Notre Dame defense against Virginia. It is the most quarterback takedowns for the Fighting Irish since they had eight against the Cavaliers in a 35-20 triumph in South Bend on Sept. 28, 2019. 9 Tackles and 1.5 sacks recorded by senior line- backer Bo Bauer in his first career start. 11 Consecutive victories in road games against ACC foes for the Fighting Irish, dating back to the 2017 season. 14 Wins for Notre Dame in its last 15 games against opponents that are coming off a bye since the start of 2017 campaign. With the victory versus Virginia, the Irish are now 5-1 in such games this season. 14 Straight wins in November for the Fighting Irish, dating back to 2017. 15 Of the 23 plays run by Notre Dame in the first quarter came in Virginia territory. The Irish led only 7-0 after one quarter of play, but the tone had been set, and they went on to take a 21-0 halftime advantage. 17.9 Points per game is the average mar- gin of victory for Notre Dame during its current 23-game win streak against Atlantic Coast Conference opposition. Seventeen of those 23 wins have come by 10 or more points. 48.3 Points per game for Virginia in its previous three games (against Duke, Georgia Tech and BYU) before facing Notre Dame. The Cavaliers had tallied at least 48 points in three straight outings for the first time since 1992, but with No. 1 quarterback Brennan Armstrong side- lined by injury they scored just three against the Fighting Irish. 92 Total yards for Virginia in the first half against Notre Dame. It was the fewest yards allowed in the first half by the Irish against an ACC opponent since they surrendered 91 points to Boston College on Nov. 21, 2015. BY THE NUMBERS BY STEVE DOWNEY 3 Notre Dame tight ends all time have reeled in 50 or more receptions in a single season — Ken McAfee (54 in 1977), Tyler Eifert (63 in 2011 and 50 in 2012) and MICHAEL MAYER (52 in 2021). After reeling in seven catches for 84 yards and one touchdown against Virginia, Mayer now has the third-most receptions, fifth-most receiving yards (577) and fifth-most touchdown grabs (four) in a single season by an Irish tight end. PHOTO BY KEITH LUCAS/SIDELINE MEDIA