Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com OCT. 29, 2022 23 2 Blocked punts in the first quarter by senior defensive end Isaiah Foskey. It marked the first time a Fighting Irish player blocked 2 punts in one game (stats go back to 1937), per Notre Dame media relations. It also marked the first time the Irish blocked 2 kicks of any kind in a single game since a 45-26 win over North Carolina in South Bend on Nov. 4, 2006. Notre Dame has 4 blocked punts this season — the most in a single season for the program since 2000. 3 Sacks for Foskey, doubling his season total entering the game vs. UNLV. The last time an Irish player record 3 sacks in a game was Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah against Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019. With 6 sacks this season Foskey has moved into a tie for third on Notre Dame's career sacks list with 21.5, joining Stephon Tuitt (2011-13) and Victor Abiamiri (2003-06). Foskey is now 1 behind Kory Minor (22.5 from 1995-98) and 3 behind Irish all-time leader Justin Tuck (24.5 from 2002-04). 7 Of Notre Dame's 15 drives began in UNLV territory, and the Fighting Irish's average starting field position was its own 46-yard line. On the flip side, the Rebels' average starting field position was their 27. 7:10 Came off the clock on Notre Dame's 13-play, 62-yard touchdown drive that spanned the end of the third quarter and the begin- ning of the fourth. It is the Irish's longest drive of the season in terms of time of possession. Notre Dame finished with a 33:58 to 26:02 advantage in that category against the Rebels. 15 Career touchdown receptions for junior tight end Michael Mayer, after his 20-yard connection with junior quarterback Drew Pyne in the first quarter. That tied Mayer with Ken McAfee (1974-77) for the most scoring grabs by a tight end in school history. 20-7 Record (.740 winning percentage) for Notre Dame against oppo- nents making their first visit to Notre Dame Stadium since 1990. The Irish had won six in a row from 2017-21 in such games, before losing 26-21 to Marshall earlier this season. 23-7 Scoring advantage for the Fighting Irish in the first quarter. In its first six games, Notre Dame had been outscored 27-6 in the first quarter while failing to cross the goal line. Against the Rebels, the Irish scored a pair of touchdowns and kicked 3 field goals. 28 Carries for 130 yards rushing for sophomore Logan Diggs, both of which represented new career highs. Diggs' previous personal bests were 17 attempts and 93 yards, both against BYU earlier this season. The 28 rushing attempts were the most for a Notre Dame back since Kyren Williams had 25 carries against Southern Cal last season. The last running back to log more than 28 rushing attempts in game was James Aldridge with 32 car- ries against Navy in 2007. 31 Consecutive games — every game he played for the Fighting Irish — with a reception for Mayer, who finished with 6 catches for 115 yards and 1 touchdown against the Rebels. In addition, his 115-yard effort marked his fifth career 100-yard receiving game — the most ever by an Irish tight end. 32-6 All-time record for Notre Dame against Mountain West teams. The Irish are 24-6 against Air Force, 3-0 vs. Hawaii, 2-0 vs. Nevada, and 1-0 vs. New Mexico, San Diego State and UNLV. 223 Yards rushing for the Notre Dame against UNLV — the third time this season the Irish eclipsed the 200-yard mark on the ground (287 vs. UNC and 234 vs. BYU). The Irish also notched 3 rushing scores for the second time, having also done it against UNC. BY THE NUMBERS BY STEVE DOWNEY 157 Career receptions for junior tight end MICHAEL MAYER, after he hauled in 6 vs. the Rebels, which tied him for fifth on Notre Dame's all-time list: Rk. Name (Years at ND) Receptions 1. Michael Floyd (2008-11) 271 2. T.J. Jones (2010-13) 181 3. Jeff Samardzija (2003-06) 179 4. Rhema McKnight (2002-06) 170 5. Tom Gatewood (1969-71) 157 Golden Tate (2007-09) 157 Michael Mayer (2020-22) 157 PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER