Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 12, 2022 23 0 Points in the first half for Clemson for the first time since Sept. 4, 2019, and for just the third time in Dabo Swinney era (2008-present). 2 Of Clemson's five road losses — 47-40 in double overtime in 2020 and 35-14 in 2022 — since 2015 have come at the hands of Notre Dame. The other three defeats were at Syracuse (27-24) in 2017, at NC State (27-21 in 2OT) in 2021 and at Pitt (27-17) in 2021. 3 Wins — all at Notre Dame Stadium — for the Fighting Irish against top-10 opponents in 10 tries since 2018. They defeated No. 7 Stanford 38-17 in 2018 and upset No. 1 Clemson 47-40 in double overtime in 2020, before knocking off the No. 4 Tigers again this season. 4-3 All-time record for Clemson vs. Notre Dame. Despite this year's 21-point de- feat, the Tigers remain one of only five FBS pro- grams with an all-time winning record against the Irish (minimum five games) along with Florida State (6-5), Michigan (25-17-1), Nebraska (8-7-1) and Ohio State (5-2). 6 Blocked punts for Notre Dame, after junior linebacker Jordan Botelho got one against the Tigers in the first quarter that sophomore linebacker Prince Kollie returned 17 yards for a touchdown to put the Irish up 7-0. In addition to giving Notre Dame the national lead in that statistical category, it represents a modern day school record (since 1937) for blocked punts in a season for the Irish. 6-0 Record for Notre Dame this season when it wins the time of possession battle. The Fighting Irish held a 33:00-27:00 ad- vantage against the Tigers. 14 Game winning streak for Clemson was snapped. It was the fourth-longest streak in school history and longest active streak among FBS teams. 15 Years ago in a 41-23 home loss to Vir- ginia Tech was the last time Clemson al- lowed touchdowns via offense, defense and spe- cial teams in the same game, before Notre Dame achieved that trifecta. The Irish scored 3 touch- downs on offense, plus got Kollie's 17-yard return of the blocked punt and freshman cornerback Benjamin Morrison's 96-yard pick-6. 16 Career touchdown receptions for junior Michael Mayer, the most for a Notre Dame tight end in school history. Mayer broke a tie with Ken McAfee with his 17-yard scoring grab against Clemson in the fourth quarter. 22-6 Record for the Fighting Irish in night games at Notre Dame Stadium. The Irish have won 11 of their last 12 primetime games in the "House That Rockne Built" and are now 9-3 vs. ranked opponents under the lights. 27 Straight regular-season victories for Notre Dame against ACC opponents. The last de- feat remains the 41-8 setback at Miami on Nov. 11, 2017. Since the scheduling partnership between Notre Dame and the ACC began in 2014, the Irish are 39-7 (.848) against ACC foes. 41 Years between victories by an unranked Notre Dame team vs. a top-five opponent. Prior to their 35-14 win over No. 4 Clemson, the last time it happened was on Nov. 6, 1982, when the Fighting Irish notched a 31-16 road victory over star quarterback Dan Marino and No. 1-ranked Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Clemson suffered its worst loss to an unranked opponent since falling 37-13 to NC State in 2011. 263 Yards rushing for Notre Dame, com- pared to just 90 for the Tigers. It is the third game in a row and the fifth time overall the Irish eclipsed the 200-yard mark. The Irish are 5-0 this season when they rush for 200 yards. The 263 yards rushing were the most Clemson has allowed in a game since 2016, when Lamar Jackson and Louisville went for 273 yards. 1988 Was the last time Clemson lost a game to an FBS independent. That year, the Tigers fell 24-21 to Florida State (prior to it joining the ACC in 1991) in the "Puntrooskie" game, when the Seminoles scored on a 78-yard run on a fake punt. Clemson had won 13 straight against FBS in- dependents prior to this year's loss to the Irish. (Note: Clemson's loss to Notre Dame in 2020 came during the Irish's lone year of ACC membership.) BY THE NUMBERS BY STEVE DOWNEY 1st Career rushing touchdown for junior quarterback DREW PYNE was a 5-yard run that put Notre Dame up 14-0 with 38 seconds remaining in the first half. Pyne, not know for his scrambling ability, finished with 4 carries for 21 yards and the touchdown. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER