Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Four of those victories occurred last season. This also marked the first time the Irish didn't turn the ball over in an opener since the 35-0 victory against Nevada in 2009. 32 Yards on both of junior DaVaris Daniels' touchdown receptions from Tommy Rees in the game's first 4:41 that gave Notre Dame a quick 14‑0 lead. Daniels didn't catch a scoring pass last year, but his first two grabs against Temple were both six-pointers. 138 Yards receiving for senior TJ Jones on his six receptions. It marked the first time in his career he eclipsed the century mark in receiving, highlighted by his 51-yard bubble screen in the first quarter that set up the second touchdown. His previous career high was 97 yards on six grabs in last year's home finale versus Wake Forest. 200 Career victories for Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly after the win against Temple. His record with the Fighting Irish improved to 29-11. The most college victories ever posted by a former Notre Dame head coach was 249 by Lou Holtz, 100 of them with the Fighting Irish from 1986-96. 1978 Fifth-year senior left tackle Zack Martin and junior center Nick Martin became the first brother tandem to start together at Notre Dame along the offensive line since AllAmerican center Dave Huffman and right guard Tim Huffman 35 years ago. Taking A Closer Look What Worked • Big plays. The Irish recorded eight plays of 20 yards or more — two 32-yard touchdown passes to junior wideout DaVaris Daniels, a 66-yard scoring pass to junior tight end Troy Niklas, receptions of 51, 26 and 20 yards by senior wide receiver TJ Jones, a game-opening run of 45 yards by junior running back Amir Carlisle and a 33-yard grab by sophomore wide receiver Chris Brown — that accounted for 305 of the team's 543 yards of total offense. Notre Dame also had eight plays of 10-19 yards that accounted for 105 yards. • The running game. Five running backs carried the ball for the Irish in the win over Temple, with Carlisle leading the way with 68 yards on seven carries. Junior Cam McDaniel pitched in with 67 yards on 12 carries, and junior George Atkinson III added 36 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. The two standout freshmen, Tarean Folston and Greg Bryant, rushed for 14 yards on five carries and 12 yards on two carries, respectively. As a unit, the team rushed 35 times for 188 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and one touchdown. What Didn't Work • The pass rush. With two All-America candidates in senior defensive tackle Louis Nix III and junior defensive end Stephon Tuitt, the defensive line was expected to put tremendous pressure on the Owls and their first-time starter at quarterback, junior Connor Reilly. However, the Irish were only able to sack the Temple quarterback one time, while recording seven quarterback hurries. The defensive line also struggled to stop the run — the Owls were able to rush for 134 yards on 29 carries (4.62 yards per attempt). • The kicking game. While junior Kyle Brindza punted five times for a 41.2-yard average, he struggled to show distance control inside the 50-yard line. He had two opportunities to pin the Owls deep in their own territory in the first half, but both kicks landed in the end zone for touchbacks. Fifth-year senior Nick Tausch, from 39 yards, and Brindza, a 44-yarder, each missed their only field goal attempt. Plus, three of Brindza's five kickoffs were returned for a total of 88 yards, a 29.3-yard average. — Tom Loy