Game Preview: pittsburgh
Meanwhile, in Notre Dame's first
eight contests this year, the opponent
scored first six times. The Irish fell behind 10‑0 at Michigan and Purdue,
14‑0 within three minutes to Oklahoma, and also saw USC and Air Force
take 7‑0 leads.
The bad news for Pitt is it has tended
to fade as the game progressed. During its 4-3 start, it outscored the opponent 65-37 in the first quarter and 6852 in the second, but was outscored 5031 in the third and 54‑35 in the fourth.
On the reverse side, Notre Dame was
only 45-45 in the first quarter during its
6-2 start and 62-59 in the second. But it
outscored foes 52‑23 in the third and
65-46 in the fourth — holding both USC
and Air Force scoreless in the second
half to end the October slate.
Defensive Doings
In the last four meetings with Pitt,
Notre Dame has averaged only 20
points per game, and never tallied
more than 23 in regulation.
Here is what is especially noteworthy: It entered the fourth quarter averaging only nine points against the
Panthers.
In 2009, despite the presence of
Jimmy Clausen at quarterback and
Senior defensive tackle Aaron Donald has been a fixture in the opponent's backfield this season, leading
the ACC and ranking second nationally in tackles for loss (13.5), while listing second in the league and
fifth in the country in sacks (eight) through Oct. 26.
photo courtesy pittsburgh