Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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junior end Romeo Okwara, junior nose guard Jarron Jones and sophomore safety Max Redfield made their second career starts. Conversely, everyone on offense had already started at least three times in his career. 14-0 Record of Notre Dame in Brian Kelly's five seasons when not committing a turnover, which occurred again versus Rice. This was the second straight opener the Irish did not have a turnover. The Irish were 3-0 in such games in 2010, 2011 and 2013, and 4-0 in 2012. 48 Points scored by Notre Dame, the most in its first home game of a new season since the 48-13 victory over Kansas in the Aug. 28, 1999 Eddie Robinson Classic held in Notre Dame Stadium. 49 Yards gained by fifth-year senior Cody Riggs on his first two punt returns in the game, the initial one for 24 yards and the second for 25. Notre Dame had 46 punt return yards in all of 2012 and 106 last season. The Irish finished with 80 yards in punt returns against the Owls. 75 Yards on the first quarter touchdown pass from Golson to sophomore wide receiver Will Fuller to put Notre Dame in the lead for good. It was the longest scoring completion in Notre Dame Stadium by the Irish since Dayne Crist connected with Michael Floyd for 80 yards on the first play ver- sus Western Michigan on Oct. 16, 2010. 576 Yards total offense (281 rushing and 295 passing) amassed by Notre Dame against the Owls. It was the third-highest total in head coach Brian Kelly's five seasons, behind the 587 during the 41-3 win versus Miami in 2012 and 584 in a 38-0 rout of Wake Forest that same season. Sophomore cornerback Cole Luke — one of five players on the Irish defense that made his first career start versus Rice — notched two tackles, broke up a pass and was solid in coverage throughout the game. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA