Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/377020
15-15-1 Final result of the series with Michigan since its renewal in 1978 until its end, for now, in 2014. Notre Dame's longest winning streak was four from 1987-90 while Michigan's longest was three from 2009-11. It seemed fitting this 31-game era ended in a deadlock. 16 Turnovers by Michigan in the three games it has lost to Notre Dame since 2008. It had six in both the 35-17 loss in 2008 and in the 13-6 defeat in 2012. This year it had four, although three came when the Irish already were way ahead. 31 Notre Dame's margin of victory, its greatest in the 42-game series history. The previous high was 23 with a 35-12 victory in Ann Arbor by the 1943 national champions. Since 1978, when the series renewed, the largest margin of victory by the Irish over the Wolverines was 19 in 1987 (26-7). Michigan had 38-0 shutouts of Notre Dame in 2003 and 2007. 79 Points scored by Notre Dame in its first two games this season — the highest total after two contests by a Fighting Irish football team in 40 years. Head coach Ara Parseghian's 1974 defending national champs tallied 80 by opening with wins against Georgia Tech (31-7) and Northwestern (49-3) for an 80-10 total. This year it's 79-17. 106 Punt return yards through two games this year after totaling 26 against Michi- gan. The Irish had 106 the entire 13-game season in 2013, and 94 total during the 2011-12 seasons combined. 2006 The last season Notre Dame had zero turnovers in its first two games, a 14-10 win at Georgia Tech and a 41-17 defeat of Penn State. The No. 2-ranked Irish then had five the following week in a 47-21 loss to Michigan at home. Fifth-year senior cornerback Cody Riggs collected one of three interceptions the Irish had against U-M quarterback Devin Gardner. Notre Dame also recovered a fumble and had a 4-0 advantage in the turnover battle. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA