Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME To Serve And (Pass) Protect Running backs are judged on two statistics: rushing and receiving. Yet senior captain Cam McDaniel demonstrated how the position can't be judged solely on numbers. After the Irish fell behind 34-3 at Arizona State Nov. 8, he was a catalyst that helped Notre Dame close within 34-31 with 6:37 left in the game before losing. McDaniel rushed for only 24 yards on nine carries, but scored two touchdowns and caught one pass for 24 yards. More importantly, he was the exclusive man in the backfield during the rally because of his proficiency in blitz pick-up and pass blocking, which gave senior quarterback Everett Golson a form of a safety net. CHARTING THE IRISH HOME COOKING Heading into the Northwestern game Nov. 15, Irish head coach Brian Kelly's squad had a chance to finish undefeated at home for the second time in three seasons if it could top the Wildcats and Louisville Nov. 22. When the Irish finished 6-0 at home during the 2012 run to the BCS National Championship Game, it marked the first time the program achieved an undefeated season at Notre Dame Stadium since 1998. Wins over Northwestern and Louisville could also give the Irish a 17-1 record at the friendly confines of Notre Dame during a three-year stretch. Too many times during the past decade, home games did not carry much of an advantage for the Irish. Former head coach Charlie Weis (2005-09) went just 19-14 at home in five seasons at the helm. Kelly began 8-5 at Notre Dame Stadium in his first two seasons before beginning the impressive three-year stretch in 2012. On multiple occasions, Kelly has discussed the importance of a team's ability to win games on its home turf. All too often during the past decade, Notre Dame would not only fail to be competitive against marquee op- ponents, but also trip up against some of the weaker teams on the slate. "A tangible goal for us was to protect our home field," Kelly said in 2012. "If you want to take that next step in terms of success, you've got to win at home. … We want to have that kind of legacy. We want to build that kind of dominance at home." NOTRE DAME'S HOME RECORD IN RECENT SEASONS 2014: 4-0* (1.000) 2013: 5-1 (.833) 2012: 6-0 (1.000) 2011: 4-2 (.667) 2010: 4-3 (.571) 2009: 4-3 (.571) 2008: 4-2 (.667) 2007: 1-6 (.143) 2006: 6-1 (.857) 2005: 4-2 (.667) * Prior to home games against Northwestern and Louisville