Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/421584
3 Consecutive defeats of the Fighting Irish, a first since head coach Brian Kelly's debut season in 2010. That year, the Irish lost to Michigan (28-24), at Michigan State (34-31 in overtime) and Stanford (37-14). 13 Teams out of 72 that won in their first game in Notre Dame Stadium since it opened in 1930, with Louisville becoming the most recent. Most distressing is four of them have come in the last six years: Connecticut in 2009 (33-30 in double over- time), Tulsa in 2010 (28-27), South Florida in 2011 (23-20) and the Cardinals. 14 Straight games Notre Dame has intercepted at least one pass, with freshman safety Drue Tranquill doing the honors against Louisville at the end of the first half on a desperation heave. The Irish now have the longest current such streak in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and it's their longest string since it had 20 consecutive games in 2001-02. 22 Tackles recorded against Louisville by five true Irish freshman regulars on defense, led by Mike linebacker Nyles Morgan's 10. The oth- ers were safety Drue Tranquill (five), end ANDREW TRUMBETTI (three), Mike linebacker Greer Martini (three) and tackle Jay Hayes (one). 242 Points allowed by Notre Dame in its last six games, an average of 40.3 per con- test. The minimum permitted during that stretch was 31 at Florida State Oct. 18 and 31 to Louisville Nov. 22. It is the first time the Irish surrendered a minimum of 30 points in six straight games during a season. It had seven overall in 2006-07, the last two games of 2006 and the first five of 2007. 1958 The last season that a Notre Dame head coach achieved a 5-0 record during his career in home game finales, or Senior Day as it is now known. Terry Brennan was 5-0 from 1954-58 before getting fired. Brian Kelly began his career 4-0 in such contests before losing to Louisville. He is also the fifth Notre Dame coach among the last six — starting with Dan Devine (1975-80) — to reach a fifth year who lost his home finale in his fifth season. Bob Davie in 2001 was the exception, and he was fired two weeks later. Defensive end Andrew Trumbetti contributed three of the 22 tackles compiled by the five true freshman that saw extended action against the Cardinals. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA