BY LOU SOMOGYI
I
n the first five games this year, Notre
Dame's rebuilding defense allowed
the opposition only 12.0 points per con-
test to rank among the nation's top five
in that category.
In the next five, the Irish permitted
42.2 points per contest — the most ever
in any five-game period of Notre Dame
football.
It wasn't all on just the defense, but
what led to this dramatic reversal?
One is there was some fool's gold
early. Four of the first five Irish op-
ponents ranked 85th or lower in scor-
ing offense entering the weekend of
Nov. 22. Rice, the opener, was the best
with a ranking of 68th.
Two, as the season progressed the
UNDER THE DOME
DEFENSE LESS
Sheldon Day latest to be sidelined in attrition battle
Day suffered a knee strain against Northwestern Nov. 15, which will likely sideline him the balance of the
regular season.
PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA
