Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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opener versus Texas, running back Tarean Folston was lost for the season after tearing an ACL in the first quarter. At Virginia, quarterback Malik Zaire was shelved for the season in the third quarter because of a fractured ankle. 6 Games junior wide receiver WILL FULLER has eclipsed 100 receiving yards in his ca- reer following his 124-yard performance on five catches versus Virginia, highlighted by the 39-yard touchdown with 12 seconds left in the contest. That ties him with Irish icons Jim Seymour (1966- 68) and Tim Brown (1984-87) for seventh most on the career chart. Fuller's 20 career TD catches also place him sixth on the all-time list, moving him past TJ Jones (2010-13) and Tom Gatewood (1969-71). 12 Seconds remaining when Notre Dame scored the game-winning touchdown, a 39-yard pass from sophomore DeShone Kizer to Fuller. The last time the Irish won a game in regu- lation on a touchdown with 12 or fewer seconds left was the 1979 Cotton Bowl versus Houston (35- 34), when Joe Montana found Kris Haines as time expired, followed by the extra point. 26-0 Notre Dame has outscored its first two opponents in the first quarter, 14-0 versus Texas and 12-0 at Virginia. The Irish outgained their foes 329-62 in total yardage to enable its quick starts to occur. 46 Games since Notre Dame had scored a touchdown on special teams — until the opening series against Virginia when the Irish faked a field goal that resulted in a touchdown flip from sophomore holder DeShone Kizer to junior tight end Durham Smythe. The previous special teams touchdown was a kickoff return by George Atkinson III versus USC in 2011. 67.0 Points per game averaged by Sept. 19 Notre Dame opponent Georgia Tech, which defeated Alcorn State (69-6) and Tulane (65- 10) the first two weeks. We have no recollection of any Irish foe ever averaging more points per contest entering a Notre Dame game. 155 Rushing yards by senior running back C.J. Prosise in his home state on just 17 carries. That is the second-most yards by a Notre Dame back in the six-year Brian Kelly era. The high mark was by Cierre Wood — 20 carries for 191 yards versus Purdue in 2011 during a 38- 10 victory. Junior wide receiver Will Fuller recorded his sixth career 100-yard receiving game against the Cavaliers, hauling in five receptions for 124 yards and two touchdowns. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA