Blue and Gold Illustrated

4 Different freshmen to score touchdowns: run- ning backs Dexter Williams and Josh Adams on 14- and 70-yard runs, quarterback Brandon Wim- bush on a 58-yard scamper and wide receiver CJ Sanders on a 50-yard punt return. We believe that to be a first in Notre Dame history. In 1993, fresh- man running backs Marc Edwards, Randy Kinder and Robert Farmer each scored in a 58-27 victory versus Navy (Edwards three times). In a 52-7 win over Pur- due in 1988, wideout Raghib "Rocket" Ismail, tight end Derek Brown and running back Rodney Culver each scored as freshmen. 5-0 Notre Dame's record when the Pope is in America, including the win against UMass. The previous four were with John Paul II: 1979 versus Georgia Tech (21-13), 1987 (26-15 versus Michigan and 31-8 versus eventual Rose Bowl champion Mich- igan State) and 1995 (29-21 at Washington). Unfortu- nately for Notre Dame, Pope Francis is scheduled to leave before the Clemson game Oct. 3. 8 Massachusetts was the eighth first-time oppo- nent for Notre Dame under head coach Brian Kelly. The Irish are 5-3 in those games, with home losses to Tulsa (2010), South Florida (2011) and Louis- ville (2014). When you include UConn in 2009, Notre Dame is only 5-4 in its last nine first-time foe contests. 22 Career touchdown receptions by junior wide receiver WILL FULLER after catch- ing a 26-yard score from sophomore quarterback DeShone Kizer in the second quarter. Fuller already is tied for fourth on the Notre Dame's all-time TD receptions list with Derrick Mayes (1992-95) and Rhema McKnight (2002-06). The top three are Mi- chael Floyd with 37 (2008-11), Jeff Samardzija with 27 (2003-06) and Golden Tate with 26 (2007-09). 50 Yards on freshman CJ Sanders' punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter to give Notre Dame a 28-20 cushion. It was Notre Dame's first punt return for a score since Nov. 14, 2009, when Golden Tate had an 87-yard tally in a 27- 22 loss at Pitt, and the first by an Irish freshman since Tim Simon versus Army on Oct. 20, 1973. 52.6 Yards averaged by sophomore punter Tyler Newsome on his five punts, a sin- gle-game Notre Dame record (minimum five punts). The prior standard was 51.9 by Geoff Price during a 47-21 loss to Michigan in 2006. Newsome had four punts of 50 yards or more (long of 59) in the game and has eight for the season. 681 Yards of total offense gained, the sec- ond most in school history. The record remains 720 versus Navy during a 47-0 victory at home in 1969. BY THE NUMBERS BY LOU SOMOGYI Junior receiver Will Fuller reached the end zone for the fourth straight game to begin the season and now has 22 career touchdown catches, which is tied for fourth on the school's all-time lst. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA

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