Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com MARCH 2017 9 UNDER THE DOME touchdowns (19 rushing and seven passing). • The sack total of 14 — first offi‑ cially kept in 1982 separate from tack‑ les for loss — was not the fewest in a season at Notre Dame, believe it or not. The previous lows were the 12 in 1985, a 5‑6 finish under head coach Gerry Faust, and 1991, when the Irish were 10‑3 with Lou Holtz in command. Nevertheless, the lone Power Five conference team to have fewer sacks this year than the Fighting Irish was equally disappointing and 3‑9 Michi‑ gan State which had 11, two of them coming in the 36‑28 victory at Notre Dame Sept. 17. For the record, Notre Dame's high‑ est sack total in a season since the stat's advent in 1982 was 41.5 in Holtz's final season (1996), an 8‑3 finish. The second most was 39 in 2003 (13.5 by Justin Tuck) when the Irish posted only a 5‑7 record. The tackles for loss total (61) for the Irish in 2016 ranked 101st. • As a corollary to the sack total, the three sacks by the Notre Dame de‑ fensive line (two by Jarron Jones and one by Isaac Rochell) were the few‑ est among Power Five teams. Line‑ backers Nyles Morgan (four), James Onwualu (three) and Greer Martini (three) produced the most sacks. Net Punting: 106th, 35.28 yards per attempt Kickoff Returns: 28th, 23.06 Kick Return Defense: 95th, 22.26 Punt Returns: 44th, 9.10 Punt Return Defense: 123rd, 15.05 Noteworthy Data: • Notre Dame was one of eight teams to yield at least two touchdowns on kickoff returns (they came in losses to Duke and USC). The lone team that allowed three was South Carolina. The Irish were one of six teams to permit at least two touchdowns on punt returns (North Carolina State on a blocked punt and USC). New Mexico State allowed the most with four, while Colorado permitted three. • The five touchdowns allowed by Notre Dame this year (two kickoffs, one punt, one blocked punt and a fumbled punt by the Irish) were the most in one season at the school, per our research dating back to head coach Frank Leahy's first season in 1941. • Sophomore C.J. Sanders was one of only seven players in the coun‑ try who had at least two kickoffs re‑ turned for touchdowns (versus Syra‑ cuse and Army West Point). The only one with three was Pitt's Quadree Henderson. ✦ Sophomore C.J. Sanders brought back two kick- offs for touchdowns, making him one of only seven players nationally to achieve that feat. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA Holy Cross Village is a continuing care retirement community, sponsored by the Brothers of Holy Cross, with a tradition of caring, compassion and trust. Holy Cross Village welcomes people of all faiths. 54515 State Rd., 933 North, Notre Dame, IN 46556 www.holycrossvillage.com ... AND ENJOY THE GAME OF LIFE AT HOLY CROSS VILLAGE I magine making new friends and developing new talents, where everything you need to enjoy the game of life is right outside your front door. Nestled among three institutions of higher learning, Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame is a senior living community unlike anything else around. Our warm and inviting community offers: Independent Living Homes and Apartments Assisted Living Apartments Skilled Nursing Memory Care Rehabilitation Services Call (574) 251-2235 today for more information and to schedule a tour.