Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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GAME PREVIEW: STANFORD ON PAPER BY DAN MURPHY offensive linemen from a year ago more than its All-American quarterback. The grind-it-out Cardinal rushing attack has stalled in its first four games, gaining only 129.8 yards per contest compared to 210.6 per game in 2011. During the last week of Sep- tember, an underwhelming Washington defensive allowed 70 yards on the ground to hand Stanford its first loss of the year. Senior Stepfan Taylor is shouldering the bulk of that Stanford might be missing its two All-American STANFORD RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE load. He was the only back on the team with double- digit carries after the first four games of the year. The former 1,000-yard rusher is averaging 104.5 yards per game and had all three of the team's rushing touch- downs in their first four games. Rushing touchdowns have been hard to come by against this Irish defense. Led by Heisman Trophy can- didate Manti Te'o, Notre Dame went six straight games without giving up a score on the ground dating back to last fall's loss to the Cardinal in Palo Alto, Calif. Te'o has a strong cast of players around him like junior linebacker Prince Shembo (17 tackles, three for loss) and run clog- ger Louis Nix at nose guard. Advantage: Notre Dame month of September. The young, inexperienced group helped to create eight interceptions and rarely allowed big plays. Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco said a big part of their success has come from not giving opponents the time they need to do what they want. Sophomore Stephon Tuitt, who is averag- ing 1.5 sacks per game, has had a lot to do with that. He'll be gunning for Stanford's first-year starter at The Irish secondary did more than survive in the STANFORD PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE Senior running back Stepfan Taylor, who rushed for 2,467 yards and 25 touchdowns the past two seasons, is on pace for another strong year with 88 carries for 418 yards and three scores through four contests. PHOTO COURTESY STANFORD quarterback, Josh Nunes. Nunes had a hard enough job replacing No. 1 draft pick Andrew Luck this season. His receivers aren't making life any easier with their inability to hang on to catchable balls. Sophomore Ty Montgomery had several critical drops in the 17-13 loss to Washington. The Cardinal tight ends are still dangerous and will test the Irish safeties in South Bend. Redshirt junior Zach Ertz led the team with 15 catches for 252 yards after four games. The Irish have been up to the chal- lenge in the passing game so far this season and hold the edge against the Cardinal. Advantage: Notre Dame