Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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pouncing on the loose football in the end zone for a 7-3 lead. He also had a fourth that was recovered by running back Theo Riddick. To his credit, Golson hung on to the ball after a devastating helmet-to- helmet hit in the fourth quarter that knocked him out of the game, but ball security — and an ability to learn how to slide on scrambles — remain major issues for the youngster. BY THE NUMBERS 3 4 Lost fumbles by sophomore quarterback Ever- ett Golson, one of them resulting in Stanford ford pass at the Notre Dame 1-yard line in the first quarter. He's the first Irish corner (not safety) to reach four interceptions in one season since Mike Richard- son finished with the same amount during the 13- game season in 2006. The next target to reach among corners is All-American Shane Walton's seven in 2002. Interceptions by junior cornerback Bennett JAckson this season after picking off a Stan- 4-8 (288), Michigan State (237), Michigan (299), Miami (285) and Stanford (272). That is a first since the school record 23-game winning streak in 1988-89, which included the 1989 Fiesta Bowl victory versus West Virginia and then the opening four games of 1989. 5 Consecutive opponents Notre Dame has limited to less than 300 yards of total offense: Purdue 15 cornerback Bennett Jackson and sophomore safety Matthias Farley. The Irish totaled only 14 turnovers Turnovers forced by Notre Dame this sea- son after first-half interceptions by junior coach Brian Kelly is 1-1, losing 34-31 at Michigan State in 2010 prior to this victory. The most recent Irish win beyond regulation play was 37-30 versus Washington in 2009. Ten of the 12 overtime games have been at Notre Dame, with all four victories oc- curring there. Overtime record of Notre Dame since the NCAA introduced the rule in 1996. Head BY LOU SOMOGYI Junior Bennett Jackson is the first Notre Dame cornerback to record four interceptions in a single season since Mike Richardson achieved the feat in 2006. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA during their 13-game season last year. The 10 inter- ceptions this year during the 6-0 start already have eclipsed the eight in all of 2011. ing back to a 15-yard drive by Purdue in the fourth quarter of Notre Dame's 20-17 victory Sept. 8. The school record of not permitting a touchdown by any means (including special teams or defense included) is 23 in 1980. 16 Consecutive quarters the Notre Dame de- fense has not permitted a touchdown, dat-