Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 13, 2017 25 1-38 Record for Wake Forest in games against a team ranked in the top five of the Associated Press poll, with Notre Dame this season the most recent. The one victory occurred way back on Oct. 26, 1946, versus No. 4 Tennessee. In addition to the 1-38 all-time ledger versus the top five, the Demon Deacons are 1-58 in contests against the AP top 10. 4 Tackles for loss by Wake Forest that totaled 12 yards. The Demon Deacons entered the contest ranked No. 1 nationally in that category with an average of 9.3 per contest for 35 yards. 5 Games in the last six in which Notre Dame has not committed a turnover, dating back to the 38-18 victory at Michigan State Sept. 23. The Irish did fumble twice against Wake Forest, but recovered it both times. Junior quarterback Brandon Wimbush has a streak of five straight starts without the Irish of- fense committing a turnover, and he's played six con- secutive games without throwing an interception. 14 Passes broken up this season by Notre Dame sophomore cornerback Julian Love after recording three against Wake Forest — not including his third interception of the year. He surpassed the single-season record of 14 in 1969 by 1970-71 All-American cornerback Clarence Ellis. Love's 25-yard interception return in the second quarter also gives him 153 yards this year, the sec- ond most in a season at Notre Dame, moving past Frank Carideo's 151 in 1929. The record is 197 by Nick Rassas on six returns in 1965. 28-2 Cumulative record of Notre Dame af- ter defeating a Wake Forest team at home. The Fighting Irish improved to 11-0 in 2012 following a 38-0 win versus the Demon Deacons, 9-1 in 2015 after a 28-7 victory, and 8-1 this year with the 48-37 conquest. Notre Dame doesn't play Wake Forest at home again until 2023, although it does travel to Winston-Salem, N.C., to play the Demon Deacons next year (Sept. 22) and in 2020 (Sept. 26). 37 Points surrendered by Notre Dame after entering the game 10th in the country in scoring defense with a 16.1 average. It also was the lone defense in the Football Bowl Subdivision to not allow more than 20 points in a game entering the month of November. It was the most points allowed by the Irish in victory since a 49-39 win versus Navy on Nov. 1, 2014. 99 Yards covered on Notre Dame's touch- down drive that culminated with 22 sec- onds left in the first half and extended its lead to 31-10. It was the longest drive by the Irish since Nov. 14, 2015 — also 99 yards and likewise versus Wake Forest. That one took only two plays, with the second a 98-yard scoring run by then freshman running back Josh Adams, the longest play from scrimmage ever by Notre Dame. 108-10 Notre Dame's scoring advan- tage against its opposition this season following a turnover. The Demon Dea- cons had only one at Notre Dame — they entered the game tied for No. 2 nationally with Alabama and Central Florida in fewest turnovers with five — but that interception set up a five-yard touchdown drive for the Irish. Notre Dame has generated 19 turnovers this year and scored 16 times off of them — 15 touchdowns and one field goal. BY THE NUMBERS BY LOU SOMOGYI 6 Different Notre Dame players this season to have a run that gained at least 35 yards. Sophomore quarterback Ian Book and sophomore wideout KEVIN STEPHERSON became the most recent with 43- and 35-yard runs, respectively, against Wake Forest. As a team, Notre Dame has 20 carries this season that have netted a minimum of 35 yards. Taking it a step further, Notre Dame, Arizona and Stanford each have 11 runs of at least 50 yards this season to lead the nation. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA