Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/89723
✦ NEWS & NOTES Sophomore defensive end Stephon Tuitt ranks third in the Football Bowl Subdivision in sacks with 8.5, and is on pace to break Notre Dame's single-season record (13.5 by Justin Tuck in 2003). PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA MISCELLANEOUS NOTES • In the Immovable Object vs. Irresistible Force category, Notre Dame enters Norman, Okla., ranked No. 2 nationally in scoring defense (9.4 points allowed per game) while the Sooners are No. 5 in scoring offense (44.7 points per outing). The Sooners have had 22 plays of 30 yards or more in the first half of their regular sea‑ son — eight of them for more than 60 yards. In its last six games, Notre Dame has allowed only five plays for more than 25 yards, and none more than 31. Neither Stanford nor BYU in the last two games hit the Irish for a play longer than 25 yards. • In its last two games, Notre Dame trailed at halftime, against Stanford (10‑3) and Brigham Young (14‑7), but rallied in the second half for 20‑13 (in overtime) and 17‑14 victories, respectively. The last time the Irish rallied from halftime deficits in consecutive weeks to post victories was Oct. 23 and Oct. 30, 1920 — when Knute Rockne was the third year head coach and George Gipp his All‑American halfback. Notre Dame trailed Valparaiso (3‑0) and Army (17‑14) at halftime before posting 28‑3 and 27‑17 wins. • Sophomore defensive end Stephon Tuitt's 8.5 sacks this season rank him third in the gram in the BCS era that began in 1998. The next four were Ohio State, Alabama, LSU and Texas, based on nine different factors, from on‑field success, NFL draft picks to academics. Since 1998, Oklahoma has been to eight BCS bowl games, four of them for the BCS title, highlighted by winning the 2000 national title. Football Bowl Subdivision. Tuitt is on pace to break the 2003 Notre Dame single‑season sack record of 13.5 set by Justin Tuck. The sack statistic was first kept in 1982. • The recent "Franchise Issue" of ESPN The Magazine named Oklahoma the best pro‑ ✦ PAGE 14