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✦ TOP STORYLINES: NOTRE DAME VS. PITT tack (27-3) and ending USC's eight-game winning streak against them with a 20-16 conquest in the Los Angeles Coliseum. Last year, Notre Dame again won three games in November before falling to a top-five Stanford team, 28-14, on Thanks- giving weekend. Kelly faces Pitt, the game has always turned out to come down to the closing minutes: • With Kelly's 2007 Cincinnati team leading 17-13 in the fourth quarter, Pitt rallied to a 24-17 victory. • In 2008, the River City Rivalry saw Cincinnati edge Pitt, 28-21, to claim the Big East crown over the Panthers and go to the Orange Bowl. • In one of the most exciting games in 2009, 11-0 and No. 5 Cincinnati rallied from 31-10, 38-24 and 44-38 deficits at No. 14 Pitt to record a 45-44 triumph. The winning score came with 33 sec- onds left on a 29-yard touchdown pass. Cincinnati's Mardy Gilyard amassed 374 all-purpose yards — yet much of the at- tention was on whether Kelly would be interested in the recently vacated Notre Dame position. • At Notre Dame, Kelly and the Irish CLOSE ENCOUNTERS When Notre Dame head coach Brian held on for a 23-17 victory at home in 2010 when a Pitt fourth-down pass with 1:07 was broken up by cornerback Gary Gray deep in Pitt territory. • In 2011, the Irish trailed 12-7 at Pitt when sophomore quarterback Tommy Rees completed all eight of his pass at- tempts on an 85-yard touchdown march that ended with a six-yard toss to junior tight end Tyler Eifert, plus a two-point conversion to Eifert, with 6:48 left. Pitt moved to the Notre Dame 40 on the next series before two Irish sacks halted the drive. Particularly after an attention-grabbing 30-13 victory at No. 8 Oklahoma last week, this November presents an opportu- nity for Notre Dame to hone itself overall against three programs that provided much resistance last year before falling. In 2011, the Irish had to battle to the end before prevailing against Pitt (15-12), Boston College (16-14) and Wake Forest (24-17). Taking the offense and special teams to a higher platform, while advancing the development and growth on defense, will be vital components at Notre Dame this month while enhancing its Bowl Champi- onship Series body of work and preparing for the grand regular-season finale at USC. Because of the success experienced dur- ing the first two months of the season, Kelly believes it should be easier for the Irish to thrive in November. "I've always felt like your team keeps its edge in November when they enjoy being around each other," he said. "… Teams in November have a distinct advantage if they're enjoying the process." With a BCS bid there for the taking, and a national title berth now a possibility, Notre Dame will be expected to continue its improvement this month, no matter who the opponent. To Kelly, the Irish have shown they can handle adversity, and in recent weeks he's seen they can also deal with prosperity. "They have shown that they understand that if they don't prepare the right way, that they'll lose," Kelly said. "We're not good enough to not prepare properly, and I think they know that." RUNNING (BACK) TO GLORY? A hard-nosed power running attack has — Lou Somogyi been Pitt's identity recently with premier backs such as LeSean McCoy (2007-08), Dion Lewis (2009-10) and Ray Graham (2011-12). ✦ PAGE 9 Friday, Nov. 2nd 4-6PM 1 MILE from ND Campus!!! 2821 Edison Road, South Bend, IN 46615 OPEN HOUSE Includes 2 additional lots 214 ft Total frontage (.88 Acre). Former old farmhouse was gutted mid-90s with huge room addition which includes vaulted great room, 1/2 bath, office and oversized 2-car garage. 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths. Quality solid oak 6 panel doors throughout. Craftsmanship/materials. Skylights in greatroom, master bedroom & guest bath. Finished basement has large multipurpose room, storage room and laundry area. Electric fireplace in living room. Enjoy the park-like yard on the deck under the gazebo. Many perennials and plants. Minutes from Notre Dame, downtown South Bend, dining, shopping, medical. See this unique property today!!! 2,774 SF • $200,000