2007 Allstate Sugar Bowl

2006 IRISH SCHEDULErankings AP/USA Today • all times Eastern

Date ND Rank Opponent TV Time or ResultSept. 2 2/T-3 at Georgia Tech ABC ND 14, GT 10Sept. 9 T-4/5 19/19 PENN STATE NBC ND 41, PSU 17Sept. 16 2/T-3 11/13 MICHIGAN NBC UM 47, ND 21Sept. 23 12/13 at Michigan State ABC ND 40, MSU 37Sept. 30 12/14 PURDUE NBC ND 35, PU 21Oct. 7 12/12 STANFORD NBC ND 31, SU 10Oct. 21 10/8 UCLA NBC ND 20, UCLA 17Oct. 28 11/10 vs. Navy (at Baltimore) CBS ND 38, Navy 14Nov. 4 11/10 NORTH CAROLINA NBC ND 45, UNC 26Nov. 11 9/8 at Air Force CSTV ND 39, AF 17Nov. 18 6/5 ARMY NBC ND 41, Army 9Nov. 25 6/6 at 3/2 USC ABC USC 44, ND 24Jan. 3 11/11 vs. 4/4 LSU Fox 8:00 p.m.

Allstate Sugar BowlNotre Dame: AP (11th), USA Today (11th), Harris (t-10th)LSU: AP (4th), USA Today (4th), Harris (4th)

The Date and TimeWednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, at 8:25 p.m. (EDT)

The SiteLouisiana Superdome (72,500, FieldTurf surface) in New

Orleans, La. The TV Plans

Fox national telecast with Kenny Albert (play-by-play),Howie Long (analysis), Terry Bradshaw (analysis) and JeanneZelasko (sideline).The Radio Plans

ESPN Radio national broadcast with Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Bob Griese (analysis), Paul Maguire (analysis) andHeather Cox (sideline).

Westwood One, completing its 39th consecutive year ofbroadcasting Notre Dame football, will carry the game onselected radio stations. The broadcast features Don Criqui(play-by-play) and former Irish running back Allen Pinkett(analysis) with Jeff Jeffers providing pre-game, halftime andpost-game reports. The Westwood One broadcast can be heardon the following stations: WLS-AM (890) in Chicago, Ill.,WLYV-AM (1450) in Fort Wayne, Ind., WBAT-AM (1400) inMarion, Ind., WDND-AM (1580) and WNDV-AM (1490) inSouth Bend, Ind., WJOT-AM (1510) in Wabash, Ind., WRSW-FM (107.3) in Warsaw, Ind., and WBBL-AM (1340) in GrandRapids/Kalamazoo, Mich.

All Notre Dame games may be heard in South Bend onU93-FM (92.9) and WDND-AM (1490) with pre-game analy-sis featuring Sean Stires and Vince DeDario. The post-gameshow is hosted by Jack Nolan and features former Irish play-ers Reggie Brooks and Mirko Jurkovic.Sports Information at the Sugar BowlDirector . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brian Hardin ([email protected])Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(574) 532-4134Asst. Director . . . . . . . .Michael Bertsch ([email protected])Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(574) 532-4154

University of Notre DameSports Information112 Joyce Center

Notre Dame, IN 46556574-631-7516

574-631-7941 (fax)

Thursday, Dec. 2811:15 a.m. – Notre Dame team arrivalJW Marriott Hotel New OrleansFriday, Dec. 2911:00 a.m. – Charlie Weis Press ConferenceNew Orleans Marriott at the Convention CenterSaturday, Dec. 309:00 a.m. – Defensive Coaches and PlayersPress ConferenceNew Orleans Marriott at the Convention CenterSunday, Dec. 319:00 a.m. – Offensive Coaches and PlayersPress ConferenceNew Orleans Marriott at the Convention CenterMonday, Jan. 1No AvailabilityTuesday, Jan. 211:00 a.m. – Head Coach Press ConferenceNew Orleans Marriott at the Convention Center

What’s InsideSeries History vs. LSU/SEC . . . . . . . . . . .2-5Career Stats in Bowl Games . . . . . . . . . . . .3Notre Dame Probable Lineup . . . . . . . . . . .4Last Time Out Against USC . . . . . . . . . . .5-6Last Meetings with LSU . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7National Rankings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Irish News & Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-27An Eye on Career Records . . . . . . . . . .12-13Starter Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Notre Dame’s Record When . . . . . . . . . . .15Milestone Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16Irish Among National Leaders . . . . . . . . .18Media Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18-19Irish in the NFL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20Irish Football By The Numbers . . . . . . . . .21Notre Dame Graduates . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Building Hope for New Orleans . . . . . .28-29Irish Players Season/Career Highs . . .30-31Individual/Team Honors . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32Brady Quinn and the Record Book . . . . . .33Updated Record Book . . . . . . . . . . . . .34-51Weis Era Record Book . . . . . . . . . . . . .52-582006 Stats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59-81The Last Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82-84Depth Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85Alphabetical/Numerical Roster . . . . . .86-872006 Game Summaries . . . . . . . . . .90-101Coaching Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104-118Notre Dame Players . . . . . . . . . . . .122-152Bowl Recaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154-181Bowl Record Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182The University of Notre Dame . . . . .184-192

Notre Dame ItineraryTwo-Minute Drill• This year’s appearance in the Sugar Bowl will be the 28th bowl appearance bythe Irish, whose first bowl outing was in the 1925 Rose Bowl. Over the years,Notre Dame has fashioned an overall record of 13-14 in post-season play andhas participated in 10 different bowl games. The Irish are 2-1 in three previoustrips to the Sugar Bowl (1973, 1981, 1992), but 0-2 in BCS bowl games. NotreDame, Ohio State and USC are the only schools to participate in BCS bowl gameseach of the past two seasons. The Irish have dropped their last eight bowl games.Notre Dame’s last bowl victory came in the 1994 Cotton Bowl -- a 24-21 victoryover Texas A&M.• Notre Dame has played a Southeastern Conference opponent just 33 times overits 118 years of football -- the fewest meetings with any BCS conference. However,Notre Dame has faced a member of the SEC on five previous occasions in bowlgames, including each of its previous three appearances in the Sugar Bowl.• The Irish have faced LSU nine times over the all-time series history which datesback to the first meeting during the 1970 season. Notre Dame has not facedanother SEC school more often than the Tigers. The Irish lead the all-time serieswith LSU, 5-4, including two victories over the past three meetings. (see pages 2-5 for more information on the series)• While the two football powers have not faced off in eight years, Notre Dameand LSU became quite familiar with one another during the 1997 and 1998 sea-sons. The Irish, making their first visit in Baton Rouge in 11 years, walked out ofDeath Valley with a 24-6 triumph on Nov. 15, 1997 under then first-year headcoach Bob Davie. The two foes would meet just 43 days later in the IndependenceBowl. The Tigers returned the favor with a 27-9 victory. A rubber game wouldthen take place the following season in South Bend. Notre Dame used a pair ofdefensive touchdowns, a Lamont Bryant 13-yard fumble recovery and a BobbieHoward 89-yard interception return, to rally the Irish from a 34-20 third quarterdeficit en route to a 39-36 victory. (more on the last meetings on page 6-7)• Streaks on the line: consecutive games started (Brady Quinn, 45) ... consecu-tive games with a completion (Brady Quinn, 48) ... consecutive games with mul-tiple touchdown passes (Brady Quinn, 11) ... consecutive games with a reception(Darius Walker, 27; Jeff Samardzija, 25). • Notre Dame senior QB Brady Quinn already owns 36 Notre Dame schoolrecords, but has a chance to add a 37th to his resume. Quinn could pick up his30th career victory as a starting quarterback for the Irish. He would pass the pre-vious school record of 29 career victories shared by Tom Clements (1972-74) andRon Powlus (1994-97).

2007 Allstate Sugar Bowl#11 Notre Dame vs.#4 Louisiana State

CreditsThe 2007 Allstate Sugar Bowl Media Guide was written and edited by

Notre Dame Director of Football Media Relations Brian Hardin andAssistant Sports Information Director Michael Bertsch.

Photos provided by Michael and Susan Bennett and LighthouseImaging, Marcus Snowden, Matt Cashore, Rich Clarkson and BrotherCharles McBride, C.S.C.

Graphic design and page layout by Cindy Lemcke of Ave Maria Press,Inc. Inside and outside cover design by Dave Scholtes of Ave Maria Press,Inc., Notre Dame, Ind. Printing by Ave Maria Press in Notre Dame, Ind.

A Win Against LSU Would...... make Notre Dame 11-2 for the first time in school history.... give the Irish 11 victories in a season for the first timesince 1993 and sixth time in school history.... even Notre Dame’s all-time bowl record at 14-14.... give the Irish a 3-1 mark all-time in the Sugar Bowl.... snap Notre Dame’s bowl losing streak at eight games.... give the Irish a bowl victory for the first time since the1994 Cotton Bowl (def. Texas A&M, 24-21).... give Notre Dame a victory over its highest ranked oppo-nent since Sept. 10, 2005 (No. 3 Michigan, 17-10).... give the Irish 20 victories over the past two years (mostwins over any two-year span since 1992-93 when formerhead coach Lou Holtz guided the Irish to 21 victories).... improve Notre Dame to 6-4-0 in the all-time series withthe Tigers.

... even the Irish at 1-1-0 in the all-time series with LSU inbowl games. ... improve a ranked Notre Dame squad to 4-1-0 all-timeagainst the Tigers.... improve the Irish to 3-4-0 all-time against a ranked LSUsquad.... improve Notre Dame to 2-1-0 all-time against the Tigerswhen both teams are ranked.... improve the Irish to 3-1-0 all-time against LSU when theTigers are ranked in the top 10.... improve Weis’ record to 20-5 overall, 1-0 against LSU and1-0 against the SEC.... even Weis’ bowl record at 1-1.... improve Weis’ record to 6-1 in night games.... give Weis 20 wins over his first two seasons as Notre Damehead coach (most for any Irish head coach over his first twoyears).... improve Notre Dame’s all-time record to 822-268-42.... improve the Irish’s all-time record against the SEC to22-12-0.

A Loss Against LSU Would...... make Notre Dame 10-3 for the first time since 2002 andthird time in school history.... be the second straight loss for the Irish (the first two gamelosing streak under Weis and first since Notre Dame droppedthe final two games of the 2004 season).... deny the Irish 11 victories in a season for the first timesince 1993 and sixth time in school history.... drop Notre Dame’s all-time bowl record to 13-15.... give the Irish a 2-2 mark all-time in the Sugar Bowl.... extend Notre Dame’s bowl losing streak to nine games.... deny the Irish a bowl victory for the first time since the1994 Cotton Bowl (def. Texas A&M, 24-21).... deny Notre Dame a victory over its highest ranked oppo-nent since Sept. 10, 2005 (No. 3 Michigan, 17-10).... even the Irish at 5-5-0 in the all-time series with theTigers.... drop Notre Dame to 0-2-0 in the all-time series with LSUin bowl games. ... drop a ranked Irish squad to 3-2 all-time against theTigers.

... drop Notre Dame to 2-5-0 all-time against a ranked LSUsquad.... drop the Irish to 1-2-0 all-time against the Tigers whenboth teams are ranked.... even Notre Dame at 2-2-0 all-time against LSU when theTigers are ranked in the top 10.... drop Weis’ record to 19-6 overall, 0-1 against LSU and 0-1against the SEC.... drop Weis’ bowl record to 0-2.... drop Weis’ record to 5-2 in night games.... drop the Irish’s all-time record to 821-269-42.... drop Notre Dame’s all-time record against the SEC to21-13-0.

A Quick Look at LSU• The Tigers, riding a six-game winning streak, enter the SugarBowl playing as well as any team in the country. LSU closed itsregular season with a 31-26 victory at SEC West Division cham-pion Arkansas. The Tigers’ only two blemishes this season cameat No. 2 Florida, 23-10, and at No. 10 Auburn, 7-3. • In its victory over Arkansas on Nov. 24, LSU used a 92-yardkickoff return by Trindon Holliday. That return put an exclama-tion point on a season that included four road games againstopponents ranked in the top eight in the country. The Tigersovercame two fumbles in Arkansas territory to beat theRazorbacks. QB JaMarcus Russell threw two touchdown passes,including a 47-yarder to Craig Davis that gave LSU a 14-6 leadin the second quarter and a 7-yarder to Early Doucet that putthe Tigers up by 12, 24-12, early in the crazy fourth quarter.The Doucet score was the first of three within a minute of gametime, as Arkansas’ Darren McFadden tore off an 80-yard runon the next play from scrimmage to cut the LSU lead to 24-19.However, on the ensuing kickoff, Holliday took the ball fromthe 8-yard line, broke through the Arkansas defense, andsprinted by two Hogs for the touchdown. Russell controlled thegame by completing 14-of-22 passes for 210 yards. KeilandWilliams spearheaded the LSU rushing attack with 68 yards on13 carries, including a 29-yard touchdown sprint for LSU's firstscore.• The Tigers enter the Sugar Bowl with the nation’s 10th-ranked scoring offense, 18th-ranked total offense, 23rd-ranked passing offense and 37th-ranked rushing offense. LSU

Site Year Rank W/L ND LSU* 1970 2-7 W 3 0

1971 7-14 L 8 28* 1981 4- W 27 9

1984 -6 W 30 22* 1985 -17 L 7 10

1986 -8 L 19 21997 -11 W 24 6

IS 1997 -15 L 9 27* 1998 10- W 39 36

NOTRE DAME vs. SECSchool Won Lost Tied Pct.Alabama 5 1 0 .833Arkansas 0 0 0 .000Auburn 0 0 0 .000Florida 1 0 0 1.000Georgia 0 1 0 .000Kentucky 0 0 0 .000LSU 5 4 0 .555Mississippi 1 1 0 .500Mississippi State 0 0 0 .000South Carolina 3 1 0 .750Tennessee 4 4 0 .500Vanderbilt 2 0 0 1.000TOTALS 21 12 0 .636

IS - Independence Bowl

CONFERENCE CALLThis season, Notre Dame faces teams from seven differentconferences. The conference breakdown for the 2006schedule:Big Ten (4): Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State,PurduePac-10 (3): Stanford, UCLA, USCACC (2): Georgia Tech, North CarolinaIndependents (2): Navy, ArmyMountain West (1): Air ForceSEC (1): LSU

Notre Dame-LSU Series HistoryOverall: 5-4-0; Home: 3-1-0;Away 2-2-0; Neutral 0-1-0 NOTRE DAME LSU

# NCAA Category Category NCAA #32.42 12th Scoring Offense vs. Scoring Defense 4th 12.50398.00 22nd Total Offense vs. Total Defense 2nd 238.75124.25 76th Rushing Offense vs. Rushing Defense 15th 93.25273.75 10th Passing Offense vs. Passing Defense 3rd 145.50150.59 13th Passing Efficiency Offense vs. Passing Efficiency Defense 3rd 92.8022.42 57th Scoring Defense vs. Scoring Offense 10th 33.08320.50 45th Total Defense vs. Total Offense 18th 404.17127.83 50th Rushing Defense vs. Rushing Offense 37th 159.17192.67 50th Passing Defense vs. Passing Offense 23rd 245.00135.32 86th Passing Efficiency Defense vs. Passing Efficiency Offense 5th 163.9137.17 25th Net Punting vs. Net Punting 100th 32.557.35 88th Punt Returns vs. Punt Returns 57th 8.8021.46 40th Kickoff Returns vs. Kickoff Returns 47th 21.000.42 32nd Turnover Margin vs. Turnover Margin 61st 0.002.50 29th Sacks vs. Sacks Allowed 29th 1.502.50 92nd Sacks Allowed vs. Sacks 6th 3.25

Head-to-Head Statistical Comparison (2006 Stats)

2 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ®

is averaging 33.08 points per game, 404.17 total yards, 245.0yards in the air and 159.17 yards per game on the ground.Jacob Hester leads the Tigers’ balanced ground game with 415yards (34.6/game) and six touchdowns. He is averaging 4.6yards per carry. Interestingly, LSU has seven other players with10 or more carries this season. Keiland Williams has 62 carriesfor 329 yards and three touchdowns, while Alley Broussard (74carries for 281 yards and four touchdowns) and Charles Scott(46 carries for 277 yards and five touchdowns) have alsoeclipsed 250 yards on the year. WR Trindon Holliday haschipped in with 162 yards on 13 rushes -- good for an eye-dropping 12.4 yards per carry. QB JaMarcus Russell has start-ed all 12 games for the Tigers. He has completed 68.5% (211-for-308) of his passes for 2,797 yards and 26 touchdowns.Russell has tossed just seven interceptions in 2006 and has a168.10 pass efficiency rating. Dwayne Bowe, Craig Davis andEarly Doucet headline a talented group of Tiger wideouts.Bowe leads LSU in receptions (60), receiving yards (912) andtouchdowns (11). Davis is not far behind, grabbing 52 balls for786 yards and four touchdowns. Doucet has 51 receptions for657 yards and eight touchdowns. All three average over 12.5yards per catch (Bowe, 15.2, Davis, 15.1, Doucet, 12.9). • The LSU defense has been downright scary for most of theseason, ranking among the NCAA top 20 in all four majordefensive categories (pass defense, rush defense, total defenseand scoring defense). The Tigers rank second in total defense(238.75 ypg), third in pass defense (145.50 ppg), fourth inscoring defense (12.50) and 15th in rush defense (93.25 ypg).LSU has totaled 38 sacks on the season which ranks sixth in thecountry. Tyson Jackson leads the team with 8.5 sacks and 10.0tackles for loss. LaRon Landry leads the team in tackles with68. The Tigers have forced their opponents into 29 turnoversthis season (eighth-best in the nation).• The Tigers kicking game has also been solid. Colt David is 6-for-10 on field goal attempts and 46-for-47 on extra-pointattempts. David has made three kicks from beyond 42 yards.Chris Jackson averages 41.8 yards per punt and has droppedfour inside the opponents 20-yard line.

Notre Dame - LSU Series History• Notre Dame and LSU are meeting for the 10th time on thegridiron with the Irish holding a slim 5-4 edge in the series.Wednesday’s meeting will mark the second time the two teamswill meet in a bowl game and the Tigers won that previousmeeting, 27-9, in the 1997 Independence Bowl.• Including this year’s meeting, at least one of the teams hasbeen nationally ranked in all 10 games of the series and bothhave been ranked in two previous meetings -- 1970 and 1971.So, this meeting will mark the first between LSU and NotreDame with both ranked in 35 years. • This meeting will mark the sixth between the two teams thatLSU will be ranked higher than Notre Dame. In fact, the Tigershave entered six of the last seven meetings as the higherranked team. Despite being unranked in five straight meetings(1984, 1985, 1986, 1997, 1997), the Irish picked up victoriesin two of those games. • Only three of the nine all-time meetings have been decidedby a touchdown or less (1970, 1985, 1998). • Entering the 2006 season, both Notre Dame and LSU rankedin the top 20 on the NCAA Division I-A all-time victories list -

the Irish were second with 811 wins while the Tigers checked inat No. 12 with 669 victories.

Notre Dame vs. SEC• Notre Dame has won nearly 64 percent of its games (21-12-0) against teams that currently make up the SoutheasternConference, with 16 of those games coming vs. LSU (nine) andTennessee (seven).

• Tennessee was the only SEC school the Irish had faced overthe past seven years before this meeting with LSU. The Irishand Volunteers met in 1999, 2001 and 2004. Other thanTennessee, Notre Dame’s most recent matchup against an SECschool was a 39-36 victory over LSU on Nov. 21, 1998.• Notre Dame owns a .500 or better record against five of theeight SEC teams it has faced.

VICTOR ABIAMIRIG UA A Total TFL-Yds Scks PD FF FR

2004 Insight Bowl 1 1 1 2 0.0-0 0.0-0 0 0 02006 Fiesta Bowl 1 0 2 2 0.0-0 0.0-0 1 0 0TOTAL 2 1 3 4 0.0-0 0.0-0 1 0 0

DEREK LANDRIG UA A Total TFL-Yds Scks PD FF FR


RHEMA MCKNIGHTG Rec Yds TD Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G

2003 Gator Bowl 1 1 -2 0 -2 1.0 -2.0 -2.02004 Insight Bowl 1 4 90 1 35 4.0 22.5 90.0TOTAL 2 5 88 1 35 2.5 17.6 44.0

CHINEDUM NDUKWEG UA A Total TFL-Yds PD FF FR INT


BRADY QUINNG A-C-TD-I Yds Lg Pct Avg/P Avg/G Effic

2004 Insight Bowl 1 29-17-2-1 214 35 58.6 7.4 214.0 136.52006 Fiesta Bowl 1 45-29-0-0 286 28 64.4 6.4 286.0 117.8TOTAL 2 74-46-2-1 500 35 62.1 6.8 250.0 125.1

JEFF SAMARDZIJAG Rec Yds TD Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G

2004 Insight Bowl 1 5 89 0 29 5.0 17.8 89.02006 Fiesta Bowl 1 6 59 0 28 6.0 9.8 59.0TOTAL 2 11 148 0 29 5.5 13.5 74.0

DARIUS WALKERG Rus. Yds TD Lg Avg/C Avg/G

2004 Insight Bowl 1 13 43 1 14 3.3 43.02006 Fiesta Bowl 1 16 90 3 20 5.6 90.0TOTAL 2 29 133 4 20 4.6 66.5

G Rec Yds TD Lg Rec/G Avg/C Avg/G2004 Insight Bowl 1 1 13 0 13 1.0 13.0 13.02006 Fiesta Bowl 1 7 37 0 13 7.0 5.3 37.0TOTAL 2 8 50 0 13 4.0 6.3 25.0

TOM ZBIKOWSKIG UA A Total TFL-Yds PD FF FR INT

2004 Insight Bowl 1 5 2 7 0.0-0 0 0 0 02006 Fiesta Bowl 1 4 5 9 0.0-0 0 0 0 0TOTAL 2 9 7 16 0.0-0 0 0 0 0

Irish Players Career Statistics In Bowl Games

NOTRE DAME VS. LSU 3

• Georgia (1-0) is the only SEC school to have a winning recordagainst Notre Dame.• Notre Dame has played the following SEC schools: Alabama(5-1), Florida (1-0), Georgia (0-1), LSU (5-4), Mississippi (1-1), South Carolina (3-1), Tennessee (4-4) and Vanderbilt (2-0). • The Irish and Crimson Tide faced off in two of the morefamous bowl victories for Notre Dame. The Irish, ranked No. 3,knocked off top-ranked and undefeated Alabama, 24-23, inthe 1973 Sugar Bowl to give Notre Dame its ninth NationalChampionship and second for then head coach Ara Parseghian.• Notre Dame and Alabama met just two years later in the1975 Orange Bowl. The Irish, ranked No. 9, upset the unde-feated Crimson Tide, 13-11, preventing Alabama a shot at theNational Championship.

Notre Dame-LSU Connections • Notre Dame offensive coordinator/running backs coach MikeHaywood spent seven years at LSU. He coached running backs

and special teams during his tenure. Haywood also coachedalongside current Tiger defensive backs coach Doug Mallory atArmy (1989).• LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini spent three years withthe New England Patriots (1997-99). Notre Dame head coachCharlie Weis and Pelini did not cross paths with the Patriots.Weis did not join the Patriots until the 2000 season.• LSU wide receivers/passing game coordinator Todd Monkenserved as a graduate assistant for two seasons (1991-92) atNotre Dame. He worked with the defensive backs one seasonand spending a year with the quarterbacks and running backs.During his stay in South Bend, the Fighting Irish had wins in theCotton Bowl and Sugar Bowl. • LSU offensive line coach Stacy Searels held a similar position atCincinnati for two years under then Bearcat head coach and currentIrish defensive coordinator Rick Minter. Tiger offensive coordinatorand quarterbacks coach Jimbo Fisher also was a member ofMinter’s staff -- serving in a similar role during the 1999 season.

• Notre Dame does not have a single player on its current ros-ter from the state of Louisiana. LSU does not have a playerf rom the state of Indiana.• Several Notre Dame and LSU players hail from the samehometown or attended the same high school:• Junior RB Darius Walker (Lawrenceville) and LSU freshmanOL Steven Singleton (Buford) both attended Buford H.S.• Freshman OL Chris Stewart (Klein H.S.) and freshman OLMatt Allen (Collins H.S.) both hail from Spring, Texas.• Sophomore WR David Costanzo (Chapin H.S.) and LSU juniorFB Shawn Jordan (Riverside H.S.) both hail from El Paso,Texas.• Sophomore LB Kevin Washington (Austin H.S.) and LSU soph-omore DE Tim Washington (Dulles H.S.) both hail from SugarLand, Texas.• Senior DE Travis Leitko and LSU freshman TE Kyle Anderson(The Woodlands H.S.) both hail from The Woodlands, Texas.

Notre Dame Bowl History• The Irish have made 27 bowl appearances in the program’shistory, compiling a 13-14 record.• After winning 13 of its first 19 bowl appearances, Notre Damehas lost its last eight post-season games.• Notre Dame made its first bowl appearance in 1924 whenKnute Rockne took his famed Four Horsemen backfield acrossthe country to meet Stanford in the Rose Bowl.• Due to University regulations, the Irish did not appear in abowl game again until the 1970 Cotton Bowl.• Notre Dame has appeared in 10 different bowl games over theyears: Rose (1924), Cotton (1970, 1971, 1978, 1979, 1988,

OFFENSEPos. No. Player Class Notes“X” 5 Rhema McKnight Sr. Second in career receptions (167); second in NCAA with 15 TD catches in 2006LT 68 Ryan Harris Sr. Started third-straight season opener; USC was 44th straight startLG 50 Dan Santucci Sr. Has started 25 games over his career and 24 consecutive C 78 John Sullivan Sr. Will make his 31st career start this against LSURG 76 Bob Morton Sr. Started 40th career game and 22nd at OG versus USCRT 74 Sam Young Fr. First true freshman to start season opener on O-line since 1972TE 89 John Carlson Sr. Mackey Award finalist ranks third in nation among TE's in catches and yards/game“Z” 83 Jeff Samardzija Sr. Holds the ND school record with 26 career TD receptionsQB 10 Brady Quinn Sr. School record streak of 226 passes without an INT snapped against ArmyFB 35 Ashley McConnell Sr. Now a starter after Asaph Schwapp was lost for the season with torn ACLRB 3 Darius Walker Jr. Fourth Notre Dame running back to ever eclipse 1,000 yards in consecutive seasonsDEFENSEPos. No. Player Class NotesLDE 95 Victor Abiamiri Sr. 21 career sacks tied for 3rd all-time; 10 sacks in 2006 ranks t-15th in NCAALDT 98 Trevor Laws Sr. Fifth on team with 60 tackles and fourth on squad with 8.5 TFLsRDT 66 Derek Landri Sr. Leads front four with 65 tackles (15.5 TFLs); started 36 straightRDE 75 Chris Frome Sr. First start of 2006 against MSU; career-high five tackles against Air ForceOLB 52 Joe Brockington Sr. Recorded a career-high 15 tackles against Air ForceMLB 40 Maurice Crum, Jr. Jr. Leads team with 92 tackles and third on squad with 10.0 TFL in 2006OLB 26 Travis Thomas Sr. First player to rush for TD in a game when started on defense since 1993LCB 20 Terrail Lambert So. Had go-ahead TD INT ret. against MSU; ret. blocked FG for TD vs. Air ForceFS 18 Chinedum Ndukwe Sr. Second on team with 86 tackles; 22 vs. AF (most for an Irish player since ‘79)SS 9 Tom Zbikowski Sr. Third career punt return TD against UNC; Career-high 14 stops vs. NavyRCB 30 Mike Richardson Sr. Picked off a pair of passes against Army on Nov. 18SPECIAL TEAMSPos. No. Player Class NotesPK 45 Carl Gioia Sr. 8-for-12 on field goals this season; 47-of-52 on PATKO 39 Ryan Burkhart Fr. Served as Notre Dame’s kickoff specialist the last seven gamesP 17 Geoff Price Sr. Ranks sixth in the NCAA with a per punt average of 45.2H 83 Jeff Samardzija Sr. High school teammate of Carl Gioia in his second season of holdingSNP 61 J.J. Jansen Jr. First SNP duties at ND was 2005 game vs. USC; Served as SNP sincePR 9 Tom Zbikowski Sr. Ranks tied for seventh in ND history with a 12.2 career punt return averageKR 11 David Grimes So. Ranks 21st in the NCAA with a 25.53 kickoff return average

19 George West Fr. Scored a touchdown against Purdue on his first career rushKEY PROBABLE NON-STARTERSPos. No. Player Class NotesWR 11 David Grimes So. First career TD reception on career-best 36-yd catch against NavyWR 23 Chase Anastasio Sr. Combination of speed and experience earn him spot on two-deepOL 72 Paul Duncan So. Second-year player will be used primarily as swing tackleCB 22 Ambrose Wooden Sr. Streak of consecutive games started snapped at 15 against MSUCB 2 Darrin Walls Fr. Decorated DB in HS tallied 16 INTs while earning All-America honorsTE 84 Marcus Freeman Sr. Fifth-year senior has caught nine passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns this year

Notre Dame Probable Starting Lineup

Year Bowl (date) Opp. Result1924 Rose (1.1.25) Stanford W, 27-101969 Cotton (1.1.70) Texas L, 17-211970 Cotton (1.1.70) Texas W, 24-111972 Orange (1.1.73) Nebraska L, 6-401973 Sugar (12.31.73) Alabama W, 24-231974 Orange (1.1.75) Alabama W, 13-111976 Gator (12.27.76) Penn St. W, 20-91977 Cotton (1.2.78) Texas W, 38-101978 Cotton (1.1.79) Houston W, 35-341980 Sugar (1.1.81) Georgia L, 10-171983 Liberty (12.29.83) Boston Coll. W, 19-181984 Aloha (12.29.84) SMU L, 20-271987 Cotton (1.1.88) Texas A&M L, 10-351988 Fiesta (1.2.89) W. Virginia W, 34-211989 Orange (1.1.90) Colorado W, 21-61990 Orange (1.1.91) Colorado L, 9-101991 Sugar (1.1.92) Florida W, 39-281992 Cotton (1.1.93) Texas A&M W, 28-31993 Cotton (1.1.94) Texas A&M W, 24-211994 Fiesta (1.2.95) Colorado L, 24-411995 Orange (1.1.96) Florida St. L, 26-311997 Indep. (12.28.97) LSU L, 9-271998 Gator (1.1.99) Georgia Tech L, 28-352000 Fiesta (1.1.01) Oregon St. L, 9-412002 Gator (1.1.03) NC State L, 6-282004 Insight (12.28.04) Oregon St. L, 21-382006 Fiesta (1.2.06) Ohio State L, 20-34

Bowl History


1993 and 1994), Orange (1973, 1975, 1990, 1991, 1996),Sugar (1973, 1980, 1991, 2007), Gator (1976, 1999, 2003),Liberty (1983), Aloha (1984), Fiesta (1989, 1995, 2001,2006), Independence (1997) and Insight (2004).• Some of the most memorable moments in Notre Dame histo-ry have occurred in bowl games, including NationalChampionship-clinching victories at the 1973 Sugar Bowl (24-23over #1 Alabama), 1978 Cotton Bowl (38-10 over #1 Texas)and 1989 Fiesta Bowl (34-21 over unbeaten West Virginia).• The “Ice Bowl” or “Chicken Soup Bowl” was played in 1979when Notre Dame, led by future NFL Hall of Famer JoeMontana, scored 23 points in the final 7:37 to shock Houston(temperature at kickoff was 20 degrees with a wind chill ofminus-six, hence the “Ice Bowl”; Joe Montana missed a portionof the game due to a lower than normal body temperature andsipped chicken soup to warm up, hence “The Chicken SoupBowl”).• In the 1983 Liberty Bowl, Notre Dame prevented the DougFlutie-led Eagles a chance at a 10-2 record and spot among thenation’s top 10 with a 19-18 victory.• Notre Dame denied Texas A&M a shot at the national title inthe 1993 Cotton Bowl, routing the unbeaten Aggies 28-3.

Notre Dame Sugar Bowl History• Notre Dame will be making its fourth appearance (2-1) in theSugar Bowl and first since 1992.• The Irish earned a victory in their first trip to New Orleans, La.,for the Sugar Bowl in 1973, defeating No. 3 Alabama, 24-23, towin the program’s ninth National Championship.• Top-ranked Georgia and Herschel Walker defeated No. 7Notre Dame, 17-10, in the 1981 Sugar Bowl.• No. 18 Notre Dame entered the 1992 Sugar Bowl a heavyunderdog to No. 3 Florida. After surviving the collective butt ofjokes -- including “What’s the difference between Cheerios andNotre Dame? Cherrios belong in a bowl” gag overheard fromf rom an anonymous French Quarter waiter -- the Irish used apair of fourth-quarter touchdown runs by Jerome Bettis for a39-28 victory.

Last Game Against USC• Notre Dame blocked the punt of Greg Woidneck midwaythrough the second quarter and scored a touchdown on theensuing drive when senior QB Brady Quinn found MarcusFreeman along in the end-zone for a touchdown. The blockedpunt was the first for the Irish of 2006 and first since ChaseAnastasio blocked a punt against Syracuse on Nov. 19, 2005.• The Irish forced a pair of turnovers in the second quarter. Afterfailing to force a turnover over the North Carolina and Air Forcegames, Notre Dame has forced five the last two games (threeagainst Army).• USC totaled 108 yards on just 12 plays in the game's openingquarter. Notre Dame not only forced the two turnovers in thesecond quarter, but also limited the Trojans to just 50 yards on17 plays in the second quarter. In fact, the Irish held Trojan QBJohn David Booty to 1-for-7 for 25 yards and two picks in thesecond quarter.• USC junior WR Dwayne Jarrett had three touchdown receptions- tying for the most ever by a Notre Dame opponent. MarioManningham, Pat Fitzgerald (Texas, 1995) and Andy Hamilton(LSU, 1971) also had three TD catches.• Notre Dame scored at least 20 points for the 11th consecutivegame and 22nd in the 24 games under second year head coachCharlie Weis.

• The defeat was the first on the road for the Irish under second-year head coach Charlie Weis. Notre Dame had captured its pre-vious eight games on the road. The eight-game road winningstreak was the longest since a nine-game streak that spannedfour seasons (1991-94). The school record for consecutive winson the road is 11, set twice by Frank Leahy coached teams. Theeight-game road winning streak also happened to be the firsteight road games for Weis. It was the longest road unbeatenstreak to open an Irish coaching career since Leahy went 9-0-1over his first 10 road games.

Senior QB Brady QuinnNCAA History• now has 93 career passing touchdowns to rank ninth all-timein NCAA Division I-A history. Quinn passed David Klingler(Houston, 1988-91). Next up on the list is Philip Rivers (NCState, 2000-03) and Kliff Kingsbury (Texas Tech, 1999-02) with96 career TD passes.• now has 11,614 career passing yards to rank 10th all-time inNCAA Division I-A history. Quinn passed Carson Palmer (1998-02, USC), Todd Santos (San Diego State, 1984-87), GinoGuidugli (Cincinnati, 2001-04) and David Greene (Georgia,2001-04). Next up on the list is Byron Leftwich (Marshall, 1998-02) with 11,903 career passing yards.• now has 914 career pass completions to rank 11th all-time inNCAA Division I-A history. Quinn passed Carson Palmer (USC,1998-02), Todd Santos (San Diego State, 1984-87), CharlieFrye (Akron, 2001-04) and Brett Basanez (Northwestern, 2002-05). Next on the list is Byron Leftwich (Marshall, 1998-02) with939 career pass completions.• now has 1,567 career pass attempts to rank seventh all-timein NCAA Division I-A history. Quinn passed Drew Brees (Purdue,1997-00), Ty Detmer (BYU, 1988-91), Tim Rattay (LouisianaTech, 1997-99) and Gino Guidugli (Cincinnati, 2001-04). Nextup on the list is Brett Basanez (Northwestern, 2002-05) with1,584 career pass attempts.

Notre Dame Career History• with his ninth pass completion against USC, Quinn eclipsed 900for his career (already a school record).

Miscellaneous• with his first completion against USC, Quinn has now record-ed a completion in 48 straight games (already a school record).• registered his 45th consecutive start for the Irish (tied withChris Leak for the second most among active I-A quarterbacks).• his 60-yard rush in the second quarter was not only hiscareer-best, but was the longest run of the season for NotreDame (previous long was a 43-yard rush by Travis Thomasagainst Penn State on Sept. 23 earlier this season).• the rush, which was the longest allowed by USC in 2006, wasthe longest for the Irish since Carlyle Holiday went 67 yardsagainst Pittsburgh on Oct. 6, 2001.• his 74 rushing yards in the game was a career-high for Quinn(besting his previous single-game high of 49 yards rushingagainst Pittsburgh on Sept. 3, 2005.• Quinn had a total of minus-nine yards on 68 carries enteringtonight's game (factors in Notre Dame's opponents 27 sacks).• recorded his 11th consecutive game with at least two touch-down passes.• tied his own school record (has done it three times) with 45passes without an interception in a single-game.

Junior RB Darius Walker• now has 233 carries in 2006 to rank tied for ninth in single-season school history. Walker passed Julius Jones (2003) andJerome Heavens (1977).• now has 1,139 rushing yards in 2006 to rank ninth in single-season school history. Walker passed Allen Pinkett (1984) andhimself (2005).• extended streak of consecutive games with a catch to 27.

Senior WR Jeff Samardzija• now has 70 receptions in 2006 to rank third in single-seasonschool history. Samardzija passed Maurice Stovall (2005).• now has 958 receiving yards in 2006 to rank fifth in single-season school history. Samardzija passed Derrick Mayes (1995)and Tim Brown (1986).• now has 2,534 career receiving yards to rank first all-time inschool history. Samardzija passed Tim Brown (1984-87) andDerrick Mayes (1992-95).• now has 11 receiving touchdowns in 2006 to rank tied forthird in single-season school history.

Senior WR Rhema McKnight• now has 64 receptions in 2006 to rank tied for fourth in sin-gle-season school history. McKnight passed Arnaz Battle (2002)and Jack Snow (1964).• now has 167 career receptions to rank second all-time inschool history.• now has 885 receiving yards in 2006 to rank sixth in single-season school history. McKnight passed Tim Brown (1987),Derrick Mayes (1994), Jim Seymour (1966) and Derrick Mayes(1995).• now has 2,252 career receiving yards to rank fifth all-time inschool history. McKnight passed Maurice Stovall (2002-05).• now has 15 receiving touchdowns in 2006 to rank tied for firstin single-season school history.• now has 22 career receiving touchdowns to rank tied for sec-ond all-time in school history.• the 42-yard third quarter reception was the second longest of2006 for McKnight (season-high was a 44-yard grab at GeorgiaTech on Sept. 2).• eclipsed 100 yards receiving in a game for the third time in2006 and fifth time in his career.

Senior SS Tom Zbikowski• normally a punt returner, Zbikowski returned five kicks for107 yards. Zbikowski had just one career kick return for minus-10 yards before tonight.

Senior CB Mike Richardson• registered his third interception of the season and seventh ofhis career.

Senior DT Trevor Laws• picked up his first career interception.

Sophomore LB Steve Quinn• recorded his first career blocked punt.

Senior TE Marcus Freeman • registered his second career touchdown reception.• replacing the injured All-American candidate tight end JohnCarlson, Freeman had a career-high five receptions for 38 yards(entered the game with just nine career grabs).


1 2 3 4 FLSU 7 14 13 2 -- 36Notre Dame 7 7 13 12 -- 39

First Quarter 13:04 LSU Mark Roman 53 yd interception return (Chris Chauvin kick), LSU 7 - ND 09:53 ND David Givens 22 yd run (Jim Sanson kick), 6-82 3:11, LSU 7 - ND 7

Second Quarter 14:33 LSU Kevin Faulk 1 yd run (Chris Chauvin kick blockd), 15-92 6:01, LSU 13 - ND 79:19 ND Lamont Bryant 13 yd fumble recovery (Jim Sanson kick), LSU 13 - ND 149:02 LSU Kevin Faulk 88 yd kickoff return (Herb Tyler rush), LSU 21 - ND 14

Third Quarter 11:49 ND Autry Denson 3 yd run (Jim Sanson kick failed), 6-65 1:50, LSU 21 - ND 2010:21 LSU Abram Booty 27 yd pass from Herb Tyler (Chris Chauvin kick blockd), 4-681:41, LSU 27 - ND 208:04 LSU Abram Booty 18 yd pass from Herb Tyler (Danny Boyd kick), 7-45 2:04, LSU 34- ND 204:06 ND Malcolm Johnson 8 yd pass from Jarious Jackson (Jim Sanson kick), 8-78 3:58,LSU 34 - ND 27

Fourth Quarter 13:31 ND Bobbie Howard 89 yd interception return (Jim Sanson kick blockd), LSU 34 - ND331:27 ND Raki Nelson 10 yd pass from Jarious Jackson (Jarious Jackson pass failed), 12-75 6:42, LSU 34 - ND 390:03 LSU Team safety, LSU 36 - ND 39

Team Statistics LSU ND FIRST DOWNS 25 23RUSHES-YARDS (NET) 44-148 48-194PASSING YDS (NET) 256 276Passes Att-Comp-Int 30-18-2 21-13-1TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS 74-404 69-470Fumble Returns-Yards 0-0 1-13Punt Returns-Yards 1-1 1-0Kickoff Returns-Yards 6-114 5-101Interception Returns-Yards 1-53 2-89Punts (Number-Avg) 2-46.5 1-48.0Fumbles-Lost 2-2 3-1Penalties-Yards 5-35 4-35Possession Time 28:36 31:24Third-Down Conversions 4 of 10 11 of 16Fourth-Down Conversions 1 of 2 0 of 2Red-Zone Scores-Chances 0-0 0-0Sacks By: Number-Yards 2-8 2-11

Individual LeadersRUSHING: LSU-Kevin Faulk 31-108; Herb Tyler 9-26; Rondell Mealey 2-11; Larry Foster 2-3.Notre Dame-Jarious Jackson 21-80; Autry Denson 23-80; David Givens 1-22; Jamie Spencer 3-12. PASSING: LSU-Herb Tyler 14-21-2-186; Craig Nall 4-9-0-70. Notre Dame-Jarious Jackson 13-21-1-276. RECEIVING: LSU-Abram Booty 8-153; Larry Foster 5-49; Reggie Robinson 2-34; Kyle Kipps 2-16;Tommy Banks 1-4. Notre Dame-Raki Nelson 4-78; Malcolm Johnson 4-62; Jabari Holloway 3-71;Bobby Brown 2-65. INTERCEPTIONS: LSU-Mark Roman 1-53. Notre Dame-Bobbie Howard 1-89; A'Jani Sanders 1-0. FUMBLES: LSU-Kevin Faulk 1-1; Herb Tyler Herb 1-1. Notre Dame-Tony Driver 1-1; Jamie Spencer1-0; Jarious Jackson 1-0.

Scoring Summary

(AP) - Jarious Jackson passed for 276 yards, ran for 80 more and engineered the winningfourth-quarter touchdown drive as Notre Dame beat LSU 39-36 on Saturday to keep its hopesfor a Bowl Championship Series appearance alive.

Jackson threw touchdown passes of 8 and 10 yards as the Irish (9-1) scored 19 unan-swered points to go undefeated at home for the first time since 1989.

Coming off the bench for an injured Herb Tyler, LSU freshman Craig Nall had two chancesto pull out a win in the final 90 seconds for the Tigers (4-6). His first shot ended at the NotreDame 31 with 21 seconds left as his pass in the flat fell incomplete on fourth-and-eight.

The Tigers then got the ball back with one second left after Notre Dame coach Bob Davieelected to have Jackson take a safety in the back of the end zone rather than punt the ball onfourth-and-16 from the Notre Dame 10.

Jackson was injured as he was tackled in the end zone and stayed down on the grass fora few minutes before getting up on his own power and trotting off the field. Coach Bob Daviesaid Jackson injured his knee and will probably miss the season finale next week againstSouthern California.

After the Tigers fielded the line-drive kickoff at the Notre Dame 46, Nall's pass fell incom-plete at the one-yard line, and Notre Dame escaped with their sixth win at home this season.

Tyler, who injured his hamstring, led the Tigers to a 34-20 lead in the third quarter, throw-ing for 186 yards and touchdown passes to Abram Booty of 27 and 18 yards before Notre Damebegan its comeback.

First, Jackson marched the Irish 78 yards in eight plays and hit Malcolm Johnson for aneight-yard touchdown pass to pull within seven points.

The Tigers got the ball back at their own 21-yard line and methodically drove down fieldto the Notre Dame 17 before Tyler threw to his left and was picked off by Bobby Howard, whoreturned the interception 89 yards for a touchdown. Jim Sanson missed the extra point, leavingthe Irish down by one.

Danny Boyd missed a 42-yard field goal attempt on LSU's next possession, and Jacksontook over at Notre Dame's own 35 before driving for the winning score.

Jackson's career day included 8-of-10 passing on third down for 184 yards.His performance overshadowed running back Kevin Faulk's record setting day in which he

became LSU's career leader in most rushing touchdowns (45), most touchdowns overall (52) andmost points scored (312). He finished with 108 yards rushing on 31 carries and returned a kick-off 88 yards for a touchdown to put LSU up 21-14 at the half.

The kickoff return came after Faulk fumbled the ball, which Lamont Bryant picked up andreturned 13 yards for a touchdown.

The Last MeetingNo. 10 Notre Dame 39, LSU 36

Nov. 21, 1998


1 2 3 4 FNotre Dame 3 3 0 3 -- 9LSU 0 3 10 14 -- 27

First Quarter 7:13 ND Scott Cengia 33 yd field goal, 9-70 4:03, ND 3, LSU 0.

Second Quarter 7:12 LSU Wade Richey 37 yd field goal, 4-4 1:54, ND 3, LSU 3.0:20 ND Scott Cengia 21 yd field goal, 14-60 6:52, ND 6, LSU 3.

Third Quarter 9:17 LSU Wade Richey 42 yd field goal, 12-46 5:43, ND 6, LSU 6.4:05 LSU Abram Booty 12 yd pass from Herb Tyler (Pat Richey kick), 8-49 3:31, LSU 13,ND 6.

Fourth Quarter 13:10 ND Scott Cengia 33 yd field goal, 8-61 2:34, Score: LSU 13, ND 9.12:47 LSU Rondell Mealey 2 yd run (Pat Richey kick), 2-80 0:23, LSU 20, ND 9.2:22 LSU Rondell Mealey 1 yd run (Pat Richey kick), 7-35 3:19, LSU 27, ND 9.

Team Statistics ND LSU First Downs 19 19Rushing 10 14Passing 6 5Penalty 3 0Rushing Attempts 41 52Yards Rushing 198 294Yards Lost Rushing 70 29Net Yards Rushing 128 265Net Yards Passing 115 61Passes Attempted 25 12Passes Completed 13 5Had Intercepted 0 0Total Offensive Plays 66 64Total Net Yards 243 326Average Gain Per Play 3.7 5.1Fumbles: Number-Lost 1-1 0-0Penalties: Number-Yards 5-30 5-55Number of Punts-Yards 5-225 4-143Average Per Punt 45.0 35.8Punt Returns: Number-Yards 2-23 3-38Kickoff Returns: Number-Yards 4-61 2-34Interceptions: Number-Yards 0-0 0-0Third Down Conversions 6-16 7-15Fourth Down Conversions 0-1 1-1Possession Time 29:56 30:04Sacks By: Number-Yards 3-18 7-62

Individual LeadersRUSHING: Notre Dame-Autry Denson 20-101; Ken Barry 8-43; Tony Driver 1-1; Clement Stokes1-minus 2; Jarious Jackson 4-minus 2; Ron Powlus 7-minus 13. LSU-Rondell Mealey 34-222;Tommy Banks 6-23; Herb Tyler 9-13; Kevin Faulk 3-7.PASSING: Notre Dame-Ron Powlus 8-18-0-66; Jarious Jackson 5-7-0-49. LSU-Herb Tyler 5-12-0-61. RECEIVING: Notre Dame-Malcolm Johnson 5-49; Autry Denson 3-32; Joey Getherall 3-23; BobbyBrown 1-10; Ken Barry 1-1. LSU-Abram Booty 5-61.

Scoring Summary

(AP) - Even the uniforms were different.The LSU football team Notre Dame played in Baton Rouge last November was nowhere to

be seen in the Tigers' 27-9 Independence Bowl victory over the Irish.LSU's change to gold jerseys and white helmets was the only superficial alteration. The

Tigers' heart, desire and show of toughness made the "Red River Rematch" a night of Tigerrevenge of November's 24-6 defeat.

Toothless in the last meeting, the 9-3 Tigers took a bite out of everything the 7-6 Irish triedto do.

The biggest difference was LSU tailback Rondell Mealey. Subbing for Kevin Faulk, who leftwith an ankle injury early in the game, Mealey rushed for 220 yards on 34 carries. Mealey's 78-yard run early in the fourth quarter set up his two-yard touchdown run on the next play thatgave the Tigers a commanding 20-9 advantage with 12:47 to play in the game. Another 31-yardrun led to the Tigers' final score with just under 2 1/2 minutes to play.

Mealey and LSU's offense did to the Irish what Notre Dame tried to do to the Tigers. Heran right up the middle and dared the Irish to stop him. Too many times, they didn't.

Notre Dame missed a pair of golden scoring opportunities in the first half, settling for fieldgoals instead of touchdowns.

Trailing 6-3 at halftime, LSU came out in the third quarter like it was tired of being pushedaround. The Tigers engaged an aggressive running game behind Mealey and marched down thefield to even up the score 6-6 with a 42-yard field goal from Wade Richey.

After the Tigers went 46 yards on 12 plays and then hit the field goal, the Irish buriedthemselves on the ensuing kickoff. Allen Rossum slipped inside the Irish 10 and the offense wasstopped. Hunter Smith punted to midfield, but the Tiger express kept churning.

It was obvious the LSU game plan was to pick on Notre Dame senior cornerback IvoryCovington whenever the ball went in the air. Freshman receiver Abram Booty, who was defend-ed by Covington, caught each of the first five LSU completions, the fifth for a 12-yard touchdownwith 4:05 left in the third quarter for a 13-6 LSU lead.

Notre Dame's frustration in the third quarter carried over into the post-season. The Irishoffense generated just 18 total yards and one first down on nine total plays in the entire thirdquarter as they headed into the fourth quarter trailing by seven points.

Irish senior kicker Scott Cengia matched his career high for field goals in a game andequaled his total for the entire '97 season by kicking his third field goal of the game with 13:10left to cut the LSU lead to 13-9. Notre Dame quarterback Ron Powlus helped his team shake itsthird quarter blues by scrambling 26 yards early in the fourth quarter to get inside the LSU 20for the third time. For the third time, the Irish settled for a 33-yard field goal.

Mistakes marred a first half that wasn't even a distant cousin to the one Notre Dameplayed the last time the Irish met LSU. A fumble and two inept red-zone tries -- one that went tothe LSU 13 and another that got to the 2 -- kept Notre Dame from making much headway whileclinging to a 6-3 advantage at intermission.

A fumble by backup quarterback Jarious Jackson on his first play from scrimmage in thesecond quarter set up a Tigers' score, a 37-yard field goal by Richey at the 7:12 mark.

Richey, a senior who was hotly recruited by Notre Dame four years ago, connected on onlyhis fourth field goal of the season and second since the second game of the season.

Jackson took his first snap and tried to keep the ball on an option. While straining forextra yardage, the ball was stripped and recovered by Mark Roman on the Irish 24. The brightspot was that Notre Dame's defense held and forced the three-pointer.

Notre Dame's offense concentrated on attacking the interior of the LSU defensive front.Tailback Autry Denson pounded the middle and bounced to the outside repeatedly, gaining 68yards on 14 carries.

Denson's long run of the half, 35 yards, went down to the LSU 13 and gave the Irish anopportunity to score on their second possession of the first half. Denson ran three times, slippingonce, and lost four yards to set up Cengia for a 33-yard field goal.

Cengia connected on a 21-yard field goal 20 seconds before halftime to cap the scoring.Quarterback Ron Powlus connected on a pair of passes to Malcolm Johnson for 11 and eightyards and a 10-yarder to Joey Getherall to help navigate the ball 60 yards to the LSU 4.However, the Irish floundered. Ken Barry, Tony Driver and Clement Stokes each carried the ballonce for a net-zero yards and Cengia came on the field.

The Last Bowl Meeting (Independence)No. 15 LSU 27, Notre Dame 9

Dec. 28, 1997


Charlie Weis sidelinesJohn Latina sidelinesBill Lewis sidelinesMichael Haywood sidelinesRick Minter press boxRob Ianello press boxJappy Oliver sidelinesBernie Parmalee sidelinesBrian Polian sidelinesPeter Vaas press boxGrad. Asst. Shane Waldron press boxGrad. Asst. Jeff Burrow press box

Victor Abiamiri Ab-ee-uh-MEER-eeChase Anastasio ahn-uh-STAH-zee-ohAsaph Schwapp A-sopp shwoppDavid Bruton BREW-tonDerrell Hand du-RELLLeo Ferrine Fuh-REENChris Frome Fr-ROMCarl Gioia JOY-uhPat Kuntz KoontzDerek Landri LAN-dreeBrian Mattes MATT-isMunir Prince MOON-yearChindeum Ndukwe SHIN-uh-doom en-DUKE-wayRhema McKnight RAY-maRaeshon McNeil RAY-shawnKonrad Reuland ROO-landJeff Samardzija suh-MARR-zhuhMichael Turkovich Turk-uh-vitchAnthony Vernaglia ver-NAG-lee-uhTom Zbikowski zib-uh-COW-ski

1. Ohio State (112) 12-02. Florida (1) 12-13. Michigan 11-14. LSU 10-25. Louisville 11-16. Wisconsin 11-17. USC 10-28. Oklahoma 11-29. Boise State 12-010. Auburn 10-211111111.... Notre Dame 10-212. West Virginia 10-213. Arkansas 10-314. Wake Forest 11-215. Virginia Tech 10-216. Rutgers 10-217. Texas 9-318. Tennessee 9-319. Brigham Young 10-220. California 9-3

Coaching Staff Locations...

Pronunciation Guide

Harris Interactive Poll

How Do They Stack Up?Average weight of the offensive and defensive linesND OL 294.0 lbs. vs. LSU DL 287.8 lbs. ND DL 277.0 lbs. vs. LSU OL 313.0 lbs.

Average height of the receivers and the secondariesND WR/TE 6’ 4” vs. LSU DB 6’ 1“ ND DB 6’ 0” vs. LSU WR/TE 6’ 3”

Weis Guys a Resilient BunchNotre Dame is 19-5 under second year head coach Charlie Weis. Even more impressive than his .792 winning percentage, is Weis’perfect 4-0 record following a loss. Notre Dame’s average margin of victory in those four games is 13 points.

Brady Quinn Finishes Third in Heisman Trophy BallotingNotre Dame senior quarterback Brady Quinn finished third in the voting for the 2006 Heisman Trophy, making him the highestIrish finisher since Raghib Ismail took second to BYU's Ty Detmer in the 1990 Heisman race.

Quinn, the 2006 Maxwell Award winner, led Notre Dame to a 10-2 regular season and a second consecutive BCS bowlappearance. He threw for a school record 35 touchdown passes and 3,278 yards. Quinn eclipsed 3,000 yards passing for the sec-ond straight season (only Notre Dame player to ever accomplish the feat once, let alone twice). He tossed just five interceptionsall season and actually went 226 consecutive passes without a pick over one stretch. Quinn not only holds 36 school records, butalso ranks among the top 10 in NCAA Division I-A history in both passing yards (11,614) and passing touchdowns (93).

Player 1st 2nd 3rd TotalTroy Smith, Ohio State 801 62 13 2540Darren McFadden, Arkansas 45 298 147 878Brady Quinn, Notre Dame 13 276 191 782Steve Slaton, West Virginia 6 51 94 214Mike Hart, Michigan 5 58 79 210

Jeff Samardzija Named FWAA All-AmericanNotre Dame senior wide receiver Jeff Samardzija was named to the 63rd Annual Football Writers Association of America All-America Team. Samardzija was the only repeat first team All-American on the squad. He became the first Irish player to earn firstteam All-America status in consecutive seasons since Bobby Taylor in 1993 and 1994. Samardzija, a Walter Camp second team All-American and Biletnikoff finalist in 2006, has completely re-written the Irish receiving recod book. He leads Notre Dame with 70catches and 958 yards in 2006. Samardzija has also grabbed 11 touchdown passes. Samardzija owns the school record for careerreceptions (171), career receiving touchdowns (26) and career receiving yards (2,534).

Quinn, Samardzija and Zbikowski Earn Mention on AP All-America TeamsNotre Dame senior quarterback Brady Quinn and senior wide receiver Jeff Samardzija were named second team All-Americans,while senior safety Tom Zbikowski earned third team as announced by the Associated Press.

Quinn, who finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting, has already taken home the Maxwell Award (top collegeplayer) and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (top senior quarterback) in 2006. He tossed a school record 35 touchdown passesand 3,278 yards. His 35 touchdowns this season ranked third in the NCAA. Quinn eclipsed 3,000 yards passing for the secondstraight season (only Irish player to ever accomplish the feat once, let alone twice). He also recorded just five interceptions all sea-son and actually went 226 consecutive passes without a pick over one stretch. Quinn not only holds 36 school records, but alsoranks among the top 10 in NCAA Division I-A history in both passing yards (11,614) and passing touchdowns (93).

Samardzija, already named first team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America, was the first Irishplayer to earn first team All-America status in consecutive seasons since Bobby Taylor in 1993 and 1994. Samardzija has com-pletely re-written the Irish receiving record book. A Walter Camp second team All-American and Biletnikoff finalist in 2006, heleads Notre Dame with 70 catches and 958 yards. Samardzija has also grabbed 11 touchdown passes. He owns the school recordfor career receptions (171), career receiving touchdowns (26) and career receiving yards (2,534).

Zbikowski ranks third on the Notre Dame defense with 69 tackles despite missing one game due to an injury. Headded one tackle for loss, one pass break-up, two quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and a 25-yard fumble return for touch-down. Zbikowski also excelled as a punt returner, returning one 52 yards for a touchdown against North Carolina. The touchdownwas his third career punt return for a score and seventh overall return for touchdown.

Samardzija was a second team selection by the AP in 2005, while Quinn and Zbikowski were third team honorees.

Eight Irish Players Headed to All-Star GamesEight Notre Dame football players have been selected to participate in post-season all-star games. Dan Santucci and Derek Landriwill participate in the East/West Shrine Game which will be played at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, Saturday, Jan. 20 at 7p.m., EST. ESPN2 will broadcast the game live. One week later, Brady Quinn, Jeff Samardzija, Rhema McKnight, Ryan Harris andVictor Abiamiri will play in the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 27. The NFL Network will televise thatgame live beginning at 3 p.m., EST. Bob Morton will play in the Hula Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii on Sun., Jan. 14 at 8:30 p.m., EST.


Brady Quinn Named Johnny Unitas Award WinnerNotre Dame senior Brady Quinn was named the 2006 recipient of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Quinn is the 20th recip-ient of the annual award presented to the nation’s top senior quarterback. He defeated John Beck (BYU), Kevin Kolb (Houston),Troy Smith (Ohio State) and Drew Stanton (Michigan State) to win the award. Candidates were judged upon character, citizenship,scholastic achievement, leadership qualities and athletic accomplishments.

Quinn, who also claimed the 2006 Notre Dame football MVP award, has thrown for 3,278 yards and 35 touchdowns –breaking his own school record – with just five interceptions while completing 63.4 percent of his passes this year. A four-yearstarter and two-year captain, Quinn is set to graduate this December, completing his undergraduate work in 3.5 years, with dualdegrees in political science and finance. He is also a finalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, Maxwell Award (topall-around player) and Davey O’Brien Award (top quarterback).

Quinn becomes the second Irish quarterback to win the Golden Arm Award, joining 1989 recipient Tony Rice.

John Carlson Finalist For The Mackey AwardNotre Dame senior John Carlson was one of three finalists for the 2006 John Mackey Award. The Mackey Award is given to thecollegiate tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of NFL Hall of Fame TightEnd John Mackey. Carlson exploded onto the scene in 2006 becoming Notre Dame’s third-leading receiver in terms of yardageand worked his way into the Fighting Irish record books. The 6-6, 256-pound student-athlete from Litchfield, Minn. caught 46 pass-es for 621 yards and four touchdowns before injuring his knee in the third offensive series at Air Force. He missed the rest of thegame against the Falcons as well as the final two regular-season contests, but is scheduled to return for Notre Dame’s Sugar Bowlgame with LSU. Carlson recorded the second-most receiving yards in a single season ever by a Notre Dame tight end and ranksthird for most receptions in a single season by a tight end. He ranks second in the NCAA Division I in receptions per game by atight end and sits third for most receiving yards per game by a tight end this year.

John Carlson Named To ESPN The Magazine First-Team Academic All-America TeamNotre Dame senior tight end John Carlson was named an ESPN The Magazine First-Team Academic All-American. Carlson becomesthe 179th Academic All-American in Notre Dame’s history and 30th member of the Fighting Irish football team to receive the honorand the first since Tim Ruddy in 1993.

A history major in the College of Arts and Letters, Carlson boasts a cumulative grade point average of 3.59 and earned a3.8 GPA during the 2006 spring semester. The native of Litchfield, Minn. is a member of the Academic Honors program at NotreDame and is also one of the football team’s representatives on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

2006 Notre Dame Football AwardsRecord-setting senior quarterback Brady Quinn - who ranks as Notre Dame's most prolific signal-caller in its history, based on hiscareer passing totals of 914 completions in 1,567 attempts (.583) for 11,614 yards and 93 touchdowns, claimed the 2006 NotreDame football MVP award, presented by the Notre Dame Monogram Club.

With the Sugar Bowl remaining to add to his 2006 totals, Quinn (from Dublin, Ohio) has thrown for 3,278 yards and 35TDs (an Irish single-season record) on 274 completions on 432 attempts (.634). Already holder of 36 Notre Dame career, single-season and single-game records, he set the Irish single-season marks for passing yards (3,633) and completions (292) in 2005.Quinn also set an Irish single-game mark in 2005 with six TD passes versus BYU.

Senior offensive tackle Ryan Harris won the Guardian of the Year Award from the Guardian Life Insurance Company as thetop offensive lineman. A four-year starter at left tackle for the Irish, Harris has started all 12 games so far in 2006 and 44 straightin his career. He helped pave the way for two-time 1,000-yard rusher Darius Walker (1,139 yards in 2006, after 1,106 yards in2005), the all-time career and single-season receiver at Notre Dame (Samardzija), a second receiver in senior Rhema McKnightwho also broke the previous career reception mark and a quarterback (Quinn) who rewrote the Irish record book. Harris (fromSt. Paul, Minn.) is enrolled as a political science and economics major (with a 3.087 cumulative grade-point average).

Senior defensive end Victor Abiamiri (from Randallstown, Md.) won the Lineman of the Year Award from the Moose KrauseChapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame for the second straight year. He leads all Irish defensive players in2006 with 10 sacks (second highest total at Notre Dame for a season), to go with 14.5 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hurriesand 42 overall tackles. Abiamiri is third in career sacks at Notre Dame (21) and fifth in career tackles for loss (39.5). He's enrolledin the Mendoza College of Business as a finance major (3.006 cumulative GPA).

Senior linebacker Travis Thomas won the Nick Pietrosante Award as the individual who best exemplifies the courage, loyal-t y, teamwork, dedication and pride shown by the late Irish All-America fullback. Pietrosante, Notre Dame's leading rusher in 1957and 1958 (and later a number-one draft pick and two-time all-pro selection with the Detroit Lions), died of cancer on Feb. 6, 1988.Notre Dame's special teams captain for 2006, Thomas made the switch from tailback to linebacker prior to the start of the sea-son and currently has 33 tackles, five tackles for loss and a sack. He also remains an option as a running back and has carried 11times for 76 yards and two TDs.

Senior offensive guard Dan Santucci received the Knute Rockne Student-Athlete Award from the Notre Dame Club of St.Joseph Valley. He finished with a 3.359 grade-point average after graduating last May as a marketing major in the MendozaCollege of Business. A senior from Harwood Heights, Ill., Santucci has started all 12 games at left offensive guard (25 in his career)and has joined his linemate Harris in leading the way for an offense that ranks among the national leaders with averages of 273.8passing yards, 398.0 total yards and 32.4 points.

ASSOCIATED PRESS (Dec. 3)Rk School Record Pts1. Ohio State (65) 12-0 16252. Florida 12-1 15293. Michigan 11-1 15264. LSU 10-2 13655. Louisville 11-1 13336. Wisconsin 11-1 12557. Oklahoma 11-2 12328. USC 10-2 11829. Boise State 12-0 109710. Auburn 10-2 102011. Notre Dame 10-2 93912. Arkansas 10-3 86713. West Virginia 10-2 86514. Virginia Tech 10-2 79815. Wake Forest 11-2 76616. Rutgers 10-2 63117. Tennessee 9-3 57618. Texas 9-3 56419. Brigham Young 10-2 43620. California 9-3 39021. Texas A&M 9-3 37922. Nebraska 9-4 19323. Boston College 9-3 17924. Oregon State 9-4 11225. TCU 10-2 80Others Irish Opponents Receiving Votes: Georgia Tech 53,Penn State 9, Navy 4, UCLA 2.USA TODAY/COACHES (Dec. 3)Rk School Record Pts1. Ohio State (62) 12-0 15502. Florida 12-1 14703. Michigan 11-1 14444. LSU 10-2 12995. Wisconsin 11-1 12636. Louisville 11-1 12237. USC 10-2 11738. Oklahoma 11-2 11159. Boise State 12-0 105310. Auburn 10-2 100011. Notre Dame 10-2 92312. West Virginia 10-2 80013. Arkansas 10-3 79814. Virginia Tech 10-2 78115. Wake Forest 11-2 74516. Texas 9-3 58217. Rutgers 10-2 56718. Tennessee 9-3 50019. California 9-3 43620. Brigham Young 10-2 36921. Texas A&M 9-3 30322. Nebraska 9-4 24223. Boston College 9-3 17524. TCU 10-2 9525. Oregon State 9-4 7225. Georgia Tech 9-4 72Others Irish Opponents Receiving Votes: Penn State 10,Navy 2.BOLD indicates 2006 Notre Dame opponents

National Rankings


In the 118 years of Notre Dame football, a total of 31 Irish foot-ball players have hailed from the state of Louisiana. Among themore notable of the 31 Irish football players from Louisiana are:

Al Ecuyer, a native of New Orleans, was a three-year starter atguard for the Irish from 1956-58. He was a consensus All-American in 1957 and served as team co-captain in 1958. Ecuyerwas chosen in the 18th round of the 1959 NFL Draft by the NewYork Giants.

Michael Stonebreaker, a native of River Ridge, was a three-yearstarting linebacker for the Irish from 1986-90. He was a unani-mous All-America selection in 1990 and finished third in the bal-loting for the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker.Stonebreaker had 220 career tackles with eight pass break ups,five interceptions, five sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumblerecoveries and one touchdown.

Joe Heap, a native of Abita Springs, led the Irish in receiving forthree consecutive seasons (1952-54) despite playing halfback. Heholds the school record for career receiving yards by an Irish run-ning back (1,137 yards). Heap also shares the school record ofseven career touchdown receptions by an Irish running back withJim Morse (1951-54).

A list of the 31 Louisianans who have played football for theFighting Irish:

Name Hometown Years PositionArnaz Battle Shreveport 1998-02 QB/FLJoe Beach New Orleans 1933-34 HBJames Carmody Shreveport 1930 TTony Cash New Orleans 1944 EBill Cassidy Bogalusa 1929 GIrwin Davis Ponchatoula 1933-34 REDonald Dykes Hammond 1999-01 SSAl Ecuyer New Orleans 1956-58 GRay Espenan New Orleans 1946-49 ECedric Figaro Lafayette 1984-87 LBJohn Flood Monroe 1981 CBenny Guilbeaux Opelousas 1995-98 SSBrandon Harris New Orleans 2004-05 WRGregory Harris Baton Rouge 1985-87 LBJoe Heap Abita Springs 1951-54 HBCarl Hebert Lafayette 1955-57 QBShelton Jordan Opelousas 1996-97 DEJoe LeBlanc LaFourche Crossing 1911 TPaul Limont New Orleans 1942-43, ‘46 REGerry Marchand Baton Rouge 1950 FBBill Owens Lafayette 1957 EJohn Petitbon New Orleans 1949-51 HBJohn Powers Baton Rouge 1959-61 EEdward Prudhomme Bermuda 1887-89 HBCasey Robin Covington 1999-01 OGNorb Roy Baton Rouge 1959-61 GJim Ryan Shreveport 1965-66 KJamie Spencer Monroe 1995-98 FBMichael Stonebreaker River Ridge 1986-88, ‘90 LBRod West New Orleans 1987-89 TEBrock Williams Hammond 1997-98, ‘00 CB

Irish Louisianans Senior tight end John Carlson (from Litchfield, Minn.) won the Westwood One/State Farm Student-Athlete of the Year Award.A first-team CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Academic All-America selection for 2006 (Notre Dame's firstin football since 1993), he was one of 12 weekly student-athlete academic honorees announced during Westwood One nationalradio broadcasts of Irish games in 2006. Carlson is a history major in the College of Arts and Letters who boasts a 3.596 cumula-tive GPA. Carlson caught 46 passes for 621 yards and four TDs during the regular season and ranks as a finalist for the JohnMackey Award as the top tight end in the country.

Notre Dame’s 2006 Season• Notre Dame finished the 2006 regular season with a 10-2 record, marking a slight improvement over last season (9-2 recordin 2005). The Irish have scored 20 or more points in 11 straight games and eclipsed 30+ points in eight games.• Notre Dame has a 5-2 record vs. bowl teams this season, including an 0-2 record vs. BCS teams (losses to Michigan and USC).The seven Irish opponents in bowls are: Georgia Tech (vs. West Virginia in Gator), Penn State (vs. Tennessee in Outback), Michigan(vs. USC in Rose), Purdue (vs. Maryland in Champs Sports), Navy (vs. Boston College in Meineke Car Care), UCLA (vs. Florida Statein Emerald) and USC (vs. Michigan in Rose).

Notre Dame in January Bowl GamesNotre Dame will be making its 22nd appearance in a January bowl game. The Irish are 10-11 in January bowl games enteringthe Sugar Bowl on Jan. 3, including an 8-9 record on Jan. 1. The Irish have never played a bowl game after Jan. 2.

No Turnovers = Victory (Usually)Notre Dame has not committed a turnover in six of its 12 games this season -- and to the surprise of nobody -- the Irish are 6-0in those contests. In fact, Notre Dame went three games in 2005 without a turnover, but actually lost one of those games (OhioState in the Fiesta Bowl). The Irish had not lost a game in which it failed to commit a turnover since the loss at USC to end the2004 regular season. That defeat snapped an amazing 41-game unbeaten streak (40-0-1) since 1985 for the Irish when theydon’t commit a turnover. Prior to that USC game, the last time a Notre Dame team lost a game without committing a turnover wasin a 34-30 loss at Penn State on Nov. 12, 1983. In all, Notre Dame is 48-2-1 since 1983 when not turning over the football.

In The Red Zone• Notre Dame was 4-of-5 in the red zone, including three touchdowns, in the loss at USC on Nov. 25. The Irish are now 43-for-47(.915) in the red zone this season. Notre Dame has only settled for field goals on seven of those trips. The Irish are 88-of-102(.863) in the red zone during the Charlie Weis era. Notre Dame has recorded 75 touchdowns compared to just 13 field goals goals.In other words, the Irish register seven points almost 74 percent of the time they enter the red zone over the past two seasons.Conversely, Notre Dame’s opponents have scored a touchdown on just 19-of-36 trips into the red zone in 2006 (.528).

On Third & Fourth Down• Notre Dame is now 62-for-161 (.385) on third down for the season. While the Irish have gone 24-for-49 (.490) on third downthe past four games, including 6-for-10 against Army on Nov. 18, the statistic is way down from a year ago. The Irish converted90-of-184 (.489) on third downs in 2005, which ranked seventh in the NCAA. While Notre Dame has struggled on third down,fourth down to this point of the season is a different story. The Irish are 19-for-32 on fourth down this season and rank 30th inthe NCAA with a .594 conversion rate. In fact, only New Mexico State has more fourth down conversions than Notre Dame, butthe Irish have failed to convert on fourth down in seven of their last nine attempts.

Eighth-Best in the NCAA Since 1988Notre Dame has the nation’s eighth best record over the last 19 seasons, or since the start of 1988. The Irish have posted a 162-65-2 record. The best Division I-A records from the start of 1988 (research courtesy University of Colorado):

Rank School G W L T Pct.1. Florida State 235 191 43 1 .8152. Miami, Fla. 228 183 45 0 .8033. Nebraska 235 187 47 1 .7984. Michigan 231 175 52 4 .7665. Florida 235 178 56 1 .7606. Tennessee 232 174 55 3 .7567. Ohio State 233 173 56 4 .7518. Notre Dame 229 162 65 2 .7129. Texas 229 157 70 2 .69010. Penn State 229 155 73 1 .679

Running Game is Key For Notre DameFor the most part in 2006, success running the football led to success in the win column for Notre Dame. In the Irish’s 10 victo-ries, Notre Dame has averaged 135.7 yards per game on the ground and 3.9 yards per rushing attempt (1,357 yards on 344 car-ries). In the Irish’s two losses, Notre Dame has averaged 67.0 yards per game via the rush and 2.8 yards per attempt (134 yards


Career Passing YardsRk. Name, School Years Yards1. Timmy Chang, Hawaii 2000-04 17,0722. Ty Detmer, Brigham Young 1988-91 15,0313. Philip Rivers, NC State 2000-03 13,4844. Tim Rattay, Louisiana 1997-99 12,7465. Luke McCown, Louisiana Tech 2000-03 12,6666. Kevin Kolb, Houston active 12,5787. Chris Redman, Louisville 1996-99 12,5418. Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech 1999-02 12,4299. Byron Leftwich, Marshall 1998-02 11,90310. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame active 11,61411. David Greene, Georgia 2001-04 11,52812. Gino Guidugli, Cincinnati 2001-04 11,453Career Passing TouchdownsRk. Name, School Years Yards1. Ty Detmer, Brigham Young 1988-91 1212. Timmy Chang, Hawaii 2000-04 1173. Tim Rattay, Louisiana 1997-99 1154. Danny Wuerf fel, Florida 1993-96 1145. Chad Pennington, Marshall 1997-99 1006. Matt Leinart, USC 2002-05 997. Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech 1999-02 957. Philip Rivers, NC State 2000-03 959. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame active 9310. David Klingler, Housston 1988-91 9111. Byron Leftwich, Marshall 1998-02 89

Peyton Manning, Tennessee 1994-97 89Career Pass AttemptsRk. Name, School Years Yards1. Timmy Chang, Hawaii 2000-04 2,4362. Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech 1999-02 1,8833. Luke McCown, Louisiana Tech 2000-03 1,7754. Philip Rivers, NC State 2000-03 1,7105. Chris Redman, Louisville 1996-99 1,6796. Brett Basanez, Northwestern 2002-05 1,5847. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame active 1,5678. Gino Guidugli, Cincinnati 2001-04 1,5569. Tim Rattay, Louisiana 1997-99 1,55210. Ty Detmer, Brigham Young 1988-91 1,53011. Kevin Kolb, Houston active 1,52612. Drew Brees, Purdue 1997-00 1,525Career Pass CompletionsRk. Name, School Years Yards1. Timmy Chang, Hawaii 2000-04 1,3882. Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech 1999-02 1,2313. Philip Rivers, NC State 2000-03 1,1474. Luke McCown, Louisiana Tech 2000-03 1,0635. Chris Redman, Louisville 1996-99 1,0316. Tim Rattay, Louisiana 1997-99 1,0157. Ty Detmer, Brigham Young 1988-91 9588. Drew Brees, Purdue 1997-00 9429. Byron Leftwich, Marshall 1998-02 93910. Kevin Kolb, Houston active 93811. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame active 91412. Brett Basanez, Northwestern 2002-05 913

Charlie Frye, Akron 2001-04 913

Brady Quinn’s Assault on the NCAADivision I-A Record Book

on 48 carries). Notre Dame’s best rushing performance in a victory this year was a 221-yard effort against Army. The exceptionto this trend occurred in the victories over Michigan State and UCLA when the Irish rushed for 47 yards on 17 attempts (2.8 avg.)and 41 yards on 35 attempts (1.2 avg.), respectively. Here’s a comparison of rushing totals for wins and losses:

RUSHING GAME IN WINS (10) RUSHING GAME IN LOSSES (2)Opponent Att. Yards Avg. TD Opponent Att. Yards Avg. TDat Georgia Tech 40 138 3.5 2 Michigan 17 4 0.2 0Penn State 36 110 3.1 1 at USC 31 130 4.2 0at Michigan State 17 47 2.8 0 Totals 48 134 2.8 0Purdue 43 138 3.2 3Stanford 39 204 5.2 1UCLA 35 41 1.2 0Navy 37 176 4.8 2North Carolina 35 106 3.0 1at Air Force 27 176 6.5 1Army 35 221 6.3 3Totals 344 1,357 3.9 14

They Shall Return• During the past 20 seasons (1987-06), Notre Dame has produced 90 touchdowns via kickoff, punt, interception and fumblereturns –- with the most recent touchdown runback coming Nov. 11 on junior Terrail Lambert’s 76-yard blocked field goal returnat Air Force.• Notre Dame has scored four touchdowns via returns this season, two by the defense (INT return by Lambert at Michigan Stateand fumble return by Tom Zbikowski vs. Penn State) and two by special teams (punt return by Zbikowski against North Carolinaand blocked field goal return by Lambert at Air Force).• In contrast, opponents in the past 20 seasons have combined for 32 total touchdown returns vs. the Irish. Here’s a year-by-yearbreakdown of the Irish return touchdowns since 1986:

Year PU KO INT FUM Year PU KO INT FUM1987 3 0 1 0 1998 0 0 2 31988 2 2 3 0 1999 1 0 2 11989 2 2 3 0 2000 2 1 1 21990 0 2 0 0 2001 0 1 2 11991 1 1 2 0 2002 2 1 4 21992 0 1 0 0 2003 1 0 0 21993 2 1 2 1 2004 0 0 2 11994 0 0 1 1 2005 3 0 2 01995 1 0 2 1 2006 1 0 1 21996 4 1 0 2 ND (90) 25 15 31 191997 0 2 1 0 Opp. (29) 6 5 12 6

Return to SenderThe return game has been a source of strength for Notre Dame in recent years. The Irish have logged 38 returns (punts, kickoffs,fumbles, interceptions) for touchdowns during the past eight seasons (1999-06), a figure that ranks tied for ninth in the countryduring that stretch. Here’s a look at the national leaders in TD returns since 1999 (research courtesy of Colorado):

Rank School 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Bowls Total1. Virginia Tech 8 6 7 7 10 6 6 5 2 572. Miami, Fla. 3 13 11 5 9 8 3 1 3 563. Kansas State 9 5 2 12 6 4 5 8 0 514. Texas 2 6 6 6 9 2 7 8 3 495. Oklahoma 4 7 6 8 9 3 3 4 1 45t-6. Fresno State 5 5 3 5 4 6 6 4 2 40t-6. USC 9 4 8 1 8 3 5 2 0 40t-6. N.C. State 3 2 4 9 10 5 2 4 1 40t-9. Colorado 5 4 7 7 1 6 3 1 4 38t-9. Notre Dame 4 6 4 9 3 3 5 4 0 38

Winning “Ten”DenciesNotre Dame posted 10 wins in a season for the 15th time in school history and the first time since 2002. Among Irish head coach-es, Lou Holtz recorded five 10-win campaigns (1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993), while Knute Rockne had three 10-win seasons(1921, 1924, 1930), as did Ara Parseghian (1970, 1973, 1974). The other Notre Dame coaches to notch 10 wins in a seasonwere Frank Leahy (1949), Dan Devine (1977), Tyrone Willingham (2002) and Charlie Weis (2006).NOTRE DAME VS. LSU 11

Weis Keeps Rolling AlongHead coach Charlie Weis is now 19-5 (.792) in his two seasons on the Irish sidelines. That .792 winning percentage is fifth bestby a Notre Dame head coach over their first 24 career games with the Irish. Weis only trails Frank Leahy (19-2-3, .854), AraParseghian (20-3-1, .854), Jesse Harper (21-3-0, .875) and Knute Rockne (21-1-2, .917).

1. Knute Rockne (21-1-2, .917)Home Record ..........................................................8-0-1Road Record ..........................................................11-1-1Record vs. Ranked Opponents ....................................n/a2. Jesse Harper (21-3-0, .875)Home Record ............................................................10-0Road Record ..............................................................9-3Record vs. Ranked Opponents ....................................n/at-3. Ara Parseghian (20-3-1, .854)Home Record ........................................................11-1-0Road Record ............................................................7-2-1Record vs. Ranked Opponents ..................................2-2-0t-3. Frank Leahy (19-2-3, .854)Home Record ..........................................................8-2-0Road Record ............................................................8-0-1Record vs. Ranked Opponents ..................................6-1-15. Charlie Weis (19-5-0, .792)Home Record ........................................................10-3-0Road Record ............................................................8-1-0Record vs. Ranked Opponents ..................................4-4-0t-6. Terry Brennan (18-6-0, .750)Home Record ..........................................................9-3-0Road Record ............................................................9-2-0Record vs. Ranked Opponents ..................................6-3-0t-6. Dan Devine (18-6-0, .750)Home Record ..........................................................8-3-0Road Record ............................................................8-4-0Record vs. Ranked Opponents ..................................5-4-0

8. Elmer Layden (17-6-1, .729)Home Record ........................................................10-2-0Road Record ............................................................5-2-0Record vs. Ranked Opponents ....................................n/a9. Bob Davie (16-8-0, .667)Home Record ........................................................10-2-0Road Record ............................................................5-5-0Record vs. Ranked Opponents ..................................3-5-0t-10. Hunk Anderson (14-8-2, .625)Home Record ..........................................................4-4-0Road Record ............................................................7-2-1Record vs. Ranked Opponents ....................................n/at-10. Tyrone Willingham (15-9-0, .625)Home Record ........................................................10-5-0Road Record ............................................................6-3-0Record vs. Ranked Opponents ..................................5-7-012. Lou Holtz (14-10-0, .583)Home Record ..........................................................9-3-0Road Record ............................................................4-8-0Record vs. Ranked Opponents ..................................5-8-013. Gerry Faust (12-11-1, .521)Home Record ..........................................................7-5-0Road Record ............................................................4-8-1Record vs. Ranked Opponents ..................................3-8-014. Joe Kuharich (10-14-0, .417)Home Record ..........................................................6-6-0Road Record ............................................................4-7-0Record vs. Ranked Opponents ..................................2-7-0

Profile: Irish Coaches Through 24 Games

TEAM Harris PTS % USA Today PTS % COMP AVG BCS AVG PRVS1 Ohio State 1 2824 .9996 1 1550 1.000 1 .9999 12 Florida 2 2670 .9451 2 1470 .9484 T-2 .9445 43 Michigan 3 2632 .9317 3 1444 .9316 T-2 .9344 34 LSU 4 2372 .8396 4 1299 .8381 5 .8326 55 USC 7 2173 .7692 7 1173 .7568 4 .7953 26 Louisville 5 2272 .8042 6 1223 .7890 6 .7944 67 Wisconsin 6 2229 .7890 5 1263 .8148 10 .7480 78 Boise State 9 1950 .6903 9 1053 .6794 7 .7099 89 Auburn T-10 1725 .6106 10 1000 .6452 8 .6486 1110 Oklahoma 8 1977 .6998 8 1115 .7194 16 .6297 1211 Notre Dame T-10 1725 .6106 11 923 .5955 9 .6287 1012 Arkansas 13 1483 .5250 13 798 .5148 12 .5166 913 West Virginia 12 1485 .5257 12 800 .5161 T-14 .5073 1514 Wake Forest 14 1366 .4835 15 745 .4806 18 .4314 1715 Virginia Tech 15 1358 .4807 14 781 .5039 19 .4282 1416 Rutgers 16 1083 .3834 17 567 .3658 T-14 .4097 1317 Tennessee 18 940 .3327 18 500 .3226 13 .3851 1618 California 20 736 .2605 19 436 .2813 11 .3606 1819 Texas 17 952 .3370 16 582 .3755 T-21 .2875 1920 BYU 19 838 .2966 20 369 .2381 23 .2082 21

BCS Rankings (Final Regular Season)Total Offense1. Brady Quinn . . . . . . .11,790 . . . . . .2003-present2. Ron Powlus . . . . . . . .7,479 . . . . . . . . . .1994-973. Rick Mirer . . . . . . . . .6,691 . . . . . . . . . .1989-924. Steve Beuerlein . . . . .6,459 . . . . . . . . . .1983-865. Jarious Jackson . . . . .5,777 . . . . . . . . . .1996-99Most Passes Attempted1. Brady Quinn . . . . . . .1,567 . . . . . .2003-present2. Ron Powlus . . . . . . . . .969 . . . . . . . . . .1994-973. Steve Beuerlein . . . . . .850 . . . . . . . . . .1983-864. Rick Mirer . . . . . . . . . .698 . . . . . . . . . .1989-925. Blair Kiel . . . . . . . . . . .609 . . . . . . . . . .1980-83Most Passes Completed1. Brady Quinn . . . . . . . .914 . . . . . . .2003-present2. Ron Powlus . . . . . . . . .558 . . . . . . . . . .1994-973. Steve Beuerlein . . . . . .473 . . . . . . . . . .1983-864. Rick Mirer . . . . . . . . . .377 . . . . . . . . . .1989-925. Jarious Jackson . . . . . .306 . . . . . . . . . .1996-99Most Passing Yards1. Brady Quinn . . . . . . .11,614 . . . . . .2003-present2. Ron Powlus . . . . . . . .7,602 . . . . . . . . . .1994-973. Steve Beuerlein . . . . .6,527 . . . . . . . . . .1983-864. Rick Mirer . . . . . . . . .5,997 . . . . . . . . . .1989-925. Jarious Jackson . . . . .4,820 . . . . . . . . . .1996-99Average Passing Yards Per Game1. Brady Quinn . . . . . . .242.0 . . . . . .2003-present2. Ron Powlus . . . . . . . .172.7 . . . . . . . . . .1994-973. Terry Hanratty . . . . . .159.7 . . . . . . . . . .1966-684. Steve Beuerlein . . . . .155.4 . . . . . . . . . .1983-865. Joe Montana . . . . . . .152.6 . . . . . . . . . .1975-78Most Touchdown Passes1. Brady Quinn . . . . . . . . .93 . . . . . . .2003-present2. Ron Powlus . . . . . . . . .52 . . . . . . . . . . .1994-973. Rick Mirer . . . . . . . . . .41 . . . . . . . . . . .1989-924. Jarious Jackson . . . . . .34 . . . . . . . . . . .1996-995. Joe Theismann . . . . . . .31 . . . . . . . . . . .1968-70Most Games with 250+ Passing Yards1. Brady Quinn . . . . . . . . .24 . . . . . . .2003-present

Jarious Jackson . . . . . . .9 . . . . . . . . . . .1996-993. Steve Beuerlein . . . . . . .8 . . . . . . . . . . .1983-86

Ron Powlus . . . . . . . . . .8 . . . . . . . . . . .1994-975. Joe Theismann . . . . . . .5 . . . . . . . . . . .1968-70Completion Percentage (minimum 150 attempts)

1. Kevin McDougal . . . . .62.2 . . . . . . . . . .1990-932. Brady Quinn . . . . . . . .58.3 . . . . . . .2003-present3. Ron Powlus . . . . . . . . .57.5 . . . . . . . . . .1994-974. Jarious Jackson . . . . . .57.1 . . . . . . . . . .1996-995. Joe Theismann . . . . . .56.9 . . . . . . . . . .1968-70Average Rushing Yards Per Game1. Allen Pinkett . . . . . . . .96.1 . . . . . . . . . .1982-852. Autry Denson . . . . . . .95.5 . . . . . . . . . .1995-983. Darius Walker . . . . . . .89.2 . . . . . . . . . . . .active4. George Gipp . . . . . . . .86.7 . . . . . . . . . .1917-205. Vagas Ferguson . . . . . .84.7 . . . . . . . . . .1976-79

An Eye on Career Records


Quick-Strike AttackSince the start of the 2005 season (or the arrival of Charlie Weis), the Irish have scored 27 times in drives that took less than twominutes – 23 passing touchdowns, two field goals, one rushing touchdown and one offensive fumble recovery. 2006 Opponent Scoring Play Plays Yards ElapsedPenn State Rhema McKnight 9-yd TD pass from Brady Quinn 7 69 1:17Michigan Ashley McConnell 3-yd TD pass from Brady Quinn 2 4 0:54Michigan State Rhema McKnight 32-yd TD pass from Brady Quinn 5 60 1:45Michigan State John Carlson 62-yd TD pass from Brady Quinn 5 80 1:57Michigan State Jeff Samardzija 43-yd TD pass from Brady Quinn 5 80 1:56Michigan State Rhema McKnight 14-yd TD pass from Brady Quinn 2 24 1:13UCLA Jeff Samardzija 45-yd TD pass from Brady Quinn 3 80 0:35Navy Rhema McKnight 33-yd TD pass from Brady Quinn 7 80 1:24North Carolina Jeff Samardzija 42-yd TD pass from Brady Quinn 3 43 1:33Air Force Jeff Samardzija 51-yd TD pass from Brady Quinn 2 80 0:54Army David Grimes 0-yd fumble recovery 6 78 1:51Army Rhema McKnight 24-yd TD pass from Brady Quinn 4 40 1:12USC Marcus Freeman 7-yd TD pass from Brady Quinn 1 7 0:272005 Opponent Scoring Play Plays Yards ElapsedPittsburgh Jeff Samardzija 19-yd TD pass from Brady Quinn 2 19 0:45Michigan D.J. Fitzpatrick 43-yard FG 4 8 1:21Michigan State Jeff Samardzija 31-yd TD pass from Brady Quinn 3 34 1:06Michigan State Maurice Stovall 7-yard TD pass from Brady Quinn 5 64 1:17Washington Jeff Samardzija 52-yard TD pass from Brady Quinn 3 60 1:22BYU Maurice Stovall 36-yard TD pass from Brady Quinn 2 75 0:51BYU Maurice Stovall 24-yard TD pass from Brady Quinn 3 55 1:10Tennessee Maurice Stovall 35-yard TD pass from Brady Quinn 3 27 0:54Navy Darius Walker 13-yard run 3 49 0:21Navy Anthony Fasano 8-yard TD pass from Brady Quinn 6 48 0:55Syracuse Maurice Stovall 25-yard TD pass from Brady Quinn 3 36 1:01Syracuse Jeff Samardzija 29-yard TD pass from Brady Quinn 2 40 0:34Syracuse D.J. Fitzpatrick 44-yard FG 4 1 1:42Stanford Jeff Samardzija 80-yard TD pass from Brady Quinn 2 80 0:15

Soft Schedule, Not So MuchNotre Dame’s schedule in 2006 has been analyzed, dissected and scrutinized for much of the season. Right now the Irish’s sched-ule is ranked 20th by Sagarin and 41st by the NCAA. By comparison, Wisconsin -- a team ranked ahead of the Irish in both polls-- has a schedule ranking of 84th by Sagarin and the NCAA.

Notre Dame has beaten five teams with a winning record in 2006 and all five will appear in a bowl game. The Irish havean opportunity for a sixth in the Sugar Bowl against LSU. Only Florida (7), Boston College (6), Louisville (6), UCLA (6) and USC(6) have more.

Irish Against Top-Five Opponents in Bowl GamesLSU will be Notre Dame’s 15th top-five opponent in a bowl game. The Irish are 8-5 all-time against top-five teams in bowl games.Here is a list of those matchups:

Date Outcome Site Score Opponent (rank)Jan. 2, 2006 L N 20-34 Ohio State (4)Jan. 1, 2000 L N 9-41 Oregon State (5)Jan. 2, 1995 L N 24-41 Colorado (4)Jan. 1, 1993 W N 28-3 Texas A&M (4)Jan. 1, 1992 W N 39-28 Florida (3)Jan. 1, 1991 L N 9-10 Colorado (1)Jan. 1, 1990 W N 21-6 Colorado (1)Jan. 2, 1989 W N 34-21 West Virginia (3)Jan. 1, 1981 L N 10-17 Georgia (1)Jan. 2, 1978 W N 38-10 Texas (1)Jan. 1, 1975 W N 13-11 Alabama (2)Dec. 31, 1973 W N 24-23 Alabama (1)Jan. 1, 1971 W N 24-11 Texas (1)


Rushes 1. Allen Pinkett . . . . . . .889 . . . . . . . . . .1982-852. Autry Denson . . . . . . .854 . . . . . . . . . .1995-983. Vagas Ferguson . . . . . .673 . . . . . . . . . .1976-794. Darius Walker . . . . . . .671 . . . . . . .2004-present5. Julius Jones . . . . . . . . .634 . . . . . . .1999-01, ‘036. Jerome Heavens . . . . .590 . . . . . . . . . .1975-787. Ryan Grant . . . . . . . . .560 . . . . . . . . . .2001-048. Phil Carter . . . . . . . . . .557 . . . . . . . . . .1979-829. Neil Worden . . . . . . . .476 . . . . . . . . . .1951-5310. Tony Brooks . . . . . . . .423 . . . . . . . . . .1987-91Most Pass Receptions by Running Back1. Darius Walker . . . . . . .107 . . . . . . .2004-present2. Allen Pinkett . . . . . . . . .73 . . . . . . . . . . .1982-853. Bob Gladieux . . . . . . . .72 . . . . . . . . . . .1966-684. Joseph Heap . . . . . . . . .71 . . . . . . . . . . .1951-545. Mark Green . . . . . . . . .61 . . . . . . . . . . .1985-88Most Pass Receptions1. Jeff Samardzija . . . . . .171 . . . . . . .2003-present2. Rhema McKnight . . . . .167 . . . . . . .2002-present3. Tom Gatewood . . . . . . .157 . . . . . . . . . .1969-714. Jim Seymour . . . . . . . .138 . . . . . . . . . .1966-685. Tim Brown . . . . . . . . . .137 . . . . . . . . . .1984-876. Maurice Stovall . . . . . .130 . . . . . . . . . .2002-057. Derrick Mayes . . . . . . .129 . . . . . . . . . .1992-958. Ken MacAfee . . . . . . . .128 . . . . . . . . . .1974-779. Tony Hunter . . . . . . . .120 . . . . . . . . . .1979-8210. Malcolm Johnson . . . . .110 . . . . . . . . . .1995-98Most Receiving Yards1. Jeff Samardzija . . . . .2,534 . . . . . .2003-present2. Derrick Mayes . . . . . .2,512 . . . . . . . . . .1992-953. Tim Brown . . . . . . . . .2,493 . . . . . . . . . .1984-874. Tom Gatewood . . . . . .2,283 . . . . . . . . . .1969-715. Rhema McKnight . . . .2,255 . . . . . .2002-present6. Maurice Stovall . . . . .2,195 . . . . . . . . . .2002-057. Jim Seymour . . . . . . .2,113 . . . . . . . . . .1966-688. Tony Hunter . . . . . . . .1,897 . . . . . . . . . .1979-829. Ken MacAfee . . . . . . .1,759 . . . . . . . . . .1974-7710. Malcolm Johnson . . . .1,737 . . . . . . . . . .1995-98Most Receiving Touchdowns1. Jeff Samardzija . . . . . .26 . . . . . . .2003-present2. Derrick Mayes . . . . . . .22 . . . . . . . . . . .1992-95

Rhema McKnight . . . . .22 . . . . . . .2002-present4. Tom Gatewood . . . . . . .19 . . . . . . . . . . .1969-715. Maurice Stovall . . . . . . .18 . . . . . . . . . . .2002-056. Jim Seymour . . . . . . . .16 . . . . . . . . . . .1966-687. Ken MacAfee . . . . . . . .15 . . . . . . . . . . .1974-778. Tim Brown . . . . . . . . . .12 . . . . . . . . . . .1984-87

Bobby Brown . . . . . . . .12 . . . . . . . . . . .1996-9910. Malcolm Johnson . . . . .10 . . . . . . . . . . .1995-98

An Eye on Career Records

Ocean’s 11With a victory against LSU, the Irish would win 11 games for only the sixth time in school history. Notre Dame won at least 11games in 1973 (11-0-0), 1977 (11-1-0), 1988 (12-0-0), 1989 (12-1-0) and 1993 (11-1), with the Irish winning the nationalchampionship in 1977 and 1988.

All The “Night” MovesFor the fourth time in 2006, Notre Dame will be playing at night when it faces LSU in the Sugar Bowl. The Irish have won 63.0percent of their all-time night games (45-26-2). Notre Dame's lifetime record under the lights includes a 32-19-2 (.623) mark onthe road. All together, the Irish are 5-1 in night games during head coach Charlie Weis’ tenure, with all five wins coming on theroad (42-21 at Pittsburgh in 2005; 49-28 at Purdue in 2005; 38-31 at Stanford in 2005, 14-10 at Georgia Tech in 2006, 40-38at Michigan State in 2006).

Quinn On The Verge of Adding One More Notch on his BeltSenior QB Brady Quinn is the holder of 36 Notre Dame school records. He is the all-time leader in just about every passing cate-gory in the history of Irish football, but Quinn has the opportunity to establish a 37th, and quite possibly most rewarding schoolrecord against LSU. Quinn picked up his 29th career victory as a starting quarterback against Army on Nov. 18. He is now tied withTom Clements (1972-74) and Ron Powlus (1994-97) for the school record for career victories by an Irish quarterback (specialthanks to Lou Somogyi for the note).

Rank Player (Years) Record1. Brady Quinn (2003-active) 29-16-02. Tom Clements (1972-74) 29-5-03. Ron Powlus (1994-97) 29-16-14. Tony Rice (1987-89) 28-3-05. Rick Mirer (1990-92) 28-7-1

Samardzija, McKnight, Walker and Carlson Closing In On A MilestoneNotre Dame’s trio of receivers - senior WR Jeff Samardzija, senior WR Rhema McKnight and junior RB Darius Walker - are closingin on a milestone. The group has become the first trio of receivers in school history to have 50 receptions in a single season.Currently, Samardzija leads the group with 70 catches, while McKnight has 64 and Walker has 54. Notre Dame had a pair ofreceivers eclipse 50 receptions in a single-season just once -- 2005 when Samardzija and Maurice Stovall had 77 and 69 respec-tively. Even more amazing, the Irish have a legitimate chance of posting four players with 50 or more receptions. Senior TE JohnCarlson, who has missed each of the last two games (Army and USC) and most of the Air Force game, has 46 receptions as well.Prior to this season, the Irish only had seven players in school history ever grab 50 or more balls in a single-season.

Landri as Active as They Come on Irish Defensive LineSenior DT Derrick Landri ranks fourth on the Irish this season with 65 tackles. He has twice posted games with 11 stops, includingat Air Force on Nov. 11. His 65 tackles are the most for an Irish defensive lineman since Justin Tuck’s 73 tackles in 2003. Landrihas registered more tackles than any Notre Dame interior tackle since Paul Grasmanis had 69 in 1995. He will not, however, eclipsethe school record for tackles in a season by an interior tackle. That record of 113 by Steve Niehaus in 1975 is safe. Landri, whorecorded a career-best 4.5 tackles for loss against Army on Nov. 18, has 15.5 TFLs this season. The last Notre Dame defensive play-er to registered more tackles for loss in a single-game was Anthony Denman on Oct. 28, 2000. Landri’s 15.5 TFLs ranks 12th insingle-season Irish history.Irish Takes Ball Security to Another LevelNotre Dame has committed just 12 turnovers over the entire season and five of those happened in just one game. The Irish havehad six games this season without committing a single turnover. Notre Dame is one of four teams in NCAA Division I-A that have12 or fewer turnovers. The Irish have only thrown five interceptions and only four schools have fewer picks. Notre Dame is alsotied for 16th in the NCAA with only seven fumbles lost. The Irish last led the nation in fewest turnovers during the 2000 seasonwhen Notre Dame set a new NCAA record for fewest turnovers per game in a season -- just eight turnovers in 11 games (0.73 pergame). The eight turnovers for an entire season was an NCAA record as well, shared by Clemson in 1940 and Miami (Ohio) in 1966.

Irish Reacquaint Themselves With The Top 25Notre Dame is ranked in the Associated Press top 20 for the 30th straight week, the longest stretch since 1995-97 (ND went a spanof 35 consecutive weeks). The Irish broke into the top 20 following their 42-21 victory over No. 23 Pittsburgh on Sept. 3, 2005.Notre Dame has risen as high as No. 2 and has not fallen below No. 16 after debuting at No. 20 on Sept. 4. From Sept. 28, 1964through Nov. 17, 1975 the Irish were ranked in the AP polls a school record 159 consecutive weeks.

Offense 2006 Streak CareerQuinn (QB) 12 45 45Harris (LT) 12 44 44Morton (RG) 12 14 40McKnight (WR) 12 12 30Sullivan (C) 12 12 30Santucci (LG) 12 24 25Walker (RB) 12 17 25Samardzija (WR) 12 25 25Carlson (TE) 10 - 16Young (RT) 12 12 12Freeman (TE) 5 4 8McConnell (FB) 2 -- 2Grimes (WR) 6 6 6Anastasio (WR) 2 1 2Defense 2006 Streak CareerLandri (RT) 12 36 37Zbikowski (SS) 11 6 35Abiamiri (LE) 12 25 31Richardson (CB) 12 24 29Crum (LB) 12 24 24Ndukwe (FS) 12 24 24Laws (LT) 12 24 24Wooden (CB) 3 - 15Talley (RE) 4 1 9Thomas, T. (LB) 10 6 10Thomas, M. (LB) 4 1 4Lambert (CB) 9 9 9Frome (DE) 8 8 8Brockington (LB) 7 7 7Walls (CB) 2 2 2Herring (SS) 1 1 1Longest Active StreaksQuinn (QB) 45Harris (LT) 44Landri (RT) 36Abiamiri (LE) 25Samardzija (WR) 25Santucci (LG) 24Richardson (CB) 24Crum (LB) 24Ndukwe (FS) 24Laws (LT) 24Most Career Starts (Active)Quinn (QB) 45Harris (LT) 44Morton (RG) 40Landri (RT) 37Zbikowski (SS) 35Abiamiri (LE) 31McKnight (WR) 30Sullivan (C) 30Richardson (CB) 29Santucci (LG) 25Walker (RB) 25Samardzija (WR) 25

Starter Sheet


Irish Report Over Eight Game Winning StreakNotre Dame registered an eight-game winning streak earlier this season. The winning streak was the longest for the Irish sincethey opened the 2002 season with eight straight wins. Here is an in-depth look into Notre Dame’s stats over the span.

TEAM STATISTICS UND OPP TEAM STATISTICS UND OPPScoring 289 151 Points Per Game 36.1 18.9First Downs 188 133 Rushing Yards 1,109 998Rushing Attempts 268 297 Average Per Rush 4.1 3.4Average Rushing Yards Per Game 138.6 124.8 TDs Rushing 10 4Passing Yards 2,237 1,462 Att-Comp-Int 268-180-2 190-100-6Average Per Pass 8.3 7.7 Average Per Catch 12.4 14.6Average Passing Yards Per Game 279.6 182.8 TDs Passing 26 14Total Offense 3,346 2,460 Total Plays 536 487Average Per Play 6.2 5.1 Average Per Game 418.3 307.5Fumbles-Lost 9-4 9-5 Penalties-Yards 47-388 50-435Punts-Yards 28-1208 39-1663 Average Per Punt 43.1 42.6Time of Possession/Game 30:48 29:12 3rd-Down Conversions 41/99 36/1033rd-Down Pct 41% 35% 4th-Down Conversions 11/19 2/124th-Down Pct 58% 17% Sacks 24-171 19-130Touchdowns Scored 40 20 Field Goals 5-7 5-9Red-Zone Scores 29-31 94% 15-21 71% Red-Zone Touchdowns 25-31 81% 10-21 48%PAT-Attempts 34-39 87% 17-20 85%

Another Look at Ndukwe’s Record Setting Afternoon Against Air ForceSenior FS Chinedum Ndukwe recorded a career-high 22 tackles against Air Force on Nov. 11. Ndukwe’s previous career-high fortackles in a game was 12 earlier this season against Michigan. The 22 tackles, which ranks tied for third most in Notre Dame sin-gle-season history, were the most for an Irish player since Bob Crable registered a school record tying 26 against Clemson on Nov.17, 1979. Of the 10 players to ever record 19 or more tackles in a game, Ndukwe is the only non-linebacker among the bunch.

Most Tackles in Single-Game Irish History1. Bob Golic 26 vs. Michigan, Sept. 23, 1978

Bob Crable 26 vs. Clemson, Nov. 17, 19793. Chinedum Ndukwe 22 at Air Force, Nov. 11, 2006

Bob Golic 22 vs. Pittsburgh, Oct. 14, 19785. Bob Crable 20 at Michigan, Sept. 19, 1981

Most Tackles in NCAA Division I-A This Season1. Chinedum Ndukwe 22 at Air Force, Nov. 11

Terrel White, Bowling Green 22 vs. Buffalo, Sept. 9J Lehman, Illinois 22 vs. Northwestern, Nov. 18

4. Troy Collavo, UTEP 21 vs. Rice, Nov. 45. Four players with 20

Landri Definitely Throwing a Block Party in 2006Senior DT Derek Landri blocked his fourth kick of 2006, first field goal, against Army on Nov. 18. Landri has added three blockedextra-point attempts as well, including two against North Carolina. Landri became just the second player in NCAA history to everblock a pair of point after attempts in the same game. Nigel Codrington of Rice blocked two point-after attempts on Nov. 5, 1988against, of all teams, Notre Dame, and in, of all places, Notre Dame Stadium.

The four blocked kicks are the most by an Irish player in one season since at least 1987 (incomplete records prevent fur-ther research).

Walker Joins Exclusive GroupJunior RB Darius Walker has rushed for over 100 yards in five out of the last eight games (actually went the first four gameswithout a 100-yard game). He rushed for a season-high 162 yards on 24 carries against Army. Walker not only became the fifthIrish running back ever to eclipse 3,000 career yards (joining Autry Denson 1995-98, Allen Pinkett 1982-85, Vagas Ferguson1976-79 and Julius Jones 1999-01, 2003), but also became the fourth Notre Dame running back ever to surpass 1,000 yards inback-to-back seasons (joining Vagas Ferguson 1978-79, Allen Pinkett 1983-85 and Autry Denson 1996-98).

The effort against Army made Walker the first Irish running back to rush for over 150 yards in consecutive games sinceJulius Jones, who rushed for 221 yards against Navy and 161 yards against BYU on on Nov. 8 and Nov. 15 of 2003.

First Four Games Last Eight Games % ImprovementCarries per game 15.8 21.3 34.8%Avg. per carry 3.6 5.4 50.0%Rushing Yds. per game 56.8 114.0 100.7%

2006 Weis EraAt Home 6-1 10-3On The Road 3-1 8-1Neutral Site Games 1-0 1-1Vs. Ranked Opponents 1-2 4-4Vs. In-state Opponents 1-0 2-0In September 4-1 7-2In October 3-0 5-2In November 3-1 8-1In December 0-0 0-0In January 0-0 0-1On Television 10-2 19-5On NBC 6-1 10-3On ABC 2-1 6-2On ESPN 0-0 1-0On CBS 1-0 1-0On CSTV 1-0 1-0Afternoon Games 8-1 13-4Night Games 2-1 5-1Decided By 7 or Less 3-0 4-2Scoring First 7-0 13-1Opponent Scores First 3-2 6-4Leading At Halftime 7-0 15-1Tied At Halftime 0-0 1-0Trailing At Halftime 3-2 3-4Leading After 3 Qtrs. 7-0 15-0Tied After 3 Qtrs. 0-0 0-1Trailing After 3 Qtrs. 2-2 4-4In Overtime 0-0 0-1Scoring 40+ Points 4-0 9-1Scoring 30+ Points 8-0 16-2Scoring 20-29 Points 2-2 10-5Scoring 0-19 Points 1-0 2-0Allowing 40+ Points 0-2 0-3Allowing 30+ Points 1-2 2-5Allowing 20-29 Points 2-0 8-3Allowing 0-19 Points 7-0 10-0Outrushing Opponent 6-0 9-0Getting Outrushed 4-2 10-5Passing For More Yds 9-2 16-3Passing For Fewer Yds 1-0 3-2Outgaining Opponent 6-0 14-1Getting Outgained 4-1 5-3Winning Time of Poss. 7-1 14-3Losing Time of Poss. 3-1 5-2Scoring a Def./ST TD 5-0 7-1Allowing a Def./ST TD 1-2 2-3Fewer Penalty Yards 6-1 8-3More Penalty Yards 4-1 11-2Winning Turnover Battle 7-1 13-3Losing Turnover Battle 1-1 2-1Walker 100 rushing yds 5-0 11-1Walker 150 rushing yds 3-0 4-0Walker 200 rushing yds 0-0 0-0Quinn 250 passing yds 7-1 14-4Quinn 300 passing yds 4-0 8-1Quinn 350 passing yds 0-0 3-1Quinn 400+ passing yds 0-0 3-1Samardzija caught a TD 7-2 15-4McKnight caught a TD 8-2 12-5** record spans McKnight’s career

Notre Dame’s Record When...


Brockington’s Effort Against Air Force Not UnnoticedSenior LB Joe Brockington was somewhat overshadowed by Chinedum Ndukwe’s 22 tackles against Air Force on Nov. 11.Brockington made a career-high 15 tackles in the victory over the Falcons. Brockington had just 12 career tackles over his firstthree years with the Irish. His 15 tackles would have been the most since Brandon Hoyte had 16 against Navy on Oct. 16, 2004had Ndukwe not had the afternoon he did. Brockington moved into the starting lineup for the first time of his career againstPurdue on Sept. 30. He has started each of the past eight Notre Dame games. Brockington has amassed 54 tackles in his eightstarts.

Irish Offense Excels in Time ManagementNotre Dame averaged 41.0 points per game over the four victories over Navy, North Carolina, Air Force and Army. As impressiveas the stat is, it is even more impressive when you consider the Irish did not have a ton of opportunities. Notre Dame had 40offensive drives (excluding special teams and defensive scores) over the span and the Irish scored 23 times, including 21 touch-downs. Basically, Notre Dame scored a touchdown almost 58 percent of the time they step on the field over the stretch.

Notre Dame Normally Comes Flying Out of the GatesNotre Dame has recorded a touchdown on its opening drive of the game on four separate occasions in 2006 (Purdue, Stanford,North Carolina and Air Force) and 12 times in head coach Charlie Weis’ 24 career games on the sidelines. In fact, the Irish havescored touchdowns to open the second half nine times in 2006, including the four of the last five games. Notre Dame has record-ed touchdowns on their opening drives of each half in a game eight times (Purdue, Stanford, North Carolina, Air Force, Pittsburgh[2005], BYU [2005], Navy [2005] and Stanford [2005]) under Weis.

Irish Defense On The Field For An EternityNotre Dame raced out to a 20-3 lead after the first quarter and managed to increase its lead to 27-3 by halftime despite havingthe ball for just three offensive plays in the second quarter against Air Force on Nov. 11 (the Falcons ran 28 plays in the quar-ter). Air Force actually ran 32 consecutive offensive plays from scrimmage at one point. The Falcons had a 17-play, 63-yard drivethat ate 9:03 off the clock that failed to result in any points after Notre Dame senior DT Trevor Laws blocked a field goal attemptand sophomore Terrail Lambert raced 76 yards for a touchdown. The Falcons followed that drive up with a 15-play, 65-yard marchthat was capped off with a fourth-down touchdown pass.

The Irish had the ball a total of 4:47 over the second and third quarters, yet still took a 33-10 lead into the final period.Air Force finished the game with 38:35 time of possession -- the most for a Notre Dame opponent under second-year head coachCharlie Weis and most since Nov. 16, 1991 when Penn State racked up 39:47 of possession time.

Despite Time on Field, Notre Dame Defense Slows Air Force Rushing AttackAir Force came into the game on Nov. 11 averaging 266.88 yards rushing (third in the NCAA). Notre Dame limited the Falcons'ground game to 200 yards on 60 carries. Air Force's previous single-game low for rushing in 2006 was 208 against BYU on Oct.28. The Falcons averaged 4.5 yards per carry over its first eight games, but managed just 3.3 yards per rush against the Irish.Air Force, who rushed for 297 yards earlier this season at No. 17 Tennessee, also totaled 327 yards on the ground againstWyoming (the 24th rush defense in the nation).

A Look Back at Past Notre Dame Teams That Opened 10-1With the victory over Army on Nov. 18, the Irish opened a season 10-1 for the first time since 2002 and sixth time in school his-tory. Notre Dame opened the 1977 season 10-1 following its victory at Miami to close the regular season. The Irish finished theseason 11-1, including a 38-10 rout of No. 1 Texas in the Cotton Bowl to secure the program’s 10th National Championship.

Irish Limiting Their Opponents to Well Below AveragesNotre Dame faced a multitude of different offensive attacks ranging from the option of Navy and Air Force to the pro-set of UCLAover a six-game stretch. Despite those challenges, the Irish held Stanford, UCLA, Navy, North Carolina, Air Force and Army wellbelow their averages in a number of key categories.Opponent Points (avg. before game) Rushing Yards (avg. before game) Total Yards (avg. before game)Army 9 (20.9) 58 (137.1) 150 (272.9)Air Force 17 (24.4) 200 (266.9) 405 (334.0)North Carolina 25 (15.3) 31 (118.9) 244 (293.5)Navy 14 (24.9) 271 (316.6) 314 (370.1)UCLA 17 (25.7) 26 (143.7) 243 (333.5)Stanford 10 (12.6) 72 (87.2) 226 (289.4)

100-Yard Rushing GamesDarius Walker vs. Purdue 146Darius Walker vs. Stanford 153Darius Walker vs. Navy 103Darius Walker at Air Force 153Darius Walker vs. Army 162

100-Yard Receiving GamesRhema McKnight at GT 108 yds (8 receptions)*John Carlson at MSU 121 yds (4 receptions)Jeff Samardzija at MSU 113 yds (7 receptions)Rhema McKnight vs. PU 120 yds (10 receptions)Jeff Samardzija vs. UCLA 118 (8 receptions)Jeff Samardzija vs. North Carolina 177 (6 receptions)Jeff Samardzija at Air Force 106 (6 receptions)Rhema McKnight at USC 109 yds (6 receptions)

300-Yard Passing GamesBrady Quinn 319 (Michigan State)Brady Quinn 316 (Purdue)Brady Quinn 304 (UCLA)Brady Quinn 346 (North Carolina)

Multiple Touchdown PerformancesBrady Quinn vs. Penn State 3 (passing)Brady Quinn vs. Michigan 3 (passing)Brady Quinn at Michigan State 5 (passing)Rhema McKnight at Michigan State 2 (receiving)Rhema McKnight vs. Purdue 2 (receiving)Jeff Samardzija at Michigan State 2 (receiving)Brady Quinn vs. Purdue 2 (passing)Brady Quinn vs. Stanford 3 (passing)Brady Quinn vs. UCLA 2 (passing)Jeff Samardzija vs. UCLA 2 (receiving)Rhema McKnight vs. Navy 2 (receiving)Brady Quinn vs. Navy 4 (3 passing and 1 rushing)Brady Quinn vs. North Carolina 4 (4 passing)Rhema McKnight vs. North Carolina 2 (2 receiving)Brady Quinn at Air Force 4 (4 passing)Brady Quinn vs. Army 3 (3 passing)Darius Walker vs. Army 2 (2 rushing)Rhema McKnight vs. Army 2 (2 receiving)Brady Quinn at USC 3 (3 passing)

Ten-Tackles (or more) Games*Chinedum Ndukwe at Air Force 22*Joe Brockington at Air Force 15*Tom Zbikowski vs. Navy 14*Maurice Crum vs. Penn State 14*Derek Landri at Air Force 11Chinedum Ndukwe vs. Michigan 11*Terrail Lambert vs. Purdue 11Derek Landri vs. Navy 11Maurice Crum vs. Navy 11*Trevor Laws vs. Michigan 10* - individual career highs

Milestone Games in 2006


Quinn Near Perfect Over Eight-Game Winning StreakSenior QB Brady Quinn was nearly flawless over Notre Dame’s eight-game winning streak. Quinn completed 67.9 percent (180-for-265) of his passes for 2,237 yards, 26 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He extended his school record streak of passeswithout an interception to 226 against Army (nation’s longest streak of 2006). Quinn had a 169.70 passing efficiency rating overthe stretch of games.

Att. Cmp. Pct. Yds TD Int.Brady Quinn 265 180 67.9 2,237 26 2

Brady Quinn Surpasses 10,000 Career YardsSenior QB Brady Quinn eclipsed another milestone against UCLA earlier this season. Quinn became the 32nd quarterback in thehistory of NCAA Division IA football to eclipse 10,000 career passing yards. Here is an interesting comparison of Quinn and someof the other notable members of the club (players that surpassed 10,000 career yards and won the Heisman Trophy).

Att. Cmp. Int. Pct. Yds TDBrady Quinn 1,567 914 37 58.3 11,614 93Ty Detmer 1,530 958 65 62.6 15,031 121Carson Palmer 1,515 895 49 59.1 11,388 71Danny Wuerf fel 1,170 708 42 60.5 10,875 114Matt Leinart 1,245 807 23 64.8 10,693 99Doug Flutie 1,270 677 54 53.3 10,579 67

Brady Stacks Up With The Most Recent Heisman Trophy WinnersNotre Dame senior QB Brady Quinn finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting this season. Brady is on pace for 3,551 yardspassing and 38 touchdown passes. Here is an interesting comparison between Quinn and the previous five QBs to capture theHeisman Trophy (a QB has taken home the award five of the last six years):

Yds TD INT PctBrady Quinn, Notre Dame (projected) 3,551 38 5 63.4Matt Leinart, USC (2004) 3,322 33 6 65.3Jason White, Oklahoma (2003) 3,846 40 10 61.6Carson Palmer, USC (2002) 3,942 33 10 63.2Eric Crouch, Nebraska (2001) *2,625 *26 10 55.5Chris Weinke, Florida State (2000) 4,167 33 11 61.7total yards (passing/rushing) and total touchdowns

Quinn Approaching Rarified AirSenior QB Brady Quinn has tossed 93 career touchdown passes over his brilliant four-year Irish career. Quinn has 67 TD passesover his last 24 games -- an average of 2.79 per game. At his current pace, Quinn would finish his career with 11,887 yards pass-ing and 96 TD passes. With 386 passing yards against LSU, he could become just the ninth player in NCAA Division I history to sur-pass 12,000 career yards passing. Quinn would be just the sixth player to ever accomplish 12,000 yards and toss 90 or moretouchdowns.

Clock Winding Down, Brady At His BestNotre Dame senior QB Brady Quinn has conducted scoring drives to closethe first half in six of the Irish’s 12 games this season. Against Navy, hewent 5-for-6 for 64 yards and a 33-yard touchdown pass to senior RhemaMcKnight. Over the six scoring drives (Georgia Tech, Penn State, Michigan,Stanford, UCLA and Navy) in the waning minutes of the first half in 2006,Quinn is a remarkable 34-for-40 for 341 yards passing, four touchdownpasses and a touchdown run. Quinn registered one against Stanford andthen led Notre Dame to a field goal drive last weekend against UCLA. Hewas 7-for-8 for 62 yards and added 14 yards rushing along the wayagainst the Bruins. Against Stanford, he was 5-of-6 for 47 yards and a 15-yard touchdown to senior WR Rhema McKnight on the 68-yard scoringdrive. With Notre Dame trailing Georgia Tech, 10-0, and just under five

minutes to go in the first half in the season opener, Quinn led the Irish on a 14 play, 80-yard scoring drive. He went 5-of-8 for 39yards and also added 23 yards rushing on the drive, capped off by his five-yard touchdown scamper. Quinn was even more impres-sive in his two scoring drives against Penn State and Michigan. Both within the no-huddle, two-minute offense, he spearheadedNotre Dame’s seven play, 69-yard and 1:17 march just before halftime against the Nittany Lions. Quinn was 5-of-5 for 58 yardsand a touchdown strike on the drive. He was equally impressive running the two-minute drill late in the second quarter againstthe Wolverines. Quinn went 7-of-7 for 71 yards and a touchdown during the Irish’s eight play, 72-yard and 2:10 drive.


Scoring Drives Just Before HalftimeOpponent Comp. Att. Yds. TDGeorgia Tech 5 8 39 *1^Penn State 5 5 58 1^Michigan 7 7 71 1^Stanford 5 6 47 1#UCLA 7 8 62 0^Navy 5 6 64 1Totals 34 40 341 5*rushing touchdown^no huddle, two-minute drill# drive led to a field goal

Regarding The Clock• The clock will start on kickoffs as soon as the kicker’sfoot hits the ball.• When the ball changes hands, by kick or turnover, theclock will start as soon as the ball is ready for play, not atthe snap.• When a team is awarded a first down, the clock will bestopped and will start on the ready for play signal.

For the 2006 season, the rules committee is allow-ing several varying systems to implement video replay, asdetermined by each conference or institution.

Each head coach is allowed one challenge per game,which is exercised by requesting a team timeout. A headcoach may issue a challenge only if his team has one ormore timeouts remaining in the half. If the challenged rul-ing is overturned, the timeout is not charged, but the coachhas no more challenges during that game.Plays that MAY be reviewed:1. Governed by sideline, goal line and end line:• Scoring plays, including a runner breaking the plane ofthe goal line.• Pass complete/incomplete/intercepted at sideline, goalline and end line.• Runner/receiver in or out of bounds.• Recovery of loose ball in bounds.2. Passing Plays:• Pass ruled complete/incomplete/intercepted in the fieldof play and end zones.• Touching of a forward pass by an ineligible receiver.• Touching of a forward pass by a defensive player.• Quarterback (passer) forward pass or fumble (if ruledincomplete, the play is finalized).• Illegal forward pass or illegal handing beyond the lineof scrimmage.• Illegal forward pass or illegal handing after change ofpossession.• Forward or backward pass thrown from behind the lineof scrimmage.3. Other detectable infractions:• Runner ruled not down.• Forward progress errors with respect to first down.• Touching of a kick.• Number of players on field.• Clock adjustments.• Fourth-down/try fumble plays.Plays that MAY NOT be reviewed:1. Holding2. Offside/encroachment3. Pass interference4. Personal fouls (e.g., late hits)5. Illegal blocks6. Illegal formations7. Face mask8. Taunting/excessive celebration9. False starts10. Roughing the passer/kicker11. Fighting participants

Rule Changes for 2006

Instant Replay

Defense Puts Together Dominant First Halfs' Against North Carolina, Air Force and ArmyThe Notre Dame defensive coaching staff drove home the importance of opening the game in similar fashion to the way they havefinished games. North Carolina, Air Force and Army scored a combined 19 points in the first half of their three games against theIrish. In fact, Notre Dame allowed just one first half offensive touchdown over those three weeks (the Tar Heels returned a kick-off for one of their scores). After North Carolina scored on their first drive of the game, the Irish defense limited the Tar Heels tominus-14 yards on 12 plays the rest of the half. Notre Dame held North Carolina to just four first downs, 23 rushing yards, 39passing yards and 62 total yards. Against Army on Nov. 18, the Irish gave up just four first downs, 40 yards rushing, 16 yardspassing and 56 total yards in the opening half. In fact, the Black Knights managed only minus-12 yards and two first downs overthe second and third quarters (21 plays).

Interview requests and media access for the 2006 NotreDame football team are administered by lead football con-tact Brian Hardin and assistant football contact MichaelBertsch.

Contact InformationBrian Hardin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

Office: (574) 631-9471Cell: (574) 532-4134

Michael Bertsch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [email protected]

Office: (574) 631-8642Cell: (574) 532-4154

Notre Dame FootballWeekly Media Information

Charlie Weis Teleconferences: Coach Weis will be avail-able for two teleconferences each week of the season.(Media looking for the teleconference number should con-tact Brian Hardin)

• SUNDAY - 12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. ET (except for Sept.3 and Sept. 24 when it will begin at 1:30 p.m.)

• Guglielmino Athletics Complex auditorium• This teleconference will function as a look back at the

previous Saturday’s game.

• TUESDAY - 12:00 noon - 12:30 p.m. ET• Guglielmino Athletics Complex auditorium• This teleconference will function as a look ahead at

the upcoming weekend’s opponent and other football-related issues.

• Satellite coordinates: IA 5-C, Transponder 13(Available from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.)

For accredited members of the media who want toattend the weekly press conference, contact Brian Hardinor Michael Bertsch for more information. The GuglielminoAthletics Complex is located on the east side of campus,behind the Joyce Center and the Rolfs Recreation Centerand just north of Moose Krause Stadium.

The Guglielmino Athletics Complex auditorium can beaccessed through “The Gug’s” main entrance, which islocated on the west side of the building (facing the RolfsRecreation Center and main campus).

Both teleconferences will be broadcast live (audio) onwww.und.com each week. A full transcript from each tele-conference will be posted on www.und.com as soon as pos-sible.

Weis’ Sunday and Tuesday press conferences also willbe broadcast live (video) on www.und.com. and archivedthere for future use.

2006 Media Information


Category Rank Stat National Leader StatRushing Offense 76th 124.25 Navy 327.42Passing Offense 10th 273.75 Hawaii 432.23Total Offense 22nd 398.00 Hawaii 549.92Scoring Offense 12th 32.42 Hawaii 47.31Rushing Defense 50th 127.83 Michigan 43.00Pass Efficiency Defense 86th 135.32 Wisconsin 85.48Total Defense 45th 320.50 Virginia Tech 221.08Scoring Defense 57th 22.42 Virginia Tech 9.33Net Punting 25th 37.17 Utah 41.49Punt Returns 88th 7.35 Kentucky 20.60Kickoff Returns 40th 21.46 Kansas State 27.94Turnover Margin 32nd 0.42 Minnesota 1.33Pass Defense 50th 192.67 Virginia Tech 128.17Passing Efficiency 13th 150.59 Hawaii 183.06Sacks 29th 2.50 Western Michigan 3.50Tackles For Loss 40th 6.25 Florida State 8.50Sacks Allowed 92nd 2.50 Arkansas 0.62

Rushing Passing EfficiencyDarius Walker 23rd 94.92 Brady Quinn 14th 151.59

Total Offense Receptions Per GameBrady Quinn 8th 278.58 Jeff Samardzija 18th 5.83

Rhema McKnight 25th 5.33 John Carlson 54th 4.60Darius Walker 58th 4.50

Receiving Yards Per Game InterceptionsJeff Samardzija 18th 79.83 Terrail Lambert t-98th 0.25Rhema McKnight 29th 73.75 Mike Richardson t-98th 0.25John Carlson 64th 62.10

Punting Punt ReturnsGeoff rey Price 6th 45.22 Tom Zbikowski 39th 9.00

Kickoff Returns Field GoalsDavid Grimes 21st 25.53 Carl Gioia 85th 0.67

Scoring All-Purpose YardsRhema McKnight 28th 7.50 Darius Walker 25th 125.00Jeff Samardzija t-75th 6.00Carl Gioia 88th 5.92

Sacks Tackles For LossVictor Abiamiri 13th 0.83 Derek Landri t-20th 1.29Derek Landri 50th 0.58 Victor Abiamiri 26th 1.21

TacklesMaurice Crum 77th 7.67

Irish Among National Leaders

Quinn Ranks High Among Active QBsQuarterback Brady Quinn currently ranks in the top five among all active Division I-A quarterbacks in nine categories rangingf rom passing charts to total offense lists. The following lists the categories he currently ranks in the top five:

CATEGORY RANK TOTAL CURRENT LEADERPass Touchdowns 1st 93 --Pass Attempts 1st 1,567 --Pass Completions 2nd 914 Kevin Kolb, Houston (938)Pass Yards 2nd 11,614 Kevin Kolb, Houston (12,578)Total Off.-Yards 2nd 11,790 Kevin Kolb, Houston (13,334)Total Off.-Plays 3rd 1,818 Kevin Kolb, Houston (1,991)Total Off.-TDs Responsible for 3rd 99 Kevin Kolb, Houston (103)Pass Attempts/Gm 4th 32.6 Colt Brennan, Hawaii (41.3)Total Off.-Yards/Gm 5th 245.6 Colt Brennan, Hawaii (391.8)

Irish Defense Much Improved From 2005The much maligned Notre Dame defense has improved in nearly every statistical category from last season. In addition to theimprovement in scoring defense, the Irish have improved in pass defense, rush defense and total defense. Here is a closer lookat each of those categories:

Category 2005 2006 ImprovementScoring Defense 24.5 22.4 2.1 points per gamePassing Defense 264.6 192.7 71.9 yards per gameRushing Defense 132.3 127.8 4.5 yards per game (Irish have also faced two option attacks)Total Defense 396.9 320.5 76.4 yards per game

Category 2005 NCAA Rank Category 2006 NCAA RankScoring Defense 24.5 53rd Scoring Defense 22.4 57thPassing Defense 264.6 103rd Passing Defense 192.7 50thTotal Defense 396.9 75th Total Defense 320.5 45th

Charlie And The Irish Offensive FactorySecond year head coach Charlie Weis came to Notre Dame with a tremendous reputation as one of the premier offensive mindsin all of the NFL. The Irish saw immediate results in 2005, setting 11 school records, including passing yards (3,963), touchdownpasses (32, has equalled it in 2006), total offense yards (5,728) and total points (440). After Notre Dame scored 41 points againstArmy, the Irish has surpassed the 40-point barrier on 10 different occasions in Weis’ 24 games as head coach. Prior to Weis’arrival, Notre Dame had eclipsed 40 points just nine times in its previous 97 contests. In addition, the Irish had 83 separate 100-yard receiving games over its first 116 seasons of football, but Notre Dame has had 19 the past two years under Weis. To putthose numbers in perspective, Notre Dame averaged a 100-yard receiving effort every 13 games. Under Weis, the Irish is almostrecording a 100-yard receiving effort every game.

John Carlson Turning In All-American Type SeasonBefore an injury that sidelined him for the final two weeks of the regular season, Notre Dame senior TE John Carlson explodedonto the college football scene in 2006. He has 46 receptions for 621 yards -- good for an average of 62.1 yards a game. Carlson’sseason already ranks as one of the best ever by an Irish tight end. His 621 yards receiving ranks second best in single-seasontight end history, while his 46 catches is third best. Carlson’s 13.5 yards per catch is second among all Irish receivers. He is 64th,nationally, in receiving yards per game and third among tight ends. He also ranks tied for 54th overall in receptions per gameand third in the category among tight ends. With Carlson’s 121-yard effort on four grabs against Michigan State (also tied an NDrecord for average yards per reception in a single-game), he became the first Irish tight end to eclipse 100 yards receiving in agame since Anthony Fasano had 155 yards against Purdue on Oct. 2, 2004.

He has proven to be one of the top tight ends in 2006 and his numbers compare quite favorably with the last six JohnMackey Award winners.

Year Player No. Yds TD2006 John Carlson 46 621 42005 Marcedes Lewis (UCLA) 58 741 102004 Heath Miller (Virginia) 36 475 52003 Kellen Winslow (Miami) 55 557 12002 Dallas Clark (Iowa) 39 645 42001 Daniel Graham (Colo) 51 753 62000 Tim Stratton (Purdue) 56 579 2

Player/Assistant CoachPost-Practice Interviews

Notre Dame player interviews are available on a rotat-ing schedule during the week.

Tuesday: Available by request: Offensive players(not including Brady Quinn), Off. Coordinator MikeHaywood, Coach Weis.

Wednesday: Available by request: Offensive cap-tain Brady Quinn, defensive captain Tom Zbikowski, defen-sive players (not including Travis Thomas), Def.Coordinator Rick Minter, Coach Weis.

Thursday: Available by request: Special teams cap-tain Travis Thomas, special-team players, Special TeamsCoach Brian Polian, Coach Weis.

There is no interview availability for any player orcoach on Monday and Friday of each game week. NOTE - All requests for player and coordinator interviewsshould be sent to Brian Hardin at [email protected]. Adetailed description of the subject matter for the interviewneeds to be included. Requests are due at 10:00 a.m. eachday of practice. Practice Access & Post-PracticeInterview Location

The first 20 minutes of each practice (during the sea-son) on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are open to themedia for viewing.

Post-practice interviews will take place in theGuglielmino Athletics Complex auditorium. Enter throughthe MAIN ENTRANCE (facing west) and you will be directedto the auditorium.Notre Dame Coaches’Radio Show

The weekly show will be held at JT’s Sports Bar & Grillin Granger. The show will air live on U93 (92.9 FM)Mondays from 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. Jack Nolan will host theshow along with former Irish player Reggie Brooks. Airdates: Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25, Oct. 2, 16, 23, Nov. 6, 13. Theshow is a cooperative venture between Notre Dame SportsProperties, the Notre Dame athletic department andArtistic Media Partners. The show can also be heard onwww.und.com.Inside Notre Dame Football With Charlie Weis(television show)

Taped on Sunday nights, Inside Notre Dame Footballwill feature a recap of the week’s contest, Notre Dameplayer features and more. A list of affiliates can be foundon www.und.com. The show can be seen locally Sundayevenings on WNDU-TV following the late local news. It willalso re-air on WNDU-TV the following Saturday morning at6:30 a.m. as well as 90 minutes prior to kickoff of NotreDame home games.All Times EasternSee Page 1 of release for the week’s entire schedule.

2006 Media Information


Zbikowski's Rapid ReturnsSenior SS Tom Zbikowski has made a name for himself in the Notre Dame record books. He became the fifth player in Irish his-tory to ever return three punts for touchdowns in a career. Zbikowski has seven career TD returns (two interceptions, three punts,two fumbles). Earlier this season, Zbikowski scooped up a fumble and raced 25 yards for a touchdown against Penn State. Withthe return, Zbikowski became the Irish all-time leader in fumble return yards (100) and joined Tony Driver (1997-00) as the onlyNotre Dame players to ever return a pair of fumbles for touchdowns. In a three-game stretch against USC, BYU and Tennessee in2005, he returned a punt or interception for a touchdown four times - the first Irish defensive player to accomplish such a feat.Zbikowski also returned a fumble 75 yards for a TD against Michigan State in 2004. With his interception and punt return for atouchdown against Tennessee in 2005, Zbikowski became the first Irish player to accomplish that feat (interception return andpunt return in the same game) since Nick Rassas against Northwestern in 1965. Rassas returned an interception 92 yards for atouchdown and a punt 72 yards for a score in Notre Dame's 38-7 rout.

Career Punt Returns For TDTom Zbikowski 3 2003-06 Allen Rossum 3 1994-96Ricky Watters 3 1987-90 Tim Brown 3 1984-87Nick Rassas 3 1963-65

McKnight & Samardzija Neck & Neck Down The StretchThe senior WR tandem of Rhema McKnight and Jeff Samardzija each rank among the top 10 in ND history for career receivingyards and receptions. While McKnight had become the school’s all-time leader in receptions intially against Air Force, Samardzijamoved past McKnight for the top spot later in the game against the Falcons. Samardzija has 171 career grabs, while McKnight isclose on his heals with 167. Tom Gatewood (1969-71) previously held the school record with 157 career receptions. Samardzjiamoved past Derrick Mayes (1992-95, 2,512) for the Notre Dame career record in receiving yards. Samardzjia has 2,534 yards,while McKnight is fifth in school history with 2,255 yards receiving. Samardzija, who has 26 career TD grabs, set a new schoolrecord for career touchdowns receptions (breaking the previous record of 22 held by Mayes). McKnight has hauled in 22 careertouchdown passes, tied for second all-time, including 15 this season (tied with Samardzija’s single-season school record from ayear ago). McKnight also set a new school record with his fifth multi-touchdown receiving game of the season against Army onNov. 18. McKnight ranks 19th in the NCAA among active receivers in catches and t-14th in touchdown receptions. Samardzija isalso among the top 20 in the NCAA among active receivers in TD catches (t-7th), yards (14th) and catches (16th). Steve Smithand Dwayne Jarrett, USC, are the only other active teammates to be ranked among the top 20 in the NCAA in any of those threecategories.

Quinn's TD Passes StreakBrady Quinn tossed at least one touchdownpass in 16 games in a row for the Irish beforethe skid ended in the 2006 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl,breaking John Huarte's record of 10 set in1964. The Dublin, Ohio, native totaled 40 scor-ing tosses during the run. He is on a similar rollin 2006. Quinn has not only tossed a touch-down pass in 11 consecutive games, but he hasrecorded multiple touchdown passes in each ofthose 11 games as well.

Crum, Jr. Making Crumbs Of Ball CarriersJunior LB Maurice Crum, Jr. has been a vital asset to Notre Dame’s defensive effort the past few weeks. He has led the Irish intackles three of the past five weeks (recorded 9.0 tackles, one for loss and a sack against North Carolina/11.0 tackles, four solo,versus Navy/registered 9.0 tackles, 0.5 for loss and a pass break-up). Crum, Jr. has amassed over 10 tackles in a game on twodifferent occasions. He recorded a team-best eight tackles and added a pass breakup and sack against UCLA as well. Crum, Jr.leads Notre Dame with 92 tackles and second on the team with 42 solo stops. He is third on the Irish defense with 10.0 tacklesfor loss, including 4.0 sacks. Crum has also added a forced fumble, three pass break-ups and two quarterback hurries. He regis-tered a career-high 14 tackles earlier this season against Penn State.

Auditions For Notre Dame’s Third Wideout No Longer NeededSophomore WR David Grimes was instrumental in Notre Dame’s come-from-behind victory over UCLA and added five catches for56 yards against Army. Grimes posted career-highs in both receptions (8) and receiving yards (79) against the Bruins. He cameup with a huge 14-yard reception for a first down on Notre Dame’s three play, 80-yard game-winning drive. Grimes, who missedthe Purdue game, has 25 catches this season for 312 yards and one touchdown. His previous career-high for catches and yardscame against Michigan (4 for 48).

Atlanta FalconsAllen Rossum, CB

Arizona CardinalsBert Berry, LBCarlyle Holiday, WR

Baltimore RavensGerome Sapp, SS

Buffalo BillsMike Gandy, G

Chicago Bears*Mark LeVoir, OL

Dallas Cowboys*Jerome Collins, TEAnthony Fasano, TEJulius Jones, RB

Houston TexansGlenn Earl, FSAnthony Weaver, DT

Indianapolis ColtsRocky Boiman, LBHunter Smith, P

Kansas CityChiefsJordan Black, OL

MinnesotaVikings#Joey Goodspeed, RBMike Rosenthal, OL

New EnglandPatriots*Corey Mays, LB#Matt Shelton, WR*Dan Stevenson, G

New OrleansSaintsJohn Carney, KJeff Faine, C

New York GiantsLuke Petitgout, OLJustin Tuck, DE$Ryan Grant, RB

Oakland RaidersGrant Irons, DE

San Francisco49ersArnaz Battle, WRBryant Young, DT

St. Louis RamsTony Fisher, RB

Tampa BayBuccaneersSean Mahan, OGMaurice Stovall, WR

Tennessee TitansDavid Givens, WRCraig Hentrich, P

Washington RedskinsJim Molinaro, OLReynaldo Wynn, DT

* practice squad# injured reserve$ reserve/non-footballinjury list

Irish in the NFL


2006: 3 vs. Army, 4 at Air Force, 4 vs. North Carolina, 3 vs. Navy, 2 vs.UCLA, 3 vs. Stanford, 2 vs. Purdue, 5 at Michigan State, 3 vs. Michigan, 3 vs.Penn State.

2005: 3 at Stanford, 2 vs. Syracuse, 4 vs. Navy, 3 vs. Tennessee, 6 vs.BYU, 1 vs. USC, 3 at Purdue, 1 at Washington, 5 vs. Michigan State, 2 atMichigan, 2 at Pittsburgh.

2004: 2 vs. Oregon State (Insight Bowl), 1 at USC, 3 vs. Pittsburgh, 1 atTennessee, 1 vs. Boston College.

Price is RightDespite the fact he entered this season with only two career punts, Geoff Price has made his presence known across the countryfor Notre Dame. Price is sixth in the NCAA in punting with a per kick average of 45.2. That average would break Notre Dame’sprevious school record for average yards per punt (44.9) set by Craig Hentrich in 1990. He not only has dropped 12 punts insidethe 20-yard line, including two against North Carolina, but also has 10 punts of 50 or more yards. Price has averaged 50+ yardsin punts in two separate games, including a school-record 51.9 yards per kick (7-for-363) against Michigan.

27 and CountingJunior RB Darius Walker extended his streak to 27 straight games with at least one catch against USC on Nov. 25. His currentstreak is the longest on the team. Walker has hauled in at least one pass dating back to the Tennessee game on Nov. 13, 2004.He has caught 103 passes for 762 yards and three TDs over the 27 games. He is averaging almost four catches per game, and7.5 yards per reception.

Thomas Pulling Double DutyTravis Thomas made the switch over to defense in the spring to add some speed and quickness to that side of the football for theIrish. Thomas had three carries, a season-high 44 yards and a touchdown earlier this season against Penn State. He added anoth-er rushing touchdown against Navy. Thomas is the first Notre Dame player to rush for a touchdown in a game in which he start-ed on defense since Jeff Burris on Nov. 20, 1993 against Boston College. Burris, an All-American safety, rushed 16 times for 92yards and six touchdowns that season. Thomas has 33 tackles, 5.0 for loss and one sack, while adding 11 carries for 76 yardsand two touchdowns on offense this year.

Terrail Lambert Derails OppositionJunior CB Terrail Lambert undoubtedly etched his name along side some of the all-time Notre Dame legends following his per-formance against Michigan State. His 27-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter capped the Irish’s thrilling40-37 come-from-behind victory over the Spartans. The pick was not only his first career interception, but was Notre Dame’s firstinterception return for a touchdown since junior CB Leo Ferrine had a 16-yard “pick six” against Syracuse last year. Lambert wasalso the first Irish defender with two interceptions in the same game since Sept. 21, 2002, when Gerome Sapp had two picks atMichigan State in a 21-17 Notre Dame victory. Lambert is ninth on the team with 34 tackles, including a career-best 11 stops ear-lier in the season against Purdue. He also chipped in with a forced fumble and fumble recovery on the same play. Lambert is tiedwith Mike Richardson for the team-high of three interceptions. He even returned a blocked punt for a touchdown against Air Force.Lambert is the first Irish player to record a blocked field goal return for touchdown since at least 1973 (Notre Dame records unableto specify).

Victor Violating Opposing OffensesSenior DE Victor Abiamiri was in Notre Dame’s opposing backfield so often over four straight weeks (Stanford, UCLA, Navy, NorthCarolina) that teams might have asked him to pay rent. Abiamiri, who leads the Irish with 10.0 sacks and 14 quarterback hur-ries, was almost unblockable. Abiamiri had 9.0 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks and five QB hurries in that span. He ranks 13th in theNCAA in sacks and 26th in tackles for loss this season. Abiamiri is tied for third on the all-time Irish list for career sacks (21.0)and ranks fifth with 39.5 career TFLs.

|-------TACKLES-------| |-FUMBLE-|S A T TFL Sacks FF FR QBH

Stanford 4 1 5 3.5 3.0 0 0 2UCLA 1 3 4 1.5 1.0 0 0 2Navy 4 2 6 2.0 2.0 0 0 0North Carolina 4 0 4 2.0 2.0 0 0 1Totals 13 6 19 9.0 8.0 0 0 5

Samardzija On The BrinkSenior All-American WR Jeff Samardzija will close his career as arguably the most decorated Irish wide receiver of all time.Samardzija’s owns the school record in career touchdown catches (26), receiving yards (2,534) and receptions (171). He haseclipsed 100 yards receiving four times in 2006 and nine times in his career (only Tom Gatewood, 13, has more career 100-yardreceiving games). The most impressive thing about Samardzija’s numbers are the fact that they have been recorded basically thepast two seasons.

Player, Years Yards Games with a receptionJeff Samardzija, 2004-06 2,534 34Derrick Mayes, 1992-95 2,512 40Tim Brown, 1984-87 2,493 39Tom Gatewood, 1969-71 2,283 30

.746 - Notre Dame’s winning percentage, the second-high-est in the history of college football.1 - Notre Dame is the only team, college or professional, tohave all of its games broadcast nationally on the radio and isthe only team to have all of its home games televised nation-ally (NBC).5 - College Football Hall of Fame Coaches - Jesse Harper,Knute Rockne, Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian and Dan Devine.7 - Heisman Trophy Winners: Angelo Bertelli (1943), JohnnyLujack (1947), Leon Hart (1949), John Lattner (1953), PaulHornung (1956), John Huarte (1964) and Tim Brown(1987).10 - Alumni named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.11 - National Championships - since the Associated Press pollbegan in 1936 (1943-46-47-49-66-73-77-88), the most ofany other school. The Irish also earned consensus nationaltitles in 1924, 1929 and 1930 prior to the organization of theAP rankings.12 - Unbeaten and untied seasons.21 - Seasons in which the team has been voted the nationalchampion by at least one selector.27 - Bowl games in which the Irish have taken part.31 - Unanimous first-team All-Americans -- more than anyother school.41 - College Football Hall of Fame Players.79 - Different consensus All-Americans -- more than anyother school.99 - Percent graduation rate among football players whoenter on scholarship and remain at least four years.101 - Out of 118 years in which Notre Dame has finishedwith a winning record.118 - Years of college football (including 2006).169 - consecutive games streak televised nationally orregionally by NBC, CBS, ABC or ESPN (streak ended on Nov.11, 2006 at Air Force).178 - selections on All-America first teams.192 - consecutive sellouts at Notre Dame Stadium.289 - appearances by Notre Dame football on network tel-evision -- more than any other school.300+ - stations that broadcast Notre Dame football viaWestwood One.821 - All-time victories, second all-time in college football.

Irish Football By The Numbers


In Front of a Full HouseNotre Dame has played in front of sellout crowds in 192 of its previous 219 games, including 67 of its last 73 contests dating backto the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the end of the 2000 season (the 2001, 2003 and 2005 games at Stanford, the 2004 game vs. Navyat the Meadowlands, the 2005 game at Washington and this year’s game at USC were not sellouts). At Michigan in 2003, the Irishand Wolverines attracted the largest crowd in NCAA history (111,726), marking the third time in the history of the series that anNCAA attendance record was set. It also represented the seventh time in the last four seasons that Notre Dame has been part ofestablishing a new stadium attendance record (at Nebraska and Texas A&M in 2001; at Air Force and Florida State, home vs.Boston College in 2002, vs. Oregon State in the Insight Bowl in 2004 - the game set a Bank One Ballpark record for football con-figuration). Notre Dame and Michigan played before an over-capacity 111,386 at Michigan Stadium in September of 2005. The2005 Washington game was played before less than a capacity crowd as 71,473 witnessed the Irish defeat the Huskies, 36-17,at Husky Stadium (capacity: 72,500) in Seattle. At Purdue, the Irish and Boilermakers played before 65,491 football fans, a Ross-Ade Stadium record (since the renovation of the facility in 2003).

One of Nation’s Best Not Needed Vs. NavySenior P Geoff Price ranks sixth in the NCAA in punting at 45.2 yards per punt. That average would break Notre Dame’s previousschool record for average yards per punt (44.9) set by Craig Hentrich in 1990. While Price has proven to be a weapon for theIrish this season, anytime Notre Dame can get through an entire game without his services is a definite positive. The Irish werenot forced to punt against Navy. It marked the first time Notre Dame failed to punt in a game since Nov. 12, 2005 against theMidshipmen. Notre Dame ran 62 plays over its 10 drives and ran 70 plays over nine drives in last season's meeting. The Irishhave gone 140 plays against Navy without being forced to punt - dating back to a D.J. Fitzpatrick punt in the fourth quarter of a27-9 Irish victory in 2004.

Darius Walker The Runner vs. Darius Walker The ReceiverJunior RB Darius Walker set a new single-game, career-high with nine receptions against Purdue earlier this season. He had reg-istered seven catches in a game on three different occasions, including twice in 2006. Walker is third on the team with 54 recep-tions in 2006. He also ranks fourth in the NCAA in receptions by a running back. Already the Notre Dame career leader in catch-es by a running back (107), Walker will shatter his previous single-season school record for receptions by a running back of 43set last season.

Need A First Down, Dial Darius WalkerJunior RB Darius Walker has touched the football 171 times the past six games. Of those touches, 58 resulted in a first down forthe Irish. In fact, Walker leads Notre Dame with 81 first down plays. Against Purdue earlier this season, Walker touched the ball27 different times in the first-half against the Boilermakers. Of those 27 touches, nine resulted in a first down for the Irish. Walkerfinished the afternoon with 12.

McKnight & Samardzija Moving The ChainsThe senior WR duo of Rhema McKnight and Jeff Samardzija have combined to earn 88 first downs this season. McKnight has 64catches and 45 of them have resulted in a first down, while Samardzija has registered a first down on 43 of his 70 grabs.

Darius Walker Running Into Irish HistoryJunior RB Darius Walker has led the Irish in rushing each of the past two seasons and will do it again in 2006. Walker has rushedfor 1,182 yards this season, including 914 over the last eight games. He would be the sixth running back in school history to leadthe Irish in rushing three consecutive seasons and the first since Autry Denson (1995-98). Walker would be the first running backto lead Notre Dame in rushing over his first three seasons since Emil Sitko (1946-49). Sitko actually led Notre Dame in rushingeach of his four seasons.

Irish Triple Option Passing AttackThe Notre Dame offense has its own version of the triple option in the passing game. The Irish have four players, Jeff Samardzija,Rhema McKnight, Darius Walker and John Carlson that each rank among the top 60 in the NCAA in receptions per game. NotreDame is the only school that has four student-athletes in the top 60. Notre Dame also has three receivers among the top 64 inreceiving yards per game. Samardzija leads the Irish and ranks 18th in the country with a 79.83 average, while McKnight is 29thwith a 73.75 average. Senior TE John Carlson is 64th with an average of 62.10 yards per game.

The 2006 Notre Dame roster features nine players whohave already earned their undergraduate degree from theUniversity. Fifth-year seniors Dan Chervanick, MarcusFreeman, Chris Frome, Derrick Landri, Brian Mattes,Rhema McKnight, Bob Morton, Mike Richardson and DanSantucci all graduated from Notre Dame in May of 2006.

The fifth-year senior group also proved to be diligentworkers in the classroom - especially in their final under-graduate semester at the University. The football teamposted a 3.072 GPA for the spring semester in 2006, thebest the squad has done since tracking each team’s GPAwas instituted at Notre Dame in 1992.

Here is a list of the graduates on the 2006 Notre Damefootball team -

• OL Dan Chervanick - degrees in accounting from theMendoza College of Business and history (3.75 finalsemester GPA, 3.60 overall GPA). • TE Marcus Freeman - degree in marketing from theMendoza College of Business (3.00 GPA during fall ‘05semester). • DE Chris Frome - degree in finance from the MendozaCollege of Business (3.83 GPA during fall ‘05 semester,3.303 overall GPA). • DT Derek Landri - degree in history and computer appli-cations from the College of Arts and Letters (3.33 GPA dur-ing fall ‘05 semester and 3.08 GPA during final semester).• OL Brian Mattes - degree in finance from the MendozaCollege of Business (3.834 final semester GPA, 3.486overall GPA and Dean’s List honoree). • WR Rhema McKnight - degrees in psychology and com-puter applications from the College of Arts and Letters(3.417 during fall ‘05 semester). • OL Bob Morton - degree in accounting from theMendoza College of Business (3.417 final semester GPA). • CB Mike Richardson - degree in marketing from theMendoza College of Business (3.143 final semester GPA).• OL Dan Santucci - degree in marketing from theMendoza College of Business (3.917 final semester GPA toearn Dean’s List status, 3.359 overall GPA).

Notre Dame’s nine college graduates is second-best inthe nation. The full list (minimum of six).

Auburn 11Notre Dame 9Texas Tech, Miami (Fla.) 9Boston College, Louisiana Tech, Penn State 7Kentucky, Baylor, West Virginia 6

College Graduates


Instant ClassicThe UCLA game certainly qualifies among the most "fantastic Irish finishes" ever at Notre DameStadium. Four times now, in the 75-year history of Notre Dame Stadium, the Irish have scoredthe winning touchdown in the final minute of regulation:

Oct. 27, 1979: Rusty Lisch's 14-yard TD pass to Dean Masztak and two-point conversionpass to Pete Holohan with 42 seconds to play beat South Carolina, 18-17.

Nov. 14, 1992: Rick Mirer's three-yard TD pass to Jerome Bettis and ensuing two-pointconversion (pass from Mirer to Reggie Brooks) give the Irish a 17-16 victory over Penn Statewith 0:20 on the clock.Oct. 30, 1999: Jarious Jackson's 16-yard TD pass to Jay Johnson with 0:36 left givesNotre Dame a 28-24 win over Navy.

Oct. 22, 2006: Brady Quinn's 45-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Samardzija produces thegame-winning points with just 27 seconds left in a 20-17 win over UCLA.

Irish Rush Defense Bottles Up UCLAUCLA entered the game with Notre Dame averaging over 143.67 yards a game rushing. In fact,the Bruins leading rusher, Chris Markey, ranked 18th in the NCAA at 98.7 yards per game. UCLAfound life quite difficult against the Irish defense. The Bruins managed only 26 yards on theground on 28 carries, just under a yard per tote. And, Markey had 19 carries for 32 yards and11 of those yards came on one carry. Notre Dame was even more impressive in the second half.The Irish limited the Bruins to minus-17 yards on the ground.Quinn Not Afraid of the Late Game DramaticsThis season marks the 76th year of Notre Dame Stadium. There have been only nine games inthe history of the “Stadium That Rockne Built” where the Irish trailed in the final minute andwon (four by TD and five by FG). Jarious Jackson (1998 vs. Purdue and 1999 vs. Navy) andsenior QB Brady Quinn (2003 vs. Navy, 2006 vs. UCLA) are the only two Irish quarterbacks tolead multiple game-winning drives when ND trailed at home in the final minute. But, Jackson’sdrive against Purdue in 1998 does really approach either of Quinn’s, as Tony Driver's intercep-tion of Drew Brees put the ball at the 5-yard line (Jackson handed off to Autry Denson threetimes which got it down to the 1-yard line before the winning chip shot). Here is a look at bothof Quinn’s game-winning drives.Opponent C-A-Yards TDUCLA (2006) 3-3-80 1Navy (2003) 4-6-35 0Totals 7-9-115 1Irish Legends Are Made In The 4th Quarter, Brady DefinitelyAmong The GreatsSenior QB Brady Quinn has turned the fourth quarter into his own personal sanctuary. Quinn hasbeen at his best in the fourth quarter this season. He is 57-of-89, 64 percent, for 741 yards andeight TD passes. He has also tossed just one interception in the final quarter over the entire sea-son.Notre Dame Defense Dominates UCLA on First DownThe Irish defense had struggled for most of the season on first down. Entering the matchup withUCLA, Notre Dame was allowing its opponents 6.79 yards on first down. The Irish limited theBruins to a total of 24 yards on first down -- an average of only 1.0 yard on first down.Going Down To The WireIn the two seasons since Charlie Weis arrived at Notre Dame (24 games), seven games havebeen decided by a touchdown or less with five being decided by three points or less. Notre Damehas won its fair share. The Irish are 5-2 in games decided by a seven points or less since Weisarrived in 2005. Notre Dame has captured its last four games decided by a touchdown or less.Brady Quinn Boiling Hot Against PurduePurdue must think the Notre Dame senior signal caller wore an Irish uniform for 10 years. Quinnput together a remarkable career in four games against the Boilermakers. He blitzed Purdue for1,485 yards passing and seven touchdowns. In Quinn’s last three games against theBoilermakers, he threw for 432 yards (2004), 440 (2005) and 316 (2006) -- the outings in

2004 and 2005 rank fourth and fifth respectively on the ND single-game list. Quinn went 29-for-38 with two touchdowns against Purdue earlier this season. Combined with last year’s game,Quinn completed 58-for-74 (78.4) and five touchdowns.Walker Early & OftenJunior RB Darius Walker had 20 carries and seven receptions in the first-half against Purdue. Hefinished with a season-high 31 carries and career-high nine catches. The 40 touches in a single-game tied his previous career-high. Walker recorded 40 touches (35 rushes, 5 receptions)against Stanford on Nov. 26, 2005.Five Straight Undefeated Opponents To Open The SeasonNotre Dame always plays one of the top schedules in all of college football, but the Irish tookthat to the ultimate extreme this season. Notre Dame faced an undefeated opponent each of itsfirst five games this season. The 1999 Notre Dame squad was the last Irish team to face five con-secutive undefeated foes to open the season.Irish Comeback For The AgesFrom the 7-0 victory over Oklahoma in 1957 snapping the Sooners 47-game winning streak, toHarry Oliver’s 51-yd field goal as time expired to defeat Michigan in 1980, to the 31-30 victo-ry over top-ranked Miami in 1988 en route to the school’s 11th national championship, NotreDame has been part of some unbelievable football games over its 118 years of football. Thecomeback victory over Michigan State earlier this year will sit along side those previously men-tioned games.

The Irish overcame a 16-point fourth quarter deficit against the Spartans (actually trailed37-21 with just under nine minutes remaining), the largest deficit entering the fourth quarterthe Irish have overcome since the 1979 Cotton Bowl (Jan. 1, 1979) when Notre Dame trailedHouston, 34-12, with just under eight minutes to go in the game and came back to win, 35-34.Joe Montana threw the winning touchdown pass to Kris Haines as time expired (Joe Unis kickedthe deciding PAT) in what was later termed “The Chicken Soup Game.”

Notre Dame Defense Comes Through LateAfter the Irish defense surrendered 31 points in the first half to Michigan State, it would havebeen hard to imagine that the same defensive group could possibly turn the game into NotreDame’s favor, but that is exactly what happened. The Irish allowed just six points after halftimeand limited the Spartans to 128 total yards on their 33 second half plays. Drew Stanton was just2-for-9 (both completions coming on Michigan State’s final drive) for 23 yards. Notre Dame alsoforced three takeaways, two interceptions and one fumble. In fact, the Irish turned over theSpartans on their final three possessions.

Secondary Stands Tall Against Some of the Nation’s Best WROver Notre Dame’s first five games, the Irish secondary has been dealt the difficult task ofguarding some of the countries top wide receivers. Notre Dame faced Calvin Johnson of GeorgiaTech, Derrick Williams of Penn State, Steve Breaston of Michigan, Matt Trannon of Michigan Stateand Dorien Bryant of Purdue (all of who entered the game as their teams top receiver). With theexception of Johnson’s first half in the season opener, Notre Dame has clearly taken away thesepremier playmakers. Here is a quick synopsis of the Irish against those dangerous wideouts:

1ST HALF 2ND HALFRec. Yds. Avg. Rec. Yds. Avg.

Calvin Johnson 5 95 19.0 2 16 8.0Derrick Williams 1 3 3.0 2 9 4.5Steve Breaston 3 29 9.7 3 13 4.3Matt Trannon 0 0 0.0 2 23 11.5Dorien Bryant 1 13 13.0 2 28 14.0

Notre Dame Little Too UnselfishErvin Baldwin of Michigan State was the third Notre Dame opponent to register a defensivetouchdown in consecutive weeks against Michigan and the Spartans. The Wolverines had a pairof defensive scores in their victory over the Irish. Prior to the Sept. 16 against Michigan, the Irishhad allowed just three defensive touchdowns total in their previous 34 games.


Spartans Seeing BradyAfter senior QB Brady Quinn throw for 487 yards and five TD passes in the 2005 meeting withMichigan State, many figured it would be near impossible to repeat that type of performance in2006. Well, let’s just say that Quinn met the task. He threw for 319 yards and five touchdowns.Quinn has thrown for five or more TD passes in one game on three separate occasions and twohave come against the Spartans. For his career, he was 71-of-137 for 1,124 yards and 12 touch-downs against the Spartans.

Quinn Threw 21 TDs in Notre Dame Stadium in 2005; 20 in 2006Brady Quinn shattered the Notre Dame record for touchdown passes at Notre Dame Stadium ina season, exploding for 21 in 2005 (5 vs. Michigan State, 1 vs. USC, 6 vs. BYU, 3 vs. Tennessee,4 vs. Navy, 2 vs. Syracuse). He finished just one touchdown shy of his own school record in 2006.Quinn had 20 TD passes in Notre Dame’s seven games at home this season. It eclipsed the pre-vious school record (excluding Quinn’s 2005 season) for touchdown passes in Notre DameStadium in a single-season of 11 by Ron Powlus (1994) and Jarious Jackson (1999). Quinn wasso dominant, in 2005 and 2006, that his total home field touchdown passes (21 and 20) wouldhave broken the previous overall single-season record of 19 held by Ron Powlus (1994).

Brady’s BunchNotre Dame senior QB Brady Quinn has spread his pass completions around in 2006. Quinn hascompleted passes to 10 different receivers, a breakdown of six wide receivers, two tight endsand two running backs. Quinn has thrown touchdown passes to a total of seven different play-ers this season: John Carlson, Rhema McKnight, Darius Walker, Jeff Samardzija, AshleyMcConnell, David Grimes and Marcus Freeman.

Rhema has McKnight to RememberAfter missing almost all of 2005 following a knee injury suffered during the second game lastyear, fifth-year senior WR Rhema McKnight returned to the gridiron with a vengeance at GeorgiaTech. McKnight led the Irish with eight catches for 108 yards against the Yellow Jackets. Afterpacing Notre Dame in catches in 2003 and 2004, McKnight picked up a key 19-yard catch on

3rd and 9 on the final possession of the game, prohibiting Georgia Tech from getting the ballone last time.

Abiamiri Awarded Fanning ScholarshipSenior DE Victor Abiamiri, a senior finance major from Baltimore, Md., and Franklin Lakes, N.J.,has been named a 2006 recipient of Eugene D. Fanning Scholarships at the University of NotreDame. Abiamiri was selected by faculty of Notre Dame's Fanning Center for BusinessCommunication for their excellence in communication skills and exemplary personal character-istics. The scholarships include a $3,500 credit to each student's tuition account and a commem-orative pewter plate. Established in 1995 in honor of the late Gene Fanning, the scholarships arefunded by donations from members of the University's advisory council for the Mendoza Collegeof Business. Fanning, a 1953 Notre Dame graduate, was a Chicago businessman and investorwho taught business communication courses as a guest instructor in the college from 1989 to1995.

Irish Athletes Once Again Rank Near the Top Of Latest NCAAStudent-Athlete Graduation Ratings

Whether measured by the federal government in its Department of Education report or bythe NCAA through its newer Graduation Success Rate (GSR) numbers, graduation rates forUniversity of Notre Dame student-athletes again rank among the national leaders in all majorcategories among all Division I-A football-playing colleges and universities, according to statis-tics released Nov. 9 by the NCAA.

Both the traditional NCAA graduation-rate figures and the GSR numbers for Notre Damestudent-athletes found the Irish ranked eighth or better nationally in five major categoriesamong the 118 Division I-A football-playing institutions.

The federally-mandated NCAA Graduation-Rates Report, the 16th such survey issued by theassociation, covers students who enrolled between 1996 and 1999 at all Division I institutions. TheNCAA bases graduation rates on the raw percentage of student-athletes who entered an institutionand graduated within six years. Students who leave or transfer, regardless of academic standing,are considered non-graduates. All those receiving athletics aid are included in the statistics.

Using the federal formula, Notre Dame graduated a four-year average of 89 percent ofits student-athletes, just behind Duke University at 90 percent, and just ahead of Stanford andNorthwestern (88 percent each).

Notre Dame ranks second among Division I-A football schools (and also among all 318 I-A programs) on another scale, called the GSR, which was two years ago by the NCAA. TheUniversity's 98 percent GSR for all its student-athletes is second only to the 99 percent of theUnited States Naval Academy, which, like all military academies, is exempt from the federal sur-vey because it does not offer grants-in-aid to student-athletes.

The GSR was created to more accurately reflect actual graduation rates by including trans-fer data in the calculation. College and university presidents asked the NCAA to develop a newmethodology that takes into account the mobility among students in today's higher educationenvironment. Research indicates that approximately 60 percent of all new bachelor's degreerecipients are attending more than one undergraduate institution during their collegiate careers.

Among 627 student-athletes who completed all four years of athletic eligibility at NotreDame from among those entering over a 10-year period from 1990-91 through 1999-2000, 99percent earned their degrees.

Notre Dame graduated 87 percent of all men competing in varsity athletics, to rank first(tied with Duke and Stanford) among its peer institutions based on the federal calculations.Among women, Notre Dame's 94 percent rate was second (tied with Duke), behind onlyNorthwestern's 95 percent rate.

Notre Dame graduated 75 percent of its black student-athletes, ranking eighth national-ly, and Irish football players graduated at an 84 percent rate, to rank sixth (the national aver-age in football is 55 percent).

In the GSR standings, Notre Dame finished second among all student-athletes at 98 per-cent (behind only the U.S. Naval Academy at 99), second among male student-athletes at 97percent (behind the Naval Academy at 99), third among football players at 95 percent (behindthe Naval Academy at 98 and Boston College at 96), fourth among black student-athletes at 91percent (behind the Naval Academy at 96, Northwestern at 93 and Wake Forest at 93) and tiedfor fourth with three other schools among female student-athletes at 99 percent (Vanderbilt,Northwestern and the Naval Academy finished at 100).

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Inside Notre Dame Football Affiliates


Harris Named to Outland Trophy Watch ListSenior offensive tackle Ryan Harris was named to the 2006 Outland Trophy Watch List in Juneby the Football Writers Association of America. The award has been given annually to thenation's top offensive or defensive interior lineman since 1946. Harris has started 44 careergames at tackle, including the last 36 at left tackle protecting quarterback Brady Quinn's blindside. Harris played a key role in 2005 as the team averaged 36.7 points per game and 477.3yards of total offense. In 2004 and this year, he was named the team's Westwood One/GuardianLife Insurance Guardian of the Year. Harris earned freshman All-America accolades fromRivals.com in 2003 and second-team freshman All-America honors from The Sporting News afterbecoming just the third true freshman to start on the offensive line.

Another Weis, Rockne ComparisonSecond year Notre Dame head football coach Charlie Weis has avoided any comparisons to anyof the great all-time Irish head coaches, especially legendary head man Knute Rockne. However,Weis accomplished something after the victory over Penn State that only Rockne and himself canclaim. With Notre Dame’s 41-17 rout of the Nittany Lions, Weis became just the second coach inIrish history to open his first two seasons in South Bend at 2-0. Rockne opened the 1918 and1919 seasons with consecutive victories.

Defense More Than Carried Its Weight Against Georgia Tech,Penn StateNotre Dame held Georgia Tech and Penn State scoreless for a total of nearly five quarters beforethe Nittany Lions kicked a field goal at the 11:29 mark of the third quarter on Sept. 9. The score-less streak spanned 68:16 and was the longest such streak since the 2002 season. Notre Damewent 94:28 without allowing any points over a three-game stretch that included Navy, Rutgersand USC.

Quinn and the Notre Dame Record BookQuarterback Brady Quinn is in his fourth season as the starter. He has already made a lastingmark on the Irish football record book owning 36 school records. Since 1950, a Notre Damequarterback has thrown for 300 yards or more 20 times. Quinn is responsible for 11 of thoseperformances - the most for any single Notre Dame quarterback. Quinn has thrown for 350 (vs.Boston College, 2003), 432 (vs. Purdue, 2004), 487 (vs. Michigan State, 2005), 327 (atWashington, 2005), 440 (at Purdue, 2005), 467 (vs. BYU, 2005), 432 (at Stanford, 2005), 319(at Michigan State, 2006), 316 (vs. Purdue), 304 (vs. UCLA, 2006) and 346 (vs. NorthCarolina). Quinn is the only Notre Dame quarterback to throw for over 400 yards five times ina career (in fact, he is the only one to do it twice) - and in Notre Dame’s road game at Purduein 2005 he became the first to throw for more than 300 yards in three consecutive games. Healso is the first Irish quarterback to throw for 300 or more yards four times in a season (he hasdone it twice, 2005 and 2006). He is also the only Irish quarterback to ever eclipse 3,000 pass-ing yards in a single-season and he has done it twice.

Morton Selected to the 2006 American Football CoachesAssociation Good Works TeamSenior OL Bob Morton was one of 11 players in NCAA Division I-A chosen to the 2006 AmericanFootball Coaches Association Good Works Team. The two 11-man teams, a Division I-A team anda combined team from Divisions I-AA, II, III and the NAIA, honor players for their dedication andcommitment to community service. Nominees have to be actively involved and committed toworking with a charitable organization, service group or involved in other community serviceactivities. Candidates have to display sincere concern and reliability, while also having made afavorable impression on the organizations with which they are involved. On the field success isnot a criteria.

Young Makes ND HistoryStill listed as the starter at right tackle, Sam Young made Notre Dame history at Georgia Techbecoming the first true freshman to start the season opener on the offensive line since freshmenbecame eligible in 1972. Young is just the fourth Irish freshman to start on the offensive linejoining an elite club that includes teammate Ryan Harris as well as Brad Williams and MikeRosenthal. Harris started the final eight games of the 2003 season, Williams made starts againstNavy and Boston College in 1996 and Rosenthal started against Ohio State, USC and Air Forcein 1995.

Defense Shines at Georgia TechNotre Dame's much-maligned defense rose to the occasion against a quick Georgia Tech team withvery talented players at the skill positions. After hearing the cries of "617 yards" all summer, thedefense responded by allowing just 259 yards of offense to the Yellow Jackets, the second-fewesttotal at the time during the Charlie Weis era. The defense was at its best late in the game as theyallowed just 71 yards of offense in the second half on 21 plays. Included in the second half effortwas limiting Tech's All-American WR Calvin Johnson to just 16 yards on two receptions. A key rea-son for the success was its effectiveness on third down where Georgia Tech converted on just 2-of-10 chances for the game and was 0-for-4 in the third and fourth quarters.

Samardzija's Record Season Earned All-America HonorsWide receiver Jeff Samardzija returns for his senior season in 2006 after earning consensus first-team All-America honors in 2005 when he led the team with 77 catches for 1,249 yards and 15touchdowns. He became Notre Dame’s first 1,000-yard receiver since 1970 on an 80-yard touch-down pass against Stanford on Nov. 26 of last season. Samardzija eventually broke TomGatewood’s single-season receiving yardage record against Stanford, pushing his season total to1,190 yards and tied Gatewood’s single-season receptions mark. He also surpassed the single-season touchdown total as his 15 scoring receptions led the nation and bested Derrick Mayes’previous record of 11 from 1994.

Samardzija Opened 2005 with TD Catches in Eight StraightGamesJeff Samardzija entered the 2005 campaign without a touchdown catch in his career, then pro-ceeded to catch a touchdown pass in each of Notre Dame's first eight games of last season. Thetwo-sport athlete (also a top-line pitching prospect for the Chicago Cubs after he was drafted inthe fifth round in this year's Major League Baseball draft) became the first Irish receiver to beginthe season with eight consecutive games with a touchdown catch - which made him the NotreDame record holder for consecutive games with a touchdown reception. He surpassed MalcolmJohnson's six-game run from 1998 against BYU. Samardzija, who also serves as the team'sholder on field-goal attempts, tied a Notre Dame record with three touchdown receptions versusMichigan State (later broken by Maurice Stovall, who posted four touchdown receptions againstBYU). Samardzija was the seventh player to catch three touchdown passes in a game and thefirst since Tom Gatewood versus Purdue in 1970.

Walker Rushed 1,000 Yards in Dramatic FashionRunning back Darius Walker became the ninth Irish player to rush for over 1,000 yards in a sea-son with 1,196 yards on 253 carries and seven touchdowns last year. Walker surpassed the1,000-yard barrier during a career-best 35-carry, 186-yard outing at Stanford during which he

scored the winning touchdown and added a two-point conversion for the final score. Walker also

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2006 Notre Dame Football Replays


set a then Irish mark for receptions by a back with 43 for 351 yards and two scores. Walker'seffort against Stanford pushed him into the top-10 all-time on the single-season rushing yardagelist as well.

Walker's 100-Yard GamesDarius Walker rushed for 100 yards seven times last season, marking the first time since 1993that an Irish player posted seven or more 100-yard rushing performances in a season. LeeBecton ended the 1993 campaign with seven consecutive 100-yard performances.

Older and WiserThe 2006 Notre Dame offensive line is one of the most experienced units in school history. TheIrish offense boasts over 140 combined career starts on the line. Senior tackle Ryan Harris hasstarted 44 Notre Dame games and led the veteran group in starting assignments. Seniors BobMorton and John Sullivan were second and third with 40 starts and 30 career starts, respectful-ly, while senior Dan Santucci has 25 starts to his credit.

Brady Quinn Named 2006 Walter Camp Player of the YearAward “Player to Watch” Notre Dame senior quarterback Brady Quinn was named one of 10 “Players to Watch” by theWalter Camp Football Foundation for its 2006 Player of the Year award. Quinn was on the listfor the second consecutive year and is joined by eight other offensive players and one defensiveplayer.

One of the top quarterbacks in the country, Quinn has passed for 3,278 yards this seasonwith 35 touchdowns and only five interceptions while guiding the Fighting Irish to a 10-2 record.He owns 36 school records and has a chance to finish his illustrious career with over 12,000 pass-ing yards and 90 touchdowns. Those numbers would rank in the top-ten in each category on theall-time NCAA Division I passing charts and he would become just the sixth Division I signal-callerto reach both the 12,000 career passing yards and 90 career touchdown milestones.

Brady Quinn A Finalist For the Unitas AwardFive senior quarterbacks were selected as finalists for the 2006 Johnny Unitas Golden ArmAward, presented annually to the nation's top senior collegiate quarterback by the Johnny UnitasGolden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc.

The five finalists were: John Beck, BYU, Kevin Kolb, Houston, Brady Quinn, Notre Dame,Troy Smith, Ohio State and Drew Stanton, Michigan State. These five star quarterbacks wereselected by a committee of football experts from across the United States.

USC quarterback Matt Leinart won the award last year. Other past recipients include DonMcPherson (Syracuse, 1987), Rodney Peete (USC, 1988), Tony Rice (Notre Dame, 1989), CraigErickson (Miami, Fla., 1990), Casey Weldon (Florida State, 1991), Gino Torretta (Miami, Fla.,1992), Charlie Ward (Florida State, 1993), Jay Barker (Alabama, 1994), Tommie Frazier(Nebraska, 1995), Danny Wuerf fel (Florida, 1996), Peyton Manning (Tennessee, 1997), CadeMcNown (UCLA, 1998), Chris Redman (Louisville, 1999), Chris Weinke (Florida State, 2000),David Carr (Fresno State, 2001) Carson Palmer (USC, 2002), Eli Manning (Ole Miss, 2003) andJason White (University of Oklahoma, 2004).

In addition to honoring a player with the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the JohnnyUnitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc., has awarded more than $500,000 in scholar-ships to deserving scholar athletes from local area high schools both in Maryland and Kentucky.

Tom Zbikowski Named Thorpe Award SemifinalistNotre Dame senior safety Tom Zbikowski was named a semifinalist for the 2006 Jim ThorpeAward, presented annually to the nation’s best college defensive back. Zbikowski was one of 11semifinalists announced by the Jim Thorpe Award Screening Committee.

Zbikowski is in the midst of yet another strong season as he ranks third on Notre Dame’sdefense with 69 tackles despite missing one game due to an injury. The senior from ArlingtonHeights, Ill. has also tallied one tackle for loss, one pass break-up, two quarterback hurries,forced one fumble and returned a fumble 25 yards. Zbikowski has also excelled as a puntreturner, returning one punt 52 yards for a touchdown against North Carolina. The touchdownwas his third punt return for a score and seventh touchdown in his Notre Dame career.

Geoff Price Named Ray Guy Award SemifinalistNotre Dame senior punter Geoff Price was selected as a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award,which identifies the nation's top Division I-A collegiate punter. Price was one of ten semifinalistschosen from a list of 47 punters that were originally nominated. Particular emphasis was on thefollowing categories: net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line, averagereturn yardage, and percentage not returned.

Quinn, Samardzija and Walker Named to Maxwell Award WatchListSenior quarterback Brady Quinn, senior wide receiver Jeff Samardzija and junior running backDarius Walker were named to the 2006 Maxwell Award Watch List. The Maxwell Award is pre-sented annually by the Maxwell Football Club to the top collegiate football player. Notre Dame'sthree players on the Maxwell Award Watch List matches USC, Ohio State, Michigan and Miami(FL) for the most nominees. The list was trimmed to 12 semi-finalists in October before threefinalists were named in November.

Sullivan Named to Rimington Watch ListSenior center John Sullivan was named to the Rimington Trophy Spring Watch List. He joins 38other centers on the list for the Dave Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstand-ing center in college football. The Boomer Esiason Foundation presents the award to the centerwho receives the most first team All-America votes determined by the AFCA, Walter CampFoundation, Sporting News and FWAA. Sullivan has started all 12 games in 2006. He started thelast seven games at center for the Irish in 2005, while making appearances in all 12 games. Asa junior in 2004, Sullivan started all 12 games and called out all blocking assignments for theoffensive line.

Quinn, Samardzija Named to Walter Camp Watch ListSenior quarterback Brady Quinn and senior wide receiver Jeff Samardzija were two of 35 "play-ers to watch" chosen by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. The nation's fourth-oldest individ-ual college football award had its watch list narrowed to 10 semi-finalists in early Novemberbefore the winner was chosen based on voting conducted by the 119 Division I-A head coachesand sports information directors.

Zbikowski Named to Nagurski and Bednarik Watch ListsSenior defensive back Tom Zbikowski was named to both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch Listand Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List for 2006. The Nagurski Trophy is given to the nation's topdefensive player at the Charlotte Touchdown Club annual awards banquet. The Bednarik Awardis given annually to the nation's top defensive player as voted on by head coaches, members ofthe Maxwell Football Club and various sports writers throughout the country. Zbikowski wasnamed third-team All-America by the Associated Press after the 2005 season when he made 62tackles and led the team with five interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. He also addedtwo touchdowns on punt returns. Zbikowski scored touchdowns via interception return, puntreturn and fumble return (seven in all) during his Notre Dame career.

Notre Dame Makes First Offer Of Football Season Tickets InThree decades; Revenue To Fund Repairs To StadiumTo fund repairs to historic Notre Dame Stadium, the University of Notre Dame announced todaythe sale of 5,000 football season tickets beginning in 2007 - the first such offering in more thanthree decades. The University also announced that, in response to unprecedented demand, it isinstituting changes to several policies that will increase ticket access for alumni in the generalfootball ticket lottery.

The 5,000 season tickets will be sold first to people directly affiliated with Notre Dame andthen to the general public. In addition to the face value of the tickets, the cost will include anannual ticket rights fee based on seat location: $2,000 per ticket for sideline seats, $1,500 forcorner seats, and $1,250 for end zone seats.

The revenue generated through the ticket plan will be used to assist in paying for repairsand ongoing preservation of the 76-year-old Notre Dame Stadium's original seating bowl. Theexact cost of the project is yet to be finalized, but is expected to exceed $40 million.

University officials studied other revenue-generating options - including the addition ofluxury boxes - before deciding on the ticket rights fees.

"Notre Dame Stadium is a legendary landmark in American athletics, and we are commit-


ted to preserving and maintaining both its structural integrity and its historic look and feel," saidJohn Affleck-Graves, executive vice president of the University. "By providing a rare opportuni-ty to purchase Notre Dame football season tickets, we are developing revenue for this importantproject, giving fans a chance to invest in the future of `The House that Rockne Built,' and pro-tecting current and future resources necessary for our primary mission of teaching and researchexcellence."

Engineering studies have indicated that the structural supporting frame of the stadiumremains in good condition. However, freeze/thaw damage over three-quarters of a century hasled to deterioration of the seating bowl concrete. Stadiums of the same vintage as Notre Dame'sfacility at the University of Michigan and Ohio State and Purdue Universities have faced similarmaintenance issues in recent years. The repair project was to begin last spring, but the Universityput it on hold to conduct further engineering analysis.

Fans interested in purchasing season tickets can find information on the process on theWeb at http://stadiumpreservation.nd.edu. A waiting list for the potential future sale of seasontickets will be established after all of the current allotment has been sold.

Affleck-Graves emphasized that none of the new season tickets will be drawn from tick-ets currently available in the general alumni lottery. The 5,000 tickets will come from seasontickets that have been returned over the past several years, as well as a reduction in internalUniversity ticket allocations, he said.

Though unrelated to the season ticket offering, the University also has responded to thehigh demand for Irish football tickets in the 2006 general alumni ticket lottery by revising poli-cies that will reallocate tickets among several groups in order to increase opportunities in thegeneral lottery.

"Notre Dame has the most inclusive alumni ticketing process of any high-demand programin the nation, and we remain committed to continuing that access," Affleck-Graves said.

Notre Dame Athletics in PrintFour new books either about Notre Dame athletics or written by past or current Irish coaches willbe available in bookstores this fall. Head coach Charlie Weis released his autobiography, NOEXCUSES, Oct. 10. With the help of NFL.com national editor and author, Vic Carucci, the book willtell the remarkable story of his journey from being a student of Notre Dame to becoming headcoach of his alma mater. Stories from his professional career of working in the NFL to personalevents involving himself and his family will also be chronicled. Former head coach Lou Holtz'autobiography, Wins, Losses, and Lessons hit bookshelves Aug. 15. Detailing stories from hisyouth to his days as a football head coach, this book is said to be a "reflective, inspiring and can-did look back at an extraordinary life and career from a coaching legend." Fighting IrishLegends, Lists and Lore is the latest book by Karen Heisler, wife of Notre Dame Senior AssociateAthletic Director John Heisler, and "captures the history, tradition, and spirit of one of thenation's most storied and revered athletic programs." The book recounts stories of Notre Dame'smost famous athletes and coaches in every sport. Longtime writer and editor for Blue & GoldIllustrated Tim Prister released his latest book entitled, The New Gold Standard Aug. 16. Thebook takes readers inside head coach Charlie Weis' first season at Notre Dame and how he"returned the program to its rightful (and historic) place among college football's elite."

New Fighting Irish All-Access Package Launched on Aug. 4The University of Notre Dame official athletic website, und.com, entered a new era on Friday,Aug. 4. The Fighting Irish All-Access package underwent a complete overhaul and und.com willbring Notre Dame alumni and fans full coverage free of charge for the 2006-07 season. Irishfans will no longer be required to subscribe or sign up for audio/video coverage on und.com. Itfeatures a new media player, which includes a bigger display screen and easier access tound.com's multimedia offerings. As part of the new Fighting Irish All-Access launch, the und.comcrew will post a bevy of video offerings from a variety of Irish sports and the University archives- just the first step toward developing und.com into the top source for Fighting Irish fans on theworld wide web. Check und.com for more details.

Although Notre Dame’s official colors for athletics long have been listed as gold and blue, thecolor of the Irish home football jersey has switched back and forth between blue and green for morethan 50 years.

While dark blue jerseys with a gleaming gold helmet and gold pants is the signature uniform forthe Notre Dame football team, green has developed into an unofficial third school color.

Any discussion about the green uniforms in Notre Dame athletics history begins with the NotreDame-USC football game on Oct. 22, 1977. Irish head coach Dan Devine – who had received a friend-ly suggestion from head basketball coach Digger Phelps during an off-season conversation – orderedspecial green jerseys four months in advance of the Irish-Trojan game. Notre Dame had not worn greenjerseys since a 1968 Thanksgiving Day game in Yankee Stadium against Syracuse.

In what was billed as the best-kept secret in Notre Dame football history, most of the team wasunaware of the uniform switch until 20 minutes before kickoff – although Devine allowed captains RossBrowner, Terry Eurick and Willie Fry to try on the new jerseys on Friday afternoon prior to the pep rally.Even though Fry hinted about the change at the rally that evening by calling for the fans to wear greento the game and referring to his teammates as the ‘Green Machine,’ the secret remained safe until theteam returned after pregame warm-ups to find green jerseys with gold numbers handing in each play-er’s locker.

Notre Dame Stadium already was operating at a fever pitch that day before the team even tookthe field. The student body wheeled a homemade Trojan horse onto the field to symbolize the historicalFall of Troy. The Irish fans also were eager to make up for the 55-24 loss to USC in 1974, a game thatNotre Dame led 24-6 at halftime.

The Irish rolled to a 49-16 victory over USC in their green jerseys and the “Green Machine” wasborn. Notre Dame wore the jerseys for the rest of the season, sweeping through the remainder of theschedule and thumping #1 Texas, 38-10, in the Cotton Bowl to earn the national championship.

Gerry Faust outfitted his Irish teams in green jerseys for victories over USC in 1983 and ’85 (theteam switched to green during halftime of the ’85 game). Lou Holtz incorporated green twice in histenure, sparking the team to a 1982 Sugar Bowl victory over Florida with green numbers on white jer-seys. The team also wore green in a 35-28 loss to Georgia Tech for the 1999 Gator Bowl while TyroneWillingham’s 2002 team wore green in a 14-7 loss to Boston College.

Although the 1977 Notre Dame-USC football game marked the renewal of the green jerseys,Notre Dame football teams have been wearing green in one fashion or another since Knute Rocknepatrolled the sidelines during the 1920s. In those days, the Notre Dame varsity team usually wore bluewhile the freshman squad was outfitted in green.

On several occasions, Rockne’s varsity team did wear green – simply for purposes of distinctionwhen the Irish opponent also came out in blue. Games against Navy in the late 1920s, for example, fea-tured green-clad Notre Dame teams in order to avoid confusion with the Navy’s blue uniforms.

Rockne didn’t mind using the color change as a psychological ploy. When Notre Dame faced Navyin Baltimore in 1927, the Irish head coach started his second-string reserves. Navy took advantage byscoring a touchdown in the first five minutes of the game. Immediately following the Midshipmen’s score,Rockne made his move, as reported by George Trevor in the New York Sun:

“Instantaneously, the Notre Dame regulars yanked off their blue outer sweaters and – like ahorde of green Gila monsters – darted onto the field. From that moment on, Notre Dame held the ini-tiative, imposed its collective will upon the Navy.”

Notre Dame came from behind to win that game, 19-6, and then used the same maneuver thefollowing year at Chicago’s Soldier Field. That 1928 game saw Notre Dame beat Navy, 7-0, with theScholastic Football Review including this description:

“Mr. K.K. Rockne may, or may not, be a psychologist. But, he did array his team in bring greenjerseys for their battle with the United States Naval Academy. Mr Rockne evidently surmised that garb-ing a band of native and adopted Irish in their native color is somewhat akin to showing a bull theRussian flag.”

The green jerseys remained prominent throughout the Frank Leahy years – particularly son inSeptember of 1947, when Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Lujack graced the cover of Life magazine cladin green. Several of Joe Kuharich’s squads wore green with UCLA-style shoulder stripes and shamrockson the helmets. Even Hugh Devore’s 1963 team, after wearing blue all season, switched to green for theseason finale against Syracuse.Notre Dame in Green Jerseys since 1977Oct. 22, 1977 win #11 Notre Dame 49 #5 USC 19Oct. 22, 1983 win Notre Dame 27 USC 6Oct. 19, 1985 win Notre Dame 37 USC 3*Jan. 1, 1992 win #18 Notre Dame 39 #3 Florida 28+ Sugar BowlJan. 2, 1995 loss Notre Dame 24 #4 Colorado 41 Fiesta BowlJan. 1, 1999 loss #17 Notre Dame 28 #12 Georgia Tech 35 Gator BowlNov. 2, 2002 loss #4 Notre Dame 7 Boston College 14Oct. 15, 2005 loss #9 Notre Dame 31 #1 USC 34Nov. 18, 2006 win #6 Notre Dame 41 Army 9* ND switched to green jerseys at halftime+ ND wore white jerseys with green numbers

Green-Jersey History



by Katie StuhldreherFall break is an important time for most

students. The week-long vacation in Octoberusually falls right after mid-terms week, pre-senting students with the much-neededopportunity to take a trip with friends, catchup on homework and job applications, or justgo home and sleep.

For a group of Notre Dame student-ath-letes, however, fall break meant much morethan this. A group of 15 student-athletes andfive administrators drove a bus from SouthBend to New Orleans, La., to help repairsome of the hardest hit areas of town afterHurricane Katrina decimated much of the citylast year.

Charmelle Green, director of Student-Athlete Development and Welfare, remarks,“It was unbelievable how much work remainsto be done down there still, even though thehurricane hit a year ago. It was surprising tosee that so many areas are still in such badshape. It was a like a ghost town.”

Green says the idea to take the group ofstudents to New Orleans from Oct. 14-18,began when a representative from the Schoolof Urban Mission (SUM), a Christian serviceand academic institution, spoke to the NotreDame Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.The students decided that they wanted to domore to help out in New Orleans and talkedto Green and other administrators about set-ting up the trip.

“Some of the students were interested indoing something like this, so we got the okayfrom the NCAA and found enough fundingfrom alumni to do this,” she says.

Since the fall and winter sports teamsneeded to stay on campus to practice orcompete, most of the participants in the tripwere from spring sports teams. Fencing, trackand field, cheerleading, lacrosse, rowing,equipment workers, and student managerswere represented on the trip. Notre Dameathletic director Kevin White also participat-ed, as well as several administrators: HaroldSwanagan, Nina Stephan, and NadjaMemmer.

Caitlin McKinney, a member of thewomen’s lacrosse team, says, “One of thebest parts of the trip was that I met severalother athletes from other teams. I may neverhave met these people, but while workingtogether we got to know each other quitewell.”

Shannon Burke, a member of the women’slacrosse team, says, “A figure was thrown atus the first day we got there, relating theamount of total damage to the amount ofhouses already cleaned up: 200,000 housesdestroyed, 50,000 cleaned up. This wasunbelievable to me and I knew we had ourwork cut out for us.”

Burke highlighted how difficult the workwas during the trip. While most studentswere relaxing at home after their exams, theparticipants in the New Orleans trips spentlong hours lifting and cleaning.

“The first day of work was more brutalthan I could have expected: four hours gut-ting trim, cabinets, bathtubs, sinks, and door-frames was exhausting, but after a one-hourlunch break, we were back at it for anotherfour hours, this time destroying the walls andpulling out all the nails throughout thehouse,” she says.

Maryann Erigha, a member of the track andfield squad, echoes Burke’s thoughts. “I feltlike I was taking a crash course in carpentry.Gutting out houses is really taxing. If I didn’tpractice every day, there is no way I couldhave handled eight hours of physical labor.”

Green attested to the camaraderie the stu-dents showed during the trip: “After a longday of work clearing out houses, the studentsalways got together and prayed. Then theyalways said, ‘Go Irish!’”

The participants on the trip completed avariety of tasks to help repair neighborhoodsdevastated by Katrina. They sealed leakyroofs, cut back trees and debris still left inyards and on houses, and “mudded out”homes of local residents (ie, cleared the hous-es of debris and ruined belongings).

“Seeing pictures of the destruction ofKatrina do not even begin to explain the dev-astation that the victims have undergone.Seeing it in person is unbelievable. Thesepeople have lost everything, and even aftermore than a year they are continuing torebuild their lives and put the pieces backtogether, ” remarks Maggie McGinn, a mem-ber of the cheerleading squad.

She continues, “Meeting with the victimshas given me a newfound respect and grate-fulness for all that I have been blessed with.”

The bus ride was long and the task daunt-ing for the participants, but they all agreedthat it was worthwhile and eye-opening

The nine-hour days also included removing debris and waste from the homes. While the work was physicallydemanding, all the student-athletes agreed that the smiles on the faces of homeowners made their efforts all worth-while at the end of the day.

Building Hope for New OrleansNotre Dame student-athletes spend fall break helping Katrina victims


Burke adds, “While the work was quitebrutal, the look on the home owners’ faces,while they prayed with us, when they wentout of their way to bring us all lunches, whenthey shared their stories with us and thankedus from the bottom of their hearts for ourhelp, was completely worth all the work.”

Many student-athletes who went on thetrip said that the service aspect of it deep-ened their faith.

Daniel Clark, a member of the track andfield team, says, “It was uplifting when I hadthe chance to speak with people we served aswell as the neighbors. Amidst all the destruc-tion of homes, neighborhoods, and schoolsthe people remained optimistic. They did notlose faith in the worst of times and trust thatGod will work everything out.”

dent-athlete community at Notre Damecame together for a service trip.

“This is just what the Notre Dame spirit isall about. We’ve had many different studentgroups already do a lot to help the victims ofHurricane Katrina. Service is a big part of ourcommunity and so many students and facul-ty members are involved. It’s just a part ofbeing the Fighting Irish,” Green says.

She encourages other members of theNotre Dame community interested in gettinginvolved in the relief efforts in New Orleans tocontact local churches or visit SUM’s Web sit:www.sumonline.org.

“The most shocking thing was how manyareas haven’t even been touched yet, even ayear later. The biggest thing right now is toget the word out that so much work remainsto be done down there and how much helpthose people still need.”

Other students stressed how good it felt tobe able to make a concrete difference in help-ing a city get back on its feet after a nationaldisaster.

“Last year, I could only help throughmoney contributions, and it was a good feel-ing to actually be there, talking to the victims,and hearing their stories. The best part wasbeing able to see the results of our contribu-tions, ” remarks Kelly Gaudreau, a member ofthe women’s lacrosse team.

Elise Janowak, a member of the women’srowing team, says, “Even if what we did onlyimpacted a few individuals, it is reassuring toknow that our actions have initiated a changefor the better.”

Green said that although many individualsports teams undertake service projects, thistrip marked the first time that the entire stu-

The traveling party to NewOrleans consisted of fiveadministrators, including direc-tor of athletics Kevin White,and 15 student-athletes. Itmarked the first time that agroup of student-athletes andadministrators participated in aservice trip together.

Women’s lacrosse player ShannonBurke spent many long hours gut-

ting the inside walls of homesdestroyed by the hurricanes.

Victor AbiamiriSeason

Tackles 9, vs. Michigan (9.16)TFL 3.5, vs. Stanford (10.7)QB Hurries 4, vs. Purdue (9.30)PBUs 1, vs. Army (11.18)Sacks 3, vs. Stanford (10.7)Fumbles Forced 1, vs. North Carolina (11.4)

CareerTackles 10, at Stanford (11.26.05)TFL 4, at Stanford (11.26.05)QB Hurries 4, vs. Purdue (9.30.06)Sacks 4, at Stanford (11.26.05)PBUs 1, three timesFumbles Forced 1, twice

Joe BrockingtonSeason

Tackles 15, at Air Force (11.11)TFL 1.0, at USC (11.25)Sacks 1.0, at USC (11.25)PBUs 1, v. Purdue (9.30)

CareerTackles 15, at Air Force (11.11.06)TFL 1, vs. MSU (9.17.05)PBUs 1, v. Purdue (9.30.06)Sacks 1.0, at USC (11.25.06)

John CarlsonSeason

Receptions 8, vs. North Carolina (11.4)Receiving Yards 121, at MSU (9.23)Receiving TDs 1, four timesLongest Reception 62, at MSU (9.23)

CareerReceptions 8, vs. North Carolina (11.4.06)Receiving Yards 121, at MSU (9.23.06)Receiving TDs 1, five timesLongest Reception 62, at MSU (9.23.06)

Maurice Crum, Jr.Season

Tackles 14, vs. PSU (9.9)TFL 3.0, vs. PSU (9.9)QB Hurries 1, twiceSacks 1, four timesInterceptions 1, vs. Stanford (10.7)PBUs 1, three timesFumbles Forced 1, vs. Penn State (9.9)

CareerTackles 14, vs. PSU (9.9.06)TFL 3.0, twiceQB Hurries 1, five timesSacks 1, four timesInterceptions 1, vs. Stanford (10.7.06)PBUs 1, five timesFumbles Forced 1, twice

Chris FromeSeason

Tackles 5, twiceTFL 1.0, at Air Force (11.11)Sacks 0.5, vs. North Carolina (11.4)PBUs 2, at USC (11.25)QB Hurries 1, twice

CareerTackles 5, twiceTFL 1, twiceSacks 1, at Pittsburgh (9.3.05)PBUs 2, at USC (11.25.06)QB Hurries 1, twice

David GrimesSeason

Receptions 8, vs. UCLA (10.21)Receiving Yards 79, vs. UCLA (10.21)Longest Reception 36, vs. Navy (10.28)Receiving TDs 1, vs. Navy (10.28)Longest Kickoff Return 50, vs. UNC (11.4)

CareerReceptions 8, vs. UCLA (10.21.06)Receiving Yards 79, vs. UCLA (10.21.06)Longest Reception 36, vs. Navy (10.28.06)Receiving TDs 1, vs. Navy (10.28.06)Longest Kickoff Return 50, vs. UNC (11.4.06)

Ray HerringSeason

Tackles 9, vs. Stanford (10.7)PBUs 1, vs. Purdue (9.30)Fumble Recovery 1, vs. Army (11.18)

CareerTackles 9, vs. Stanford (10.7.06)PBUs 1, vs. Purdue (9.30.06)Fumble Recovery 1, vs. Army (11.18.06)

Terrail LambertSeason

Tackles 11, vs. Purdue (9.30)TFL 1.0, vs. Purdue (9.30)Interceptions 2, at MSU (9.23)PBUs 1, at USC (11.25)Fumble Recoveries 1, at Air Force (11.11)Fumbles Forced 1, vs. Purdue (9.30)

CareerTackles 11, vs. Purdue (9.30.06)TFL 1.0, vs. Purdue (9.30.06)Interceptions 2, at MSU (9.23.06)PBUs 1, twiceFumble Recoveries 1, at Air Force (11.11.06)Fumbles Forced 1, vs. Purdue (9.30.06)

Derek LandriSeason

Tackles 11, twiceTFL 4.5, vs. Army (11.18)QB Hurries 2, vs. Purdue (9.30)Sacks 2.0, vs. Army (11.18)

CareerTackles 11, vs. Navy (10.28.06)TFL 4.5, vs. Army (11.18.06)QB Hurries 2, three timesSacks 2.0, vs. Army (11.18.06)PBUs 2, vs. Michigan (9.11.04)Fumble Recoveries 1, twiceFumbles Forced 1, vs. Stanford (10.9.04)

Trevor LawsSeason

Tackles 11, vs. Michigan (9.16)TFL 2.0, twiceSacks 1, three timesInterceptions 1, at USC (11.25)PBUs 1, vs. PSU (9.9)QB Hurries 1, twiceFumble Recoveries 1, vs. UCLA (10.21)Fumbles Forced 1, at MSU (9.23)

CareerTackles 11, vs. Michigan (9.16.06)TFL 2.0, twiceSacks 1, five timesInterceptions 1, at USC (11.25.06)PBUs 1, four timesQB Hurries 1, five timesFumble Recoveries 1, twiceFumbles Forced 1, vs. Wash. (9.25.05)

Ashley McConnellSeason

Carries 1, twiceRushing Yards 2, vs. PSU (9.9)Receptions 1, twiceReceiving Yards 5, vs. Stanford (10.7)Receiving TDs 1, vs. Michigan (9.16)

CareerCarries 1, three timesRushing Yards 3, vs. BYU (10.22.05)Receptions 1, twiceReceiving Yards 5, vs. Stanford (10.7.06)Receiving TDs 1, vs. Michigan (9.16.06)

2006 Notre Dame Players Season/Career Highs


Rhema McKnightSeason

Receptions 10, vs. Purdue (9.30)Receiving Yards 120, vs. Purdue (9.30)Receiving TDs 2, five timesLongest Reception 44, at GT (9.2)

CareerReceptions 10, vs. Purdue (9.30.06)Receiving Yards 121, at BC (10.25.03)Receiving TDs 2, five timesLongest Reception 54, at BYU (9.4.04)

Chinedum NdukweSeason

Tackles 22, at Air Force (11.11)TFL 1.0, twiceQB Hurries 2, vs. Purdue (9.30)Interceptions 1, twiceSacks 1, vs. PSU (9.9)PBUs 1, five times

CareerTackles 22, at Air Force (11.11.06)TFL 1.0, four timesQB Hurries 2, vs. Purdue (9.30.06)Interceptions 1, four timesSacks 1, vs. Tennessee (11.5.05)PBUs 2, twice

Geoff PriceSeason

Punts/Game 7, twicePunt Yards 363 vs. Michigan (9.16)Punt Average 51.9 vs. Michigan (9.16)Longest Punt 62 vs. Penn State (9.9)Punts Inside 20 3 vs. Purdue (9.30)

CareerPunts/Game 7, twicePunt Yards 363 vs. Michigan (9.16.06)Punt Average 51.9 vs. Michigan (9.16.06)Longest Punt 62 vs. Penn State (9.9.06)Punts Inside 20 3 vs. Purdue (9.30.06)

Brady QuinnSeason

Completions 29, vs. Purdue (9.30)Attempts 48, vs. Michigan (9.16)Passing Yards 346, vs. North Carolina (11.4)Passing TDs 5, at MSU (9.23)Rushing TDs 1, twiceRushing Yards 74, at USC (11.25)Longest Pass 62, at MSU (9.23)Longest Rush 60, at USC (11.25)

CareerCompletions 33, vs. MSU (9.17.05)Attempts 60, vs. MSU (9.17.05)Passing Yards 487, vs. MSU (9.17.05)Passing TDs 6, vs. BYU (10.22.05)Rushing TDs 1, six timesRushing Yards 74, at USC (11.25.06)Longest Pass 85, at Purdue (9.27.03)Longest Rush 60, at USC (11.25.06)

Mike RichardsonSeason

Tackles 9, at USC (11.25)TFL 2.0, at MSU (9.23)PBUs 1, five timesQB Hurries 1, vs. UCLA (10.21)Interceptions 2, vs. Army (11.18)

CareerTackles 9, twiceTFL 2.0, twiceSacks 1, three timesInterceptions 2, vs. Army (11.18.06)PBUs 2, vs. Syracuse (11.26.05)QB Hurries 1, vs. UCLA (10.21)Fumble Recoveries 1, at Purdue (10.1.05)Fumbles Forced 2, vs. UT (11.5.05)Longest INT Return 32, at MSU (9.18.04)

Jeff SamardzijaSeason

Receptions 9, vs. Army (11.18)Receiving Yards 177, vs. UNC (11.4)Receiving TDs 2, twiceLongest Reception 51, at Air Force (11.11)

CareerReceptions 10, vs. BYU (10.22.05)Receiving Yards 191, at Stanford (11.26.05)Receiving TDs 3, vs. MSU (9.17.05)Longest Reception 80, at Stan. (11.26.05)

Mitchell ThomasSeason

Tackles 5, vs. PSU (9.9)TFL 0.5, vs. Michigan (9.16)

CareerTackles 5, vs. PSU (9.9.06)TFL 0.5, vs. Michigan (9.16.06)

Travis ThomasSeason

Carries 6, at Georgia Tech (9.2)Rushing Yards 44, vs. PSU (9.9)Rushing TDs 1, twiceTackles 8, at MSU (9.23)TFL 2.0, twiceQB Hurries 1, vs. UCLA (10.21)Sacks 1.0, vs. Michigan (9.16)

CareerCarries 18, vs. USC (10.15.05)Rushing Yards 58, vs. Navy (11.12.05)Rushing TDs 1, seven timesReceptions 2, at BYU (9.4.04)Receiving Yards 28, at BYU (9.4.04)Tackles 8, at MSU (9.23.06)TFL 2.0, twiceQB Hurries 1, vs. UCLA (10.21)Sacks 1.0, vs. Michigan (9.16.06)

Darius WalkerSeason

Carries 31, vs. Purdue (9.30)Rushing Yards 162, vs. Army (11.18)Rushing TDs 2, vs. Army (11.18)Receptions 9, vs. Purdue (9.30)Receiving Yards 73, vs. Purdue (9.30)Receiving TDs 1, vs. PSU (9.9)Longest Rush 39, at Air Force (11.11)Longest Reception 18, vs. PSU (9.9)

CareerCarries 35, at Stanford (11.26.05)Rushing Yards 186, at Stanford (11.26.05)Rushing TDs 3, vs. Ohio State (1.2.06)Receptions 9, vs. Purdue (9.30.06)Receiving Yards 73, vs. Purdue (9.30.06)Receiving TDs 1, three timesLongest Rush 40, at Pittsburgh (9.3.05)Longest Reception 51, at Pitt. (9.3.05)

Ambrose WoodenSeason

Tackles 6, vs. PSU (9.9)PBUs 1, vs. PSU (9.9)

CareerTackles 12, at Pittsburgh (9.3.05)Interceptions 1, twicePBUs 2 vs. MSU (9.17.05)

Tom ZbikowskiSeason

Tackles 14, vs. Navy (10.28)TFL 1.0, at Ga. Tech (9.2)PBUs 1, at MSU (9.23)QB Hurries 2, vs. UCLA (10.21)Longest Punt Return 52, vs. UNC (11.4)

CareerTackles 14, vs. Navy (10.28.06)TFL 1.5, at BYU (9.4.04)Interceptions 1, six timesSacks 1, vs. Tennessee (11.5.05)PBUs 2, at Washington (9.24.05)QB Hurries 2, vs. UCLA (10.21.06)Longest INT Return 83, vs. BYU (10.22.05)Longest Punt Return 78, vs. UT (11.5.05)

2006 Notre Dame Players Season/Career Highs


Victor Abiamiri• Hendricks Award Mid-Season Watch List• Eugene D. Fanning Scholarships Award Winner• Lindy's #8 Defensive End• Phil Steele's #11 Defensive End• The Sporting News #5 Defensive End

John Carlson• 2006 SI.com Second Team All-American• ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-American• 2006 Mackey Award Finalist• 2006 Mackey Award Semifinalist• ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District• John Mackey Tight End of the Week (Sept. 26)• Phil Steele's #28 Tight End• Academic Honors Program Participant

Barry Gallup• 2006 National Football Foundation National High SchoolScholar-Athlete Award

Ryan Harris• Outland Trophy Watch List• Lindy's #7 Offensive Tackle• Phil Steele's #17 Offensive Tackle• The Sporting News #6 Offensive Tackle

Derek Landri• Lindy's #8 Defensive Tackle• Phil Steele's #26 Defensive Tackle• The Sporting News #8 Defensive Tackle

Terrail Lambert• Master Coaches Survey Defensive Player Of The Week(Sept. 26)• FWAA/Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week(Sept. 26)

Trevor Laws• Lindy's #18 Defensive Tackle

Brian Mattes• Academic Honors Program Participant

Bob Morton• American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team• Phil Steele's #38 Offensive Guard

Rhema McKnight• 2006 SI.com Honorable Mention All-American• Phil Steele's #55 Wide Receiver

Geoff Price• 2006 SI.com Honorable Mention All-American• Ray Guy Award Watch List

Brady Quinn• 2006 Maxewell Award Winner• 2006 Heisman Trophy Finalist• 2006 AP Second Team All-American• 2006 SI.com Second Team All-American• 2006 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Winner• 2006 Rivals.com Second Team All-American• 2006 Davey O’Brien Award Finalist• 2006 Maxwell Award Finalist• 2006 Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the YearFinalist• Cingular Player of the Week (Sept. 28)• ABC Saturday Night College Football Player of the Game(Sept. 23)• Walter Camp Football Foundation Offensive Player of theWeek (Sept. 24)• Cingular Player of the Week (Sept. 12)• Walter Camp Award Watch List• Maxwell Award Watch List• Lindy's #1 Quarterback• Phil Steele's #1 Quarterback• The Sporting News #1 Quarterback

Asaph Schwapp• Phil Steele's #15 Fullback

Jeff Samardzija• 2006 Walter Camp Football Foundation First Team All-American• 2006 AP Second Team All-American• 2006 SI.com Honorable Mention All-American• 2006 Rivals.com Second Team All-American• 2006 Biletnikoff Award Finalist• Walter Camp Award Watch List• Maxwell Award Watch List• Lindy's #3 rated wide receiver• Phil Steele's #3 rated wide receiver• The Sporting News #3 Receiver

Dan Santucci• The Sporting News #10 Offensive Guard• Academic Honors Program Participant

John Sullivan• Rimington Watch List• Phil Steele's #3 Center• Lindy's #10 Center

Mitchell Thomas• Phil Steele's #60 Outside Linebacker

Darius Walker• Walter Camp Award Watch List• Lindy's #16 Running Back• Phil Steele's #11 Running Back• The Sporting News #19 Running Back

Ambrose Wooden• Phil Steele's #13 Cornerback

Sam Young• 2006 Rivals.com First Team Freshman All-American• 2006 Sporting News First Team Freshman All-American

Tom Zbikowski• 2006 AP Third Team All-American• Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist• Nagurski Award Watch List• Bednarik Award Watch List• Lindy's #4 Safety• Phil Steele's #2 Strong Safety• The Sporting News #8 Strong Safety

Charlie Weis• Munger Coach of the Year Finalist

TEAM PRESEASON UNIT RANKINGS•Lindy's #3 Backfield•Lindy's #4 Receivers•Lindy's #6 Offensive Line•Athlon Sports #1 Quarterback Unit•Athlon Sports #4 Wide Receiver Unit•The Sporting News #3 Backfield•The Sporting News #10 Defensive Line•Phil Steele's #1 Quarterback Unit•Phil Steele's #10 Offensive Line•Phil Steele's #5 Defensive Backs

TEAM NATIONAL PRESEASON RANKINGS•Athlon Sports #2•CBSSportsline.com Magazine #4•ESPN.com #8 (post-spring)•FoxSports.com #11•Lindy's #1•Phil Steele's #7•Street and Smith's #4•The Sporting News #1

2006 Individual/Team Honors & Awards


2007 Allstate Sugar Bowl

Documents

Transcript of 2007 Allstate Sugar Bowl