Game Notes: Pitt

Pitt Panthers Game Notes; we go through 80 pages so you don’t have to.

History

This year's matchup will mark the 69th meeting between Notre Dame and Pittsburgh.

 

The Irish hold a 47-20-1 series lead.

 

Since 1990, Notre Dame is 9-0 against Pittsburgh when at least one Irish runner reaches 100+ rushing yards and just 4-3 when none do.

Only four teams have beaten the Irish more times than Pittsburgh's 20 – USC with 35, Michigan State with 28, Purdue with 26 and Michigan with 24.

 

The longest game in Irish history in terms of periods also came in the series with the Panthers. Pittsburgh outlasted

The Irish, 36-33, in four overtimes in 2008.

 

Top Notre Dame Performances vs. Pitt

Rushing Yards: Julius Jones 24-262, 2 TDs; 10.11.2003

 

Passing Yards: George Izo 18-26-1-322, 2 TDs; 11.8.1958

 

Touchdowns: Bill Wolski 5 (5 rushing); 11.6.1965

 

Tackles: Bob Golic 22; 10.14.1978

 

Receptions: Bobby Brown 12-208, 1 TD; 11.13.1999

 

Receiving Yards: Bobby Brown 12-208, 1 TD; 11.13.1999

 

NOTRE DAME – PITT  CONNECTIONS

Notre Dame's all-time football roster includes 18 quarterbacks from the state of Pennsylvania

 

Notre Dame’s Elijah Shumate, S and Pitt’s Bryan Murphy, DL both played at Don Bosco Prep (N.J.)

 

Notre Dame’s Jarron Jones, DL  and Pitt’s Jahmahl Pardner, DB both played for The Aquinas Institute (Rochester, N.Y)

 

Notable Head-to-Head Statistical Matchups

 

Notre Dame Fighting Irish                                                                            Pitt Panthers

Sacks Allowed .78 per game Rank 6th	VS.	Sacks 2 per game Rank 55th
Turnover Margin 0.0 Rank Tied for 64th	VS.	Turnover Margin 0.0 Rank Tied for 64th
Red Zone Offense 75.9% Rank 191st	VS.	Red Zone Defense 92.6% Rank 115th

A VICTORY OVER PITT...

Improves Notre Dame's record to 8-2 on the season and keeps the Irish BCS hopes alive

 

Improves Notre Dame's all-time record to 48-20-1 (.703) against Pittsburgh

 

Improves Brian Kelly's record to 12-1 (.923) in the month of November as Notre Dame Head Coach.

 

ON THIS DATE

Notre Dame has played 15 previous games in its history on Nov. 9. The Irish are 9-4-2 (.667) all-time on this date.

 

Irish Milestones Within Reach

Tommy Rees needs one more win to tie Terry Hanratty (1966-68) to move up to #7 on Notre Dame’s all time win list for Quarterbacks.

 

Tommy Rees needs 4 touchdown passes to move into the #2 all-time touchdown list with Jimmy Clausen (60).

 

Tommy Rees needs seven completions to tie Ron Powlus (558) at #3 and eight completions to pass Powlus on Notre Dames all time completions list.

 

Zack Martin needs one more start to move in the #2 spot in Notre Dame’s all time start list.

 

T.J. Jones needs one touchdown to move into a tie with Maurice Stovall (18) for seven on the Irish’s all time TD receiving list and two  TD receptions to move into a tie at the sixth spot with Tom Gatewood with 19.

 

Troy Niklas needs one more receiving touchdown to move into a tie with Ken MacAfee for the most touchdowns caught in a season by an Irish Tight End.

 

Stephon Tuitt is 1.5 sacks away from tying Justin Tuck for the most sacks in Notre Dame History in one season.

 

Stephon Tuitt is .5 sacks away from tying Justin Tuck for # 5 for the most career sacks in Notre Dame History.

 

Kyle Brindza needs one field goal to move into a tie with D.J. Fitzpatrick on Notre Dames all time field goal completion list.

 

 

Notable “The Last Time” Notre Dame against Pitt

Had 50 or more rushing attempts: vs. Pittsburgh, 2012 (51)

Had eight or more rush TDs: vs. Pittsburgh, 1965 (9)

Had two players with 100 receiving yards in a game: at Pittsburgh, 2009 (Golden Tate - 113, Michael Floyd - 107)

 

Had 100 or more plays total offense:  vs. Pittsburgh, 2012 (104)

 

Scored a two-point conversion: vs. Pittsburgh, 2012

 

Returned a punt for a TD: at Pittsburgh, 2009 (Golden Tate, 87 yards)

 

Had 30 or more first downs: vs. Pittsburgh, 2012 (34)

 

Was involved in a triple overtime game:  vs. Pittsburgh, 2012 (29-26)

 

Was involved in a quadruple overtime game:  vs. Pittsburgh, 2008 (33-36)

 

Rushed for 250-299 yards: Julius Jones at Pittsburgh, 2003 (262)

 

Attempted 40-49 passes: Everett Golson vs. Pittsburgh, 2012 (42)

 

Kicked four field goals: Brandon Walker vs. Pittsburgh, 2008 (4)

 

Totaled 100 or more punt return yards: Golden Tate at Pittsburgh, 2009 (101)

 

Had 400 or more yards: Pittsburgh, 1975 (411)

 

An opposing player rushed for 300 or more yards: Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh, 1975 (303)

 

An opposing player rushed for 150-199 yards: Ray Graham, Pittsburgh, 2012 (172)

 

An opposing player rushed 40 or more times: Craig Heyward, Pittsburgh, 1987 (42)

 

An opposing player had a run of 50-59 yards: Ray Graham, Pittsburgh, 2012 (55)

 

An opposing player kicked four or more field goals: Kevin Harper, Pittsburgh, 2012 (4)

 

 

 

Pitt Panther Preview

Here comes another “Rivalry” game as the Irish prepare for the Pitt Panthers now of the ACC for the 69^th time since 1909.  Notre Dame leads the all-time series by a 47-20-1 however since 2004 the Irish only hold a 4-3 edge, including a triple overtime win.  Look for another close one Saturday as eight of the past nine games have been decided by single digits.

The theme is going to be the same for this Saturday against Pitt as it has been for the past two weeks against Air Force and Navy, just win; however the game plan, especially on the defensive side of the ball will be different. The Falcons and the Midshipmen were both run first teams, let’s face it they were more like run first second third and sometimes fourth teams and to their credit they were darn good at it (Navy averaging 294.4 yards per game good for 9^th in the country and Air Force averaging 279.2 yards per game good for 11^th in the nation).  Pitt is averaging 122.5 yards rushing per game ranking them 104^th in the nation.

It not that they don’t have a running backs that can carry the ball they just don’t do it overly well.  Junior running back Isaac Bennett has 543 yards on the season on 104 carries for an average of 5.2 yards per rush along with 5 touchdowns.  Bennett is supported by freshman James Conner who has rushed for 385 yards on 79 carries for an average of 4.9 yards per rush and 4 scores.  Although they have other backs those Bennett and Conner account for 95% of Pitt’s rushing yards, 68% of their carries and 75% of their rushing touchdowns.

Unfortunately for the Panthers their passing game does not overcompensate to balance their offensive output.  Pitt averages 223.4 yards per game in the year giving them#70 in the national rankings.  Senior quarterback Tom Savage is a journeyman starting his college career at Rutgers where he was named on the All-American Freshman Team, then transferring to Arizona (where he never took the field) and now at Pitt.  NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt said Savage is the best QB prospect you've never heard of.  Throwing six touchdowns against Duke earlier this season has helped add legitimately to that statement.

Overall Pitt’s passing game is decent and most likely will be more of a concern for the Irish defense as opposed to their run game.  On the season Savage has solid numbers with 1179 yards on 133 completions out of 219 attempts with 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions.  He has good size at 6’5” and 230lbs but has not proven to be mobile as he has been sacked 29 times this year for a total of 22 yards lost.  The Pitt offensive line has given up at least one sack in each game this year).  Much like Pitts’ running attack the Panthers have two receivers they focus on and then it gets pretty thin from there.  Senior wide receiver 6’4” 190lb Devin Street leads the Panthers with 690 yards on 40 receptions for an average of 17.3 yards per catch and four touchdowns.  6’2” 185lb freshman wide out Tyler Boyd is more than holding his own with 644 yards on 45 receptions for an average of 14.3 yards per catch and 6 scores.  Steer and Boyd combine for 63% of Pitts receptions, 75% of their receiving yards and 71% of the Panther’s receiving touchdowns.  Boyd also had 9 rushes for 106 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively Pitt reflects their record; 4-4, average at best, giving up 26.8 points per game ranking 70^th in 67^th in the country.  Giving up as little as 3 points against Virginia and as much 55 against Duke, both wins for Pitt.  However there is one player on Pitt’s defense who is far from average, senior defensive tackle Aaron Donald.  Last week Donald was named the Chuck Bednarik Award National Defensive Player of the Week, the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week and FWAA and the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week.  Last week against Georgia Tech Donald had 11 tackles (all solo), six tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a sack. His six TFLs are the most by a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) player this year.  Donald is also a quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and don’t be surprised to see his name in the hunt for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award.  At 6’ and 285lbs he may not look the part of an overly dominate defensive lineman but trust me he is.  Donald is the nation's active career leader with 27.5 sacks, a total that ranks fourth all-time at Pitt.

After Aaron Donald the Pitt defense comes back down to earth, not crashing down but a good drop nonetheless.  The run defense has held three opponents this season under 100 yards; 2-7 Virginia was held to 65 yards (2 yards per carry), 116.8 yards per game Virginia Tech ran for 76 yards (2 yards per carry) and Old Dominion gained 93 yards (4.7 yards per carry).  The Pitt defense has collected 11 turnovers this season 6 interceptions (four of them were against Duke) and five fumbles recoveries.

In short on defense focus two backs in a modest running attack at best and two receivers an average passing game while keying in on one monster in Aaron Donald for the offensive scheme and the Irish should be 8-2 on Sunday.   For a team that has lost their last two games and another two to the only ranked teams they have played so far this season I would have to give the Pitt Panthers a less then below than fair chance in upsetting the Irish on Saturday.

Take Two: Navy

After sitting back, reviewing fill, taking a second look at the stat columns and reading dozens of articles several points jumped out at me that I missed on Sunday.

The offensive line did not give up a sack on Saturday improving on their #13 national ranking allowing .88 sacks per game.

Tommy Rees moved up in the Notre Dame record books with his 21^st career win as a starter as quarterback sliding into ninth place all time, now ahead of John Lujack and Joe Theismann.

The Irish offense was moving forward all day against the Midshipmen; the only negative yardage the Irish had on Saturday were the three kneel downs at the end of the game.

Tarean Folston’s 140 yards was a bit more impressive than first thought; he was the first freshman to run for 100 yards since Robert Hughes in 2007.

With the Irish not needing to punt on Saturday Notre Dame has attempted just seven times in the last 616 offensive plays.

Just winning keeps Notre Dame in good company, being 27-4 in their last 31 regular season games means only Alabama and Oregon have better records during that stretch.

Irish efficiency; in the second half Notre Dame had four possessions and had three touchdowns (the last possession ended in kneel downs and the end of the game.

Returning to Glory; with Notre dame’s seventh win on the season it is the first time since Dan Devine that an Irish head coach has won at least seven games in each of his first four years.

The defense needs to rest; Notre Dame’s defense let Navy convert 10 of their 16 third downs.

Discipline; Notre Dame committed five penalties, Navy – zero.  

 

Saturday's 9 lead changes were the most in any game in Irish history - just one interesting note from "Inside NDFB."

Extreme Makeover South Bend Edition; Kelly seemed to continue his hinting turf is coming “It’s going to be resolved.  It will be handled.  Jack Swarbrick will take care of it. It will be handled. It’s not an easy fix. This is not just roll out some grass and tamp it down. So it will be something that will have to be worked on in the off season, looked at extensively, and we’ll come up with a solution.”

Navy win by the Numbers

At 7-2 with three games to go the Irish need a few things to happen to end up in a BCS game and salvage this season.  Overall Notre Dame needs to end up in the top 14 in the BCS rankings, for that to happen it is most likely that other team will have to help by getting some checks in the loss columns, after that Kelly and his boys just need to get wins.  Style points are concerns for team like Oregon, Ohio State and Florida State who are campaigning to meet #1 Alabama in the BCS Championship game, Notre Dame just needs wins.  With that being said the Irish’s 38-34 point win over the Midshipmen is as beneficial to their cause as the Buckeyes 56-0 win over Purdue is to theirs.  Lest look at the stats from Saturdays game that led to Notre Dames most important statistic; one win.

4 – The number of quarters that Notre Dame’s offense scored, 10, 7, 7, 14 respectively.

331/4.7 & 264/7.3 – Total rushing yards / Yards per carry for Navy & Notre Dame.  I’ll take the 7.3 yards per carry.

242 & 88 – Total passing yards for Notre Dame / Navy

79/56 – Total number of offensive plays run by Navy / Notre Dame (36 rush/20 pass) respectively.

0 – Number of punts by the Irish

37:36 / 22:24 – Time of possession for Navy / Notre Dame

2- Number of interceptions thrown by Tommy Rees

140 / 7.8 – Total number of rushing yards and yards per carry for T. Folston

10.6 – Yards per carry for G. / Atkinson

111 – Receiving yards by T.J. Jones to become the 10^th player in Irish history to have 2000 career receiving yards.

4 – Receptions by T.J. Jones to move into 4^th place on Notre Dame’s all time receptions list.

1 – Touchdown reception to be alone in 8^th place on the Irish’s all time TD reception list.

5 / 1 – Tackles for loss and Sacks for the Irish Defense

1 - Forced Fumble by Jarron Jones

11 – Total tackles for Louis Nix fill in Kona Schwenke to lead Notre Dame in tackles

Overall these numbers show Notre Dame’s effectiveness and efficiently on the field.  If Kelly and Crew are going to keep winning and get into the BSC top 14 and possible a BCS Bowl Game they had better keep being effective and efficient.