Statistically Speaking | by Pat
As it currently stands, Darius Walker has 990 career rushing yards. If he can manage to rush for 10 or more yards against Michigan State, he will reach 1000 career rushing yards faster than any running back in the history of Notre Dame football. The current record holder is Autry Denson, who passed 1000 yards in the 4th game of his sophomore year against Ohio State, his 16th career game. The Michigan State game will be Darius' 15th. Both players did not see action in their first game as freshman.
Another week, another move up the record books for Brady Quinn. A week after displacing Rick Mirer for 3rd all-time in pass attempts, he now has jumped ahead of Mirer for 3rd place all-time for career pass completions. Here's the leaderboard.
Career Pass Completions
1. - 558, Ron Powlus, 1994-97
2. - 473, Steve Beuerlein,,1983-86
3. - 385, Brady Quinn, 2003-present
4. - 377, Rick Mirer, 1989-92
5. - 306, Jarious Jackson, 1996-99
6. - 304, Terry Hanratty,1966-68
7. - 297, Blair Kiel, 1980-83
8. - 290, Joe Theismann, 1968-70
9. - 268, Joe Montana, 1975,77-78
When Notre Dame special teams limited Michigan's Steve Breaston to a 5.2 yard punt return average (6 for 31) and a 15.0 yard kickoff return average (2 for 30), not only was it far below his career averages (13.2 and 23.8), it was the 2nd lowest per-game average in each category that Breaston has had during his Michigan career (minimum 2 punt returns). Basically, Breaston has never had as bad a special teams game as he did on Saturday.
In the Notre Dame/Michigan series, the lower ranked team has won 6 of the last 9 meetings.
Season-long Running Averages
Offense
| Category | 2005 | 2004 |
| Yards per rush | 4.0 | 3.32 |
| Avg yards per pass attempt | 6.4 | 7.2 |
| Avg yards per pass completion | 9.9 | 13.4 |
| Pass completion percentage | 65% | 54% |
| Third Down conversions | 14/30 (47%) | 68/183 (37%) |
| Rushing yd average, with nat'l ranking | 189.5 (36th) | 127.4 (85th) |
| Passing yd average, with nat'l ranking | 183.5 (82nd) | 218.1 (54th) |
| Total offense yd average, with nat'l ranking | 373 (67th) | 345.5 (81st) |
| Time of possession / game | 31:51 | 30:50 |
| Red Zone Touchdown Efficiency | 7 / 8 (88%) | 25 / 36 (69%) |
Defense
| Category | 2005 | 2004 |
| Yards per rush given up | 3.6 | 2.7 |
| Avg yards per pass attempt | 5.6 | 7.9 |
| Avg yards per pass completion | 11.4 | 13.6 |
| Pass completion percentage | 49% | 58% |
| Quarterback sacks | 7 | 30 |
| Rushing yd average against, with nat'l ranking | 108.5 (43rd) | 88.2 (4th) |
| Passing yd average against, with nat'l ranking | 221.5 (60th) | 281.2 (116th) |
| Total yd offense average against, with nat'l ranking | 330 (45th) | 369.4 (54th) |
Turnovers
| Category | 2005 | 2004 |
| Interceptions by ND | 2 | 9 |
| Fumbles Forced / Recovered | 5 / 2 | 27 / 12 |
| Turnovers gained | 4 | 21 |
| Had Intercepted | 1 | 10 |
| Fumbles / Lost | 4/ 1 | 15 / 6 |
| Turnovers lost | 2 | 16 |
| Turnover Margin | +2 | +5 |
Special Teams
| Category | 2005 | 2004 |
| Kickoff return average | 19.7 | 18.7 |
| Kickoff return average allowed | 16.9 | 19.9 |
| Punt return average | 21.0 | 10.8 |
| Punt return average allowed | 5.2 | 8.2 |
Final fun stat 'o the day:
Brandon Hoyte already has 3.0 sacks in 2005, a number that equals his entire 2004 output.
