Statistically Speaking | by Pat
Brady Quinn kept up his assault on the record books. His five touchdown passes lands him at #1 in terms of single game TD passes, surpassing a gaggle of Irish QBs (Jackson, Powlus, Beuerlein, Lamonica, Bertelli) who had four. It also moves him up to 3rd place all-time for career touchdown passes. His 487 yards passing ranks 2nd all time behind Joe Theisman's 526 yard day against the Trojans in 1970. From the "run to win" side of things, the top four passing games for Irish quarterbacks all come in losing efforts. For a complete look at the other records that Quinn is threatening to break, check out the pdf version of the ND/UM game notes from und.com.
On the flip side, Drew Stanton's 327 yards passing were the most by an MSU quarterback in a Notre Dame/Michigan State game. But, as can be said about Quinn's record, this series has historically been of the three yards and a cloud of dust variety, so the new pass-friendly offenses for both schools are obviously going to be setting new records.
Jeff Samardzija's three touchdown receptions tied a school record for most touchdown receptions in one game. The record is shared by six other players (Tom Gatewood, Jim Seymour, Jim Kelly, Jim Mutscheller, Bill Barrett, Eddie Anderson).
On the season, Samardzija now has 5 touchdown receptions. That moves him into a tie for 9th place all-time on season receiving touchdowns with 75% of the season left to play. He should quickly move up this list and has a great shot at taking the top spot when all is said and done.
1. Derrick Mayes - 11, 1994
2. Jack Snow - 9, 1964
3t. Jim Seymour - 8, 1966
3t.Tom Gatewood - 8, 1969
5. Tom Gatewood - 7, 1970
6t. Ken MacAfee - 6, 1977
6t. Derrick Mayes - 6, 1995
6t. Bobby Brown - 6, 1997
9t. Ken McAfee - 5, 1975
9t. Tim Brown - 5, 1986
9t. Jeff Samardzija - 5, 2005
Anthony Fasano is still moving up the tight end career reception list that was mentioned a few weeks ago. Currently he is in 4th place with 60 and only two receptions behind Derek Brown and Dean Masztak, who are tied for second place. After that though, it's a long haul to catch up to Ken McAfee who has 128 career receptions.
Season-long Running Averages
Offense
| Category | Pitt | UM | MSU | 2005 | 2004 |
| Yards per rush | 5.5 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 3.7 | 3.32 |
| Avg yards per pass attempt | 8.4 | 4.7 | 8.1 | 7.3 | 7.2 |
| Avg yards per pass completion | 11.0 | 11.7 | 14.8 | 12.2 | 13.4 |
| Pass completion percentage | 67% | 63% | 55% | 60% | 54% |
| Third Down conversions | 10/15 (67%) | 4/15 (27%) | 6/18 (33%) | 20/48 (42%) | 68/183 (37%) |
| Rushing yd average, with nat'l ranking | 275.0 | 104.0 | 107.0 | 162.0 (48th) | 127.4 (85th) |
| Passing yd average, with nat'l ranking | 227.0 | 140.0 | 487.0 | 284.7 (19th) | 218.1 (54th) |
| Total offense yd average, with nat'l ranking | 502.0 | 244.0 | 594.0 | 446.67 (21st) | 345.5 (81st) |
| Time of possession / game | 32:45 | 30:55 | 35:49 | 33:10 | 30:50 |
| Red Zone Touchdown Efficiency | 5/ 6 (83%) | 2/2 (100%) | 4/ 5 (80%) | 11/ 13 (85%) | 25 / 36 (69%) |
Defense
| Category | Pitt | UM | MSU | 2005 | 2004 |
| Yards per rush given up | 3.3 | 2.4 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 2.7 |
| Avg yards per pass attempt | 6.3 | 5.1 | 12.1 | 7.3 | 7.9 |
| Avg yards per pass completion | 11.0 | 11.7 | 20.4 | 14.0 | 13.6 |
| Pass completion percentage | 57% | 43% | 59% | 52% | 58% |
| Quarterback sacks | 5 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 30 |
| Rushing yd average against, with nat'l ranking | 103.0 | 114.0 | 161.0 | 126.0 (50th) | 88.2 (4th) |
| Passing yd average against, with nat'l ranking | 220.0 | 223.0 | 327.0 | 256.7 (92nd) | 281.2 (116th) |
| Total yd offense average against, with nat'l ranking | 323.0 | 337.0 | 488.0 | 382.7 (68th) | 369.4 (54th) |
Turnovers
| Category | Pitt | UM | MSU | 2005 | 2004 |
| Interceptions by ND | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 9 |
| Fumbles Forced / Recovered | 2/ 1 | 3/ 1 | 4/ 2 | 9/ 4 | 27 / 12 |
| Turnovers gained | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 21 |
| Had Intercepted | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 10 |
| Fumbles / Lost | 1/ 0 | 3/ 1 | 1/ 1 | 5/ 2 | 15 / 6 |
| Turnovers lost | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 16 |
| Turnover Margin | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 | +5 |
Special Teams
| Category | Pitt | UM | MSU | 2005 | 2004 |
| Kickoff return average | 17.5 | 24.0 | 21.5 | 20.7 | 18.7 |
| Kickoff return average allowed | 16.0 | 18.0 | 20.8 | 18.5 | 19.9 |
| Punt return average | 23.0 | 19.0 | 11.0 | 16.0 | 10.8 |
| Punt return average allowed | 0.0 | 5.2 | 2.0 | 4.1 | 8.2 |
Fun Stat O' the Day
D.J. Fitzpatrick is only 2 punts away from becoming #5 on the All-Time Punts in a Career list. Ok, some maybe not fun stat o' the day. How about depressing reminder of recent offensive woes.
