Nov 14, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Sheldon Day (91) greets his mother Carol Boyd during the Senior Day recognition ceremony before the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Notre Dame’s current group of seniors are among the winningest classes at home in school history.
With 21 victories at Notre Dame Stadium following last Saturday’s 28-7 triumph over Wake Forest, the departing Irish class is now tied with teams from 1990 and 1991.
Notre Dame (9-1) hopes to keep piling up victories as it meets Boston College (3-7) in a sold-out Shamrock Series clash at Fenway Park.
The oldest baseball stadium in the United States hasn’t hosted a football game since 1968 when the then-Boston Patriots departed.
“They (the seniors) certainly have left a great legacy here at Notre Dame, you know, with 21 wins over I believe that’s a four-year period,” Irish coach Brian Kelly.
“No senior class has ever won more games at home,” he added. “A great legacy to leave here. Very proud of them. Very proud of what they’ve accomplished in their four years here.”
The seniors were also the first to be a part of two undefeated and untied seasons at Notre Dame Stadium since the class of 1991, which were a part of the perfect 1988 and 1989 home campaigns.
In last Saturday’s home finale, Notre Dame jumped out to a 14-0 lead and never trailed.
Running back Josh Adams scored on a 98-yard touchdown run on the longest TD run from scrimmage in Irish history and tied for longest by a freshman in NCAA history.
Quarterback DeShone Kizer also had two rushing scores while defensive lineman Andrew Trumbetti added another on a 28-yard interception return.
Adams made his first career start in place of ailing C.J. Prosise while Trumbetti made his first start of the season and the second of his career.
The Irish have now had 36 different starters this year — 20 on offense and 16 on defense.
Notre Dame completed just its third undefeated and untied home season since 1989. Notre Dame also accomplished the feat in 1998 and 2012.
The Irish close the regular season on Nov. 28 at No. 7 Stanford.
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Josh Adams’ 98-yard TD run was the longest play from scrimmage in Notre Dame history, eclipsing a 96-yard TD pass from Blair Kiel to Joe Howard against Georgia Tech in 1981. It was also the longest play from scrimmage in the nation this year and tied the longest rush by a freshman in NCAA history. Adams now has 553 rushing yards on his freshman season and three 100-yard rushing games this year.
–QB DeShone Kizer was 13-of-19 for 111 yards and was sacked twice. He also had two rushing touchdowns on runs of 12 and five yards. He’s now had a rushing TD in six of the last seven games.
–DE Romeo Okwara’s three sacks were the most for a Notre Dame player since Prince Shembo had three against Arizona State in 2013.
–DL Andrew Trumbetti’s interception was Notre Dame’s first return for a TD since Dan Fox ran one back 14 yards against Arizona State in 2013.
–LB Jaylon Smith contributed 14 tackles (six solo) on the defensive side of the ball, adding one tackle for loss, one pass breakup, and one quarterback hurry.
