Notes

Sept. 6, 2003

Notre Dame won the toss and deferred its choice to the second half. Washington State elected to receive, while the Irish chose to defend the South goal.

Today's game marks the 168th consecutive sellout at Notre Dame Stadium (the first 130 at the old 59,075 capacity). The Washington State game also represents the 216th home sellout in the last 217 games (dating back to 1964), and the 151st sellout in the last 174 games involving Notre Dame.

Notre Dame and Washington State played one another for the first time ever, making the Cougars the 134th different opponent in the 115-year history of Irish football. It also represented the second consecutive season that Notre Dame opened with a first-time opponent (defeated Maryland, 22-0, last year at Kickoff Classic XX).

Notre Dame trailed 19-0 before rallying for today's overtime victory. It marked the largest comeback for the Irish since Oct. 16, 1999, when they trailed USC 24-3 early in the third quarter before storming back for a 25-24 win at Notre Dame Stadium.

Washington State led 12-0 after one quarter today, marking the first time Notre Dame had trailed at the end of the first period since Nov. 9, 2002 at Navy (ND was losing 7-2, rallied to win 30-23).

Washington State's 12 first-quarter points were the most by an Irish opponent in the opening period since Texas A&M tallied 14 points on Sept. 29, 2001. It also was the most first-quarter points by a visiting team at Notre Dame Stadium since Sept. 26, 1998, when Purdue led 14-0 after one quarter, only to see the Irish rally for a 31-30 win.

Notre Dame trailed by 16 points (19-3) at halftime, its largest halftime deficit since Sept. 8, 2001, when the Irish trailed by 24 points (27-3) at Nebraska.

With today's game, Notre Dame now has played every Pac-10 team, posting a winning record against nine of them (lost to Oregon State, 41-9 in only series meeting at 2001 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl). dating back to a 20-17 loss to USC on Oct. 8, 1997.

Washington State University Athletics

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