Sports

Head-to-head: Notre Dame vs. BYU

COUGARS PASSING

Staff Predictions: Notre Dame vs. BYU

Allan Joseph

Going with the flow

According to legend, the biblical character Samson was blessed with phenomenal strength, yet there was one condition to his clout: He could never cut his hair.

Irish defense refuses to give an inch when it matters most

Over the past three years, Stanford's big, physical line imposed its will on Notre Dame, to the tune of 110 points and three wins. And through regulation Saturday, the Irish showed plenty of bend - but still no break - as the Cardinal rushed for nearly 150 yards.

Owens: Success under pressure provides season-defining moment (Oct. 15)

As daylight turned to dusk underneath the stormy sky, the 2012 Irish encountered their season-defining moment.

Rapid Reaction: Notre Dame 20, Stanford 13

By the score of 20-13, No. 7 Notre Dame topped No. 17 Stanford for the first time since 2008 as the Irish remain undefeated with half the season finished. The Irish (6-0) trailed for the first time when sophomore quarterback Everett Golson fumbled in the end zone and the Cardinal (4-2) recovered it for a touchdown. Notre Dame overcame the 10-3 deficit and won in overtime on seven-yard pass from Golson to junior receiver T.J. Jones. Following a goal-line stand, some students rushed the field to celebrate what seemed at times to be an improbable victory.

Week 6: Stanford

As the skies opened up and the rain fell Saturday, No. 7 Notre Dame did the opposite and slammed the door shut on No. 17 Stanford, holding the Cardinal on consecutive plays from the half-yard line to secure a 20-13 overtime win in Notre Dame Stadium.

Irish come from behind to top Stanford 20-13 in overtime

Sons of anarchy'

Just call them the "Sons of Anarchy."

Staff Predictions: Notre Dame vs. Stanford

Allan Joseph Editor-in-Chief

Schools achieve top-20 rankings

Sophomore quarterback Everett Golson was benched for part of the first series against Miami last weekend after not communicating he would be late to a team meeting because he was with a professor.

Top defensive players on campus this weekend

A trio of prized 2013 recruits with scholarship offers from Notre Dame will be on campus Saturday to take in the charged atmosphere surrounding the contest between the Irish and Stanford. The Irish recruiting staff's focus will be on the defensive backfield, as two of the three recruits are projected to line up at either safety or cornerback. Irish recruiting expert Mike Frank said cornerback Chris Hawkins, safety Max Redfield and linebacker Isaac Savaiinaea are all elite prep players on the national level.

Joseph: Saturday decides if Irish are back (Oct. 12)

It's been the big debate all week. Four simple words.

Irish defense continues impressive streaks

When Notre Dame hired Brian Kelly following the 2009 season, it was due in large part to the coach's offensive pedigree at his previous head coaching stops. However, at his introductory press conference, Kelly emphasized the need for a staunch defense over a prolific passing attack.

Stanford turns to Nunes, Taylor to replace Luck

How do you replace 10,387 total yards of offense, 82 passing touchdowns and a two-time Heisman runner-up whose last name emanates exactly what you hope a quarterback has on his side?

Men's Soccer: Irish look to road test

After a tough road loss to Northwestern, No. 7 Notre Dame looks to bounce back on the road in a Big East showdown against Seton Hall.

Men's Tennis: Irish travel to ITA Regional Championships

After dominating the Tom Fallon Invitational at the Eck Tennis Pavilion last weekend, the Irish are looking to carry their momentum through fall break and into the USTA/ITA Midwest Regional Championships. The event begins one week from today in East Lansing, Mich.

Men's Swimming: Irish to begin season at home

For the Irish, Friday evening marks more than the end of midterms - it marks the beginning of the team's 2012-2013 campaign. Notre Dame will host the Dennis Stark Relays, welcoming Oakland, Cleveland State and IUPUI.

LoVecchio remembers first start, transfer

Editor's note: This is the seventh of a new Observer feature. The "Waking the Echoes" series intends to inform fans about some former players and will feature weekly stories profiling them and their lives since Notre Dame. Notre Dame fans did not know it, but they were witnessing the future of college football.

Head-to-Head: Notre Dame vs. Stanford

CARDINAL PASSING The Andrew Luck era has ended but that doesn't mean the Cardinal's fortune in the passing game has. Senior Josh Nunes has the tough task of trying to replace Luck, but that has not stopped the Cardinal from becoming a top-25 team, including a No. 8 ranking after a 21-14 win over then-No. 2 USC on Sept. 15. Nunes has thrown for 1,145 yards and eight touchdowns in five games this year. In the Cardinal's 54-48 overtime win over Arizona on Saturday, Nunes threw for a career-high 360 yards and two touchdowns. But the biggest stat for Nunes against the Wildcats was the zero in the interception column, as his four interceptions and early inconsistency fueled calls for his benching.