Oct. 7, 2000
Postgame Audio
Stanford Head Coach TyroneWillinghamNotre Dame Head Coach Bob DavieFinal StatisticsPostgame QuotesSend a Cardinal FANcard!Visit Stanford Football Today!Ask the CoachSOUTH BEND, Ind. - The option was back at Notre Dame. The Irishoffense, however, didn't show a lot of improvement.
Freshman Matt LoVecchio guided the No. 25 Irish 91 yards for a touchdown ontheir first possession, and a blocked punt and an interception set up two TDsas Notre Dame beat Stanford 20-14 on Saturday.
"Any time that you can win a big-time college football game, you need toenjoy it," Notre Dame coach Bob Davie said. "I also think the football team,particularly the defensive side, didn't play as well as we should."
Stanford (2-3) scored on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Chris Lewis to DarinNaatjes with 1:07 left to close within six points, but Jabari Hollowayrecovered the onside kick at the Stanford 45.
"We beat ourselves," Stanford receiver DeRonnie Pitts said.
The Irish (3-2), who entered the game with the 106th rated offense of 114teams, managed just 266 yards total offense. Combined with the 224 yards theyaveraged their previous three games, Notre Dame is in its worst offensivestreak since being held to less than 200 yards in each of their last five gamesin 1963.
Stanford had 384 yards total offense but was hurt by two turnovers, theblocked punt and a missed field goal. The Cardinal were led by Chris Lewis, whowas 19-of-31 for 242 yards with one interception.
"We made a lot of mistakes," said Pitts, who had eight catches for 100yards, including a 13-yard TD reception. "We should have put more points onthe board."
The victory was the fourth straight game by the Irish decided by six pointsor less. Stanford lost consecutive games for the first time since 1998.
"More than anything, we think of missed opportunities," Cardinal coachTyrone Willingham said.
LoVecchio, making his first start, threw two touchdown passes to DavidGivens in the first half. LoVecchio was 10-of-18 for 100 yards and rushed for36 yards on 13 carries. He was sacked three times.
"He did a good job with the execution. He is one cool customer," Daviesaid.
LoVecchio said he felt good about his performance.
"I felt comfortable with the whole offense and when I looked at everyone inthe huddle I knew they were ready," he said.
The Irish, who lost starting quarterback Arnaz Battle when he broke hiswrist against Nebraska in the second game, turned to LoVecchio when the offensesputtered under Gary Godsey, who could not run the option.
The offense did show signs of life early as LoVecchio guided the Irish to an11-play, 91-yard scoring drive. LoVecchio rushed for 17 yards on three carriesduring the drive and was 4-of-4 passing for 40 yards, connecting with Givens ona 17-yard TD pass.
"The first drive went really well, but I knew it wasn't going to stay likethat. I knew they would change things up," LoVecchio said.
The Irish, who have had troubles with sustained drives this season, didmanage to get a few short drives in the first half but couldn't score againuntil Givens blocked a punt by Mike Biselli and the Irish recovered on the 10with 39 seconds left in the first half.
"I wasn't touched at all," Givens said. "I think they messed up on theirassignments."
LoVecchio lobbed an 8-yard scoring pass to Givens two plays later to givethe Irish a 13-0 lead.
"That gave them seven points and we lost by six," Pitts said. "You can'tdo those kinds of things and expect to win."
It marked the third time this season the Irish scored a touchdown on a driveof 10 yards or less.
Givens became the first Irish player with two touchdown catches in a gamesince Holloway, a tight end, had two against Purdue two years ago, and thefirst wide receiver since Derrick Mayes had two against Florida State in the1996 Orange Bowl.
Stanford, which had six turnovers against Arizona, had two crucial turnoversagainst the Irish. Trailing 7-0 in the second quarter, the Cardinal were on theIrish 15 when Lewis fumbled the snap and Anthony Weaver recovered.
Irish cornerback Brock Williams intercepted a pass by Lewis that was tippedby Tyreo Harrison. The Irish took over on the Stanford 34. Jones scored on a7-yard run one play after he gained 24 yards on a pass from LoVecchio.
Stanford also failed to score when Mike Bisselli missed a 29-yard field goalearly in the fourth quarter.
By TOM COYNE
Associated Press Writer