Irish Halt Losing Streak at Four

PITTSBURGH —  Notre Dame, in danger of losing five in a row for the first time since 1963, did what so many teams have done before to stop long streaks--get back to basics. The big plays were only a bonus.

Allen Rossum scored on a 93-yard kickoff return to start the game and Autry Denson had two touchdown runs as Notre Dame avoided its first 1-5 start since 1960 by defeating Pittsburgh, 45-21, Saturday.

“We spent a lot of time this week talking about how to win a football game again,” said Notre Dame Coach Bob Davie, a Pittsburgh-area native and former Panther assistant. “This was an absolute critical time for us to win a football game again.”

The four-game losing streak was Notre Dame’s longest since a season-ending five consecutive losses under interim coach Hugh Devore in 1963.

Denson scored on a 50-yard run only 6 1/2 minutes after Rossum’s touchdown to give Notre Dame (2-4) a 14-0 lead--its biggest of the season--and jump-start the Fighting Irish’s first victory since defeating Georgia Tech, 17-13, in their opener.

The Irish had two kickoff return touchdowns--one by backup quarterback Jarious Jackson on an onside kick with 13 seconds to play--and three scoring plays of 40 yards or longer. Previously, they had only eight plays of 29 yards or longer.

“It’s nice to see some of those white teeth again,” Davie said. “I’m happy to see our players smiling again.”

Most of the smiles were generated by a previously ignored running game that was the difference in Notre Dame’s eighth consecutive victory over Pittsburgh (3-3) since 1987.

The strategy couldn’t have worked much better as Denson (19 carries for 128 yards) and senior Clement Stokes (15 for 109), who had gained only one yard all season, helped the Fighting Irish outrush Pittsburgh, 317-133.

“The running game just took off,” quarterback Ron Powlus said. “I think our offensive line made their minds up to make this happen.”

NEXT FOR USC

Who: Notre Dame

Where: Notre Dame Stadium

When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

TV: Channel 4

Radio: KLSX-FM (97.1)