This Week: The Notre Dame College football team travels to Fairmont State University for the 2018 Falcon Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. This game is part of the NCAA Division II Football Showcase and will be broadcast across multiple social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter. The game will also be available on the Periscope app. 

Records: Notre Dame College is 5-0 (5-0 MEC) after a 55-21 homecoming victory against West Liberty last week. Fairmont State is 4-1 (3-1 MEC) after winning 24-6 on the road at UVa-Wise.

Coaches Corner: Mike Jacobs is in his third year as the head coach of the NDC football program. He has an overall record of 22-5 (21-4 MEC). Jason Woodman is in his sixth season at the helm of the Fairmont State football program. He is 34-24 (31-22 MEC). Rankings: Notre Dame is ranked No. 20 in the October 1 AFCA Coaches' Poll. It is the first time NDC has been ranked in consecutive weeks.

Series History: The Falcons are 2-3 against Fairmont State with wins coming in 2014 and 2017. Since Mike Jacobs took over prior to the 2016 season, the contests between these two teams have been very close. In 2016, NDC lost a 23-19 on the road. Then, in 2017, Notre Dame won at home 19-14.

Noting the Falcons: The Mountain East Conference named running back Jaleel McLaughlin and kicker/punter Tanner Harding MEC Of- fensive and Special Teams Players of the Week after their performances against WLU. McLaughlin rushed for 340 yards, an NDC record, and three touchdowns while Harding made two field goals and hit all seven of his PAT attempts. McLaughlin's second 300-yard game pushed him over 1,000 yards on the season. Not only did the Falcons succeed on offense and special teams, but the defense played well throughout the contest, recording nine tackles for a loss, including five sacks, and forcing three turnovers. The special teams unit also forced a turnover and recovered a kick. Notre Dame won the turnover battle four-two and have won the turnover battle in each game this season with a season total of 14 takeaways compared to five.

Noting the Fighting Falcons: Fairmont State ranks in the MEC top five in all major team categories except for pass defense, where it ranks sixth. FSU leads the league in scoring defense (19.2 ppg against) as one of only two teams allowed less than 20 points per game. The Fighting Falcons also lead the MEC in pass efficiency (165.2) and third down conversions (43.8%). Fairmont State excels on special teams as it leads the conference in kickoff returns, punt returns, and punting. The Fighting Falcons are the only team in the MEC to average more than 20 yards on punt returns; with a 28.2 yard average on eight attempts, the team's average has been boosted by two return touchdowns to match the two NDC also has.

Thursday night history: Since joining the Mountain East in 2013, Notre Dame is 3-2 in Thursday night games.The Falcons have twice played Thursday night games at Fairmont State, winning in 2014 (42-35) and losing in 2016 (23-19).

By The Numbers

0: Sacks allowed in the last two games by the Notre Dame offensive linemen. NDC has allowed just five sacks this season, ranking third in the MEC behind Urbana (three) and Fairmont State (four).

2: Underclassmen lead the MEC in rushing this season. Notre Dame's freshman Jaleel McLaughlin leads the way with 1,068 yards (213.6 per game) while Khalik Hamlin, sophomore from Fairmont State, is second with 626 yards (125.2).

17: Sacks by the Falcon defense this season, which is the most of any Mountain East Team.

770: All-purpose yards gained by Marvelle Ross. Ross ranks second in the MEC and 14th in NCAA DII. Jaleel McLaughlin has 1,240 allpurpose yards, which ranks first in both the conference and nation.