This Week: The Notre Dame College football team host West Liberty University in its 2018 Homecoming game tomorrow, September 29. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
Records: Notre Dame College is 4-0 (4-0 MEC) after a 47-22 victory at Concord last week. West Liberty is 2-2 (2-2 MEC) after a 23-17 win at home against 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 21-5 (20-4 MEC). Roger Waialae hold a 76-72 overall record in his 14th season with the Hilltoppers. He is 21-28 in MEC play.
Rankings: Notre Dame is ranked No. 23 in the September 24 AFCA Coaches' Poll. It is the second time NDC has made the top 25 after its debut on October 24, 2016.
Series History: The Falcons have yet to lose to the Hilltoppers since joining the MEC in 2013. NDC holds a 5-0 lead after winning in unique ways every contest. In 2013, it was two pick-sixes by Akye Henderson. In 2014,
Ray Russ threw for four touchdowns. In 2015,
Malik Grove was one yard shy of 500, throwing for 3 TDs, while
Ladennyawn Greene ran for 142 yards and 3 TDs. 2016 started off strong with a 98-yard kickoff return from
Marvelle Ross. And 2017 saw three players rush for 100+ yards and a TD while NDC passed for only 34 yards.
Noting the Falcons: After trailing 22-17 at halftime in Athens, W.Va. last week, Notre Dame shutout Concord 30-0 in the second half to win 47-22. It was the first time NDC trailed at the half and came back to win since September 21, 2013 when the Falcons trailed West Virginia Wesleyan 19-17, but won 34-25. With 440 yards on the ground, NDC was able to secure 20 first downs on rushing attempts. With 30 first downs throughout the game, compared to Concord's 17, it was the first time all season the Falcons earned more first downs than their opponents. Much of the smaller first down numbers are due to Notre Dame's ability to gain big chunks of yardage of single plays. Through four games this season, the Falcons have 12 plays from scrimmage of 20+ yards. Nine of those 12 plays have been for 30+ yards while four have been 70+.
Noting the Hilltoppers: West Liberty has out-gained its opponents in rushing yards in every game except one. But in that one game, the Hilltoppers lost 35 net yards on 26 attempts against Charleston. Charleston currently ranks third in the MEC in rush defense (107.8 yards allowed per game) while NDC ranks first (77.0). Despite averaging an 8th-ranked 3.1 yards per carry, WLU has committed to the run game. Only two teams have ran the ball more than West Liberty (NDC being one), but the Hilltoppers only have 505 yards (seventh in MEC) to show for their 165 attempts. Favoring the run, may be due to the team's lack in pass efficiency. WLU is worst in the league in this regard, with MEC lows in yards (637), completion percentage (48.8), and touchdowns (four).
By the Numbers
3: Forced fumbles by
Derrick Brumfield this season, ranking second in the country. He now has four career forced fumbles.
15: Passes defended by
Jeffrey Thomas. Thomas leads all of NCAA Division II with that mark. He has 14 break ups and one interception.
77.0: Rushing yards allowed per game by the NDC defense. That mark leads the Mountain East and ranks 11th in the country.
440: Team rushing yards against Concord last week. That broke the NDC single-game record. Previous record was 433.
1,123: Team rushing yards this season. Notre Dame ranks fifth in the nation in net rushing. The Falcons are one of 12 teams with 1,000 or more rushing yards after four weeks.
