This Week: Notre Dame College hosts Wheeling University on Saturday, October 19, at 1 p.m. on Mueller Field. 

Records: Notre Dame is 6-0 (6-0 MEC) after a 63-53 shootout at Charleston last week. Wheeling is 0-6 (0-6 MEC) after a 28-14 loss to a non-conference McKendree.

Coaches Corner: Mike Jacobs is in his fourth year as the head coach of the NDC football program. He has an overall record of 36-6 (32-4 MEC). In 2018, Jacobs was named MEC, Regional and National Coach of the Year. Zac Bruney is in his third year at Wheeling after starting the program with the Cardinals. This is the team's first year as a varsity NCAA program.

Rankings: Notre Dame was ranked No. 6 in the AFCA Coaches' Poll released October 14 after spending the first six weeks in the top five.
Series History: This is the first contest between Notre Dame and Wheeling.

Noting the Falcons: Despite a couple of close games, Notre Dame has been able to stay comfortable throughout the majority of second halves this season. This has resulted in more plays for fewer yards in the third and fourth quarters as the NDC offense slows things down. The Falcons have gained 1,499 yards on 197 plays in the first half (7.6 average) while gaining just 1,116 yards on 210 plays in the second half (5.3). The difference comes mainly in the passing game. NDC has 776 yards passing in the first half of games this year while totaling 348 in second halves. The run game has been similar (723 in first half vs. 768 in second half), but Notre Dame has averaged 6.5 yards per rush in the first and second quarter compared to 4.9 in the third and fourth. Normally, when the fourth quarter comes around, NDC is managing the clock. The Falcons have only attempted 17 passes in the fourth quarter, which is the lowest of any quarter by 21. The game against UC last week was the first time Notre Dame had attempted more than three passes in the fourth. NDC has attempted 86 rushes in the fourth quarter, and 68 in the third compared to just 60 in the second and 51 in the first. Notre Dame has seen the most success in the first quarter with 770 yards on 89 plays (8.7 avg.) while struggling the most in third quarters with 493 yards on 107 plays (4.6 avg.) The Falcons average 7.6 yards in the second quarter (729 yards/108 plays) and 6.0 in the fourth (623 yards/103 plays). NDC has been able to hold on to the ball for 54 minutes throughout fourth quarter play this season, compared to 36 minutes that opponents have controlled play.

Reflected in scoring, Notre Dame has dominated first halves, outscoring opponents 176-79. While the defense has similar numbers in the second half, the NDC offense slows in scoring, but the Falcons still outscore opposition 119-80.

Noting the Cardinals: Wheeling ranks fifth in the MEC in passing offense with 1,509 yard, but it has taken them 247 pass attempts to do so. The Cardinals 6.1 yards per pass attempt is lowest in the conference, but going via the air has been their best option this season. Wheeling also ranks last in yards per carry (1.9) and average just 48.3 yards per game on the ground. Going up against Notre Dame, who leads the league in rush defense and ranks 10th in pass defense, WU is likely to keep things steady in their pass-first offense. Notre Dame is also likely to keep going with its bread and butter in the run game as Wheeling ranks last in the MEC in rush defense with 292.0 yards allowed on average.

Opening Drives: The Notre Dame defense has now allowed five of its six opponents to score on opening drives in 2019. The Falcons have responded imediately on the following drive four of those five times to tie things up or take a lead of their own. In the lone game in which NDC started with the ball, they drove down the field to score a touchdown. In all six games played this season, the opening drives have resulted in scores. Notre Dame has started with the ball five times in the second half this season, but have only scored on those drives once.

One O'clock Kicks: Notre Dame has played its last 27 homes games with a 12 p.m. kickoff time. The last game played outside of that traditional noon time was on October 18, 2014. In one of the biggest games in program history, NDC was able to defeat No. 8 Shepherd 35-34 on that day. This will be head coach Mike Jacobs first home game with a start time later than 12 p.m.

Climb the Mountain: A few Notre Dmae players are close to breaking Mountain East Conference records. Jaleel McLaughlin is just 364 yards from breaking the MEC career rushing mark of 3,890. Sha'haun Williams needs six sacks in order to break the conference's record of 40.0. And Marvelle Ross is looking to become just the second player in MEC history to break 5,000 career all-purpose yards. The wide receiver/return threat is current at 4,413.

Williams is the NCAA Division II active leader in sacks with 34.5. McLaughlin is currently fifth in the active career leaders in rushing yards, and is the only sophomore in the top 40. Ranked 41st is Valdosta State's sophomore back Jamar Thompkins with 1,934 yards. McLaughlin is 23rd among active players in career rushing TDs (34) as one of just two sophomores in the top 100. The next Ross is currently seventh in active leaders in all-purpose yards as one of 12 players with over 4,000 yards.

Breaking the Ties: Notre Dame currently has a winning record against every team in the MEC except Glenville State, Frostburg State and Wheeling. With a 3-3 record against GSC, and the first ever matchups against FSU and WU coming up, the Falcons have a chance to hold winning records against all MEC opponents by the end of 2019. NDC broke a previous ties this season with wins against Fairmont State and Charleston.


By the Numbers

10.8: Points per game averaged by Jaleel McLaughlin throughout his career. McLaughlin has scored 30 points twice this season. He is the current leader in NCAA Division II among active players. McLaughlin has averaged 17.0 points per game in 2019.

11: Straight home victories for the NDC football program. This is tied for the longest home winning streak in NCAA Division II. Valdosta State and Tarleton State each also have a streak of 11 going. Notre Dame has three home games remaining on the regular season schedule while VSU and TSU each have just two.

16: Undefeated teams remaining in NCAA Division II (all 6-0).

37.5: Yards averaged per punt taken by Notre Dame this season. The Falcons rank second in the MEC in punting average, a large improvement from their 10th place ranking in 2018.