Sept. 6, 2008
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery 1 | Photo Gallery 2
SDSU Postgame Notes in PDF Format
The Series: In the first all-time meeting between the two sides, SDSU fell to 0-1 versus the Irish.
The Write Up On Ryan: Signalcaller Ryan Lindley produced another solid performance in his second career start. Lindley completed 29 of his 59 pass attempts for 274 yards and a touchdown. Lindley's 59 pass attempts tie for third in the Aztec game record book, trailing the record of 60 held by both Adam Hall (2002 vs. ASU) and Todd Santos (1987 vs. Stanford). He easily beat the previous freshman record for pass attempts of 47, held by Kevin O'Connell vs. BYU in 2004.
Lindley also improved his mark for most completions by a true freshman in a game with 29, edging out his 27-completion effort vs. Cal Poly last week. He now has three school freshmen game passing marks (pass attempts, completions, touchdowns) through just two outings in 2008.
In addition, Lindley scored his first career rushing TD from a yard out to give the Aztecs a 7-0 lead .
Aztec Town Takeaways: For the second straight week, an Aztec linebacker forced and recovered an opponent fumble at his own 3-yard-line, as junior Luke Laolagi pulled off the feat vs. Notre Dame. Last week, Russell Allen forced and recovered a fumble at the 3-yard-line against Cal Poly. It was the first career forced and recovered fumble for Laolagi.
Later in the game, T.J. McKay grabbed his third career interception, but his first pick since 2006, and Vonnie Holmes recorded his fifth career INT. Corey Boudreaux gave the Aztecs' their fourth takeaway of the afternoon causing his second career fumble, which was recovered by Jerry Milling (first career fumble recovery). SDSU was +2 in the turnover category after being -4 last week.
 All Business On Third Down: After limiting Cal Poly to just 2-for-13 on third downs last week, the San Diego State defense held Notre Dame to 3-of-12 performance. Combined, opponent offenses have converted just five of their 25 opportunities on third down. (20 percent conversion rate).
Low Down On Laolagi, Milling: Starting linebacker Luke Laolagi recorded his fifth career game with 10 or more tackles with a team-high 13 to go with a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble. Laolagi matched his career-best in tackles, which he also set a year ago vs. TCU and New Mexico.
Milling, meanwhile, was the second Aztec in double-figures with a career best 11 and a fumble recovery.
Right On In The Red Zone: The SDSU defense stalemated the Notre Dame offense in the red-zone, as the Irish scored on just one of their five trips inside the 20-yard line.
Catches For Kawulok: Tight end Matt Kawulok posted a career high for receptions with nine, including five in the first quarter alone. Kawulok had just six career catches entering this season and combined with his total last week vs. Cal Poly, has 12 receptions in 2008.
All About Allen: Senior linebacker Russell Allen, who is up for both the Butkus and Lombardi Awards, made his first career start at defensive end today. Allen's 32 previous starts came at linebacker, including vs. Cal Poly last week. The last time Allen played defensive end, he was a junior year in high school.
Other notes: SDSU team captains for the game included seniors Russell Allen, Corey Boudreaux, Darren Mougey and Eric Miclot ... Junior linebacker Jerry Milling made his first career start this afternoon ... Aztec cornerback Kwincy Edwards, linebacker Bryan Finkel and wideout Brandon Davis saw action in their first career games on special teams ... Atiyyah Henderson, Alston Umuolo and DeMarco Sampson logged their first playing time of 2008 vs. Notre Dame ... Sampson logged his first career kick returns today ... Darren Mougey's 36-yard catch to set up SDSU's first score was a career long. Mougey had a career-high 97 yards receiving on five receptions, including one touchdown.