UCLA Keys to the Game
Lonnie White’s keys to the game and how the team measured up:
1. Jump balls: Notre Dame wide receivers Rhema McKnight and Jeff Samardzija were not able to take much advantage of their edge in size against UCLA cornerbacks Trey Brown, Rodney Van and Alterraun Verner. But Samardzija made them pay in the end with an open-field play.
2. Run to win: Notre Dame’s defense against the run may have been shaky going into the game, but the Irish held UCLA to only 26 net yards on the ground, with leading rusher Chris Markey being held to 32 in 19 carries.
3. Time management: UCLA did a good job of keeping the ball for most of the game but not good enough against the Irish, who held a big edge in time of possession, 34:14 to 25:46.
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