Instant Reaction: Notre Dame Defeats Temple 28-6

The Irish made some big plays on offense, looked asleep at the wheel on defense at times, but calmly cruised to a 28-6 victory over Temple to open the 2013 season. The win was head coach Brian Kelly's 200th of his career---and he also picked up a contract extension from the University as well.

• Total offensive yardage was 543 for Notre Dame and 362 for Temple.
• Each team missed two field goals a piece.
• Notre Dame didn't commit a turnover.
• Tommy Rees threw for a career high 346 yards and tossed 3 touchdowns.
• TJ Jones led the receivers with 138 yards.
• DaVaris Daniels looked to tweak a groin early but still caught a couple touchdowns.
• Only one catch by the tight ends but it was a big 66-yard touchdown to Troy Niklas.
• All five Irish running backs got carries, led by Carlisle's 68 yards.
• The defense gave up 4.7 yards per play which isn't great but less than the Navy opener last year.
• Temple ran 76 offensive plays to just 62 for Notre Dame.
• 10 different players caught passes for Temple.
• The Owls ran for a surprising 134 yards but nearly half of that production came from quarterback Connor Reilly.
• Not a very inspiring effort from the Irish defense but a ton of players got in on the action---more than I've ever seen a Notre Dame rotate under Brian Kelly.

Michigan under the lights next weekend. Full game recap coming on Monday.