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Countdown to kickoff: Notre Dame vs. Ohio State only 56 days away

IMG_9992by:Tyler Horka•07/09/22•

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George Atkinson III of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish breaks away from Brandon Clements of the Navy Midshipmen to score a touchdown at Notre Dame Stadium on November 2, 2013 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Navy 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

To preview one of the most anticipated games for Notre Dame this century and the official start of the Marcus Freeman era, BlueandGold.com is counting down the days to the matchup against Ohio State on Sept. 3.

This daily series of 99 stories celebrates by the numbers some of the most notable names, dates, moments and memories related to the past and present of Notre Dame football. 

Today, with 56 days remaining until kickoff, we look at Notre Dame’s second touchdown of the 2012 season, a 56-yard scamper off the right

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When George Atkinson III motioned out of the slot and lined up alongside Everett Golson in Dublin, Ireland, on Sept. 1, 2012, nobody knew just how good Notre Dame would be that year. The answer? Really good. Maybe that particular play was an indicator.

Standing to Golson’s left, Atkinson took a stretch handoff to the right. The Irish offensive line did its job and sealed the interior for Atkinson to make a cut up field. One cut was all he needed. He darted up the middle. No Navy defenders were stopping him from scurrying inside the left pylon. Fifty-six yards later, he was there.

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Atkinson’s 56-yard touchdown was one of seven on the day for Notre Dame in a 50-10 victory. Not every win in the Irish’s undefeated regular season came that easily, though. They only beat Purdue 20-17 the next week in the home opener. Playing overseas seven days prior probably didn’t help.

Notre Dame beat Michigan 20-3 and Michigan State 13-6 to start the season 4-0. When the Irish beat Miami 41-3 to reach 5-0 for the first time since 2002, everyone connected to Notre Dame — and those watching across the globe — probably knew there was something special brewing in South Bend.

Atkinson was a key part of it. He rushed 51 times for 361 yards and five touchdowns. His 7.1 yards per rush ranked first among all Notre Dame players who recorded a carry. That number, of course, was aided by his first score of the season — one that set the tone for a Notre Dame march all the way to the BCS national championship game.

Atkinson died on Dec. 2, 2019, one year after his brother, Josh, committed suicide. He was 27.

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