Redemption possible?

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — How frustrating has this season been for the BYU football program? The numbers pretty much tell it all.

• Scoring average: 18.2 points per game.

• Turnovers committed: 32.

• Points allowed in the last two home games: 108.

• Record in the last seven games: 2-5.

All that aside, the Cougars, fresh off a bye week, believe they can capture a measure of redemption amid this year's futility at a place considered the Mecca of college football.

BYU battles Notre Dame today (12:46 p.m. kickoff, Ch. 5) with hopes of knocking off the Irish before a national television audience and more than 80,000 fans at legendary Notre Dame Stadium.

"That's part of the excitement of it," offensive tackle Brandon Stephens said of the Cougars' visit to South Bend. "We could have (an opponent) that wasn't so nationally renowned this week and a win wouldn't mean as much. But if you beat Notre Dame, it makes up for three or four losses."

"It would make up for a lot of disappointments," said defensive back Jared Meibos. "Beating Notre Dame would be the highlight of our season."

"This game has special meaning for more than one reason," said offensive guard Jake Kuresa, who mentioned the Irish's rich tradition and unique atmosphere. "It's significant because of the season we've had and how big this game will be to salvage our season, you could say."

While it's true that the Irish (3-6), like the Cougars (4-6), have fallen on hard times, beating Notre Dame, especially in South Bend, is always memorable. Still, pulling that feat won't be easy.

"You can't look at the record and say they're not a good team," Meibos said of the Irish. "They're a good team no matter what. They've just had some struggles and problems like we've been having."

A win today could provide BYU with some much-needed confidence going into the season finale against archrival Utah. On the other hand, a defeat would assure the Cougars of their second consecutive losing season.

"This isn't the year we wanted," said coach Gary Crowton, "but we're not finished yet."