This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

South Bend, Ind. • The 2013 BYU football season will be remembered as one of the craziest in recent memory — for the weather.

For the fifth time this season, the Cougars played in far-from-ideal weather when they faced Notre Dame on Saturday.

It was cold and windy throughout the day, with the temperature at kickoff around 26 degrees. The 20-35 mph wind gusts made it feel like 12 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

BYU's season of adverse weather started in the opener against Virginia, when the game was delayed for nearly two hours because of lightning storms in the area. Then came a downpour.

The following week, in Provo against Texas, a torrential downpour before the game forced the kickoff to be moved back two hours.

In their 27-17 loss at Wisconsin two weeks ago, the Cougars had to battle wind gusts up to 25 mph.

And last week, senior day ceremonies were marred by rain, snow and cold temperatures at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

The Cougars prepared for the harsh conditions all week, defensive lineman Eathyn Manumaleuna said before the game.

"If it does snow, then there isn't much we can do about it," he said. "We've just got to play our game."

Linebackers coach Kelly Poppinga said the bad weather games have prepared the Cougars for almost everything.

"It's not a big deal to us," he said. "We've been prepared for those things throughout the season."

Falslev plays

After breaking his hand during a team activity at Provo Beach Resort in late October, inside receiver JD Falslev played on Saturday for the first time since the Boise State game on Oct. 25.

Special guests

Representatives of the Pinstripe Bowl and AdvoCare V100 Bowl were in attendance to watch Notre Dame, which is a candidate for both those bowls. Scouts from the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers were also in the press box. Because it was Notre Dame's final home game, 33 Irish seniors were introduced before the game.

Briefly

Marcus Mathews and Cody Hoffman carried out the team flags for BYU. Former receiver Glen Kozlowski brought out the alumni flag. … BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall entered the game with a 3-6 record in games played east of the Mississippi River, with wins over Tulane, Ole Miss and Georgia Tech and losses to Boston College, Virginia, Florida State, Wisconsin and Notre Dame (two). … Former BYU basketball coach Steve Cleveland is the president of the LDS Church's Indianapolis, Ind., mission and attended the game. … The Cougars entered the game having averaged 22 more offensive plays per game than Notre Dame. However, the Irish were 30th in the country in yards per play, and the Cougars 60th.