Notre Dame takes care of Virginia on Senior Day, 35-14

The Irish beat the ACC refs too

Notre Dame is looking to end the regular season strong, an in their last regular season game at home, the Irish tore apart the Virginia Cavaliers, 35-14.

It was an eventful start to the game. The Irish kicked off to Virginia to start things off, but Chris Tyree muffed the kick and Max Hurleman recovered the ball for Notre Dame on the 25 yard line. Four plays later, Jeremiyah Love ran it in from 5 yards out to make it 7-0 less than two minutes into the game.

Then it got positively frustrating. The Irish went three and out on their next four possessions — gaining a whopping 20 yards in those 12 plays. Thankfully for the Irish, Notre Dame’s defense was more than up to the task of keeping the Irish in this game, and Rod Heard forced a fumble that Xavier Watts recovered on Notre Dame’s 12 yard line.

Notre Dame and Riley Leonard got to work right after the fumble recovery and went 88 yards on 9 plays. The final play was an 8 yard slant from Leonard to Jayden Harrison.

And then the “fun began” inside Notre Dame Stadium.

A huge TD reception by Jayden Harrison was called back for a penalty, and then two plays later Notre Dame sent out the punt team. A fantastic fake punt play saw Jordan Faison go 73 yards for a touchdown — but a flag was on the field. The ACC refs (cowards and corrupt actors) called it an illegal formation, so another TD was taken off the board. The Irish punt the ball away, but a few plays later, Adon Shuler snags an interception and ran it back to the 2 yard line. A few plays later, Leonard hooks up with Mitchell Evans to make it 28-0.

Leonard Moore picked a pass off right away on Virginia’s next drive, but the Irish failed to tack on any more points before the end of the half as a long FG from Diomede went wide right.

Notre Dame was driving the ball down the field on the first possession of the second half, but Riley Leonard was intercepted. No matter — Notre Dame’s defense forced a three and out, and took over on the 12 after a Virginia punt. On the fifth play of the drive, Jeremiyah Love took a handoff 76 yards for a touchdown to make it 35-0. Love rushed for over 140 yards on the day to go along with his 2 touchdowns.

Virginia finally got on the board in the middle of the 3rd quarter with an 18 yard run on 4th down — but the drive was greatly aided by the ACC refs missing the fact that a few plays before that score, a Virginia wide receiver dropped a bomb. They ruled it a catch, fumble, and recovery — but anyone with eyes know otherwise.

Notre Dame’s next two offensive drives ended in Virginia territory without points. The first was a failed 4th down conversion after a 72 yard drive, and the second was another missed field goal — this time a 36 yard attempt by Zac Yoakem.

Virginia put together a late drive to score its final touchdown on a 4th and goal play from the 2 to make the game 35-14.

More to come on OFD.