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Balanced Attack Dooms Nevada

Sept. 10, 2016

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The University of Notre Dame football team (1-1) utilized a balanced offensive attack, along with a strong defensive effort, to subdue Nevada (1-1) in the 250th consecutive sellout at Notre Dame Stadium (80,795) on Saturday afternoon. The Irish rolled up 444 yards in offense, including 239 on the ground and 205 through the air.

Notre Dame claimed control of the contest in the second quarter, ripping off 25 consecutive points while holding the Wolf Pack to 21 yards on 12 plays (1.8 yards per play).

PLAY OF THE GAME:

Josh Adams’ 43-yard run in the third quarter.

Josh Adams: 103 rushing yards

Nevada: 64 rushing yards pic.twitter.com/8pLuiV1qLV

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) September 10, 2016

PLAYERS OF THE GAME:

OFFENSE: Notre Dame Offensive Line – Led the way for the Irish to rack up 239 rushing yards and keep the Notre Dame quarterback’s jerseys clean, surrendering just one quarterback hurry.

DEFENSE: Te’von Coney – Five solo tackles in his first career start, plus a tackle-for-loss

STAT OF THE GAME:

Career Firsts

The Irish are playing more and more talented young players due to injury and roster turnover. In today’s contest, Kevin Stepherson caught his first career pass (for a touchdown) in the second quarter, then Corey Holmes and Chris Finke nabbed their first career receptions on back-to-back plays on Notre Dame’s final scoring drive of the half.

Other `First Careers’ in the game today –
Jarron Jones – Interception
Chase Claypool – Run Attempt, Reception and Tackle
Daniel Cage – Pass Broken Up (originally ruled a forced fumble)
Te’von Coney – Game Start
C.J. Sanders – Game Start
Devin Studstill – Game Start
Daelin Hayes, Julian Okwara, Donte Vaughn – Tackle

TURNING POINT:

Second Quarter: A Field Goal, Touchdown, Safety, Interception, Interception, Touchdown and Touchdown.

Notre Dame struck first with a 21-yard field goal at 11:30 of the second quarter. After a seven-yard rush on first down for Nevada, James Onwualu stuffed Ahki Muhammad for a loss of seven yards, then Daniel Cage pulled off a great pass rush on third down to force a Wolf Pack punt.

`Mr. Electric’ C.J. Sanders returned the punt 24 yards, then caught a touchdown pass from DeShone Kizer three plays later and the floodgates opened for the Irish.

Muhammad, perhaps still thinking about the hit from Onwualu, stepped out of his end zone, then back in for a safety on the kickoff. The teams traded interceptions (the first of the year for Kizer), with Jarron Jones plucking a short pass out of the air to set the Irish up at the four yard line. Three plays later Kizer hit Kevin Stepherson for a four-yard touchdown throw and a 3-0 lead was suddenly 18-0.

By the time the clock wound down to halftime, Notre Dame had scored 25 points in the second quarter, the most in a single quarter since scoring 25-points in the second quarter of a victory at Pittsburgh in 2005.

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT OF THE GAME:

When two worlds collide.

Former @NDHockey guys and Stanley Cup Champs Bryan Rust & Ian Cole are in the building. pic.twitter.com/juuTOGYJkE

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) September 10, 2016