In a thrilling showdown at Yankee Stadium, the sixth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish showcased their dominance against the 19th-ranked Army Black Knights, securing a decisive 49-14 victory. This game was pivotal for both teams, with the Fighting Irish continuing their quest for a top spot in the College Football Playoff bracket, while Army faced its first loss of the season.
Game Summary: A Tale of Two Teams
The Fighting Irish (10-1) were relentless, scoring 49 points and racking up a total of 462 yards—189 through the air and an impressive 273 on the ground. Their efficiency was remarkable, as they faced minimal third downs, converting 3-of-5 attempts. Quarterback Riley Leonard was particularly effective, completing 10 of 13 passes with two touchdowns and only three incompletions.
On the other hand, the Army Black Knights (9-1) struggled to find their rhythm. They managed only 14 points and 207 rushing yards on 58 attempts, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry. Their offense was hampered by a lack of passing success, going 4-of-9 for a mere 26 yards. Despite holding possession for nearly 40 minutes, Army could not capitalize on their opportunities.
Key Performers of the Game
Notre Dame’s standout player was undoubtedly Jeremiyah Love, who contributed significantly with three total touchdowns—two rushing and one receiving. He rushed for 130 yards on just seven carries, averaging an astounding 18.6 yards per attempt. His explosive 68-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was a highlight of the game.
Army’s offense leaned heavily on quarterback Bryson Daily, who rushed for 139 yards on 39 carries and scored two rushing touchdowns. However, his passing game fell short, completing only 4 of 8 attempts for 26 yards without any touchdowns. The Black Knights’ inability to establish a consistent passing threat allowed Notre Dame’s defense to focus on stopping the run.
Scoring Breakdown: A Closer Look
The game unfolded with a series of impressive plays from the Fighting Irish. Here’s how the scoring went:
- 10:24 1Q: Riley Leonard 28-yard passing TD to Jordan Faison | 7-0 Notre Dame
- 6:30 1Q: Riley Leonard 6-yard passing TD to Jeremiyah Love | 14-0 Notre Dame
- 13:53 2Q: Bryson Daily 4-yard rushing TD | 14-7 Notre Dame
- 4:35 2Q: Jeremiyah Love 14-yard rushing TD | 21-7 Notre Dame
- 0:26 2Q: Jadarian Price 2-yard rushing TD | 28-7 Notre Dame
- 14:44 3Q: Jeremiyah Love 68-yard rushing TD | 35-7 Notre Dame
- 0:45 3Q: Jadarian Price 10-yard rushing TD | 42-7 Notre Dame
- 10:40 4Q: Aneyas Williams 58-yard rushing TD | 49-7 Notre Dame
- 0:22 4Q: Bryson Daily 1-yard rushing TD | 49-14 Notre Dame
This scoring sequence highlights Notre Dame’s offensive prowess and their ability to capitalize on opportunities, while Army struggled to keep pace.
Box Score Breakdown
Let’s take a closer look at the box score for both teams to understand their performances better.
Army Black Knights Box Score
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Quarterback Performance:
- Bryson Daily: 39 carries, 139 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs; 4-of-8 passing for 26 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs.
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Rushing & Receiving:
- Bryson Daily: 39 carries, 139 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs.
- Kanye Udoh: 10 carries, 35 rushing yards.
- Samari Howard: 4 carries, 25 rushing yards; 1 reception, 4 receiving yards.
- Kicking:
- Trey Gronotte: 2-of-2 on extra points; 0-of-0 on field goals.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Box Score
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Quarterback Performance:
- Riley Leonard: 8 carries, 30 rushing yards; 10-of-13 passing for 148 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs.
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Rushing & Receiving:
- Jeremiyah Love: 7 carries, 130 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs; 1 reception, 6 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD.
- Aneyas Williams: 3 carries, 62 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD.
- Kicking:
- Mitch Jeter: 7-of-7 on extra points; 0-of-2 on field goals.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, Notre Dame is solidifying its position as a contender for the College Football Playoff, while Army will need to regroup after this setback. With the Fighting Irish’s potent offense and a strong defense, they are poised to make a deep run in the postseason. Meanwhile, the Black Knights, despite their loss, remain at the top of the American Athletic Conference standings and will look to bounce back in their upcoming games.
This matchup not only showcased the talent on both sides but also highlighted the intense competition that defines college football. Fans can eagerly anticipate what lies ahead as teams vie for glory in the final weeks of the season.
