The eighth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish showcased their dominance at home, securing a decisive 35-14 victory over the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday. The game was effectively decided by halftime, with the Fighting Irish taking a commanding lead that allowed them to coast through the second half. Running back Jeremiyah Love was a standout performer, rushing for two touchdowns, while quarterback Riley Leonard contributed significantly with three touchdown passes.
Virginia Cavaliers’ Struggles
The Cavaliers, now sitting at 5-5, faced a tough challenge and were outmatched throughout the contest. Despite their efforts, they still need one more victory to become bowl eligible. Their offense struggled to find rhythm, managing only 15 first downs and accumulating 300 total yards (172 passing and 128 rushing). The team committed five turnovers, which proved detrimental to their chances. With an average of 4.0 yards per carry on the ground and just 4.8 yards per pass attempt, Virginia must work on their offensive consistency if they hope to finish the season strong.
Notre Dame’s Path to the Playoffs
On the other hand, the Fighting Irish improved their record to 9-1 and are eyeing a potential fifth seed in the College Football Playoff. However, they cannot secure a bye due to not winning a conference championship. Notre Dame’s balanced offensive attack was evident as they racked up 448 total yards (214 passing and 234 rushing) while averaging an impressive 6.2 yards per carry. Leonard’s sharp performance, highlighted by three touchdown passes, was crucial in maintaining their momentum.
Game Summary: Key Moments
The scoring breakdown of the game illustrated Notre Dame’s early dominance:
- 13:04 1Q: Jeremiyah Love 4 Yard Rushing TD | 7-0 Notre Dame
- 6:34 2Q: Riley Leonard 8 Yard Passing TD to Jayden Harrison | 14-0 Notre Dame
- 2:20 2Q: Riley Leonard 2 Yard Passing TD to Cooper Flanagan | 21-0 Notre Dame
- 0:49 2Q: Riley Leonard 16 Yard Passing TD to Mitchell Evans | 28-0 Notre Dame
- 9:38 3Q: Jeremiyah Love 76 Yard Rushing TD | 35-0 Notre Dame
- 7:52 3Q: Tony Muskett 18 Yard Rushing TD | 35-7 Notre Dame
- 0:18 4Q: Tony Muskett 2 Yard Rushing TD | 35-14 Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish’s ability to score quickly and efficiently left the Cavaliers scrambling to respond.
Box Score Breakdown
Let’s dive deeper into the box scores to understand how both teams performed:
Virginia Cavaliers Box Score
Quarterback Stats:
- Tony Muskett: 5 carries, 9 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs; 9-14 passing, 103 yards, 0 passing TDs, 0 interceptions
- Anthony Colandrea: 4 carries, 23 rushing yards; 8-21 passing, 69 yards, 0 passing TDs, 3 interceptions
Rushing & Receiving:
- Xavier Brown: 11 carries, 52 rushing yards
- Malachi Fields: 4 receptions, 81 receiving yards
Defense:
- Trey McDonald: 1 interception
- Jonas Sanker: 1 fumble recovery
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Box Score
Quarterback Stats:
- Riley Leonard: 8 carries, 32 rushing yards; 22-33 passing, 214 yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 interception
Rushing & Receiving:
- Jeremiyah Love: 16 carries, 137 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs; 1 reception, 2 receiving yards
- Jayden Harrison: 3 receptions, 41 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD
Defense:
- Xavier Watts: 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery
- Adon Shuler: 1 interception
Offensive Efficiency
Despite going just 1-of-12 on third downs, Notre Dame excelled on fourth downs, converting 3-of-4 attempts. Their ability to keep drives alive and maintain offensive pressure was key to their success. However, the Fighting Irish did have their share of mistakes, including two turnovers and nine penalties, which they will need to address as they head into the final stretch of the season.
The Cavaliers, while struggling, did manage to find some success on the ground, but their inability to capitalize on opportunities ultimately cost them the game. With the season nearing its end, both teams have clear objectives: Virginia aims for bowl eligibility, while Notre Dame seeks a solid playoff position.
As the college football season progresses, fans will be eagerly watching how these teams adapt and respond to their challenges. Will Virginia find the consistency they need to secure a bowl game? Can Notre Dame keep their playoff hopes alive? Only time will tell as the excitement of college football continues to unfold.
