Notre Dame Powers Past Punchless Yellow Jackets
Irish Eyes Are Smiling After A Dominating Defense Leads To 31-13 Win In Atlanta
Notre Dame came to Atlanta ranked #4 in the nation. But pollsters and fans alike were still not quite sure what to make of a team whose biggest stars are linemen and whose winning formula is based on a suffocating defense coupled with a workmanlike offense plus competent special teams. In an era of college football when the glitz and glamour go to those teams with the most explosive offenses, Brian Kelly’s Notre Dame squad is not a team that quickens the pulse of the casual fan. Kind of old school, really. Very solid, and not flashy. And none of that changed on a cool Halloween afternoon at Bobby Dodd Stadium. All we really know now is that the Irish are one step closer to a big-time showdown next week against top-ranked Clemson.
On Saturday, the Irish completely shut down Georgia Tech’s offense in the first half. Tech gained 66 yards. Total. For the entire half. That is shutdown defense. Not that the Jackets had been lighting up the first half scoreboard this year. But they had shown some propensity for gaining significant yardage, usually being held back from more scoring only by penalties and turnovers. Not this day. At halftime, Tech had fewer penalites than did Notre Dame (2 vs.3). They had no turnovers, whereas the Irish had one– a big one. Tech had even converted 4 of 7 chances on 3rd down somehow. But the offense had generated nothing close to a scoring threat. Tech’s 7 points came on a defensive gem, a 93-yard scoop and score by DB Zamari Walton on a fumble by RB Kyren Williams generated by Tech S Juanyeh Thomas as the Irish were moving steadily toward Tech’s goal line on their second possession.
As for the Irish, their first- half offense was not at all eye-popping, but it was thoroughly effective. QB Ian Book hit 12 of 18 passes for 99 yards in the first 30 minutes. The Irish ran for 141 yards with an average gain of 6 yards against Tech’s still-struggling defense. Almost as important, the visitors kept the ball for over 20 minutes in the half. So when the Irish took a 17-7 lead into the half, it felt bigger than that, especially since Tech’s only points came from the big defensive play by Walton. Notre Dame scored again in tbe 3rd quarter, basically putting the game out of reach, though Tech’s offense did pick up the pace later on, totaling 166 yards in the second half. And along with their offensive struggles, the Jackets’ placekicking miseries continued. PK Jude Kelley hit the PAT in the first half, but his 44-yard field goal attempt was nowhere close, and subsequently (or perhaps consequently) Geoff Collins elected to go for 2 following Tech’s solitary 2nd half score, a short TD run by RB Jordan Mason. The attempted 2-point conversion sent WR Adonicus Sanders running wide left, but the Irish dispatched him several yards behind the line.
It was hard not to notice Notre Dame’s travel truck parked outside Bobby Dodd Stadium, decorated with familiar slogans along with an actual list of the years the Irish won it all. The first thing one notices is the total of 11 title years for this esteemed football power. The next thing you note is that 1988 is the most recent. In the 32 years since then, Notre Dame has occasionally been in, but mostly out of the title conversation. They made the BCS title game against Alabama in 2013 and the college football playoff vs Clemson in 2018. Each of those games ended very poorly for the Irish, losing both by an aggregate score of 72-17. Nevertheless, their name, their tradition and the national brand still carry big weight –and the pandemic has created an opportunity for the ACC and the Irish to help one another in 2020. As ACC football members for this year only, the Irish can win the league and advance to the playoff. Standing in their path is Clemson. They meet next week in South Bend.
As for Coach Geoff Collins’ crew, they now have a bye week to regroup from three consecutive lopsided losses, two of those coming to top-4 teams. Collins continues to exude strong vocal support for his team’s effort and for the overall direction of the Tech program. The Yellow Jackets host Pitt on Nov 14. The Panthers (3-4) face FSU on Nov 7.
Patrick Conarro
RamblinSports