[2024] Notre Dame Fighting Irish Stories – Week 17/CFP Round 2 Recap

[LordLittlebutt]

This article was originally published August 18, 2024, in The Observer, a student run publication serving the University of Notre Dame, St. Mary’s College and Holy Cross College. Re-posted as agreed to with co-editors J.J. Jameson, P. White, reporters V. Vale, L. Lane and photographer J. Olsen, Jr. Photographer P. Parker.  

 

Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame,

Wake up the echoes cheering her name,

Send a volley cheer on high,

Shake down the thunder from the sky.

What though the odds be great or small

Old Notre Dame will win over all,

While her loyal sons and daughters

March on to victory.

 

Notre Dame travelled to the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida to take on the surprising Toledo Rockets in the second round of the College Football Playoffs. On a rainy, windy day, the Fighting Irish would indeed March on to Victory!  We’ll cover all the scoring action and catch up with Coach LordLittlebutt for some comments after the game.

 

CFP Championship Playoffs, Round 2 at the Orange Bowl – Game Statistics

Team	Points	Total Yards	Passing Yards	Rushing Yards	Passing TDs	Rushing TDs	INT
TLDO	20	386	265	121	1	1	0
ND	35	464	373	91	4	1	1

 

Toledo kicked off to begin the 2024 Orange Bowl.

Notre Dame’s initial drive was highlighted by a third down conversion on a Izaah Plawecki to Josh Gaudin 26 yard completion, but following a 15 yard sack, in the next series the irish were forced to punt. Toledo responded with three passing attempts, with 2 incompletions and a sack, the Irish forced a three and out and took over on their 29 yard line. On this series Notre Dame converted two first downs, but the drive stalled at the Toledo 43 and another Irish punt resulted. Two runs and another sack led to the second straight three and out for the Rockets. Notre Dame starts on their 42, their best field position so far. On first down Plawecki hits TE Torrey Barbato for a 26 yard gain. A four yard play action short pass to RB Taylor Goodwin sets up the following long pass to Barbato for another 28 yards and the first score of the game!

Notre Dame 7 – Toledo 0

 

The Rockets start on their 26 and notch yet another three-and-out after a short completion, a sack and another incomplete pass.  Punting on fourth and 13 from their 23 yard line, Toledo’s punter has trouble with the snap and the kick is blocked! The ball bounces back toward the Toledo endzone and the Irish come up with first and goal from the Toledo 3 yard line. Notre Dame RB Zhaire Philon takes the handoff and hits the B gap on the left side to add another touchdown to Notre Dame’s score!

Notre Dame 14 – Toledo 0

 

Toledo starts there next drive at their 17, looking for any kind of spark to avoid falling too far back in the game. Three straight incompletions later, the Rockets decide to go for it on fourth and ten, but play action does not fool the Irish and another incomplete pass leads to a turnover on downs. Notre Dame would capitalize on the field position to score on the strength of two completions to Barbato to add another Irish touchdown.

Notre Dame 21 – Toledo 0

 

The Rockets would start their next possession after the touchback, but could not avoid another three and out, punting to the Notre Dame 35. On the first play from scrimmage, ND RB Zhaire Philon fumbles the ball away giving the Rockets first and 10 at the Notre Dame 38 yard line. After a 26 yard completion and Toledo’s first first down, the drive stalls at the ND 3 and the Rockets are forced to settle for a field goal.

Notre Dame 21 – Toledo 3

 

After the kickoff, Notre Dame starts at their 19. After converting 2 first downs, the Irish face 4^th and 10 from the Toledo 42 and are forced to punt. The Rockets convert their 2^nd first down of the day on a 26 yard completion, but a sack three plays later means 4^th and 25 from their 39 yard line. Notre Dame and Toledo trade three-and-outs and Notre Dame has first and ten from their 45 with 1:24 left in the first half.  The Irish mix the run and the pass to get to the Toledo 14 yard line, but cannot get another play off before time expires for the end of the first half.

Notre Dame 21 – Toledo 3

 

Notre Dame kicks off the start the second half and the Rockets start on their 25 after the touchback. Toledo mixes the run and the pass very well, with positive yardage on every play in the quick 6 play drive to deliver a 6 yard touchdown run for their first touchdown of the day.

Notre Dame 21 – Toledo 10

 

Notre Dame’s next series is highlighted by 13 rushing yards from Philon, a monster 51 yard completion to Barbato and a scoring strike for 27 yard to WR Josh Gaudin.

Notre Dame 28 – Toledo 10

 

Toledo starts off their next possession with a 37 yard completion setting up first and 10 from the Notre Dame 37. While the drive started out well, it quickly petered out and the Rockets were forced to punt. Taking over on their 20 yard line, the Irish drive to the Toledo 28 where their own drive stalls. The field goal attempt is no good. The Rockets only manage 3 yards and are forced to punt.  Notre Dame takes over on their 45 yard line and Plawecki immediately connects on a long pass to Gaudin for 38 yards. Philon takes handoffs on the next four plays and its at the Toledo 2 yard line. A staple goal line call from the Irish sees Philon score on the screen pass.

Notre Dame 35 – Toledo 10

 

Toledo pushes the ball to the Notre Dame 48, but facing 4^th and 8, is forced to punt. The Irish start at their 19 but can only get to the 41 before being forced to punt with 11:09 remaining in the game. The Rockets put together a monster 13 play drive to move from their 20 to the Irish 3 yard line before facing fourth down and opting for the field goal.

Notre Dame 35 – Toledo 13

 

The Irish go three and out, punting to the Toledo 27.  The Rockets stay in the air and on 4^th and 6 throw an incomplete pass to give Notre Dame the ball on the Rocket’s 31.  Backup Irish QB Kenneth Brimhall throws a pick on first down and the ball is back in Toledo’s hands. The Rockets don’t squander the opportunity and reach the Notre Dame 3 yard line with 33 seconds left in the game. A short pass adds another even for the Rockets.

Notre Dame 25 – Toledo 20

 

That would be all the scoring for this game, seeing the Fighting Irish win their 13^th game of the season and advance to face the Tennessee Volunteers next week in the College Football Playoffs semi final round!  We caught up with Coach after the game.

 

TheO:    Another victory, congratulations Coach!

 

LLB:        Thanks Vicky. This was a great game for us. We executed well, took the lead early and stayed in control to manage an important victory.

 

TheO:    Were you surprised by anything today?

LLB:        We did a good gameplan, and I think the staff did really well on that. We were prepared for a bit more offense, but we had tremendous success early on defense, so I think that set the stage for us. Other than their drive to open the second half, we were really in control.

 

TheO:    Next week is the Sugar Bowl and Tennessee, what do you think?

 

LLB:        We are very excited to be in the position. Tennessee is one of the most talented teams out there, strong coach, great recruiting and used to being in this position. We definitely will have our work cut out for us, for sure.

 

TheO:    I know we only have another minute or two Coach. Any update on recruiting?

LLB:        Things have really slowed down on that front. We still have our eyes on a few kids that we’re trying hard to bring in. We should see some progress in the next couple of weeks and then we’ll have the class done and an opportunity to see what the portal looks like.

 

TheO:    Thanks for your time coach.

 

LLB:        You’re welcome. GO IRISH!

[npklemm]

Impressive keeping McNitt to under 300 Yards!