Notre Dame Survives In Sloppy Win Over Boise State
Let’s be honest, that wasn’t exactly a Picasso. Notre Dame got the 28-7 win over Boise State, moving them to 3-2, but it felt like pulling teeth at times. The final score looks like a comfortable victory, but if you were watching, you were probably clutching your lucky shamrock a little too tight. It was the kind of game that leaves you with more questions than answers as the Irish head into a matchup with North Carolina State, with the USC Trojans looming large on the horizon.
This win felt like eating a gas station hot dog. Sure, it gets the job done, but you’re not exactly bragging about it to your friends. For a team with the talent Notre Dame has, the number of mental mistakes and penalties was just maddening.
A Win’s a Win, But Let’s Not Kid Ourselves
Don’t get me wrong, Boise State isn’t a pushover. They’re a proud program. But on Saturday, Notre Dame seemed to be playing against itself more than the Broncos. With 11 penalties for a whopping 112 yards, the Irish were their own worst enemy. A false start at the one-yard line that killed a touchdown drive? Come on, man. That’s Pop Warner stuff.
If the Irish had played a clean game, this could have easily been a 35-point blowout. Instead, they let Boise State hang around, making everyone in South Bend sweat a little more than necessary. On a day when we saw top-10 teams like Penn State and Texas go down in flames, maybe just surviving is enough. Maybe. But this level of play won’t cut it against the big boys.
Tale Of Two Halves For the Notre Dame Offense
The offense, particularly in the first half, looked like it was stuck in mud. The Wildcat formation? Let’s just say it’s not striking fear into the hearts of defensive coordinators right now. Twice it was called near the goal line, and twice it ended in disaster. It was a head-scratcher of a play call that left fans groaning and the team scoreless on a key drive.
Thankfully, the ground game eventually found its footing. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price were the bright spots, combining for 186 yards and two scores. Price’s 49-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was the explosive play we’d been waiting for all game. It finally gave the Irish the breathing room they desperately needed.
The Defense Bends But Doesn’t Break
The real story of the day was the defense. They were the saving grace. Forcing four interceptions is no small feat, and Leonard Moore, in his return from injury, looked like an All-American with two of them. They held the Broncos to just seven points and consistently put pressure on Quarterback Maddux Madsen. Despite a few questionable penalty calls from the officials, the defense dominated the line of scrimmage and kept Notre Dame in control, even when the offense was sputtering.
Ultimately, Notre Dame did what it had to do: survive and advance. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t inspiring, but it was a win. Now, it’s time to clean up the mess and get ready for what’s next.
