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Notre Dame Seniors Lead The Way In 35-14 Victory Over Virginia

By Justin O’Neal, ND athletics communications

On November 16th, 2024 in Notre Dame Stadium, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-1) dominated the Virginia Cavaliers (5-5) in a 35-14 win on Senior Night.

The final home game of the regular season started perfectly for Notre Dame. On the first kickoff, Virginia’s returner muffed it, giving the Irish great field position to start. Notre Dame’s offense wasted no time to capitalize. It took four plays for star running back Jeremiyah Love to hit pay dirt and give the Irish a touchdown lead. The score was 7-0.

After the explosive start, the rest of the first quarter was a defensive battle. Both defenses saw success, forcing multiple punts each before the quarter ended.

A bit into the second quarter, a punt from UVA was muffed by Notre Dame’s returner. However, the seniors stepped up big time for the Irish defense. After a big first down gain, Senior Rod Heard II forced a fumble and Xavier Watts recovered it to give Notre Dame the ball with momentum. 

The Irish offense was able to score after the momentum swung their way. The drive started with a 20-yard rush from Jadarian Price. After that, a big gain through the air got the Irish into scoring range. Then, senior wideout Jayden Harrison ran a beautiful slant route and Leonard found him for the touchdown. The score was now 14-0.

The score remained the same until the three minute mark of the second quarter. Virginia’s quarterback was picked off by defensive back Adon Shuler and he returned the interception 46 yards. Notre Dame now had the ball on Virginia’s two-yard line and Leonard was able to find sophomore tight end Cooper Flanagan all alone in the end zone to extend the lead. The Irish now led 21-0.

On the very next drive, Notre Dame’s defense dominated once again as Virginia’s quarterback was intercepted by Leonard Moore. The freshman corner made a spectacular catch to give the Irish great field position, and they were able to score off of it. A pair of pass plays from Leonard put Notre Dame in the red zone. Then, senior tight end Mitchell Evans caught a pass and hurdled a defender, stretching for the pylon to make the lead 28-0 Notre Dame.

Before the end of the half, the Irish were able to get yet another takeaway. Senior Xavier Watts intercepted a pass over the middle of the field to send Notre Dame into the next half with momentum. The Irish were having another dominant defensive performance, showcasing how they became the #3 scoring defense in the country this season.

Notre Dame’s offense started the third quarter with a turnover, but the Irish defense was able to respond, forcing a three and out. Notre Dame’s offense then took the field hoping to extend the lead even further. On the third play of the drive, the offensive line created a huge hole for Love to run through, and he did the rest. Love scampered 76 yards down the field for the touchdown, showing off his blazing speed as the closest defender to him was about ten yards in his rearview mirror. The score was now 35-0 Notre Dame.

Virginia was finally able to show some life on offense on their second drive of the third quarter. A big gain through the air put them into ND territory, and a few plays later, Virginia’s quarterback rushed into the end zone to put them on the board for the first time. Notre Dame still led by a stifling 28 points, as the score was now 35-7. The Irish had complete control as the third quarter clock ran out.

The fourth was much like the rest of the game. Notre Dame controlled the field offensively and defensively. The Cavaliers scored a late touchdown against ND’s third and fourth string defense with 18 seconds left in the game, but it was too little too late. The Irish were able to bring home a 35-14 win on Senior Night.