What they’re saying about Notre Dame’s 58-7 demolition of Pittsburgh
Notre Dame improved to 7-2 on the season after demolishing Pittsburgh 58-7 on Saturday.
In this article, we’ll take a look around at what the media is saying about Notre Dame’s triumph against the Panthers, including Blue & Gold’s Mike Singer and Tim Hyde giving their instant reaction in a postgame YouTube live show. You can watch the replay of the show in the video player below.
Make sure to subscribe to the Blue & Gold YouTube channel here and tune in to The Mike Goolsby Show, which will be live on the page Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.
Tyler Horka, Blue & Gold: How Audric Estimé continues to mean everything to Notre Dame football
Interception. Interception. Turnover on downs. Believe it or not, that’s how Notre Dame started offensively in a 58-7 complete smackdown of Pittsburgh.
Five-hundred and 35 yards for the Irish offense didn’t tell the whole story. Those 58 points weren’t the result of a flawless offensive operation. There were hitches and snags and bumps in the road, which had been the norm for a unit that hadn’t gone over 400 yards in any game since Sept. 16 prior to Saturday’s severe upswing.
Outside of one uncharacteristic performance on an evening when nobody in a gold helmet was helping out any of their comrades in the same shiny headgear — yeah, I’m talking about the 33-20 loss to Louisville — junior running back Audric Estimé has been one of the only consistently positive presences for the Notre Dame offense ever since the season opener in Ireland over two months ago.
That was no different in the Irish’s pummeling of the Panthers.
Estimé ran 19 times for 114 yards and three touchdowns. It was the first time in his career he’d seen the end zone that many times in one game. Even at this stage in his stay in South Bend, which very well might be down to just four more games (or three if he chooses to sit out a bowl game like Kyren Williams did as a junior in 2021), Estimé is gaining steam late in the year and doing things he hadn’t ever accomplished previously.
Jack Soble Blue & Gold: Five thoughts on Notre Dame flipping halftime switch in win over Pittsburgh
Despite building a 17-0 lead, Notre Dame did not play its best football in the first half of Saturday’s win over Pittsburgh. And Irish head coach Marcus Freeman knew it.
Freeman said after the game that he did not feel like Notre Dame performed to its standard, particularly on offense, in the first half. The Irish moved the ball well, but two interceptions, an errant throw on fourth down and an offensive pass interference penalty (which was the correct call) prevented them from finishing drives.
The second-year coach didn’t hold back in his halftime speech.
“I challenged every person in the locker room that we got to come out with a sense of urgency and on fire to perform the way we should,” Freeman said.
That’s a credit to Freeman for not just accepting a 3-score lead. He could have easily patted his players on the back and told them they did a great job — because, largely, they did — but he pushed them to be better. It’s also a credit to the Irish for responding.
Two of the 3 offensive drives in the third quarter ended in touchdowns, and the rout was on. Notre Dame, borrowing a Freeman-ism, played to its full potential in the second half.
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Adam Rittenberg, ESPN: Pat Narduzzi draws ire of Pitt players after postgame callout
Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi took responsibility for Saturday’s 58-7 loss to Notre Dame after initially expressing disappointment that the team hasn’t replaced its top players from the 2022 team.
Narduzzi, who suffered the most lopsided loss of his career and Pitt’s worst since a 60-6 defeat to Notre Dame in 1996, said after the game that the 2-6 Panthers have struggled to fill holes this season. Pitt had six players selected in the 2023 NFL draft, tied with Clemson for most in the ACC and the fifth-most among FBS teams.
“As a football coach you lose a lot of good players from a year ago and you think as a coach you’re going to replace them, and obviously we haven’t,” Narduzzi told reporters at Notre Dame Stadium. “Again, it starts with me. I didn’t do a good enough job coaching today. Put it on me, and we’ve got to make plays.”
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman
On Notre Dame getting back out on the road for a game after two big wins at home…
“Yeah, more than anything, yes, to go on the road, but to face another challenging opponent. That’s why you love this game, is because — yes, is it going on the road. That’s part of the competition. But you get 12 of these guaranteed. Next week is 10 of 12. I know we’re going to have 13 with a bowl game this year.
“But if you’re not a fierce competitor that doesn’t excite you — man, this isn’t going to be the right sport for you. We’re excited to get another opportunity to play this game versus a really good opponent, and it’s on the road in a hostile environment. Our guys will be ready to roll.”
Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi
Opening statements…
“Number one, Notre Dame is a good football team. We saw them two weeks ago against USC and they are big, physical, and athletic. I think we came out in the first half and played a solid first half. You’re down 17 and miss a field goal and get two picks defensively and you thought they were going you’re way.
“We didn’t move the ball as well as you obviously need to win a football game. Just a lot of plays out there we missed. Special teams, we start off with a punt return for a touchdown. Byron Floyd, a long snapper, has got a great chance of making a play and does what we ask him to do and he didn’t clean it up and didn’t get any help. I think we missed a tackle there, not sure exactly who. I know Byron was the first one there. In the first half, we give up seven points on a punt return …
“Obviously the team is going through a tough situation right now. We’re not playing good. Got a lot of young football players out there. We’ll stick together as a football team and lock back in. We’ve got another great Florida State coming in and we’ve got to gather together and get going.”
