Notre Dame’s final home game of the regular season against Virginia was dedicated to honoring the 29 seniors on the roster. The Irish celebrated with a 35-14 win to improve to 9-1 on the season and extend their win streak to eight games. While for these seniors, the last time in Notre Dame Stadium had to be an emotional experience, the thought undoubtedly crept into their minds that they might return in December should everything fall into place these next three weeks.
For the first time on this impressive streak, it’s safe to say that Notre Dame did not show marked improvement. The first half was a choppy one for the Irish offense, their only points coming after a muffed punt placed them at the 25 on their opening drive. They followed the score with four straight three-and-out drives stifled by penalties and poor execution. Even their 21-point, second-quarter eruption to take control of the game was the beneficiary of opportune field position resulting from four Cavalier turnovers.
But while it was far from a statement performance from the whole team in Week 12, it was a statement performance from the defense, which continues to assert itself as one of the best in the nation. With the way the unit is playing, even despite the flurry of midseason injuries, it makes this team capable of competing with any in the country.
Notre Dame held the Virginia offense to 300 yards of total offense and 14 points, with half of them coming on an 80 yard, garbage-time touchdown drive that provided the Cavaliers with some late consolation before time expired. The Irish continued to close the door on drives, Virginia managing to convert only six of 18 third downs throughout the game. The Cavalier offense made just two trips to the red zone all game, the first coming with under two minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Before that, it came the closest after a muffed punt from graduate cornerback Max Hurleman set it up in Irish territory, but gave the ball right back a few plays later when graduate safety Rod Heard II forced the ball out of running back Logan Pace’s hands and fellow graduate safety Xavier Watts recovered. The fumble would be the first of five turnovers in the game for Virginia, three of which leading directly to Irish touchdown drives.
Notre Dame strung together a nine-play, 88-yard touchdown drive after the fumble recovery. Before halftime, the defense turned over starting quarterback Anthony Colandrea on three straight drives. Sophomore safety Adon Shuler grabbed the first interception, freshman cornerback Leonard Moore the second and Watts the third for his fifth takeaway on the season and second of the game.
Not only did the defense shut the door on Virginia, going yet another game without allowing more than two scores, but it set the offense up for success during a slow start. The dominant showing propelled the group to first in the nation in pass efficiency defense and tied for the most turnovers gained with 25 on the year.
Notre Dame’s strength of schedule, which ranks 82nd in the nation, is nothing to call home about. The Irish are arguably yet to face an elite offense or a truly elite quarterback. While they should have more than enough to take care of business in the regular season, the losses of junior cornerback Benjamin Morrison, graduate vyper Jordan Botelho and sophomore edge rusher Boubacar Traore may prove costly when competition stiffens.
However, this Irish defense is doing more than slowing opposing offenses. It is absolutely smothering them. There is more than enough evidence on tape that this defense will be able to play with anyone in the postseason, and that sets Notre Dame apart in a crowded group of contenders.
No team has established themselves as the one to beat in college football, and should the Irish take care of business in their final two games against Army and USC, their chances of hosting a playoff game increase by the week. In a field defined by parody in the new 12-team format, the Irish could be a sleeping giant in the middle of the pack. One thing is for certain: they will be a nightmare for any offense that they face come playoff time.
