In a battle of unbeaten, playoff-hopeful NCAAF teams, Notre Dame faced off against Cincinnati. Can Cincinnati break the Irish’s 26-game home winning streak, or will Notre Dame keep their streak alive?
First Half
Notre Dame gets the ball first and starts off hot, bombarding the Bearcats with their passing offense. They get the ball down to the 6-yard line. Just when you think they’re going to punch the ball into the endzone, Jack Coan’s pass is intercepted by Ahmad Gardner. Like the offense, Notre Dame’s defense also starts out hot. Unlike them, the defense is able to finish their job and force Cinncinatti to go 3-and-out.
This would start a defensive battle, as the two teams force two punts each to close out the quarter. Notre Dame would switch to quarterback Tyler Buchner late in the quarter as it ends with both teams’ scoreless.
As the second quarter gets rolling, the same problems occur for the Irish. For the second time, A Notre Dame pass is intercepted. This time, Tyler Buchner has his pass picked off by Deshawn Prince and its returned all the way to ND’s 8-yard line. After a couple of run plays to open the drive, Desmond Ridder throws a 1-yard touchdown to Leonard Taylor. It’s now 7-0 Bearcats.
The following kickoff is muffed by Notre Dame and it’s recovered by Cincinnati. Now in the Red Zone once again, the Bearcats take advantage of the Irish’s misfortune and knock in a field goal to make the score 10-0. The Irish would hand the ball back to Coan, but he still can’t get anything going. His last two drives of the half end with punts. Cincinnati would also punt once, but their last drive of the half ends with a 27-yard Ridder touchdown pass to Tre Tucker. It’s all Bearcats through 30 minutes; 17-0.
2nd Half
Cincinnati starts the half with the football and looks to add to their lead. They would drive down the field only to miss a 30-yard chip shot field goal. Will this give Notre Dame the spark they desperately need?
The Irish open their drive with quarterback Drew Pyne checking in, their third quarterback to play in this game. Pyne starts his day by turning the ball over on downs; and Notre Dame’s offensive struggles continue. Cincinnati looks to put the game out of reach and drives to the Red Zone with ease. Just as all hope seemed lost for the Irish their defense forces a fumble; as Ridder is strip-sacked by Isiah Foskey and the ball is recovered by Drew White. This gives Notre Dame the spark needed as they look to claw back into this game.
Notre Dame’s finally able to put something together, driving down the field until running back Kyren Williams runs it in from 3-yards out; and it is now 17-7. After a set of punts by both teams, the Bearcats have the ball and look to land the finishing blow on the Irish. Once again they are able to drive down the field, and once again their kickers misses another (relatively easy) 37-yard field goal. The Irish still have life.
With their backs against the wall, Notre Dame comes up huge. Pyne drives the offense down the field in a hurry, and rifles a 32-yard touchdown to Braden Lenzy. After a missed extra point, it’s now 17-13. Can the Irish defense keep their hopes alive? The answer: Not today!
The Bearcats are able to chew the clock and deliver the finishing blow to the Irish. Desmond Ridder scampers in from six yards out, making the final in this one 24-13.
Postgame Thoughts
For starters, who should start at QB going forward for Notre Dame? With Drew Pyne having a relatively successful second half, do you give him the keys to the offense or has Jack Coan done enough to keep the starting job despite a rumored injury?
Personally, I think you ride the hot hand until it isn’t hot anymore. It will be an interesting decision as we get closer to their NCAAF game against Virginia Tech. VT always proves to be a hostile environment to play in, especially since this was scheduled as a late game.
The Bearcats already have a convincing win over Indiana, and their win over the Irish and makes two tough NCAAF wins. The only problem now is their strength of schedule. The only other ranked team they play this season is SMU. Will that be enough for them to snag one of the four playoff spots? They’ve proven they have the talent to beat tough teams. Time will tell if they’ve earned the right to compete for a National Championship.
