Fighting Irish Answer Challenge With an Eye-Opening Win

© Danny Wild-Imagn Images

No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-1) trounced the No. 19 Army Black Knights (9-1, 7-0) 49-14 under the lights at Yankee Stadium in New York on Nov. 23.

Game Summary

After a quick three-and-out by the Black Knights, the Irish marched 68 yards and found the endzone. The drive was highlighted by quarterback Riley Leonard connecting with receiver Jordan Faison for a 28-yard touchdown reception, giving Notre Dame an early 7-0 lead. They never looked back.

After another punt by the Black Knights, Leonard found running back Jeremiyah Love for a 6-yard touchdown reception to make the score 14-0. The following drive featured Army's first score of the day, a 4-yard touchdown from quarterback Bryson Daily to make the score 14-7.

The Irish added touchdowns on two of their next three possessions with Love scoring on a 14-yard run and fellow running back Jadarian Price scoring from two yards out. The Fighting Irish held a commanding 28-7 lead at the half.

The second half brought more of the same, as Love took the first play of the half 68 yards for a touchdown to extend the lead to 35-7. A pair of touchdowns by Price and freshman running back Aneyas Williams extended the lead to 49-7 in favor of the Irish. Army did not reach the endzone again until Daily scored his second touchdown of the day on a 1-yard run to make the score 49-14 with 22 seconds left.

Irish Players of the Game

RB Jeremiyah Love:

Entering the game, the Black Knights' defense allowed an average of 83 rushing yards per game. Enter Love, who on just seven carries recorded 130 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, as well as a touchdown reception. The Fighting Irish entered the game wanting to play physically and did that by establishing the run with Love.

Fighting Irish Defense:

The defense played equally as physical in this game. While the team only recorded a single sack in the game, they swarmed to the ball and neutralized a Black Knight offense that entered the game averaging 35 points and rushing for 335 yards per game. Linebacker Jaiden Ausberry led the team with six tackles as the Irish held the Army offense to 233 total yards.

© Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

What it Means

The Irish earned their tenth win of the season convincingly. Leonard finished 10-of-13 for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Leonard showed he can be more than a run-first type of quarterback and showed the confidence in his playmakers to gain yardage and make plays. With a statement win against an undefeated Army team, the Irish continue to make their claim to not only make the College Football Playoff but to be the fifth seed in the tournament. The Fighting Irish next play the USC Trojans (5-5, 3-5 Big 10) on Nov. 30.

As for Army, while they suffer their first loss of the season, they still have meaningful football left on the horizon. They face the UTSA Roadrunners (6-5, 4-3 AAC) on Nov 30 before playing in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game against Tulane (9-2, 7-0 AAC) on Dec 6. They also have their annual rivalry game against the Navy Midshipmen (7-3, 5-2 AAC) on Dec 14, and are still on pace to finish with their best record since 2018, when they finished 11-2.