After schedule NDL darling Central Michigan last season, the critics were ready to take Coach Reign to the woodshed for what they deemed too easy of a schedule. So this season, Notre Dame went to the record books to find the only 2 schools with at least 10 games played that had a winning record against the Irish and he put them on the schedule in Wk.1 and Wk.2.
To kickoff the season, Notre Dame welcome their close neighbor to the north, Michigan, to South Bend. While the arms of the Domers appeared to be wide up and welcoming, it was really just to squeeze the life out of the Wolverines!
However, plans had to be put on hold, as it was Michigan who cashed in first on the day, as HB Kalel Mullings ripped off a 52yd TD to get the scoring started. Not to be outdone in his own house, QB Riley Leonard flipped it to WR Jordan Faison, to tie it up at 7 halfway through the first. After a Notre Dame defensive stop, it was Mitch Jeter tacking on 3 to give the Irish a 10-7 lead after 1.
The action was hot in the 2nd quarter, as QB Riley Leonard found the big man, 6'6 Mitchell Evans for a 40yd TD strike early in the 2nd, but that was quickly matched as QB Alex Orji took advantage of busted coverage and hit speedster Amorion Walker for a 52yd answer, to bring the game to 17-14 Irish. Again, the Irish drove it down the field, this time settling for 3. Then it was the Thorpe winning S, All American Xavier Watts intercepting Orji on a deep ball and setting up Leonard to hit WR Jaden Greathouse for on a beautiful pass from 51yds out to make it 27-14 at half.
Notre Dame couldn't take advantage of having the first possession in the 3rd and both defenses finally started to shut down the opposition, until QB Alex Orji bolted 38yds on an option keeper to close the gape to 27-21.
QB Riley Leonard tried to answer, but his pass was picked off by All-American candidate Will Johnson. Thankfully for the Irish, the defense remained stout and held the Wolverines to 3, making it 27-24 Notre Dame.
That was all she wrote for the Wolverines though, as Jeremiyah Love took off around the left end for a 34yd TD and the Notre Dame defense came up with their 5 interception of the day, by S Rod Heard, which was followed by a Mitch Jeter FG for a final 37-24 Notre Dame Victory!
Coach Reign: "We knew we had out work cut out for us this afternoon, because Michigan has been chomping to get their revenge on us. That 50 yard run to start the day was a helluva statement. They came into our house, punched us right in the mouth, just like we're used to doing to other teams. That was a wake up call that this was about to be a battle! Thankfully the turnovers piled up in our favor, because they were just running it down our throat all day. That's going to be a tough team for the Big 10 to handle this season with that running game and the 2 literal roadblocks in the middle of the D-lline!"
The Irish got the best of the Wolverines on NDL Opening Day 37-24. The score does not represent how close the game actually was. The Irish Defense played stout, forcing 5 interceptions on the day. They were able to take advantage of the turnovers and put points on the board.
The Wolverines were able to move the ball well despite the 5 turnovers. Michigan was down 13 points heading into the second half, they put faith in their defense to make the necessary stops and were able to get within 3 by the beginning of the 4th quarter. On the ensuing kickoff Zvada kicks the ball out of bounds giving the Irish great field position. The Irish scored 10 unanswered points and stopped a late Michigan surge on the Irish Goal line.
Great game Reign, I look forward to next time.
CONNECT WITH US ONLINE:
WHOS ONLINE:
15 Guests in the last 5 minutes Legend: NDL Admin | Conference Commish | Media Team | NDL Coaches
NDL Hall of Fame:
664 Coaches Newest Member: OracleHCR
HOME
Discord