Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com OCT. 15, 2018 23 VIRGINIA TECH RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE Maybe the best example of this defense's resolve and mental toughness oc- curred during four straight running plays in the second quarter. With the Irish clinging to a 10-6 lead, Virginia Tech was primed to take its first lead after running back Steven Peoples broke free for a 41-yard run to the Notre Dame 1-yard line. The next three running plays for the Hokies produced minus-four yards and an unsatisfying field goal to still trail, as they would throughout the game. Other than that one breakaway scamper, Virginia Tech finished averaging less than 3.0 yards per carry while totaling 132 yards on the ground. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame VIRGINIA TECH PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE Quarterback Ryan Willis (31-of-52 passing for 309 yards with two touchdowns and an interception) found a rhythm late in the first quarter and through the first half, particularly with wideout Damon Hazleton (11 catches for 132 yards and a score). The Irish defensive backs baited him often, and they could afford to gamble some because, once again, the pass rush forced numerous harried, off-target passes, leading to five passes broken up, an interception and, most important, the 42-yard fumble return for a score by junior cornerback Julian Love because of the relentless pressure from junior defensive end Khalid Kareem. Willis was game, but even without Notre Dame's top two drop ends in juniors Julian Okwara (ejected for targeting in the second quarter) and Daelin Hayes (injured), the intense pass pressure had an effect. A trick play off a receiver pass for a touchdown also was called because of an ineligible lineman down the field. ADVANTAGE: Even NOTRE DAME RUNNING GAME VS. VIRGINIA TECH RUN DEFENSE Prior to senior Dexter Williams' (17 carries for 178 yards) stadium-deflating 97-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, Notre Dame had minus-five yards on the ground. The 167 yards net was 34 yards below the team average, but Williams' explosiveness, physicality and hunger to achieve and compen- sate for lost time have now augmented the game-breaking capabilities he has always possessed. The absence of fifth-year senior left guard and team captain Alex Bars initially looked profound, but was overcome for now with two huge touchdown runs by Williams. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame NOTRE DAME PASSING GAME VS. VIRGINIA TECH PASS DEFENSE Junior quarterback Ian Book came out of the gates 8-of-8 for 114 yards to help stake Notre Dame to a quick 10-0 lead. He then completed 7 of 15 throws for 49 yards with an interception the rest of the first half, while Virginia Tech clawed back to within 17-16 by halftime. The short, horizontal and intermediate games were functioning well, but the vertical shots down the field went badly awry with several open receivers missed, including what could have been a 62-yard touchdown to senior Chris Finke. The staff went back to his strengths in the second half — aided by Wil- liams' 97-yard touchdown run. Book also displayed his resourcefulness and moxie on a 40-yard scoring toss to senior Miles Boykin when he evaded several rushers and, rolling to his left, lofted the scoring pass to his open target while drawing in the defense after extending the play. All in all, 25-of-35 passing for 271 yards with two scores and one interception is not a bad outing, although the Hokies secondary has been depleted. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame SPECIAL TEAMS The first poor snap of junior John Shannon's career on a punt helped set up a Virginia Tech score, and Hokies kicker Brian Johnson's three first-half field goals kept the game tight. Both kickoff coverage units shined, but the errant Irish snap and a 20-yard punt return by the Hokies C.J. Carroll gave Tech the edge. ADVANTAGE: Virginia Tech THIRD-DOWN CONVERSIONS Notre Dame finished 9 of 16 (56.3 percent), while Virginia Tech was 10 of 21 (47.6 percent). Back-breaking to the Hokies was the Irish converting a third- and-six and third-and-eight (the latter for a 40-yard score to Boykin) in the third quarter that made it 31-16. Book and Boykin also tallied on third-and-goal from the 5-yard line, whereas missed third-down opportunities forced Virginia Tech to settle for three field goals in the first half when it needed touchdowns. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame TURNOVERS Notre Dame won this battle 2-1, but most pertinent was Kareem forcing the pressure that resulted in Love's 42-yard touchdown return of a fumble that gave Notre Dame a 17-9 advantage. Book's first interception toss of the season generated three points for Virginia Tech. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame ANALYSIS Both teams squandered numerous scoring chances in a game that could have ended 63-42. Bottom line is Notre Dame's defensive pressure has a way of generating what might on the surface seem like unforced errors, but they are more a byproduct of its aggressiveness. It's like a great shot-blocker in basketball: It's not just the two or three he might block in a game, but the dozen others that he misdirects because an opponent feels he must rush his shot (which then misses) because he senses his presence. Offensively, the addition of Book getting the ball out quickly to myriad targets and Williams explosiveness with the ground game give Notre Dame a unit dif- ficult to defend, with more consistent vertical pass connections the next item to polish. ON PAPER REVISITED BY LOU SOMOGYI The Fighting Irish recorded just two sacks and three quarterback hurries, but the relentless pressure up front also forced a fumble that was returned for a score, caused an interception and resulted in several incompletions. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA