Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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20 SEPT. 23, 2019 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY LOU SOMOGYI S hortly after No. 7 Notre Dame's 66-14 rout of New Mexico, the post-game ques- tions to Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly often centered on the upcoming trip to No. 3 Georgia in an early season matchup with Col- lege Football Playoff implications. The game against the Lobos served its purpose for both teams: a huge payday for the New Mexico athletics department, and an opportunity for Notre Dame to provide live game opportunities for younger players who can bring a little more oomph to the offense. "You're not going to beat Georgia by just three yards here, four yards [there]," Kelly said. "You're going to have to make some explosive plays. We needed to see that happen today." Notre Dame ran away with the game with three straight touchdown "drives" that took 10 seconds, 28 seconds and 11 seconds. That built a 14-0 advantage midway through the second quarter into a 35-0 mar- gin in a span of 4:44. It began with a 59-yard forward lateral to junior running back Avery Davis — who received the game ball for his switch from cornerback during the bye week to aid the backfield — and followed with a 65-yard catch-and-run by se- nior wideout Javon McKinley, and a 37-yard scoring reception by senior wideout Chase Claypool. It was much of the same in the sec- ond half, beginning with a 54-yard tally by fifth-year senior receiver Chris Finke on a play virtually identi- cal to the one Davis scored on. Later, sophomore wide receiver Braden Lenzy snared a 52-yard pass, the first catch of his career, from class- mate Phil Jurkovec to set up another touchdown. The negative was that the Irish de- fense allowed 47- and 37-yard touch- down runs late in each half. "We can't give up big plays like we did in the running game today, and we have to find explosive plays on our offense," Kelly said. "Those two came together today against New Mexico. "It doesn't mean they are coming against Georgia, but we know a little bit more about our football team, which allows us to put together a plan of action as we go and tackle a very good opponent on the road." FIRST QUARTER: NOTRE DAME 7-0 Top Moment: On New Mexico's opening possession after a Notre Dame punt, quarterback Sherrion Jones' third-and-eight pass from his 30-yard line was tipped by senior drop end Daelin Hayes and then in- tercepted by freshman safety Kyle Hamilton, who returned it for a 34- yard touchdown at the 10:09 mark. Standout Performer: Sophomore slot receiver Lawrence Keys III re- turned the opening kickoff 45 yards to the New Mexico 49-yard line, caught two passes for 20 yards — one for 15 on third-and-six — and took a jet sweep for a seven-yard gain. Stats: New Mexico outgained Notre Dame in total yardage, 56-45. The Lobos had 10 rushes for 37 yards and completed 3 of 7 passes for 19 yards, while Notre Dame's eight car- ries netted 17 yards, and Book was 4-of-8 passing for 28 yards. Items: Despite Key's 45-yard re- turn, a sack of Book helped force an Irish punt to the 2-yard line … Notre Dame freshman punter Jay Bram- blett's two attempts pinned the Lo- bos at the 2- and 17-yard lines, the latter traveling 44 yards. SECOND QUARTER: NOTRE DAME 38-7 Top Moments: Following an in- terception by safety Jalen Elliott to set up Notre Dame at its 41-yard line with 6:44 remaining, newly con- verted running back Davis, took a sprint shovel pass from Book and raced untouched for a 59-yard touch- down to increase Notre Dame's lead to 21-0. On the second play of the next Irish possession, a short toss to senior wideout Javon McKinley resulted in a weaving 65-yard touchdown in which he eluded more than a half- dozen defenders. Book threw the ball about 10 yards combined on the two scores, but the yards after catch — on which the coaching staff had placed a premium — were prolific. Standout Performer: Elliott and Hayes led the Notre Dame defensive effort. Elliott broke up one pass and intercepted another at the 6:44 mark to set up the Irish at their 41-yard line. Hayes recorded two tackles for loss. Stats: The Irish compiled 305 total yards in the first half, 251 passing by Book (11 of 19) and 54 rushing on 16 attempts. New Mexico accounted for only 155 yards, 136 rushing on 24 carries and 19 on 4-of-16 passing. It was 1-of-9 passing for zero yards in the second quarter. Items: It took four tries from first- and-goal at New Mexico's 3-yard line, but Book with help from a legal push by tight end/fullback Brock Wright, snuck in from one yard out with 11:47 remaining to end a 10-play, 49-yard drive and expand the lead to 14-0 … Notre Dame's fourth touchdown of the quarter was set up when fifth-year senior cornerback Shaun Crawford intercepted a Jones pass at his 46-yard line with 2:01 remaining … Two plays and 11 seconds later, Book found Claypool on the post for a 37-yard touchdown after snaring a 17-yard pass the previous play … New Mex- ico finally tallied with 29 seconds left until halftime with a 47-yard sweep by running back Bryson Carroll to end a 75-yard march in five plays … Enough time was left for Book to scramble 24 yards and find Claypool on a 22-yard completion to set up ju- nior Jonathan Doerer for a 36-yard field goal as time expired. OFFENSIVE ONSLAUGHT Notre Dame uses a bevy of explosive plays to rack up 434 passing yards in 66-14 romp over New Mexico Junior Avery Davis received the game ball for his switch to running back from cornerback during the bye week to aid a backfield beset by injuries in week one. He caught a shovel pass from Ian Book and went 59 yards untouched for a touchdown in the second quarter. PHOTO BY ANDRIS VISOCKIS