Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1290311
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 26, 2020 21 Shayne Simon and sophomore Marist Liufau. Also sidelined was reserve junior vyper end Ovie Oghoufo. On offense those shelved included sophomore quarterback Brendon Clark, junior running back Jahmir Smith, and junior slot receiver Law- rence Keys III. Ruled out earlier in the week was fifth-year senior wide- out Ben Skowronek, who injured a hamstring in the opener. "We live in this world where right now, you're never prepared for it, but we are aware of it and we know it could happen," head coach Brian Kelly said while not actually address- ing the coronavirus. "I think our play- ers responded well. Our coaches were prepared and they responded well. "You hate to see anybody not be available, but it's the reality that we live in and our guys did a great job … we trust our guys and they trust us, and we know that their prepara- tion is going to be such that they are going to be ready to play." Sophomore linebacker Jack Kiser received the game ball for his team- high eight stops and overall activity while replacing the Liufau/Simon tandem at Buck. Freshman corner- back Clarence Lewis also excelled while stepping in for Bracy, making five tackles (one for loss) and break- ing up three passes. On offense, junior running back C'Bo Flemister, sidelined versus Duke, paced the attack with 127 yards on 13 rushing attempts that included a 26-yard touchdown. FIRST QUARTER NOTRE DAME, 14-0 Top Moments: Following the opening kickoff, Notre Dame drove 54 yards in seven plays, capped by a four-yard scramble for the score by Book at the 12:05 mark. The field position was aided by a 15-yard face- mask penalty on the kickoff. A 21-yard punt on USF's first se- ries then set up a 43-yard touchdown march that concluded with a one- yard run by freshman running back Chris Tyree for a 14-0 advantage with 7:06 left. Feature Performer: With excellent protection most of the quarter, Book completed 7 of 9 throws for 88 yards. Stats: Notre Dame ran 23 plays for 154 yards, 88 passing plus 14 carries for 66 yards. The Irish were 5 of 5 on third-down conversions. USF's nine plays totaled 45 yards, highlighted by a 42-yard run by Johnny Ford on the first play of the Bulls' second series. Items: USF's second series ended with a fourth-and-five sack by soph- omore defensive end Isaiah Foskey of wide receiver Jacquez Evans on a makeshift fake punt from the Irish 33-yard line … When the quarter ended, the Irish had first-and-goal at USF's 1-yard line … Junior walk- on Matt Salerno was used as Notre Dame's punt returner. SECOND QUARTER NOTRE DAME, 35-0 Top Moment: Notre Dame tallied a touchdown on its fourth consecutive possession to start the game when junior C'Bo Flemister scampered for a 26-yard run to the right side with 11:15 left. It capped a 53-yard drive in five plays. Feature Performer: Notre Dame's defense, with Kiser especially active, allowed only one first down the entire half and none in the second quarter. Stats: Notre Dame's 41 plays in the first half amassed 279 yards, 172 rushing while Book was 10-of-14 passing for 107 yards. USF totaled 65 yards on 21 plays, with 42 coming on one run and the other 20 plays good for merely 23 yards. Items: On the second play of the quarter, Book snuck in for a one-yard touchdown at 14:25 that upped Notre Dame's advantage to 21-0 … With Junior running back C'Bo Flemister paced Notre Dame's 281-yard ground assault, contributing a team- best 127 yards and one score on 13 carries. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS