Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1305649
24 NOV. 7, 2020 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED TURNING POINT On the third play of the second half and trailing only 17-7, Georgia Tech freshman quarterback Jeff Sims connected with wideout Jalen Camp on a perfectly placed deep ball for a 39-yard gain to the Irish 22-yard line. But after an offside penalty by the Yellow Jackets, on the ensuing play fifth- year senior defensive end Daelin Hayes had a strip-sack of Sims, and senior defensive tackle Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa recovered the loose ball at the Irish 35-yard line. A 14-yard scramble by fifth-year senior quar- terback Ian Book on third-and-three and a 31- yard pass to classmate Javon McKinley set up sophomore running back Kyren Williams' four- yard score with 10:43 remaining to extend the advantage to 24-7. Georgia Tech was threatening to cut the deficit to three points after the completion to Camp, but instead the margin quickly turned into an insurmountable 17-point lead for Notre Dame. STAT OF THE GAME Notre Dame continued its excellence in third- down efficiency, but specifically on offense versus Georgia Tech by finishing 10 of 15 (66.7 per- cent). It entered the contest No. 2 in third-down defense among teams that had played at least four games, but this time it was the other side of the ball that thrived even better on "the money down." The Fighting Irish converted all four opportuni- ties on the opening 81-yard drive that took 15 plays and milked 8:44 off the clock — the longest sustained march of the season. On the second touchdown drive, a third- and-five was converted, and also a third-and- eight on the final scoring march with a 34-yard completion to Javon McKinley. Third-and-short was a problem area in 2019 that has appar- ently been rectified through the first half of this season. For the year the Irish are 46 of 85 (54.1 percent). THE MINI-PLAYOFF While this week's showdown between Notre Dame and Clemson will be one of this season's most anticipated regular-season matchups, the specter of those two teams meeting again in Charlotte on Dec. 19 to play for the ACC cham- pionship hovers. Even if Notre Dame wins Nov. 7, then the na- tional angle likely will be "it's tough to beat a great team twice in one season" — especially if junior quarterback Trevor Lawrence, a Heisman Trophy candidate, will be available for Clemson in the potential rematch. Win or lose this week, the Fighting Irish still should be in position to earn one of the four College Football Playoff bids if it reaches the ACC championship game. We do anticipate both teams to be at a mental peak, especially with Clemson getting a wake-up call with its 34-28 win over Boston College after trailing most of the contest, just like Notre Dame did after surviving a 12-7 scare against Louisville on Oct. 17. THREE OBSERVATIONS BY LOU SOMOGYI OFFENSE: WR JAVON MCKINLEY The fifth-year senior wide receiver put together another strong performance in the passing game. He caught all five of the passes thrown his way for 93 yards, including second-half receptions of 31 and 34 yards. At 6-2 and 215 pounds, McKinley also continues to be a devastating blocker, which also makes him a weapon in the run game. His efforts helped the Irish rack up 227 yards on the ground against the Yellow Jackets. DEFENSE: DE DAELIN HAYES Prior to the contest against Georgia Tech, the fifth-year se- nior defensive end had produced a total of three sacks since 2018. His most recent sack came in the 2019 season opener against Louisville. But against the Yellow Jackets, Hayes flashed the pass-rush abilities of a game wrecker, finishing with two sacks, two forced fumbles and a quarterback hurry. For a moment in the fourth quarter, he actually had a third sack. On a fourth-down play, Hayes exploded off the line of scrimmage and hit the arm of Georgia Tech quar- terback Jeff Sims as he was throwing the ball. The play was initially ruled as a fumble, giving Hayes a strip-sack. But the refs reviewed the play and ultimately ruled it an incomplete pass. Hayes also continued to play well against the run and recorded a total of five tackles, which had him tied for sec- ond among his Fighting Irish teammates. After the game, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly awarded Hayes the game ball. SPECIAL TEAMS: K JONATHAN DOERER The senior kicker gets this award by default. He made his lone field goal attempt from 32 yards out and finished 4 of 4 on extra points. Additionally, Georgia Tech was able to return one kick- off all game, which was returned 10 yards and the Yellow Jackets began the ensuing drive at their own 12-yard line. TOP PLAYERS OF THE GAME BY ANDREW MENTOCK Fifth-year senior wide receiver Javon McKinley hauled in all five of the passes thrown his way and racked up 93 receiving yards. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS