a lead draw that we've got to fit better,
and certainly the reverse pass where
we just lost our focus on that play. It
was well designed, but we've still got
to be in better position."
That 56-yard trick play from quar-
terback Blake Frohnapfel to wide
receiver Shakur Nesmith set up the
team's third touchdown and narrowed
the Irish lead to 21-20.
Notre Dame's defensive play tight-
ened, and the unit allowed only seven
second-half points, long after the out-
come was no longer in doubt.
"It was a matter of we knew we
messed up, but we had a lot of con-
fidence knowing we were going to
get the job done," junior captain Jay-
lon Smith said. "For the most part in
the first half, it was about eye disci-
pline. We had a lot of eye violations,
and that's something we have to im-
prove."
The second-half rout allowed the
Irish to empty the bench and provide
valuable game snaps to a number of
underclassmen, including freshman
quarterback Brandon Wimbush.
On his first career pass attempt,
Wimbush appeared to complete a
50-yard heave to Will Fuller — who
earlier in the game notched his sixth
touchdown reception of the season
— but the replay showed the ball
hit the ground while the junior wide
receiver attempted to secure it.
Later, a deep touchdown completion
to freshman wide receiver Equanime-
ous St. Brown was nullified by an il-
legal lineman downfield penalty on
backup center Sam Mustipher.
Eventually, Wimbush reached the
