James Gardner pulls in the second of his two touchdowns. (Click to enlarge) (MVSmith/MRO) By MIKE SMITH
It was different this time.
The 2017 Miami RedHawks had lost twice before coming to South Bend, but MU “shoulda, coulda, woulda” won both of those games.
Saturday’s 52-17 Miami loss to Notre Dame was different. This time, the handwriting was on the scoreboard early.
The Irish, ranked No. 22 in the nation, scored early and often against a Miami defense that had performed relatively well through four games.
However, it was 14-0 . . .
It was different this time.
The 2017 Miami RedHawks had lost twice before coming to South Bend, but MU “shoulda, coulda, woulda” won both of those games.
Saturday’s 52-17 Miami loss to Notre Dame was different. This time, the handwriting was on the scoreboard early.
The Irish, ranked No. 22 in the nation, scored early and often against a Miami defense that had performed relatively well through four games.
However, it was 14-0 . . .
. . . less than five minutes into the game, 28-7 after one quarter, and 45-14 by halftime. That was the most points scored by an Irish team during head coach Brian Kelly’s tenure at South Bend.
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With the outcome seemingly in hand, the two teams combined for 10 points after intermission, as more “reserves” hit the field. By game’s end, Miami head coach Chuck Martin said, every RedHawk not being redshirted, was in for at least one play.
Running back Josh Adams and quarterback Brandon Wimbush did most of the damage for Notre Dame’s offense. Adams, a 6-2, 225-pound junior who ran for 229 yards against Boston College two games ago, registered 159 rushing yards and two TDs on eight carries against Miami before injuring an ankle.
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With the outcome seemingly in hand, the two teams combined for 10 points after intermission, as more “reserves” hit the field. By game’s end, Miami head coach Chuck Martin said, every RedHawk not being redshirted, was in for at least one play.
Running back Josh Adams and quarterback Brandon Wimbush did most of the damage for Notre Dame’s offense. Adams, a 6-2, 225-pound junior who ran for 229 yards against Boston College two games ago, registered 159 rushing yards and two TDs on eight carries against Miami before injuring an ankle.
Linebacker Brad Koenig brings down Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush for a loss on the play. (MVSmith/MRO)
“He’s big and strong . . . (and) he runs through arm tackles,” Martin said. “We tried to load the box to defend the run. We knew going in, that (their ground game) would be a struggle.
“We felt like we had to keep them bottled up – if Adams got loose, it was going to get ugly in a hurry.”
And it did!
Much to Martin’s chagrin, ND won the coin toss and elected to receive. Two plays from scrimmage later, Adams broke through for a 73-yard touchdown run.
After the kickoff, Miami picked up two quick first downs on Gus Ragland passes before the junior’s third attempt was picked off by Greer Martin. He returned it 42 yards, setting the hosts up at Miami’s 36.
“We felt like we had to keep them bottled up – if Adams got loose, it was going to get ugly in a hurry.”
And it did!
Much to Martin’s chagrin, ND won the coin toss and elected to receive. Two plays from scrimmage later, Adams broke through for a 73-yard touchdown run.
After the kickoff, Miami picked up two quick first downs on Gus Ragland passes before the junior’s third attempt was picked off by Greer Martin. He returned it 42 yards, setting the hosts up at Miami’s 36.
Wimbush converted a third-and-11 by hitting Chase Claypool for 21 yards. Three plays later, Wimbush scored on one-yard run.
Miami cut its quick deficit in half on its next possession. Ragland capped the eight-play, 73-yard trip with a 34-yard touchdown pass to James Gardner near the left pylon.
It was the first of two scores for Gardner, who totaled 115 yards and once again shined against high-level competition.
“He’s big and he’s very good at catching the ball,” Martin said when asked about Gardner in the post game press conference. “If we put the ball in good spots, he’s going to make plays.”
Miami cut its quick deficit in half on its next possession. Ragland capped the eight-play, 73-yard trip with a 34-yard touchdown pass to James Gardner near the left pylon.
It was the first of two scores for Gardner, who totaled 115 yards and once again shined against high-level competition.
“He’s big and he’s very good at catching the ball,” Martin said when asked about Gardner in the post game press conference. “If we put the ball in good spots, he’s going to make plays.”
James Gardner pulls in his first touchdown pass Saturday. The catch and PAT left Miami down 14-7. (MVSmith/MRO)
Samuel Sloman’s PAT made it 14-7, but Notre Dame quickly responded. Four plays into its next drive, Adams struck again, weaving his way to a 59-yard touchdown.
Both teams punted for the first time before Miami committed its second turnover of the contest. Ragland fumbled while being pulled down by Jerry Tillery. Jay Hayes recovered for ND at Miami’s 30 and the Irish again turned a miscue into points.
Wimbush lofted a pass to Chase Claypool for a seven-yard TD one play after Adams injured his ankle and left the game.
Both teams punted for the first time before Miami committed its second turnover of the contest. Ragland fumbled while being pulled down by Jerry Tillery. Jay Hayes recovered for ND at Miami’s 30 and the Irish again turned a miscue into points.
Wimbush lofted a pass to Chase Claypool for a seven-yard TD one play after Adams injured his ankle and left the game.
Although the Irish had replacements for Adams, Wimbush seemed to pick up the aerial game on ND’s next possession. He connected on four-of-five passes on a 57-yard drive that included a Miami pass interference penalty.
The final 14 yards came on a 14-yard strike from Wimbush to Equanimeous Brown.
With Notre Dame holding a 35-7 lead, MU needed a score and it got one with a five-play, 57 yard drive. Once again, it was Ragland to Gardner, this time for 14 yards.
Miami’s touchdown made it a 35-14 game with 10:09 left. That was plenty of time for the Notre Dame offense, which put up 10 more points before halftime.
Justin Yoon’s 43-yard field goal at 6:09 provided three points. Wimbush found Miles Boykin with a deep ball down the middle for a 54-yard score in the final minute.
The final 14 yards came on a 14-yard strike from Wimbush to Equanimeous Brown.
With Notre Dame holding a 35-7 lead, MU needed a score and it got one with a five-play, 57 yard drive. Once again, it was Ragland to Gardner, this time for 14 yards.
Miami’s touchdown made it a 35-14 game with 10:09 left. That was plenty of time for the Notre Dame offense, which put up 10 more points before halftime.
Justin Yoon’s 43-yard field goal at 6:09 provided three points. Wimbush found Miles Boykin with a deep ball down the middle for a 54-yard score in the final minute.
Alonzo Smith tries to shed a Notre Dame receiver. Smith led Miami rushers on the evening. (MVSmith/MRO) “Their offensive line overwhelmed us on run and pass,” Martin said. “”It was like Fort Knox in the pass game. They’ve got good receivers, and there was just crazy too much time in the pass game. (Wimbush) got clean looks and he’s just whipping the ball around.”
Miami picked up its ground game in the second half, eventually finishing with 115 rushing yards. Alonzo Smith led the way with 10 carries for 66 yards. Freshman Jason Bester, seeing his first extended action, and Kenny Young combined for 10 carries and 51 yards.
“I thought our O-line run-blocked good tonight,” Martin said. We ran the ball probably better than I thought (we would).”
Miami picked up its ground game in the second half, eventually finishing with 115 rushing yards. Alonzo Smith led the way with 10 carries for 66 yards. Freshman Jason Bester, seeing his first extended action, and Kenny Young combined for 10 carries and 51 yards.
“I thought our O-line run-blocked good tonight,” Martin said. We ran the ball probably better than I thought (we would).”
Miami tackle Matt Skibinski holds off Andrew Trumbetti. (MVSmith/MRO) Miami added a Sloman 38-yard field goal at 6:40 of the third period. The only other score was by ND running back Deon McIntosh from 26-yards out midway through the fourth quarter.
“They have a very good team this year,” Martin said of Notre Dame. “I felt like we had a number of guys that were fine out on the field. There’s probably 10-15 guys that can really play with the guys from Notre Dame.
The Irish held a 503-377 advantage in total yards and nearly matched MU’s total with 333 rushing yards.
Wimbush completed 7 of 18 passes for 119 yards and three scores,
Ragland connected on 19 of 37 for 262 yards with two TDs and one interception. Three Miami receivers contributed three receptions apiece, adding 105 yards to Gardner’s five catches for 115 with two TDs..
“They have a very good team this year,” Martin said of Notre Dame. “I felt like we had a number of guys that were fine out on the field. There’s probably 10-15 guys that can really play with the guys from Notre Dame.
The Irish held a 503-377 advantage in total yards and nearly matched MU’s total with 333 rushing yards.
Wimbush completed 7 of 18 passes for 119 yards and three scores,
Ragland connected on 19 of 37 for 262 yards with two TDs and one interception. Three Miami receivers contributed three receptions apiece, adding 105 yards to Gardner’s five catches for 115 with two TDs..
“Overall, I thought our kids took the challenge. We took our shot. … Obviously, it’s not the outcome we were looking for,” Martin said.
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