Saturday, Sept. 8 -- 3:30 p.m. ET
Notre Dame Stadium -- South Bend, IN
Notre Dame Stadium -- South Bend, IN
By MIKE SMITH
Two Indiana-based teams coming off big wins will square off in South Bend Saturday when Ball State visits No. 12 Notre Dame.
The Irish opened with Michigan, getting off to a quick 14-0 lead before holding off the visiting Wolverines 24-17, Ball State, meanwhile, displayed its wealth of weapons while burying Central Connecticut State 42-6.
While the Blue Devils are not as formidable as the Maize and Blue, Ball State’s performance showed what the Cardinals hinted early at last year before injuries decimated BSU.
Two Indiana-based teams coming off big wins will square off in South Bend Saturday when Ball State visits No. 12 Notre Dame.
The Irish opened with Michigan, getting off to a quick 14-0 lead before holding off the visiting Wolverines 24-17, Ball State, meanwhile, displayed its wealth of weapons while burying Central Connecticut State 42-6.
While the Blue Devils are not as formidable as the Maize and Blue, Ball State’s performance showed what the Cardinals hinted early at last year before injuries decimated BSU.
Here’s more on the two teams.
NO. 12 NOTRE DAME (1-0)
➤➤ Given the amount/quality of talent that left ND via the 2018 NFL draft, Saturday’s test in Week One was somewhat reassuring to Irish fans. The cupboard is far from bare!
➤➤ At the same time, some areas may be stronger than otherse.. Defense, which was not hit as hard by the draft or graduation, may be particularly strong. The Irish defense surrendered just one touchdown, and that came with 2:10 remaining in the game. UM’s other points came on a second quarter field goal and 99-yard kickoff return.
➤➤ Notre Dame was particularly effective on offense early, scoring touchdowns on its first two drives. However, most states wee very close by games end. Notre Dame had one more first down and UM owned five moe total yards (307-302) as defenses flexed their talent.
➤➤ Irish senior quarterback Brandon Winbush connected on 12 of 22 (55.5%) for 170 yards with one TD and one interception.
➤➤ Wimbush was also Notre Dame’s leading rusher, gaining 59 yards on 19 carried. Tony Jones Jr. picked up 45 yards on nine carries, while sophomore Jafar Armstrong logged 15 carries for 35 yards and two scores.
➤➤ Senior WR Chris Finke and junior Chase Claypool caught three balls apiece to lead ND’s receiving corps The former accounted for Notre Dame’s lone aerial score with a 43-yard reception midway through the second quarter.
➤➤ Michigan committed two turnovers, while the Irish had just one. Both quarterbacks though one interceptions.
➤➤ Senior linebacker Te’Von Coney led the hosts with 10 tackles Junior Khalid Kareem had 2.5 sacks among his nine stops as ND managed to put quite a big of pressure on quarterback Shea Patterson, who had transferred to Michigan from Mississippi.
BALL STATE (1-0)
➤➤ The Cardinals set a school record with 652 yards of offense while overwhelming Central Connecticut State 42-6 lst Thursday
➤➤ Numerous BSU players shined on both sides of the ball. Among them was junior quarterback Riley Neal, who completed 23 of 30 passes for 259 yards and a pair of TDs. The score facilitated giving sophomore Drew Plitt some game action, and he responded by connecting o five-of-six for 77 yards and a TD. That put Cardinal passing totals at 28of 36 for 336 yards and three touchdowns and no interceptions.
➤➤ BSU rolled up 316 rushing yards, led by junior James Gilbert with 14 carries for 100 yards and a TD. Neal and junior Malik Dunner also had rushing scores.
➤➤ Freshman Yo’Heinz Tyler made the most of two catches, totaling 83 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Justin Hall had a team-high five-catches and totaled 38 yards. Nolan Given opened scoring on the night with a 20-yard TD reception.
➤➤ Ball State defenders held CCSU to 291 yards, and the Blue Devils only touchdown came with just 12 seconds remaining in the game.
NO. 12 NOTRE DAME (1-0)
➤➤ Given the amount/quality of talent that left ND via the 2018 NFL draft, Saturday’s test in Week One was somewhat reassuring to Irish fans. The cupboard is far from bare!
➤➤ At the same time, some areas may be stronger than otherse.. Defense, which was not hit as hard by the draft or graduation, may be particularly strong. The Irish defense surrendered just one touchdown, and that came with 2:10 remaining in the game. UM’s other points came on a second quarter field goal and 99-yard kickoff return.
➤➤ Notre Dame was particularly effective on offense early, scoring touchdowns on its first two drives. However, most states wee very close by games end. Notre Dame had one more first down and UM owned five moe total yards (307-302) as defenses flexed their talent.
➤➤ Irish senior quarterback Brandon Winbush connected on 12 of 22 (55.5%) for 170 yards with one TD and one interception.
➤➤ Wimbush was also Notre Dame’s leading rusher, gaining 59 yards on 19 carried. Tony Jones Jr. picked up 45 yards on nine carries, while sophomore Jafar Armstrong logged 15 carries for 35 yards and two scores.
➤➤ Senior WR Chris Finke and junior Chase Claypool caught three balls apiece to lead ND’s receiving corps The former accounted for Notre Dame’s lone aerial score with a 43-yard reception midway through the second quarter.
➤➤ Michigan committed two turnovers, while the Irish had just one. Both quarterbacks though one interceptions.
➤➤ Senior linebacker Te’Von Coney led the hosts with 10 tackles Junior Khalid Kareem had 2.5 sacks among his nine stops as ND managed to put quite a big of pressure on quarterback Shea Patterson, who had transferred to Michigan from Mississippi.
BALL STATE (1-0)
➤➤ The Cardinals set a school record with 652 yards of offense while overwhelming Central Connecticut State 42-6 lst Thursday
➤➤ Numerous BSU players shined on both sides of the ball. Among them was junior quarterback Riley Neal, who completed 23 of 30 passes for 259 yards and a pair of TDs. The score facilitated giving sophomore Drew Plitt some game action, and he responded by connecting o five-of-six for 77 yards and a TD. That put Cardinal passing totals at 28of 36 for 336 yards and three touchdowns and no interceptions.
➤➤ BSU rolled up 316 rushing yards, led by junior James Gilbert with 14 carries for 100 yards and a TD. Neal and junior Malik Dunner also had rushing scores.
➤➤ Freshman Yo’Heinz Tyler made the most of two catches, totaling 83 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Justin Hall had a team-high five-catches and totaled 38 yards. Nolan Given opened scoring on the night with a 20-yard TD reception.
➤➤ Ball State defenders held CCSU to 291 yards, and the Blue Devils only touchdown came with just 12 seconds remaining in the game.
RSS Feed