Notre Dame had another big win on a five-game winning streak. This week’s victim was Georgia Tech, with the Irish winning by a final score of 31-13. There’s no long introduction, so let’s get started right away.
Score overview
Georgia Tech’s point differential per game is +18, and the team has averaged a +22.7 point differential per game through Week 8 of the 2024 season. If you measure things by margin of victory, this was the third-biggest win of all time.
Notre Dame didn’t score in the first quarter, but the Yellow Jackets scored seven points. As usual, the Irish found their rhythm in the second half, scoring 14 points in the second quarter, seven in the third, and 10 in the fourth to close out the game. Tech didn’t find the scoreboard again until scoring six points late in the game.
Score details
The passing game is back to its early-season form, which is most evident when looking at the scoring details. Notre Dame scored three touchdowns, one pick-six and one field goal. This put an end to the continued strengthening of the game with passing touchdowns.
Are passing touchdowns or successful passes great in general?
of course.
But statistical diversity doesn’t win games, and ND got the job done.
Drive overview
You can see more unpleasant regressions just by looking at the drive overview. The second quarter was the only overtime period in which the Irish offense had consistent success. The team came out of the lockers heading in the same positive direction from halftime, but the momentum never caught on. Notre Dame’s final four substantial drives consisted of a punt (7 plays, 32 yards), a turnover on downs (6 plays, 41 yards), a field goal (11 plays, 32 yards), and a final field goal. It ended with a failed goal (11 plays, 32 yards). 16 yards).
aggressive benchmark
Notre Dame won the game pretty decisively, so you don’t want to beat a dead horse here. But the offensive numbers in this game aren’t as forgiving. Notre Dame’s offense was below its 2023 per-game benchmark in every major category except passing accuracy.
ND had 385 yards of total offense against Tech. They had the second-highest total passing yards through Week 8 with 217, but that accomplishment didn’t add up to the big picture. The team only had 168 yards of rushing offense, but they scored points and ultimately won the game.
Despite an early interception, Riley Leonard finished the game with 20 and 29 completed pass attempts. The team’s rushing efficiency was 4.3 yards, well below the 2023 benchmark and the team’s performance this season. But there’s no escaping the fact that a team’s rushing attack remains the only consistent offensive method for winning football games.
Receiving
Once again, the group of receivers that contributed to the Irish’s offensive production was much different than what we saw the week before. Beau Collins had five receptions for 51 yards, and Mitchell Evans served as a reminder that the team’s tight end room is still available. Evans had four receptions for 26 yards, and fellow tight end Eli Raridon had one catch for nine yards.
Sophomore running back Jeremiah Love once again showed his receiving strength, leading Notre Dame’s receiving group against Georgia Teach. Love had three catches for 57 yards. Sophomore wide receiver Jayden Greathouse also contributed greatly with three catches for 43 yards.
hurry
Week 8 also showed us that the statistical distribution of Notre Dame’s rushing group was quite different. As always, Jeremiah Love had the highest usage. He had 14 carries for 36 yards and one touchdown. Riley Leonard, a quarterback and honorary running back, had 10 rushing attempts for 51 yards and two touchdowns. However, junior running back Jaydarian Price had an outstanding day with 69 yards on eight carries. Although he didn’t get to the end zone this week, he was No. 1 in base production.
Defense summary
Notre Dame’s defense faced yet another opponent. Due to a number of factors (notre Dame bias, poor offensive play hogging the spotlight, etc.), the Irish defense hasn’t received as much coverage as it deserves this season. But hey, they’ll definitely blossom in some corner of the CFB world.
From a drive standpoint, they forced Georgia Tech into four punts, a turnover on two downs, one interception, and another interception that resulted in a pick-six. If it had been worse than that, someone should have called the authorities. I know Stanford and Georgia Tech’s offensive lines, especially at the QB position, weren’t at their best, but the Irish still brutalized both of them in a way you have to admire.
Defense details
Young players continue to step up defensively as well. Sophomore linebacker Drake Bowen and freshman cornerback Leonard Moore led the team in solo tackles against Georgia Tech. Freshman linebacker Jayden Ausberry recorded five solo tackles. Veteran defensemen also made big contributions in ways we probably all take for granted. Seniors Rod Hurd II, Jack Kiser, Xavier Watts and Riley Mills were the most effective in the veteran camp.
final thoughts
As we enter the final stages of the season, it’s hard to fathom what this Georgia Tech win means for Notre Dame’s program and the bigger picture. Perhaps the biggest takeaway is that the Irish offense remains a wild card from game to game and live to drive. No matter how much we don’t want it to be.
And given the variety of competition remaining on the calendar, the meaning of that could change significantly at this final stage. Things could go very well for Notre Dame, or they could go catastrophically wrong. Let’s hope for the former, but we also recommend that you prepare your mind and liver for the latter.
Cheers and let’s go Irish!!
