Left No Doubt: Notre Dame Topples Top-Ranked Miami

3 min read

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish were able to outlast the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes in a matchup that will live in history.

Via Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Notre Dame Fighting Irish got their signature win against the top-ranked team in the nation, besting the Miami Hurricanes 31-24.

The Irish dominated out of the gate to the tune of a 17-3 lead heading into the halftime break. Notre Dame out-gained the Hurricanes 251-145 in the first half, mostly through the air as CJ Carr totaled 205 passing yards during that span.

The Irish defense was the key to their early success, as they brought a physicality they have yet to display this season. A goal line sequence where the Fighting Irish held the Hurricanes to three points as they were on the one-inch line defined the first half of this game.

To start the second, it appeared like that story was going to continue. Notre Dame's defense forced a three and out, and Jordan Faison's 56-yard punt return set the Irish up for a touchdown drive.

With a three-touchdown lead, the Irish appeared to be cruising to the finish line, until the nation's number one came thundering back.

A sequence of a Miami touchdown-Notre Dame three and out-Miami touchdown-Notre Dame three and out was a 14-point swing that left many rowdy fans inside Notre Dame Stadium left sitting on their hands.

With the ball in Miami's hands and looking to tie the Notre Dame, walk-on safety Luke Talich came up with what appeared to be his biggest play of the game, a crucial interception.

The Irish cashed in Talich's pick with a gutsy 4th down conversion on a great play call by offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock to free Nolan James Jr. out of the backfield. James Jr. finished the drive with a one-yard rushing score.

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However, as they did all night, Miami did not shy away, marching down field and ending their drive in the end zone.

After a missed 53-yard field goal attempt by Spencer Porath, Miami appeared to tie the game on a 4th & 6 before Talich came up with a season-saving pass breakup.

The Irish offense converted one first down before draining all the Hurricanes' timeouts and punting the ball away.

A big first-down sack by Bryce Young and Boubacar Traore all but sealed the Hurricanes fate as the Irish secured their big game victory.

CJ Carr skyrocketed his Heisman candidacy going 29-40 with 319 yards and three touchdowns. Carr's main targets were Micah Gilbert and Jordan Faison who combined for 15 catches for 175 yards and three touchdowns, including two from Gilbert to mark his first career multi-touchdown game.

In a game with such highs and lows, this was a game that Notre Dame needed to have. The Irish were in complete control, but didn't blink after surviving Miami's best comeback chance.

In a do-or-die game, Notre Dame got it done and in a season with so much hope, the Irish did what they had to do to continue their national championship aspirations.

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