Notre Dame Rolls Past Miami (OH) with Stifling Defense and Leonard's Heroics 9-21-2024

The University of Notre Dame football team (3-1) earned a convincing 28-3 victory over Miami (OH) (0-3) on a warm, sunny afternoon at Notre Dame Stadium. Led by quarterback Riley Leonard’s 143 rushing yards and two touchdowns, as well as a dominant defensive performance, the Irish controlled the game from start to finish.

Notre Dame’s defense held Miami to just 229 total yards and an abysmal 2-for-12 on third-down conversions. Freshman defensive end Boubacar Traore shined in his first career start, recording five tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a quarterback hurry.

“I am proud of the way our guys competed,” said Head Coach Marcus Freeman. “It wasn’t perfect, but holding that offense to three points was a testament to how well our defense played.”

Game Recap

First Quarter
The game began with a defensive stop by Notre Dame, but a muffed punt return by Jordan Faison gave Miami excellent field position at the Irish 26-yard line. The RedHawks reached the five-yard line, but linebacker Junior Tuihalamaka ended the threat with a diving interception after Christian Gray deflected a pass.

After a series of punts and defensive stops by both teams, Miami put together a 10-play drive to the Notre Dame five-yard line. The Irish defense held firm, forcing the RedHawks to settle for a 26-yard field goal, giving Miami a 3-0 lead.

Second Quarter
Notre Dame’s offense found its rhythm late in the first quarter. Riley Leonard orchestrated an 80-yard scoring drive, highlighted by penalties against Miami and consistent gains from running backs Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love. Leonard capped the drive with an eight-yard touchdown run, putting Notre Dame ahead 7-3.

On their next possession, Leonard connected with tight end Mitchell Evans for 14 yards and then hit Beaux Collins for a 38-yard touchdown. Collins was five yards clear of his nearest defender, and his score extended Notre Dame’s lead to 14-3 at halftime.

Third Quarter
Notre Dame opened the second half with another explosive run from Leonard, this time for 43 yards. However, Miami’s defense forced a fumble at the end of the play, recovering the ball to halt the Irish drive.

The Irish defense quickly responded. On Miami’s next possession, Jaylen Sneed stopped a third-and-one rush, forcing a punt. Notre Dame capitalized on the ensuing drive, with Leonard leading the team into scoring position. Jeremiyah Love punched in a touchdown with a powerful run up the middle, making it 21-3.

Fourth Quarter
Miami’s offense threatened in the fourth quarter with a 13-play drive deep into Notre Dame territory. However, linebacker Drayk Bowen ended the drive with a 12-yard sack on a blitz, forcing a long field goal attempt. Freshman Bryce Young blocked the 49-yard attempt to preserve the Irish lead.

Leonard put the game out of reach with a 50-yard touchdown run on a fourth-and-short, breaking through the line untouched. His dominant performance marked the first time a Notre Dame quarterback rushed for over 100 yards in consecutive games since Carlyle Holiday in 2001.

The Irish defense continued to dominate, and Notre Dame’s backups drained the clock to secure the 28-3 win.

Key Performers

Notre Dame:
- Riley Leonard: 143 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs, 38-yard passing TD.
- Jeremiyah Love: Rushing TD, key runs to sustain drives.
- Boubacar Traore: 5 tackles, 2 sacks, forced fumble.
- Junior Tuihalamaka: Interception, 5 tackles.
Miami (OH):
- Defense: Forced two fumbles and recovered one.