by Leprechaun Express & Steve Welsh
Notre Dame’s home opener went the way you’d want. An easy victory, a ton of young players getting experience, and a team back on track with Michigan State coming to town next weekend.
… 1. St. Brown emerges as go-to target in Hunter’s absence: A different wide receiver steps up every year. T.J. Jones transformed into the go-to target in 2013, Will Fuller had a breakout season the following year and he delivered the same kind of production in 2015. Senior Torii Hunter Jr. was expected to lead an inexperienced group of wide receivers and in two and a half quarters of action, he has. But sophomore Equanimeous St. Brown snared five receptions for 75 yards against Texas—he also scored the Irish’s first two touchdowns. …
Penalties gummed up drives for both squads in the first period, Irish cornerback Shaun Crawford left the field on crutches … and with 3:26 to go the Irish had nearly as many penalty yards (40) as total yards (44). … The second period changed the mood: …. Kizer-to-…St. Brown connection for 49 yards … set up the Irish at the Nevada five and led to a field goal. … 24-yard C.J. Sanders punt return [to] the Nevada 25 and on the third play Kizer zeroed in on Sanders for seven yards and the score … with [Nevada] backed up on its own 11, Jarron Jones diagnosed a screen play and made [an] interception — leading to a Kizer touchdown throw to … Stepherson on third and goal from the four. … Irish … on their final possession, using up 4:28 and traveling 88 yards on 13 plays [with] a short Tarean Folston scoring run with 35 seconds to go until halftime. [In the second quarter] the Irish outgained the visitors 118-21 — and at the break Kizer stood an ultra-efficient 13 of 16 throwing. Notre Dame held a 245-74 edge in total yards at intermission.
Notre Dame cornerback Shaun Crawford is out for the season after suffering a torn left Achilles tendon … a sophomore … injured in the first quarter while breaking up a deep pass on the ….first defensive series [against Nevada]. … Crawford was expected to start at nickelback last season as a true freshman, but … tore an ACL during fall camp … He started at corner the first two games this season and starred last week at Texas … with an interception and returning a blocked extra point for [two points]. … [Losing him is] another huge hit to the Notre Dame secondary, which dismissed starting free safety Max Redfield last month ….
For a majority of the second half, Notre Dame junior quarterback DeShone Kizer stood on the sideline without his helmet and wearing a red visor.
No, the Toledo, Ohio, did not struggle and get the hook from coach Brian Kelly.
The Irish avoided a Week 2 quarterback controversy, starting Kizer and letting him captain Notre Dame to a big first half lead en route to a 39-10 victory over Nevada in front 80,795 spectators at Notre Dame Stadium.
… DeShone Kizer completed 15 of 18 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns … No. 18 Notre Dame cruised to a 39-10 win over Nevada …. Running back Josh Adams finished with 106 rushing yards to lead the Fighting Irish. Kizer also rushed for 35 yards and a touchdown before giving way to backup quarterback Malik Zaire late in the third quarter …. Notre Dame (1-1) posted a 444-300 advantage in total yards …. After a scoreless first quarter, Notre Dame pulled away with 25 points in the second quarter to establish a 25-0 halftime lead. … the most points in a quarter for Notre Dame since Sept. 3, 2005 * * * … The Fighting Irish marked their 250th consecutive sellout crowd at Notre Dame Stadium, a streak that started in 1974.
#NotreDame Head Coach Brian Kelly meets with reporters after Notre Dame’s 39-10 victory over Nevada.
An easy victory, a ton of young players getting experience, and a team back on track with Michigan State coming to town next …. It wasn’t all easy. The Irish offense was slow out of the gate. The defense struggled on their opening series, but made some game-changing plays and held Nevada to just 300 yards. … after a first 20 minutes that was as forgettable as any from last season, the Irish’s talent took over, a victory inside Notre Dame Stadium that leveled the team to 1-1 …. what we learned. … The loss of Shaun Crawford will be felt on and off the field. … The defense woke up and made some plays. … DeShone Kizer is the engine of this offense. … With Equanimeous St. Brown and C.J. Sanders, the Irish have two young, dynamic talents at receiver. … Kelly will keep rotating backs, but Josh Adams is quickly establishing himself as a workhorse.
Video highlights from #NotreDame’s 39-10 victory over Nevada.