Notre Dame shook off some missed opportunities in the first half to pull away from Boise State 28-7 on Saturday afternoon.
The Irish defense recorded four turnovers, including two interceptions by Leonard Moore.
The offense was a balanced effort as quarterback CJ Carr completed 15 of 23 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns. Jeremiyah Love rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries while Jadaraian Price finished 83 yards and a touchdown on just eight carries.
The first half was a story of missed opportunities for the Irish offense as they entered halftime up just 14-7.
It should’ve been more.
Notre Dame looked like it was picking up right where it let off last week in Arkansas as Carr and company started Saturday with the ball. The Irish marched right down the field, with Carr connected with Will Pauling and Jordan Faison on a pair of 24 yard completions to move into scoring position.
The signal caller was impressive to say the least, stepping up in the pocket to find Pauling wide open and taking a big hit but still connecting with Faison. The drive did slow once Notre Dame were inside the 10, but it was on the door step of the endzone as it faced a fourth and goal situation.
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock elected to put the ball in Jeremiyah Love’s hands with a direct snap, but Boise was all over it to force the turnover on downs.
The one positive coming from coming up short was that the Broncos now had their backs at the goal line. An Irish holding penalty kept Boise’s drive alive but they couldn’t overcome two bad snaps from their center before sending the punt team out.
Shortly after Love appeared to take his anger out after getting stuffed at the goal line as he weaved up the field for a 36 yard scamper. Later that drive Carr delivered a beauty on a fade route to Pauling that resulted in a 19-yard score.
Notre Dame’s first half defense looked the best it had all season, holding Boise scoreless for its first three drives. Drayk Bowen came up big with a third down sack to get the Irish off the field late in the first quarter.
Despite the defense holding the Broncos at bay, the Irish offense lacked the same ability to score that it had shown in previous weeks. To show just how dominant it has been in recent weeks, Notre Dame sent out James Rendell to punt for the first time since Week 2.
While it wasn’t putting up points, the offense was still having success moving the ball. Carr finished the first half 10/16 for 134 yards and a touchdown. The freshman quarterback should have had another in the second quarter with the Irish facing fourth down.
Marcus Freeman elected to have the offense go for it and it almost paid off. Carr had Pauling wide open in the endzone, but the signal caller uncharacteristically missed the transfer receiver.
Riding off the momentum of the missed touchdown, the Broncos finally started to move the ball thanks to Maddux Madsen. The Boise quarterback connected big through the air for Ben Ford and Chris Marshall to move the ball into Irish territory. Notre Dame didn’t help itself as Tae Johnson was flagged for a late hit — the Irish were penalized seven times in the first half.
Madsen finished off the drive by faking the handoff and rolling out to his left for a walk-in touchdown run. The extra point gave Boise State a 7-6 lead.
The Irish shook off some of its sloppiness on their last drive of the first half. Carr kept things rolling through the air with Pauling gashing the defense for another explosive play. Love also had success on the ground — despite temporarily leaving the game — finishing the half with 89 yards and a score.
Love left no doubt this time as Notre Dame lined up near the endzone, punching in a four yard touchdown to pull the Irish back ahead. A Carr to Pauling two-point conversation put Notre Dame back on track with a 14-7 lead.
The defense once again looked much improved as the Broncos hurried to try and find a score before halftime. Tae Johnson capitalized on a wild Madsen throw, intercepted the errant pass to keep Boise off the board.
Defensive coordinator Chris Ash’s squad allowed just 125 yards of offense through the first 30 minutes.
The defense carried over its strong performance into the second half, especially the front seven. The Broncos were once again having some success moving the chains, but after crossing midfield, the Irish defense locked in. Jaylen Sneed came through with a sack on second down, and a group of Fighting Irish came through with pressure on third to get off the field.
Carr and his group of receivers owned their first drive of the second, with the Carr and Faison connection continuing to look strong. They paired up for three completions for 31 yards to move the Irish into scoring position.
The signal caller finished off the drive with another excellent back shoulder endzone throw to Malachi Fields for a six-yard score to put Notre Dame up 21-7.
Jadarian Price busted the game open midway through the fourth quarter, when he ripped off a 49-yard touchdown run to increase the Irish’s lead to three scores.
