MIAMI FOOTBALL

Early success not enough as MU falls to Irish

ND run game, defense turn game in Irish favor

​By MIKE SMITH
NOTRE DAME, IN -- Irish Quarterback Riley Leonard produced three touchdowns while the Notre Dame defense stifled Miami's offense much of the day in a 28-3 ND win Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium.

Miami's defense, which forced two turnovers on the day, kept ND off the scoreboard until late in the second quarter. Miami (0-3) scored the game's first points on a 26-yard Dom Dzioban field goal at 12:32 of the period. However, Notre Dame struck for two touchdowns in the final 3:33 for a 14-3 halftime lead. 

The Irish maintained momentum in the second half. Although they . . . 

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. . . managed just one TD in each of the final two periods, they moved the ball much better than early in the contest and kept MU's offense from gaining traction. The RedHawks punted twice, threw one interception and missed a field goal to end its five possessions after intermission. 

On the day, MU converted just 2 of 12 third down opportunities. It was also penalized 10 times for 100 yards and committed two turnovers -- both interceptions. Overall, Brett Gabbert completed 14 of 35 attempts totaling 119 yards. His top target was Cade McDonald, who caught four balls for a total of 52 yards. Javon Tracy had three receptions for 22 yards. 

Miami's ground game, meanwhile, was a mixed bag. Its 110 net yards were substantially more than the total of 64 rushing yards MU produced through its first two games. Moreover, without Gabbert's yardage (deductions), the RedHawks picked up 119 yards on 22 carries -- an average of 5.9 ypc. However, MU was unable to convert several short yardage third downs to keep drives moving. 

Miami had 12 possessions. They ended with: 
1 field goal, 1 missed field goal, 6 punts, 2 interceptions 1 end of half and 1 loss on downs. 

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The RedHawks defense shined early. In fact, although the RedHawks trailed 14-3 at intermission, Both teams owned 11 first downs and ND had a mere nine-yard edge (176-167) advantage in total offense. Most of that came in the final 8:30.

​That is when Notre Dame started its first scoring drive. The Irish drove 87 yards in 10 plays, picking up six first downs (two by penalty). Leonard covered the final eight yards with an 8-yard run up the middle. It was a sign of things to come. He would eventually contribute a game-high 143 yards on 12 rushes. His 50-yard fourth quarter run on fourth-and-one was the game's final score. Jeremiyah Love (11 carries, 60 yards) provided ND's other rushing -- a 15-yard third quarter run.

As a passer, Leonard connected on 16 of 25, totaling 154 yards and a score. That TD was a 38-yard shot to Beaux Collins down the right sideline with 1:05 left in the second quarter. 

BRIAN UGWU (MU Athletics)

NOTES:
>>> Notre Dame out-gained Miami 428-229 overall and had a 24-17 edge in first downs. 
>>> Both teams had two turnovers. Miami lost two via interception. ND lost two fumbles. They were recovered by MU's Luke Evans and Hudson Powell. 
>>> Miami recorded one sack and two TFL. All of them came from senior Brian Ugwu. 
Notre Dame had four sacks, five TFL and eight passes defended. 
>>> The Irish averaged 47.3 yards on four punts. Miami's Alec Bevelhimer averaged 39.5 on six boots. 
>>> Henry Hesson replaced Gabbert at QB late in the contest.

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