Irish Rebound, Beat Stanford 20-14
UHND.com - Frank Vitovitch
October 7, 2000
Notre Dame, Ind - Notre Dame rebounded after its toughloss to Michigan State by beating Stanford 20-14 to push their record to 3-2. Comingoff their off week, Notre Dame opened the game with an impressive 91 yard drive, butfailed to keep such offensive success up throughout the game. The offense showedsigns of life for the first time in a while, but still has a long way to go.
After a Stanford punt, Notre Dame got the ball at the 9yard line for their first drive of the game. Matt LoVecchio, making his first careerstart, lead the team down the field for a touchdown. four of his first five playswent for first downs and he was four of four on the drive for 40 yards including a 17 yardtouchdown pass to David Givens - the first of LoVecchio's career.
Stanford could not get anything going in the first half. Notre Dame's defense came ready to play in the first half and held the Cardinals tojust over 100 total yards in the first two quarters. Notre Dame's offense nearlydoubled that by gaining 191 yards.
Despite being able to move the ball, Notre Dame did notscore again until the final minute of the second quarter. David Givens came flyingin and blocked a Stanford punt giving Notre Dame first and goal at the 10 yard line. He followed that up with his second touchdown, an eight yard pass from LoVecchio inthe corner of the end zone.
The ensuing extra point attempt was blocked however. It was the first missed extra point in Nick Setta's career and the first missedextra point of the season. Last season a missed extra point was common place, butthis year Nick Setta was perfect heading into this game.
The Irish took a 13-0 lead heading into half-time. The Irish offense was sluggish and failed to move the ball well in the thirdquarter.
Stanford cut the lead to 13-7 after a two play 85 yarddrive that was capped off with a 13 yard pass from Stanford quarterback Chris Lewis tostar wide receiver Derronie Pitts.
Notre Dame responded later in the quarter after a TyreoHarrison tipped pass was snatched out of the air by Brock Williams. The Irishanswered when Julius Jones, who was held in check today, ran it in from seven yards out. Notre Dame attempted the two point conversion and would have converted it had theplay clock not ran out. Because the Irish got a delay of game penalty, they had tosettle for the extra point and held a 20-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Stanford had trouble keeping sustained drives all day. It seemed whenever they would have a nice drive they would turn the ball over asthey had done twice. It wasn't until the final three minutes that Stanford puttogether a sustained drive that resulted in points. With Notre Dame playing arelaxed defense trying to avoid a big play, Stanford moved down the field and cut the leadto six points after tight end Darin Naatjes beat Rocky Boiman and scored a touchdown on a14 yard pass from Chris Lewis.
After the touchdown Stanford attempted an onside kick,but Notre Dame recovered and ran out the clock.
It wasn't an impressive win for Notre Dame, but mostimportantly it was a win. A loss today would have been disastrous for the season. With Navy up next there is no reason that Notre Dame should not be 4-2 at this timenext week which should get them ranked again.
The offense still has a long way to go, but it lookedbetter today than it has in previous weeks. Once LoVecchio gets more comfortable inhis role look for the offense to improve. Early on the offense worked very well. Notre Dame has yet to play a game this season where they play four quarters ofquality football on both sides of the ball.
Defense and special teams continued to play very well forthe Irish this week. There was the missed extra point, but Julius Jones did have a50 yard kickoff return and David Givens blocked a punt that set up Notre Dame's secondtouchdown pass. The punt coverage team also held Derronie Pitts in check all day.
All in all this was a good win for Notre Dame becausethey absolutely had to have this game. It also gave LoVecchio some experience whichwill help down the road.