Irish Let Up Late, Survive in Overtime Over Air
Force
UHND.com - Frank Vitovitch
October 28, 2000
Notre Dame, Ind - After a 68 yard touchdown pass from Matt LoVecchio to Joey Getherall, it looked as though Notre Dame would have an easy victory with a 28-10 lead. Things did not end up quite like Notre Dame had hoped though. Air Force scored 18 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to tie the game and send it into overtime. After Air Force settled for a field goal on their possession, Notre Dame scored a touchdown on a reverse to Joey Getherall.
With three seconds left, it appeared as though Air Force was going to end Notre Dame's three game winning streak and destroy their chances at a BCS game. Air Force was lined up for the game winning field goal when Glen Earl flew in and blocked the kick, forcing overtime. This attempt came after the Falcons ripped off 18 points to tie the game in the fourth quarter.
Notre Dame was lead by Joey Getherall on offense. Getherall scored on two touchdown passes for Joey Getherall, one from 68 yards out and the other from 28 yards out. Both scored came in the third quarter when Notre Dame outscored Air Force by 21 points. Notre Dame racked up over 200 of their 383 total yards in the third quarter. David Givens also added a touchdown in the third quarter when David Givens took a reverse in from 37 yards out.
The Irish trailed at half time 10-7 after a rough first half. The Irish offense had another slow start and it wasn't until the third quarter that they got anything going. After the third quarter however, Notre Dame's offense went into its shell and produced nothing in the fourth quarter.
Last week in Morgantown it was the same story. They had West Virginia on the ropes, but failed to deliver the knock out blow and nearly let the Mountaineers back in the game. This was very similar. After trailing 10-7, the scored 21 straight points and had Air Force on the ropes just as they did with West Virginia. Notre Dame's offense went into its shell however and the defense started giving up pass plays like nobody's business.
Notre Dame has to learn to put teams away when they have the chance if they want to be a legitimate BCS contender this year. Stanford, West Virginia, and Air Force all fought back and made their games close in the end. With Boston College up next the Irish must learn in a hurry since Boston College will take the opportunity and make the Irish pay.
For the sixth time in seven games Notre Dame failed to out gain their opponent. Air Force racked up 471 yards opposed to Notre Dame's 383.
Glen Earl was huge on special teams and on defense this week. He had an interception called back after a bogus pass interference penalty. Earl also was the man who blocked Air Force's field goal attempt as time expired. Earlier this season he also had a key block punt against Purdue.
One couldn't help but notice the poor officiating in the game. In overtime, a potential game winning touchdown was called incomplete when David Givens was clearly in bounds. It wasn't as if the pass was close either. Both legs feet and knees were down in bounds, but the official right on top of the play called him out of bounds. There were other instances such as two pass interference calls which weren't even close as well.
Overall this game did not help Notre Dame much. It gave them their first overtime victory which is important, but its a game that Notre Dame should have won easily. They were en route to a blow out before they decided to let up and let Air Force back into the game, but instead they had to squeak a victory in overtime.
Notre Dame will need to come out much crisper on offense and must play a full game of defense because if they don't, the Irish could see their four game winning streak end in Boston at the hands of the Eagles. Boston College always plays Notre Dame tough, and the Irish will have to come out ready to play and have to expect a fight.
While the fourth quarter was ugly, Notre Dame did win. They kept their streak alive as well as their BCS hopes. However, Notre Dame did not turn in a great effort today. Before they can have a legitimate chance at getting into and winning a BCS game they must play a full four quarters of football - something they haven't done yet this season.