Irish Grind Out Win Over BC
UHND.com - Frank Vitovitch
November 11, 2000
Notre Dame, Ind - Notre Dame ran all over Boston College this afternoon en route to their fifth straight win and seventh overall in their 28-16 victory over Boston College. Notre Dame ended the game with 380 yards rushing in the win, their highest total this year, while Matt LoVecchio only attempted 12 passes. The win puts Notre Dame at 7-2 with two games remaining against Rutgers and USC.
The Irish started off the game by picking off a Brian St. Pierre passes on the second play from scrimmage. Julius Jones capped off the drive with a one yard touchdown plunge to give Notre Dame a 7-0 lead. Jones however hurt his hip on the play and didn't see action for the rest of the game. Boston College responded with a 43 yard field goal.
The score remained tied until Tony Fisher ripped off a 37 yard touchdown run to give Notre Dame a 14-3 lead. Fisher got the ball heading in one direction, but made a beautiful cut back to get in the open field. After his cut, there was no one in front of him, and the former Mr. Ohio ran the ball in as part of his 194 rushing yards.
The Irish continued running at Boston College in the second half taking their opening drive the length of the field for a touchdown. Fisher added his second touchdown run of the day from one yard out to give Notre Dame an 18 point lead.
Boston College got back on the board when Ryan Utzler caught a Brian St. Pierre pass from four yards out for a touchdown. The fullback turned the corner and was wide open for the touchdown. He caught the ball and fell into the end zone untouched.
With the score 21-10 the Irish were facing a fourth and two at the six. Instead of going for it, Bob Davie sent in the field goal unit. Nick Setta however ended up with the ball on a fake and ran it in untouched to extend Notre Dame's lead back to 18. Earlier in the game the Irish also converted a fake punt near midfield when Chris Yura got the direct snap and gained three yards.
Setta's touchdown ended Notre Dame's scoring for the game, but Boston College added another touchdown on a 20 yard St. Pierre to Dedrick DeWalt in the fourth quarter. Boston College went for two points to try to cut the lead to 10, but Notre Dame held and the score was 28-16. Boston College challenged a little bit late, but never really gave the Irish a scare.
This was a must win game for Notre Dame, just as their last five have been. Notre Dame is now only two wins away from a probable BCS Bowl game. Next week the Irish face Rutgers and then end the season with USC. Rutgers should not be any problem. If the Irish can't take it to Rutgers they don't deserve to be in a BCS game. The USC game however scares me. Paul Hackett is most likely at the end of his tenure with USC and beating ND to ruin their BCS chances would make their season.
Today however, the Irish ran over an opponent for the first time this season. The 380 rushing yards was by far the most the Irish gained in a single game this year. On top of Fisher's 194 yards, Terrence Howard added 86, LoVecchio had 73, and Getherall chipped in 21. It was the first time this season Notre Dame's offensive line took control of a game.
The Irish also avoided a let down in the fourth quarter as they had against West Virginia and Air Force. Boston College got as close as 12, but the Irish defense stiffened up and didn't allow Boston College to score.
The one very disheartening aspect of the game was Notre Dame's sudden case of fumbleitus. Matt LoVecchio and Terrence Howard both lost fumbles while Tony Fisher and Joey Getherall had fumbles that Notre Dame recovered. Coming into the game, Notre Dame had only lost one fumble all season so in one game they tripled their fumble total.
Overall the performance was classic Notre Dame. They controlled the clock and pounded the ball away. Notre Dame didn't run away with the score, but they were never really challenged in the second half. Notre Dame needed this win and they got it. There is now no excuse that Notre Dame should not be 8-2 heading into USC.