It wasn’t pretty but the Irish survived and kept their playoff hopes alive with a 19-16 victory versus Boston College in the Shamrock Series game at Fenway Park. The Irish were plagued by turnovers that kept the Eagles in the game despite the vast gap in talent. The Notre Dame defense was able to do enough to lift the offense up and limit the points off turnovers. The following players led the Irish to victory versus Boston College:
Chris Brown
With Boston College making Will Fuller a priority on defense other receivers needed to step up for DeShone Kizer, which is exactly what Chris Brown did. Brown was able to stretch the field hauling in six passes for a game-high 104 yards and a touchdown. Brown’s veteran leadership and consistency was huge for a young quarterback like Kizer in a sloppy game.
Amir Carlisle
Amir Carlisle also stepped up and had his best game of the season for the Irish. Carlisle was getting open all day on intermediate routes, giving Kizer easy throws. Carlisle had a game-high seven receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown while also adding four yards rushing for 101 yards from scrimmage.
Jaylon Smith
Linebacker Jaylon Smith was all over the field as usual in an Irish victory. Smith was making plays all night against the basic Boston College offense. The junior was solid in pass coverage limiting big plays and breaking up a pass. Smith also had a game-high 11 tackles in the victory.
Max Redfield
Safety Max Redfield continues to improve as he had a strong effort versus the Eagles. The junior was a part of a secondary that limited Boston College to 88 yards passing. Redfield had a big sack to go along with nine tackles, good for second on the team in the victory.
Sorry but I am not a fan of Redfield. Just me I guess but he needs to finish all plays. He really missed on one where the ball was one the ground right in front of him and he was Reffing an incomplete pass! Play the whistle and pick up the ball. Should of been a turnover. He seems to get a bit cocky when it doesn’t matter. So you tackled someone up by 14…good hit whatever.. As a big time safety make the hit so they don’t want to go for extra yards next time.
Chris Brown had a great game. Agree that Jaylon is incredible. Can we put him on McCafferty??? If we don’t, we could get smoked!
Offense needs to protect the ball. That was embarrassing. BC men against ND boys.
how about justin yoon. No love for the kicker?
I have heard through my connections at the athletic department that Kelly is choosing to bench Kizer in favor of Wimbush this week vs Stanford. I stand behind my source.
I’d have to go with the key play being Chris Brown’s catch in the end zone, yanking the pass out away from the DB with four hands on the ball and in their DB in position to make yet another INT. Talk about wanting it more and seizing the opportunity! How deflating another turnover in the end zone at that time of the game would have been! Good choices, Pierce. And indeed Redfield and Carlisle seem to keep getting better. The 11 tackles by Jaylon Smith also warrants ongoing deserved praise and attention. Let’s not take his impact for granted. Don’t underrate, appreciate!
He’s elite, reliable, and a master of all needs as a defender as I’ve seen at ND since . . . I don’t know who!
Like I said previously, ND’s MVP was the BC player who “roughed” ND’s kicker Yoon on a missed FG, which subsequently resulted in the TD pass to Carlisle. Proved to be the difference in the game!