Sept. 30, 2017
Notre Dame vs. Miami Ohio Final Stats
By Josh Bates, Fighting Irish Media
NOTRE DAME, Indiana — The No. 22 nationally ranked University of Notre Dame football squad (4-1) secured win No. 900 in program history Saturday night after its dominant 52-17 victory over the visiting Miami RedHawks (2-3).
The Irish offense struck early and often, tallying 45 points in the first half, which marked the most in the opening half during the Brian Kelly era. In addition, the 35-point victory was Notre Dame’s third straight of 20 or more points for the first time since 2005.
How It Happened
Both sides of the football got off to a hot start that resulted in a 14-0 Irish lead in the first 3:30 of the game. On just the second play, Josh Adams took it 72 yards to the end-zone, marking his fourth rush this season of 60+ yards.
Two series later, Adams was at it again, this time bursting a 53-yard touchdown carry to put Notre Dame up 21-7. With his second touchdown, Adams boasted five carries for 151 yards, setting a new career best for fewest carries to 100+ yards.
The defense also played a major role in the first quarter, forcing two turnovers via Greer Martini’s first career interception and Jerry Tiller’s first career forced fumble. Notre Dame converted both said turnovers into 14 points, first with a Brandon Wimbush one-yard touchdown run, followed later by a seven-yard touchdown reception by Chase Claypool.
All said and done, the Irish put 28 points on the board in the first quarter, which was the most in a single period since Sept. 3, 2005.
In the second quarter, Notre Dame struck twice through the air in addition to a 43-yard field goal. First, Equanimeous St. Brown scored his second touchdown of the year, scoring on a 14-yard reception from Wimbush. Then, with 37 seconds remaining in the half, Miles Boykin hauled in his first touchdown reception of the season, covering 54 yards to put the Irish up 45-14.
The Blue and Gold tacked on one more touchdown with eight-minutes left in the fourth quarter as Deon McIntosh notched a career-long 26-yard carry, bringing the game to its final score of 52-17.
Wimbush finished 7-of-18 for 119 yards with three touchdowns while Adams led the ground attack with 159 yards, two touchdowns, via eight carries. All-together, the Irish offense mustered 503 yards, including 333 total rushing yards.
Around The Corner
Up next, Notre Dame hits the road to Chapel Hill in search for its fourth consecutive win, challenging North Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will air nationally on ABC.