Box Score (PDF) | Notre Dame Postgame Notes | Brian Kelly Post-Game Press Conference
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — The second-ranked Notre Dame football team extended the nation’s longest winning streak to 14 games following a 45-31 win over Boston College at Alumni Stadium Saturday night. With the win Brian Kelly recorded his 100th^ career win at Notre Dame, tying Lou Holtz for the second most all-time wins in program history.
Following one of the best games of his career last week against No. 1 Clemson, Ian Book continued his strong play against the Eagles. Book was very efficient in the air, finishing 20-of-27 for 283 yards and three touchdowns while adding 85 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Ben Skowronek led the Irish receiving corps with five catches for 63 yards and a career-high three touchdowns.
Defensively, Shaun Crawford paced the Irish with a career-high nine tackles, one sack and 1.5 tackles-for-loss. Daelin Hayes recovered a fumble late in the second quarter that led to an Irish touchdown drive to end the half. The Irish limited the Eagles to 85 yards on the ground, the fifth-straight opponent Notre Dame has held under 100 yards rushing. Jack Kiser recorded his first career interception in the third quarter that led to a Notre Dame touchdown drive.
Notre Dame tallied a field goal on its opening drive before Boston College scored 10 unanswered points. The Irish closed the quarter with an eight-play scoring drive after Book connected with Skowronek on a 10-yard touchdown pass to tie the game.
Boston College jumped back in front after another field goal to start the second quarter but the lead did not last long. On the ensuing Notre Dame drive, a 48-yard catch to Avery Davis got the Irish inside the five. C’Bo Flemister capped the drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown and the Irish were up 17-13.
On the very next Notre Dame drive, they went the length of the field and Skowronek hauled in his second touchdown pass of the game. Book then connected with Skowronek on a 13-yard pass on Notre Dame’s next drive and increased the Irish lead 24-13. On the final drive of the half, Book linked up with Skowronek yet again for his third touchdown of the game and Notre Dame took a 31-16 lead into the break.
The Irish put the game out of reach after Jack Kiser’s interception in the third quarter. After Kiser’s play, Flemister finished the scoring drive with his second rushing touchdown of the game and Notre Dame pulled ahead 38-16.
Notre Dame will be off next weekend before heading to Chapel Hill in their next matchup. The Irish and Tar Heels are set to square off on Friday, November 27 from Kenan Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC.
^ Kelly’s records include 20 regular-season wins and two postseason appearances later vacated under discretionary NCAA penalty. See Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C. statement
