Deshone Kizer Leads Notre Dame to Heroic Victory

Sep 12, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire (8) is carted off the field after injuring his right ankle against the Virginia Cavaliers in the third quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Pendulum of Momentum swings in both directions as the game intensified and a gruesome injury nearly costs Notre Dame the game.

Virginia regrouped with a strong second quarter to regain the lead. First, Cavaliers junior quarterback Matt Johns struck paydirt on a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Evan Butts cutting the deficit to 12-7. Then came the chicanery, with 3:04 left in the first half the Wahoos ran a wildcat formation reverse pass for a 42-yard  touchdown to wide receiver Keeon Johnson. Virginia rallied all the way back scoring two touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 14-12 lead into the half Virginia’s defense gave Malik Zaire and the Notre Dame offense fits throughout the second quarter.

After halftime, Virginia received the kickoff and began another drive that ended in a missed field goal attempt. On the ensuing possession, Notre Dame immediately went to work. The Irish struck quickly with a 59-yard pass from Zaire to wide receiver Will Fuller regaining the lead 19-14 with 7:04 left in the third quarter. Zaire looked settled, poised and ready to retake the momentum. Then came the unthinkable…

There was horror felt across the Notre Dame nation. Malik Zaire got rolled up on while scrambling – and as can be seen above – his season ends with a gruesome looking broken ankle. It was officially announced after the game that Zaire suffered a season-ending ankle fracture.

Next: Enter DeShone Kizer... Again.