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Notre Dame Takes Care of Business Against Nevada

By Kyle Nishida

Sep 10, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver C.J. Sanders (3) celebrates after a touchdown in the second quarter agains the Nevada Wolf Pack at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver C.J. Sanders (3) celebrates after a touchdown in the second quarter agains the Nevada Wolf Pack at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish earned an impressive rebound win over the Nevada Wolfpack. The defense took the spotlight in the team’s 39-10 victory.

After surrendering over 500 total yards and 50 points to the Texas Longhorns on September 4th, Notre Dame held Nevada to 300 total yards and only 10 points. The defensive turnaround was especially necessary early in the contest.

The Fighting Irish’s offense started the game slow and sluggish. The unit was held scoreless in the first quarter. Luckily, the defense hung tough and made key third and fourth down stops to keep the Wolfpack scoreless in the first too.

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In the second quarter, the defense helped spark the offense. After a DeShone Kizer interception, Notre Dame defensive tackle Jarron Jones got an interception deep in Nevada territory. The Irish offense quickly followed that play with a touchdown to give themselves a18-0 lead.

Overall, the Notre Dame defense shut down the Wolfpack’s top two weapons:  quarterback Tyler Stewart and running back James Butler.

Stewart completed less than 50% of his passes, threw an interception and only had 113 passing yards. Meanwhile, Butler only ran for 50 rushing yards.

On the flip side, Kizer played well as the Fighting Irish’s definitive starting quarterback. He completed 15 of his 18 pass attempts for 156 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown.

Kizer also received help from running back Josh Adams who had 106 rushing yards on only 10 carries. Senior running back Tarean Folston added a rushing touchdown. Plus, sophomore Dexter Williams added 59 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Williams did not play against Texas.

Notre Dame was a far from perfect Saturday afternoon, and Nevada is one of the weaker teams on their schedule. The Fighting Irish still have plenty of mistakes to clean up.

Next: Notre Dame Still in CFB Playoff Picture Even with One Loss

However, the team will gain confidence from this victory over the Wolfpack and build momentum from it as they head into the tough part of their 2016 slate.

A home matchup with the ranked Michigan State Spartans is next on Notre Dame’s schedule.

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