Irish Dominate NC State, Secure 36-7 Victory

The University of Notre Dame football team showcased their dominance against NC State, winning decisively with a score of 36-7. This victory marks the Irish’s fourth consecutive win, enhancing their record to 4-2, while NC State falls to 4-3.

Strong Second Half Performance

Notre Dame’s success came predominantly in the second half, where they scored 19 unanswered points. The Irish turned around a narrow halftime lead of 10-7, capitalizing on defensive turnovers and offensive efficiency.

Key Player Contributions

• CJ Carr: Threw for a career-high 342 yards, connecting for touchdown passes with Will Pauling and KK Smith.
• Will Pauling: Achieved 105 receiving yards, contributing significantly to the game.
• Eli Raridon: Recorded his first 100-yard game, finishing with 109 yards on seven catches.
• Boubacar Traore: Led the defensive charge with two sacks.
• Tae Johnson and Drayk Bowen: Each recorded seven tackles, helping to control the game defensively.

How the Game Unfolded

The match began with a quick three-and-out for NC State, demonstrating Notre Dame’s defensive prowess early on. The Irish offense capitalized promptly, with Carr finding Pauling for a substantial 32-yard completion. Subsequently, Jeremiyah Love scored on a two-yard rush, giving Notre Dame an early lead.

The Wolfpack responded with a touchdown, courtesy of a 45-yard pass from CJ Bailey to Terrell Anderson, tying the score at 7-7. Notre Dame struggled in the red zone throughout the first half, leading to various missed scoring opportunities. However, a late series allowed kicker Noah Burnette to secure a field goal just before halftime, leaving the score at 10-7.

Second Half Surge

Post-halftime, the Irish continued their offensive onslaught. A crucial third-and-long conversion kept their drive alive, leading to an 18-yard touchdown pass from Carr to Smith. Moments later, a series of defensive plays resulted in two interceptions, shifting the momentum squarely in Notre Dame’s favor.

Defensive Dominance

• Notre Dame’s defense proved relentless, recording four interceptions over the course of the game.
• Boubacar Traore’s second sack of the day further pressured NC State’s QB, culminating in continued turnovers.

Final Touchdowns and Safety

Love added another touchdown to his credit, rushing for two yards. Following a fumble from NC State, the Irish secured a safety after a mishandled snap, extending their lead. The game concluded with an interception in the end zone, sealing a decisive 36-7 victory for Notre Dame.

Conclusion

This victory reaffirms Notre Dame’s position as a formidable power in college football as they effectively balanced a robust offensive display with a fierce defensive effort. Their next challenge will be to maintain this momentum in the upcoming games.