Notre Dame Football: The Turning Point – North Carolina State vs. Notre Dame
By Andrew Hall
The Notre Dame football team rushed its way to another big-time win against North Carolina State, 35-14. Julian Love’s 69-yard interception rehelped turn the tide for the Irish.
The turning point of Saturday afternoon’s contest was the Julian Love interception return for a touchdown. On what appeared to be a broken play, Love interception Wolfpack Quarterback Ryan Finley.
Finley, who had yet to throw an interception, believed that Notre Dame jumped offsides. This led him to believe that there was a free play. Finley sprinted out to his right and attempted to throw the ball down the field. It is unclear whether or not he was looking to throw a jump ball or just get rid of the pigskin.
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Whatever he was attempting, it failed. The football fell into the ar
ms of Sophomore Quarterback Julian Love. Love then followed a convoy of blockers into the endzone. The touchdown made the score 28-14 in favor of the Irish. After that play, the Wolfpack did not threaten the Irish again.
Honorable Mention: Te’von Coney’s 4th Down Stop
On the drive following Love’s interception, North Carolina State looked to return fire and move back within one score of the Irish. Following a well-executed screen pass, the Wolfpack faced a 4th down and 1 near the Irish endzone.
Dave Doeren did not hesitate. He decided to go for it. At first, it seemed like Senior Quarterback Ryan Finley was attempting to draw the Irish offsides. But, with the play clock running down, North Carolina State snapped the ball and ran a zone play to the right side.
Te’von Coney, the Junior Linebacker who received the game ball, met the Wolfpack runner in the backfield and stopped him immediately. North Carolina State turned the ball over on downs. Following that play, the Irish did not truly face any game pressure from the Wolfpack.