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Notre Dame Fighting Irish Slappy Awards: Most Entertaining Game

By Connor McJunkin

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Zach Gentry #83 and Khalid Kareem #53 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate a 24-17 win over the Michigan Wolverines at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Zach Gentry #83 and Khalid Kareem #53 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate a 24-17 win over the Michigan Wolverines at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Irish Defeat #14 Michigan in Football Season Opener

SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 01: Brandon Wimbush #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish carries the ball against Chase Winovich #15 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 01: Brandon Wimbush #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish carries the ball against Chase Winovich #15 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

In what was one of the most anticipated season openers in years, Notre Dame and Michigan rekindled their love-mostly hate rivalry on the gridiron in 2018 after a three year hiatus.

Two relatively even teams on paper; the Irish and Wolverines were both College Football Playoff caliber teams with coaches desperate for an early season, big-time win.

Among the sea of green being worn by the 80,000+ Irish faithful, Notre Dame jumped out to an early 14-0 lead by the way of Jafar Armstrong’s legs and Chris Finke’s hands.

Notre Dame out-gained the Wolverines 233-90 in the first 30 minutes, taking a 21-10 lead into halftime.

After cutting the lead to 24-17 with 2:18 remaining in the game, Notre Dame went three-and-out and gave Michigan a chance for some late game heroics.

Fortunately, the Irish defense stepped up and forced a game-winning strip-sack that was recovered and sealed the first of many wins to come that season.

Though the game was mostly a defensive battle  the buildup of the game all off-season, renewing the rivalry, #IrishWearGreen, the storylines – it all added to the hype and entertainment that culminated with the thrilling game itself.

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