Notre Dame Football: The play that changed everything vs. Michigan

The grey October sky that’s so famous in South Bend made it’s way to Ann Arbor. The rain that poured down last Saturday night will follow Notre Dame football for the rest of the season.

Just like that, the rest of the Notre Dame Football season will be played knowing that the Irish will ultimately fall short of their post-season goal of returning to the College Football Playoff.

From the opening kickoff, something seemed wrong. Notre Dame never really had a chance to get into the eventually lopsided game.

While it’s hard to pinpoint a single play that changed everything in such a decisive result, there was one play that would have cushioned the blow or at least had the Irish on the right track.

A roughing the kicker penalty bailed out Notre Dame’s initial drive. Still, that drive resulted in a punt for the Irish.

It was apparent that the harsh weather conditions would be a huge factor in the game. As Michigan was about to go three and out on the next drive, it looked like it would be a sloppy game from both sides.

Yet, a mental error would set the pace for the game.

Michigan’s punt from their own 13-yard line was blocked; play that has multiple rulings depending on if the ball crosses the line of scrimmage or not. In this case, it did, which means it’s treated as a regular punt.

Jonathan Jones tried to jump on the ball. Unable to gain possession, he made it a live ball, which Michigan was able to jump on and continue their drive.

While Michigan only came away with a field goal as a result, the difference potentially could have been tremendous.

Instead of having the ball around Michigan’s 30-yard line, Michigan came away with three points, deflating the Irish. It would take Notre Dame eight drives after that to put any points on the board.

It wasn’t Notre Dame’s night as everything went south from the start.