Notre Dame: The play that changed everything vs. Virginia Tech

It by far wasn’t the best game Notre Dame has played this season or in recent memory, but it did become one we will remember for a while.

Notre Dame snuck out the victory at the last possible second and avoided the upset from Virginia Tech.

At one point it looked like the Irish were in the best possible position to take the game over and open things up on the scoreboard.

Notre Dame started with the ball, but things quickly went downhill making for a very shaky start of the game. A quick three and out on the first drive followed by an interception clearly showed us what we were in for.

The Irish eventually would go on for a 14-7 lead as they were driving down the field just before halftime. With a chance to take a two-touchdown lead, Ian Book handed off to Jafar Armstrong at the one-yard line. With his head down leaning towards the goal line, the Hokies were able to put a helmet on the ball popping it out and returning it for the game-tying score.

It would have been the play that changed everything had Virginia Tech pulled off the upset.

Instead, the game was changed during Notre Dame’s two-minute drill at the end of the game. Driving down the field in what was Notre Dame’s last chance, the Irish faced two fourth downs.

The last one became the most important play of the game. Book’s last three passes all failed to hit their target, setting up 4th and ten. Book went to his favorite set of hands as Chase Claypool ran a deep post route from the left side. Not only did Claypool continue the drive, but he was also one defender away from walking in the game-winner himself.

Claypool got the ball to the seven-yard line, setting up Book’s touchdown run just two plays later. With the game on the line, he was the reason the Irish came away with the victory in a single play that changed everything.