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Notre Dame Football: The Play That Changed Everything Against Duke

By Andrew Hall

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 14: Jay Bramblett #19 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish punts the football during the game against the New Mexico Lobos at Notre Dame Stadium on September 14, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 14: Jay Bramblett #19 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish punts the football during the game against the New Mexico Lobos at Notre Dame Stadium on September 14, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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The Notre Dame football team battled its way to a 27-13 victory over the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday afternoon. One play was especially critical.

Jack Swarbrick pushing the ACC to stay the course and forge forward to play the 2020 season changed the entire complexion of the college football landscape. His efforts not only saved the Notre Dame football season but, most likely, saved the season for the ACC, SEC, and Big12. Yesterday, fans, players, coaches and administrators enjoyed the fruits of his labor as Notre Dame defeated Duke, 27-13.

The Tommy Rees-led Notre Dame offense appeared stagnant for the first quarter of the game until one play changed the entire momentum of the contest. After barely moving the ball against the Duke defense, Brian Kelly and special teams coordinator Brian Polian called for a fake punt at their own 21-yard line.

“My thought process was I hope to heck it works,” said Brian Kelly during his post-game press conference.

Luckily for Brian Kelly, the Sophomore punter picked up the first down and completely changed the outlook of the game. The Irish blocked well for Bramblett but his cutback ultimately allowed Notre Dame to move the chains.

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“We needed a little bit of momentum. So, I felt like it was right time to make the call,” said Kelly. The play could have easily given Duke even more momentum but it was a calculated risk that the coaching staff prepared for.

A few minutes after the successful fake punt, Sophomore Running Back Kyren Williams found the endzone on a one-yard touchdown. Although the Irish did not dominate the Blue Devils like many expected, after this momentum swing, Notre Dame never really looked back on their way to a 27-13.

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