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Notre Dame football at Virginia Tech: 3 Surprises in Week 6

By Andrew Hall

Oct 9, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish place kicker Jonathan Doerer (39) makes the game winning field goal from the hold of Notre Dame Fighting Irish punter Jay Bramblett (19) in during the second half at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2021; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish place kicker Jonathan Doerer (39) makes the game winning field goal from the hold of Notre Dame Fighting Irish punter Jay Bramblett (19) in during the second half at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 09: Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Football reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half of the game at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2021, in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – OCTOBER 09: Kyren Williams #23 of the Notre Dame Football reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half of the game at Lane Stadium on October 9, 2021, in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

The Notre Dame football team defeated Virginia Tech on Saturday night, and here are three big surprises from the victory.

The Notre Dame football team traveled to Blacksburg, Virginia to battle the Virginia Tech Hokies on Saturday night. The Irish pulled a victory out of the jaws of defeat as Jonathan Doerer kicked a game-winning field goal with 17 seconds remaining. Notre Dame triumphed over Virginia Tech for the third time in as many tries, 32-29.

Despite evidence to the contrary, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly stuck with graduate student Jack Coan to start the contest. This decision did not bode well for the Irish, initially. The Notre Dame offense failed to move the ball until freshman quarterback Tyler Buchner entered the game.

He injected life into the Irish attack – scoring 14 points and gaining 152 in the remainder of the first half. However, he faltered in the second half, throwing two interceptions. One of the interceptions was returned for a Virginia Tech touchdown.

Coan returned to lead the Notre Dame football team to its fifth victory of the season. He led a 7/play, 75-yard touchdown drive to bring the Irish within two points. Coan then tossed a miracle 2-point conversion to Kevin Austin Jr. Following a stop by the Irish defense, he led the final drive that put Notre Dame in field goal range to win the game.

The drive started at the Notre Dame 25-yard line and moved 45 yards in 1:34 to set up the 48-yard Doerer field goal.

Here are three surprises from Saturday’s comeback victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies.

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