Notre Dame football: Irish start hot for once, dominate Virginia on the road

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Nov 13, 2021; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Jack Coan (17) throws a touchdown pass as Virginia Cavaliers inside linebacker Nick Jackson (6) chases during the first quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football: Irish start hot for once, dominate Virginia on the road

Second Half

The Irish were very business-like in the second half, dominating the Cavaliers on the defensive side of the ball. It was clear that Woolfolk struggled when this Notre Dame football team brought the pressure, and Marcus Freeman made sure to dial it up when needed, forcing the Virginia offense to sputter all game long.

A missed field goal got the party started in the second half for Virginia, but they did get an interception on the next possession, as they tried to steal some momentum away from the Irish. However, the good feelings did not last, and when Kyren Williams scored his second touchdown of the game in the third quarter, the outcome was pretty much sealed.

Notre Dame went with true freshman Tyler Buchner in the fourth quarter, and he put his running and passing skills on display, giving Irish fans a glimpse of what the offense should look like next season. Diggs took over for Williams in the fourth at running back, but the big story for Notre Dame was the defense, which held the Cavaliers scoreless in the third quarter before giving up a field goal in the fourth.

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