Notre Dame Opens Season With Strong Win Over Duke

Notre Dame kicked off the 2020 season in victorious fashion, defeating Duke 21-13 at Notre Dame Stadium. The win didn’t come easy, and the Blue Devils were in control early.

The Irish were forced into three and outs on all three of their 1st quarter possessions. Though, the Notre Dame defense was able to hold Duke to just three 1st quarter points.

The second quarter was a different story, as Notre Dame would take a 10-6 lead into the locker room at the half. Ian Book would lead the Irish on a methodical 12 play 96-yard drive to open the quarter, as Kyren Williams capped it off on a 1-yd TD rush.

After an exchange of three and outs, Duke tacked on a 30-yard field goal from Charlie Ham. On the ensuing kickoff, Book connected with Williams for 75 yards, to set things up at the 14-yard line.

Book’s following throw was to the left side and sailed on him a bit, resulted in an interception touchback in the endzone by Lummie Young IV.

Though, after the Irish D forced a quick punt after just four Duke plays, Book would lead the offense on the quarter’s final scoring drive. It was a nine-play 54-yard drive that was capped by a 48 yard Jonathan Doerer field goal.

In the second half, the Irish continued where they left off. After the defense forced a Duke fumble, Williams capped off a seven-play 59-yard drive on a 26 yd TD run. This made it 17-6 Irish, with 7:57 left to play in the 3rd.

Shortly thereafter, quarterback Chase Brice would lead the Blue Devils to their first TD of the game. It came on a drive set up at the ND 39 yard line by a 13-yard punt return from Josh Blackwell. Brice would find the endzone with his legs on a two-yard TD score to cut the Notre Dame lead to just four with 2:19 left in the third.

Despite the sudden newfound burst of energy from Duke, Book led the Irish on another prolific drive to drain the Blue Devils. This one was chewed 6:14 off the clock as they worked down 83 yards through 15 plays. A Book to Avery Davis 17 yard TD connection wrapped up the drive to make it 24-13 with just 10:58 left in the game.

After a quick three and out from Duke, Notre Dame marched back downfield and added a 34 yard Jonathan Doerer field goal. This would tally the lead at 27-13 for the Irish with only 5:21 left to play.

Brice and the Blue Devils would eat the rest if the clock on their final drive. Brice was sacked three times, including on the game’s final play, which resulted in a fumble that Notre Dame’s Adetokunbo Ogundeji recovered.

Book finished 19 of 31, passing for 263 yards with one interception and a lone TD through the air. Williams led the Irish on the ground had 112 yards on 19 carries and two TD’s. Leading the receiving corp was Tommy Tremble with five receptions tallying 38 yards. Though, Williams had two catches that totaled 93 yards.

The Irish will welcome USF to South Bend next week, for their lone non-conference opponent of the season. Following that matchup, they will head on the road for the first time this season for a Sept. 26th matchup with Wake Forest.

(Image Credit: ACC Athletic Communications)

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