No. 6 Notre Dame took a huge step towards the College Football Playoff by demolishing No. 19 Army. The Irish have now won each of their last 16 games against the Black Knights, the longest such streak in rivalry history.
This is also their second win against a ranked opponent this season by at least 30 points. The Irish never really had to break a sweat. They forced consecutive three-and-outs on Army’s first two drives and converted that into a 14-0 lead.
The Black Knights scored at the start of the second quarter to bring the game back within a touchdown, but Notre Dame took off from there. Four of Army’s five drives in the second half ended in a turnover, with three failed conversion attempts on fourth down. Army did score a touchdown with less than a minute to go.
Offensively, Notre Dame got whatever it wanted on the ground. The Irish rushed for 275 yards and five touchdowns, averaging a whopping 9.8 yards per carry against an Army defense that has held six of its 10 opponents under 100 yards rushing. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love led the way with seven carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff path is wide open. With teams like No. 8 Ole Miss losing in Week 13, the Irish are in good shape to potentially host a first-round game. It closes the regular season on Nov. 30 against USC, a prime opportunity for the Irish to win 11 games for the first time under coach Marcus Freeman.
- This is the first time that Notre Dame has scored 49 points in back-to-back games against teams ranked by the AP or College Football Playoff.
- Notre Dame has won six straight games against ranked opponents for the first time since 1992-93.
- This is also Notre Dame’s eighth straight win in a neutral site game.
- The Irish outscored Army and Navy 100-28 in two games this season.
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