Notre Dame Defeats Miami (OH) in South Bend

By: Jack Mueller

All Photos Courtesy of: Trent Grayson

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish ensured that they would not be the victim of a second consecutive home upset, defeating the Miami RedHawks 28-3 at Notre Dame Stadium. The visitors led for nine minutes in the second quarter before relinquishing the lead and never taking it back.

It was a tale of two quarterbacks in South Bend. Riley Leonard, despite some struggles in the first half, was effective in giving his playmakers opportunities to score. The Duke transfer ended with 154 passing yards, 143 rushing yards and two touchdowns . 

“We have a lot of confidence in him making the right decision in the run game and the pass game.” said Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. “I don’t think we design plays to say, okay, this one is going to go for 50, but he has the ability to … take it all the way.”

On the other sideline, Brett Gabbert struggled mightily. The sixth-year starter went 14-35 with two picks and a QBR of 57.1. He was sacked four times and hurried three times. His 119 passing yards is his lowest in a game since November 2020, where he threw for 76 against Ball State. 

“You're not going to confuse him. We tried to get pressure up the middle and make him uncomfortable.” said Freeman.

The RedHawks defense needed to improve their rush defense, and were able to successfully limit Notre Dame’s pair of running backs, Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, to under 100 yards. Love found the end zone from 15 yards out, which would be his longest rush of the day. 

“Our defense defended the run really well, they have really good backs, including their quarterback.” said Miami Head Coach Chuck Martin, “I thought our kids really fought.” 

(Photo Credit: Trent Grayson)

Miami’s running game put up its best performance of the season by far. The RedHawks’ running backs combined for 119 rushing yards, averaging 3.9 per attempt. Before today, they had mustered just 64 in the first two games combined. Coach Martin said that they weren’t going to abandon the run game after the loss to Cincinnati, and his team proved it. 

“We weren’t behind the chains,” said Martin "I'm pleased with how we ran the ball.”

There was no shortage of action in the first quarter despite the zeroes on the scoreboard. Both teams did everything they could to keep the game scoreless. Miami’s first drive was cut short by a fourteen yard loss after Gabbert fumbled. Notre Dame followed that with a turnover on the resulting punt. The RedHawks drove down to the five-yard line, but Gabbert’s pass was tipped in the air and picked off by Junior Tuihalamaka. The Fighting Irish were able to drive the ball into Miami territory, reaching the 32 yard line. However, two missed passes by Riley Leonard, a holding penalty and a botched snap on the resulting field goal attempt ensured the game remained scoreless. 

(Photo Credit: Trent Grayson) 

Dom Dzioban broke the deadlock two and a half minutes into the second quarter. He connected from 26 yards after a false start penalty slowed the RedHawks momentum. Buoyed by 31 rushing yards by Kevin Davis (20) and Keyon Mozee (11), Miami reached the Notre Dame nine-yard line, but Gabbert was unable to connect with a receiver in the end zone. The RedHawks’ next drive stalled early, resulting in a three-and-out. 

“We had our chance early in the second quarter to be up 10-0, 13-0.” said Martin, “It’s self-inflicted wounds which is very frustrating.”

“We needed that lead, we needed to make them play from behind.” Martin added, “If we get that lead… maybe they make a couple errors.”

Notre Dame’s offense struggled to build momentum, but they got some help on their fourth drive of the day. The RedHawks were called for a pass interference penalty, then a facemask, backing them up thirty yards in a matter of seconds. Riley Leonard did the rest, driving his offense inside the ten yard line before taking it in himself for the touchdown, giving the Irish a 7-3 lead with 3:33 left in the half. They would extend the lead to 14-3 just minutes later, sending Notre Dame into halftime up by two scores.. After forcing Miami to punt, the home side took over from their own 19-yard line with just over two minutes to go. 56 seconds later, the ball was in the end zone courtesy of a Leonard deep ball to Beaux Collins down the left sideline. 

It looked like the Notre Dame offensive onslaught would continue to start the second half after Riley Leonard broke away for 43 yards, but Mychai Yharbrough forced the ball out of the signal-caller’s hands, causing a turnover and keeping Miami within two scores. Miami’s veteran quarterback tried to get Miami back into the game on one play, sending a deep shot down the sideline to Javon Tracy, but he missed his target. ND’s Christian Gray picked off the pass, and the Irish made Miami pay. Three minutes after the turnover, Jeremiyah Love raced into the end zone to extend the lead to 21-3. 

Gabbert’s struggles continued as the second half went on. After leading Miami into field goal range with nine minutes left in the game, Gabbert took a sack on third down for a loss of 12, leaving Dzioban with a 49-yarder to try and cut the lead to 15. The kick was blocked, and Miami’s scoring drought continued. Five plays later, Riley Leonard and the Fighting Irish all but ended the game with a 50-yard designed run up the middle, giving the home side a 28-3 advantage with 5:39 in the game. The Irish were able to drain the final minutes off of the clock with minimal drama, sending the green and gold faithful home happy.  

“It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t clean, but to beat that football team 28-3, that’s a really good victory.” said Freeman.

(Photo Credits: Trent Grayson)

The RedHawks host UMass at Yager Stadium on Saturday as a part of Miami’s homecoming celebrations. While the RedHawks have played good football this season, their 0-3 record still hangs over their heads. Coach Martin was adamant that his team would rise to the challenge in the coming weeks. 

“We don’t have a choice.” said Martin, ““We have high expectations this year and we’re 0-3…It’s a frustrated group in there…Our kids have been through a lot in three weeks.”

“I go back to my upbringing, whenever things don’t go the way you want I think of my mom and dad and how they raised me…You can make excuses and you can quit but you won’t be living here if you quit.”

The Minutemen, coming off of their first win against Central Connecticut,  will face off with Miami in Oxford at 3:30 on Saturday.