Eric Boggs 
Notre Dame held on for a 31-24 victory.
Notre Dame overcame a shaky start and a few odd moments to secure a 31-24 victory over previously unbeaten Louisville on Saturday, avenging last season’s loss and boosting their playoff hopes. It was a much-needed win for the Irish, who now sit at 4-1 as they head into a crucial bye week.
The game started disastrously for Notre Dame, as they fumbled the opening kickoff, gifting Louisville a quick scoring opportunity. The Cardinals capitalized in just three plays, finding the end zone for an early 7-0 lead. For a moment, it seemed like it might be another long afternoon for the Irish in a high-profile home game. But credit goes to Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock for keeping the team composed. Notre Dame marched down the field on its first possession, evening the score and quickly turning the tide.
The Irish dominated the first quarter, scoring three touchdowns to take a commanding 21-7 lead. It looked like they might run away with the game early, but the offense stalled for much of the second and third quarters, managing just a field goal in that span. Riley Leonard, who had connected on a 34-yard touchdown pass to Jaden Greathouse in the first quarter, found little success through the air afterward. In fact, he threw for just 10 yards from the end of the first quarter until late in the third.
Penalties, dropped passes, and a lack of downfield attempts hindered Notre Dame’s offense. Louisville, ranked 90th nationally in pass defense, should have been vulnerable, but the Irish failed to take advantage. The offensive line struggled in protection, and Leonard couldn’t find a rhythm. However, it wasn’t just Leonard or the offensive line—Notre Dame’s wide receivers also had issues, with several dropped passes that killed potential scoring drives.
Meanwhile, the Notre Dame defense, though far from perfect, bent but didn’t break. In the first half, Louisville outgained the Irish by 60 yards, and turnovers helped mask some of the defensive struggles. A botched punt by Louisville cost them 43 yards, and Notre Dame was able to capitalize on their mistakes. But in the second half, the Irish defense found its stride. They limited Louisville to just a field goal in the third quarter, clamping down on the Cardinals’ offense and forcing crucial stops when it mattered most.
One of the biggest moments came in the fourth quarter. After Notre Dame’s offense had sputtered for nearly two full quarters, Mike Denbrock dialed up a perfectly timed throwback screen to running back Jeremiyah Love. With blockers leading the way, Love rumbled 32 yards down the sideline to cap off a much-needed scoring drive, extending Notre Dame’s lead to 31-17. It was a crucial play that put the Irish back in control of the game.
Still, Louisville didn’t go down without a fight. They marched down the field and cut the lead to 31-24, making things uncomfortable for Notre Dame fans as the clock wound down. With just over a minute to play, the Cardinals had a chance to convert a fourth-and-1 at midfield, which could have extended their drive and possibly tied the game. But in one of the game’s strangest moments, Louisville was flagged for a delay of game, turning a manageable fourth-and-1 into a fourth-and-6. Tyler Shough’s pass on the next play fell incomplete, and the Irish took over on downs, sealing the win.
Fans and analysts alike were baffled by Louisville’s costly penalty. Taking a delay of game on a critical fourth down late in the game raised eyebrows, with many calling it one of the worst penalties they had ever seen. Louisville’s coaching staff came under fire for the mistake, which ultimately ended their hopes of a comeback.
Despite some questionable decisions from Marcus Freeman—such as an ill-fated fourth-down attempt in the third quarter where Riley Leonard was stuffed by eight defenders—the Irish found a way to win. The defense, which had bent early, made key plays when it mattered most, and Mike Denbrock’s play-calling helped provide the offensive spark Notre Dame needed late in the game.
The win, while not perfect, was crucial for Notre Dame’s season. Sitting at 4-1 with a bye week ahead, the Irish remain alive in the chase for a College Football Playoff spot. But the offense will need to find more consistency if they want to continue competing at a high level. After the bye, Notre Dame faces a stretch of games against Stanford, Georgia Tech, and Navy—games that could further define their season.
Ultimately, Notre Dame fans can breathe a sigh of relief. It wasn’t always pretty, but the Irish got the job done in South Bend, and with their playoff hopes intact, they can now focus on improving before the final push of the season.
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