No. 10 Notre Dame suppresses attack of No. 16 Georgia Tech
SOUTH BEND Ind. — Breaking down No. 10 Notre Dame's 30-22 home win vs. No. 16 Georgia Tech on Saturday:
WHAT WE’LL BE TALKING ABOUT: The injury bug won’t stop biting Notre Dame. The Irish had lost five starters to injury, including quarterback Malik Zaire and running back Tarean Folston, in training camp and the first two weeks of the season, and they might have lost another in this game.
Safety Drue Tranquill, who tore his ACL last season, was celebrating a pass breakup and came down awkwardly on his knee, with his screams audible on the NBC cameras. He walked off the field under his own power, but came back to the sideline with crutches. How many more injuries can the Irish handle?
THE BIG PICTURE: Despite all the injuries, Notre Dame is still a College Football Playoff contender. The Irish have plenty of weapons — wide receiver Will Fuller is as good as any in FBS and had six receptions for 131 yards and a TD vs. the Yellow Jackets — and only play two more teams the caliber of Georgia Tech, with a trip to Clemson and a home game against USC. Could the Irish be this year’s version of Ohio State?
Georgia Tech might fall out of the national observer’s eye after this game, but the Yellow Jackets are still contenders to win the ACC. However, they’ll need to show that they can be more efficient on first and second downs for the triple option to work.
THE DECIDING PLAY: Georgia Tech got the ball to start the second half, down just six points, but the Yellow Jackets fumbled on that possession, deep in their own territory. That led to a Notre Dame field goal to put Tech down two scores. The Yellow Jackets’ offense doesn’t play well from behind, and that showed, as quarterback Justin Thomas had to force plays from there on out.
The Yellow Jackets did score two touchdowns in the final 48 seconds of the game on passes to fullback Patrick Skov in the right flat, but ran out of time.
BREAKOUT PLAYER: He’s well known in Notre Dame circles, but C.J. Prosise is going to have to carry the load for the Notre Dame running game. The offensive utility man shook off an undisclosed injury, rushing for more than 100 yards for the second consecutive game (he had 198 vs. the Yellow Jackets), and three touchdowns. Notre Dame’s Playoff hopes will rest significantly on his shoulders this year.
KEY STAT: Coming into this game, Georgia Tech led the nation with 8.5 yards per carry. The Yellow Jackets finished with 4.6 yards per carry against Notre Dame.
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