Tag: ben skowronek

Notre Dame vs. Syracuse: Second-Quarter Analysis

When Clark Lea stepped off the Notre Dame bus Saturday, he probably didn’t expect Syracuse to present such a challenge to his defense.

When Clark Lea stepped off the Notre Dame bus Saturday, he probably didn’t expect Syracuse to present such a challenge to his defense. In the first half, we saw that at times. A victory that appeared to be such a foregone conclusion didn’t seem like it midway through the second quarter. Then, the Irish woke up, and they now hold a 24-7 halftime lead.

The Orange started their first drive of the second quarter at their own 38-yard line and executed it to perfection. Rather than go for it all on one big play, they successfully relied on a series of runs and short passes. It paid off when Rex Culpepper connected with Anthony Queeley for an 18-yard touchdown to give their team the lead. Dino Babers said that this is his team’s title game, and that’s how it’s played for the most part.

For most of the second quarter, the Irish’s offense continued to have trouble getting anything going. On one drive, they got into Orange territory and appeared to pick up a fourth down, but Michael Mayer’s momentum carried him back behind the marker, and the Irish turned it over on downs. Everyone was waiting for anything to happen to get this unit going.

The Orange inadvertently provided a spark for the Irish when they appeared to force a three-and-out, but Kingsley Jonathan was flagged for roughing the passer. Ian Book made Jonathan pay for his mistake with a couple of first-down completions to Tommy Tremble and Javon McKinley. He put a stamp on the drive with a 28-yard touchdown run to put the Irish back in front. That’s what happens when you give a team like this second chances.

After that, the Irish we’ve come to know finally showed up. Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa sacked Culpepper and forced a fumble that was recovered by Marist Liufau. It took forever for the replay booth to confirm that, but it finally happened. Speaking of things finally happening, McKinley, the Irish’s leading receiver, scored his first touchdown of the season on a 21-yard pass from Book on the first play of the drive.

With time running out in the half, the Orange gave the Irish another opportunity when Cooper Lutz ran into Matt Salerno after Salerno had called for a fair catch on a punt. The Irish took advantage of this latest in a series of Syracuse mistakes by putting together a drive in which they marched down the field as quickly as any offense in college football is capable of. Book’s 21-yard pass to Ben Skowronek put the Irish in field-goal range, but Book decided that wasn’t enough, and he hit McKinley for a 28-yard touchdown pass with six seconds left. All of that took 32 seconds, and the Irish went into the locker room feeling much more confident about their chances of a blowout win.

Notre Dame vs. Syracuse: First-Quarter Analysis

Notre Dame has not gotten off to the hot start against Syracuse that many expected.

Notre Dame has not gotten off to the hot start against Syracuse that many expected. In fact, the Orange have entered Notre Dame Stadium with a full intention to compete. There’s a lot of game left to determine whether that will hold up. For now, the Irish will have to be content with a 3-0 lead after the first quarter.

The Irish took the ball first and put together a nice drive highlighted by lengthy receptions from Avery Davis and Ben Skowronek. They got to the Orange’s 7-yard line, but Ian Book’s two shots at the end zone to Kyren Williams and Javon McKinley were unsuccessful. Jonathan Doerer had to salvage the opening drive with a 25-yard field goal. Success in the red zone remains an issue for the Irish as it has for a while.

When the Irish’s defense came out, they were met by an Orange offense that worked to make things happen quickly. In fact, it barely had to break a sweat getting into Irish territory. Fortunately, the defense kept it from getting beyond the 41-yard line. A early disappointment was dodged.

The teams then traded possessions that ended in punts. No matter what happens, the Orange seem bent on beating the spread at worst as they reached Irish territory again. We won’t be able to speculate if they can pull off the upset until they make a play that really turns some heads. So far, we have yet to see that.

Notre Dame at North Carolina: Third-Quarter Analysis

Notre Dame still has North Carolina breathing down its neck. However, it’s been able to put a little distance between the teams.

Notre Dame still has North Carolina breathing down its neck. However, it’s been able to put a little distance between the teams. It might have taken a little time, but that it happened at all is an accomplishment. The question is whether the Irish’s 24-17 after three quarters will mean anything.

The Irish’s defense kept the high-powered Tar Heels offense in check on the first drive of the second half, but Ben Kiernan punted the ball 62 yards all the way down to the Notre Dame 3-yard line. Ian Book used his passing abilities and also got a little luck with North Carolina defensive penalties, including an offsides call on fourth-and-1 to lead his offense on a time-consuming possession. Eventually, the Irish got into the red zone and then took the lead on a 13-yard touchdown run from Ben Skowronek. Yes, that’s a 97-yard scoring drive we’re talking about.

As crazy as it sounds, Notre Dame shut down North Carolina’s offense again. On the first play of the Tar Heels’ second drive, Justin Ademilola sacked Sam Howell. Though Javonte Williams got some yards back on a 7-yard run, Howell’s subsequent pass to him was incomplete. Can the defense keep this going for 15 more minutes?

The defense will need to keep making plays if the offense can’t support it. Book found Javon McKinley for a 53-yard reception to get into the red zone.  The drive stalled, and Doerer shanked a field-goal attempt from 32 yards, the same distance he hit from to end the first half. Luckily, the defense responded by not allowing the Tar Heels past their own 42.

5 Stars, the best and worst of Notre Dame’s win over Boston College

A look at who performed well and who didn’t in Notre Dame’s road win against Boston College.

The Irish started off slow but by halftime, that seemed like an eternity ago. They took a 31-16 lead into the break and continued to add on as the game went on. Notre Dame went on the road and defeated Boston College 45-31 in what could have been seen as a trap game. It wasn’t perfect for the Irish, plenty of things to continue to work on. Here are the best, 5 stars, and worst, 1 star, performances from Notre Dame after the road win.

Notre Dame at Boston College: Third-Quarter Analysis

There were moments in the third quarter when it seemed Notre Dame might start bending.

There were moments in the third quarter when it seemed Notre Dame might start bending. But for almost every play like that, there was one that showed Boston College which team was in charge. Even if you didn’t see any of those, all you have to do is look at that 38-23 Irish lead after three quarters.

Phil Jurkovec began the second half by leading what looked to be a productive drive for the Eagles, primarily because of his arm. Though he got his offense to the Notre Dame 9-yard line, it was stuffed on fourth-and-1. The Irish’s offense also looked poised to drive the field for its first possession of the half. Ben Skowronek’s 31-yard reception nearly made that the case, but Josh DeBerry forced a fumble that was recovered by Max Richardson. Not to worry because Jack Kiser promptly picked Jurkovec off and gave his team great field position.

C’Bo Flemister made it his mission on this drive to really make his mark on this game, although he had one score already. He caught an Ian Book pass that he took for 27 yards all the way to the Boston College 1. It only made sense for Book to give the ball right back to him and finish what he started, which he did for his second touchdown.

You can’t count the Eagles out yet, though. Jurkovec led a drive that nearly ended prematurely on a interception, but he got right back to it when that pick was wiped out by a face-mask penalty. This time, he mixed up the run and pass a lot more, and it worked. David Bailey ran for a 3-yard touchdown, so the pressure on the Irish to finish remains.

Watch: Book to Skowronek part 3, Notre Dame lead gets bigger vs BC

For the third time today, Notre Dame QB Ian Book finds Ben Skowronek for an Irish touchdown, extending the lead over Boston College.

Not once. Not twice, but three times has Notre Dame quarterback found his wide receiver Ben Skowronek for touchdowns in the first half against Boston College. The tandem single handedly leads the Eagles 21-16 after their latest connection. Here’s all three of them:

The final score extends the Irish lead, 31-16 as the game goes to the half. Notre Dame’s slow start is a thing of the past.

Notre Dame at Boston College: Second-Quarter Analysis

It took a little longer than anyone would have like, but Notre Dame slowly is finding its rhythm against Boston College.

It took a little longer than anyone would have like, but Notre Dame slowly is finding its rhythm against Boston College. Of course, no Irish fan truly will rest until those 1993 demons have been vanquished. For now, they’ll be happy that their team has a 31-16 lead going into halftime.

Phil Jurkovec continues to be on a mission, as evidenced by a 34-yard completion to Jaelen Gill in which he barely avoided taking a sack on third-and-15. Two plays later, he took the ball himself for a 17-yard gain. The Irish’s defense locked down after that, but Aaron Boumerhi kicked a 31-yard field to break a 10-10 tie. The Eagles then tried to really seize momentum with an onside kick and nearly were successful but for a block that took place before Isaiah Pryor was able to touch the ball.

Given new life, the Irish’s offense made the most of it. Ian Book had a 20-yard run, then completed a 48-yard pass to Avery Davis from midfield. C’Bo Flemister only needed 2 yards to put the Irish back ahead with a touchdown. Near-disaster had turned into great fortune.

After the Irish’s defense forced a three-and-out, a fair-catch interference allowed the offense to begin its next possession at midfield. Book went right back to work, finding Javon McKinley twice for first downs. He then gave Ben Skowrenek his second touchdown of the game from 13 yards out. That made it clear that the Irish were intent on pouncing on anything that would give them an extra opportunity or advantage.

The Eagles weren’t ready to go into the locker room quietly, however. Jurkovec found Gill for a 40-yard completion on the following possession to set up a 35-yard field goal on Boumerhi. They then looked poised to get even closer after Chibueze Onwuka forced a Kyren Williams fumble that Isaiah McDuffie recovered. But that chance was wiped out when their own fumble was recovered by Daelin Hayes.

Out of that, Book was able to guide one final drive to end the second quarter. He mainly kept it on the ground with the longest play being a 16-yard run he executed himself to set up first-and-goal with time almost gone. After spiking the ball, he found Skowronek again, and the receiver completed the hat trick with a 4-yard touchdown catch.

Talk about a tale of two halves of a quarter.

Notre Dame at Boston College: Second-Quarter Analysis

It took a little longer than anyone would have like, but Notre Dame slowly is finding its rhythm against Boston College.

It took a little longer than anyone would have like, but Notre Dame slowly is finding its rhythm against Boston College. Of course, no Irish fan truly will rest until those 1993 demons have been vanquished. For now, they’ll be happy that their team has a 31-16 lead going into halftime.

Phil Jurkovec continues to be on a mission, as evidenced by a 34-yard completion to Jaelen Gill in which he barely avoided taking a sack on third-and-15. Two plays later, he took the ball himself for a 17-yard gain. The Irish’s defense locked down after that, but Aaron Boumerhi kicked a 31-yard field to break a 10-10 tie. The Eagles then tried to really seize momentum with an onside kick and nearly were successful but for a block that took place before Isaiah Pryor was able to touch the ball.

Given new life, the Irish’s offense made the most of it. Ian Book had a 20-yard run, then completed a 48-yard pass to Avery Davis from midfield. C’Bo Flemister only needed 2 yards to put the Irish back ahead with a touchdown. Near-disaster had turned into great fortune.

After the Irish’s defense forced a three-and-out, a fair-catch interference allowed the offense to begin its next possession at midfield. Book went right back to work, finding Javon McKinley twice for first downs. He then gave Ben Skowrenek his second touchdown of the game from 13 yards out. That made it clear that the Irish were intent on pouncing on anything that would give them an extra opportunity or advantage.

The Eagles weren’t ready to go into the locker room quietly, however. Jurkovec found Gill for a 40-yard completion on the following possession to set up a 35-yard field goal on Boumerhi. They then looked poised to get even closer after Chibueze Onwuka forced a Kyren Williams fumble that Isaiah McDuffie recovered. But that chance was wiped out when their own fumble was recovered by Daelin Hayes.

Out of that, Book was able to guide one final drive to end the second quarter. He mainly kept it on the ground with the longest play being a 16-yard run he executed himself to set up first-and-goal with time almost gone. After spiking the ball, he found Skowronek again, and the receiver completed the hat trick with a 4-yard touchdown catch.

Talk about a tale of two halves of a quarter.

Watch: Skowronek’s spectacular catch ties game for Notre Dame

Notre Dame’s Ben Skowronek once again outjumps a defender for a touchdown, this time to tie the game against Boston College.

This isn’t the first time Ben Skowronek has made an amazing individual play. Once again, the transfer wide receiver posterized another defender.

The touchdown tied the game for the Irish, at 10-10 against hosting Boston College.

Notre Dame at Boston College: First-Quarter Analysis

So much has been made of Boston College upsetting Notre Dame right after the Irish last took down a top-ranked team.

So much has been made of Boston College upsetting Notre Dame right after the Irish last took down a top-ranked team. Through one quarter of the 2020 edition of this meeting, the seeds for history repeating itself could be sewing. Whether the Irish still are getting adjusted or the Eagles are exceptionally prepared remains to be seen. All we know is we have a dogfight to the tune of a 10-all tie.

The Irish had a chance to assert themselves on their first drive as the Irish had a nice mixture of runs and passes to get into the red zone. They even earned a first-and-goal after a defensive holding call, highlighting the problem with penalties the Eagles have had. But Ian Book had trouble finding open receivers, and the drive stalled out. Though the Irish gladly took a 23-yard field goal from Jonathan Doerer, it was a disappointing end to a promising drive.

Phil Jurkovec only was too pleased to take advantage of his current team’s fortune and begin his revenge against his former team. On his opening drive, he went 4 of 6 for 51 yards and got some help on a 22-yard run from Travis Levy. Though Shaun Crawford sacked Jurkovec right after that run, all that did was delay the inevitable. Jurkovec found Zay Flowers for a 4-yard touchdown to put the Eagles in front.

The Irish’s offense never got a chance to immediately respond to that touchdown because on the very first play of their next drive, a handoff between Book and Chris Tyree was botched, and Brandon Barlow recovered it to set the Eagles up in the red zone. Fortunately, the defense pushed the Eagles back, and the turnover only cost the Irish an Aaron Boumerhi 41-yard field goal. That turned out to be crucial because Book responded to that with a quick, complete 77-yard drive. It ended with a 10-yard touchdown to Ben Skowronek, so no real harm has been done so far.