The Irish benefitted from great field position after forcing a 3-and-out from Virginia on their first series. A punt that went just 14-yards gave the Irish the ball on the Cavaliers side of the field, the 43-yard line.
The Irish moved down the field and faced a 4th-and-1 situation. Head coach Brian Kelly decided to call a time-out to think it over after initially sending Jonathan Doerer out to kick a field goal. Kelly changed his mind and went for it, with running back Kyren Williams busting through the UVA defense for 14-yards. The next play quarterback Jack Coan found tight end Michael Mayer to give the Irish and early 7-0 lead on the road.
Jack Coan to Michael Mayer for the TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/8Eod7f3fC7
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) November 14, 2021