Notre Dame Rolls Over Cardinals in Dominant 49-7 Victory
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish unleashed a furious offensive assault on the Louisville Cardinals Saturday, securing a decisive 49-7 victory in a game that was over before halftime. The Irish offense was simply unstoppable, racking up 500+ yards of total offense while the defense held Louisville's potent attack in check.
A Quarter of Domination
The first quarter was all Notre Dame. They scored on their first two possessions, a 31-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Hartman to tight end Holden Staes and a 21-yard rushing touchdown from Audric Estimé. Louisville's offense sputtered early, failing to generate any momentum and turning the ball over on downs.
Irish Extend the Lead
The second quarter saw Notre Dame extend its lead even further. Hartman found wide receiver Chris Tyree for a 74-yard touchdown, then connected with Tobias Merriweather on a 21-yard score. Louisville finally got on the board with a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jack Plummer, but the Irish immediately answered with a touchdown from running back Jadarian Price.
Second Half Cruise Control
With a comfortable lead in hand, the Notre Dame offense continued to churn out yards in the second half. Hartman threw for another touchdown, this time to Deion Colson, and freshman running back Gi'Bran Payne added a touchdown run of his own.
Defensive Dominance
While the offense stole the show, the Notre Dame defense was equally impressive. They forced three turnovers and held Louisville to just 175 yards of total offense.
Looking Ahead
The win moves Notre Dame to 2-0 on the season and continues their momentum from a successful 2022 campaign. The Irish will face their next test against the undefeated NC State Wolfpack in a Week 3 showdown. With the offense firing on all cylinders and the defense playing lockdown, Notre Dame appears to be a legitimate contender in the ACC this year.
