Notre Dame’s playoff chances wiped out by Hurricanes
By Eric Brown
Notre Dame controlled their own destiny towards a College Football Playoff berth, however the Miami Hurricanes had something to say.
This was it. This was the defining moment for Brian Kelly and Notre Dame. They were supposed to win out, and reach the schools first college football playoff final four. Only problem was a Hurricane stood in their way. This was no ordinary hurricane, or a tropical storm, this was full blown Category 5 hurricane.
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Heading into the match-up this was hyped up as Convicts vs Catholics once again, as these two teams provided some of the most interesting games of the early 90’s. This was Brandon Wimbush vs Malik Rosier, Josh Adams vs Travis Homer, and Brian Kelly vs Mark Richt. Both teams were in the top 10 in the CFP rankings, both teams were looking at a potential shot at glory. Only one could come away with a victory.
From the very beginning, the Miami Hurricanes had the game locked up. They scored on their second possession on a 7 yard pass to Braxton Berrios from Rosier. Three plays later, they were back on offense, as Jaquan Johnson intercepted a Brandon Wimbush throw. That pick would lead to a Malik Rosier 16 yard touchdown run. Scoring twice in the final 4 minutes devastated the Fighting Irish, it appeared all the fight had been drained out of them.
In the second quarter, Miami would add on 13 more points to an already blowout game. Including 7 on a Trajan Bandy 65 yard interception return.
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This was pure dominance, Miami was destroying them in every facet of the game.
After halftime, the game was much of the same. The Hurricanes would put up 14 more on Notre Dame, as the Irish would only score 8 the rest of the game.
Despite the loss, and the loss of their path towards a CFP, Notre Dame fans may consider this a lost season. It is very much one of the best seasons in team history, before the year, many experts were choosing the Irish as their let down team of the year. They may have let down fans in this game, but overall this has been a pleasant surprise for a team that was picked to have an awful year.
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No matter what happens the rest of the season, no matter how many more wins this squad will get, or what bowl game the Fighting Irish get into. There is one thing the team must not do, and that is give up fighting. They must fight until the very last whistle of whatever bowl invites them.