The Notre Dame Fighting Irish improve to 3-1 on the season after beating the Virginia Cavaliers 35-20 under a blue-gray September sky (with a good amount of sun). It was a game that many had once thought would be a “trap game” for the Irish, but the defense were the ones that set the trap.

It was a different kind of a day. Notre Dame won the toss and chose to defer to the second half — which hasn’t happened in quite some time. It appeared to backfire as Virginia took their opening possession down the field for a touchdown. Bryce Perkins was really sharp, and they looked to be up for everything Notre Dame was going to throw at them.

Notre Dame responded with a 10-0 run that included a short TD run from C’Bo Flemister. That touchdown was aided by a sack/forced fumble from Julian Okwara. It was a moment that would help set the tone for the rest of the game.

Virginia surprised everyone in the final minutes of the first half with a quick strike TD after a terrible Notre Dame possession. The Hoos went into the half up 17-14.

Again... more surprise as Virginia made the coin flip decision from Notre Dame backfire again with a beautiful onside recover to start the second half. The Irish forced a punt, but the ensuing drive went almost nowhere and Notre Dame punted from inside the 10. With Virginia poised to get back the momentum, Jamir Jones forces a fumble, and Myron Tagovailola-Amosa returned it 48 yards to inside the Cavs 5. Tony Jones Jr. scored one of his 3 touchdowns on the day shortly after.

The defensive pressure continued, and Notre Dame was dominating Virginia up front. With Julian Okwara’s third sack of the day, he also forced another fumble. Defensive end Adetokunbo Ogundeji picked up the ball and sprinted 23 yards for the Irish TD. That score put the Irish up 28-17 and the pull-away was in effect.

Tony Jones Jr. had a hell of a day on offense — and Ian Book most certainly did not. Jones had over 130 yards and 3 touchdowns on the day to give the Irish offense enough to win. The defense had 8 sacks, 3 recovered fumbles, a Kyle Hamilton interception, and held Virginia to 4 yards rushing.

More to come on One Foot Down on this really big win.