Final: No. 10 Notre Dame 35, No. 18 Virginia 20

The five-game winning streak for No. 18 Virginia came to an end at Notre Dame Stadium Saturday as the Cavaliers fell, 35-20, to the 10th-ranked Fighting Irish (3-1).

The Wahoos (4-1, 2-0 ACC) led by three at halftime, but ultimately five turnovers on the evening led to 28 Notre Dame points as Bryce Perkins was sacked eight times and Virginia only managed four rushing yards all day.

Tony Jones Jr. rushed for a career-high 131 yards and scored three times to lead the Fighting Irish offense.

It was Notre Dame’s 13th straight home win, good for the third-longest such streak in the nation.

Individual Statistics

RUSHING — UVA: Wayne Taulapapa 10-31; Joe Reed 1-3; PK Kier 2-(-1); Bryce Perkins 16-(-29). ND — Tony Jones Jr. 18-131; C’Bo Flemister 6-27; Ian Book 7-10; Jahmir Smith 3-8; Michael Young 1-2.

PASSING — UVA: Bryce Perkins 30-43-2-334. ND: Ian Book 17-25-0-165.

RECEIVING — UVA: Hasise Dubois 9-143; Joe Reed 9-107; Terrell Jana 4-23; Tanner Cowley 3-34; Billy Kemp IV 3-10; Terrell Chatman 2-17. ND: Chase Claypool 6-30; Cole Kmet 4-65; Michael Young 3-19; Chris Finke 2-32; C’Bo Flemister 1-13; Tony Jones Jr. 1-6.

Attendance — 77,622.

Game Statistics

First Quarter

Notre Dame won the toss and deferred to the second half. Perkins led the Cavaliers on a seven-play, 69-yard opening drive, highlighted by a season-long, 43-yard reception by Joe Reed, who also scored the game’s first points. On a third-and-goal from the Notre Dame 6-yard line, Perkins waited and found a wide-open Reed in the end zone, and UVA took an early advantage with 10:58 left in the period. Wahoos 7, Irish 0.

The Irish responded with a 13-play march, capped by a 6-yard score on second effort by Tony Jones Jr., and the game was back at even with 4:35 left. The ‘Hoos shot themselves in the foot on the possession, committing an offsides penalty on third down from the Irish’s own 25 that wiped out what would have been a key stop. Wahoos 7, Irish 7.

On the ensuing Virginia drive, Perkins was sacked and stripped of the ball by Julian Okwara at midfield before the Irish took their first lead of the game on an 11-yard carry by C’Bo Flemister with 18 ticks left in the quarter. Irish 14, Wahoos 7.

Second Quarter

Reed made another pair of nice grabs — one for 15 yards, the other for 10 on a laser from Perkins — on Virginia’s following possession (both on third down) to keep the chains moving into the red zone. A Perkins pass was batted down by Notre Dame lineman Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa on a third down from the Notre Dame 14-yard line, so UVA settled for a 31-yard Brian Delaney field goal with 8:07 left in the first half, capping off a 16-play, 7-plus minute march. Irish 14, Wahoos 10.

The Irish used a 37-yard pass play from Ian Book to tight end Cole Kmet to advance into UVA territory on the ensuing possession, but Jordan Mack was there with heavy pressure on a crucial third-down play from the Cavalier 29, and Jonathan Doerer then missed a 46-yard field goal try wide left.

After the two teams traded punts, UVA took over at its own 23 with just 1:45 remaining. Two plays later, Perkins connected with Hasise Dubois for a huge 39-yard gain into Notre Dame territory. The Irish were whistled for pass interference on a third-and-eight from the 31-yard line, and then Perkins found Dubois again, this time for six, in the corner of the end zone with 43 ticks showing to give the ‘Hoos plenty of momentum going into the locker room. Wahoos 17, Irish 14.

Third Quarter

Virginia caught the Irish off guard to start the second half, as Bryce Hall recovered the onside kick around midfield. However, the ‘Hoos couldn’t capitalize and had to punt, pinning Notre Dame at its own 2-yard line. The Irish punted back, giving the Cavaliers terrific starting field position on the next drive at the ND 38. After a pair of incomplete passes, though, Perkins lost the ball as Jamir Jones knocked it loose and Myron Tagovailoa hustled 48 yards down to the Wahoo 7, as Perkins made a touchdown-saving tackle. Jones Jr. took it in two plays later and the home team re-took the lead with 9:20 left in the quarter. Irish 21, Wahoos 17.

Virginia was forced to punt away again on the ensuing possession, but Notre Dame muffed the return and Joey Blount bounced on it to give it to the ‘Hoos at the Irish 41-yard line. However, UVA turned the ball over on downs after an incomplete pass to Reed on fourth down from the 32. The Wahoo defense forced a punt, but then the momentum swung right back over to the Irish on another successful pass-rush. Okwara blitzed and crushed Perkins, again jarring the ball loose, and Adetokunbo Ogundeji scooped it up and ran 23 yards for the touchdown with 1:41 left in the period. Irish 28, Wahoos 17.

Fourth Quarter

Perkins was pressured again and picked off by Alohi Gilman with 12:32 remaining, and the Irish began to milk the clock. Jones scampered 30 yards untouched for his third touchdown of the day to put things seemingly out of reach with 10:28 to play. Irish 35, Wahoos 17.

Virginia made it a two-possession game with 6:28 to go on a Delaney 27-yarder, but it wasn’t enough. Irish 35, Wahoos 20.

Up Next

The Cavaliers (4-1, 2-0 ACC) will have an extra week off before traveling to the Sunshine State to face Miami on Fri., Oct. 11 at 8 p.m.