Notre Dame football snags their first win of the season in a close game over Cal

 

NOTRE DAME, Ind., --- The Irish can finally put the chatter of being winless behind them, after winning over Cal on their home turf.

“We didn’t play a perfect game but we found a way to win,” said Head Coach Marcus Freeman.

Midway through the second quarter, the Irish were down 0-7, with fourth and five on the Cal 27-yard line.

Notre Dame Kicker Blake Grupe, attempted a 45-yard field goal that was no good, but thanks to a Cal defensive offsides call, the Irish get a first down that later resulted in a 21 yard touchdown pass to Chris Tyree.

“I got a lot of touches and I got the opportunity to show my skillset,” Tyree added.

Later in the game the Irish took a 14-10 lead on a one-yard touchdown run from Audric Estime, adding to his 76 rushing yards on the day.

As the game opened up, starting Quarterback Drew Pyne was feeling good in his first start, capping things off with a six-yard touchdown pass to Tight End Michael Mayer.

“We got the win so it’s definitely a satisfying feeling,” Estime mentioned.

“Winning is a great feeling. That locker room is a memory I’ll never forget for the rest of my life and I’m just so thankful to come out victorious,” Pyne added.

After a slow start, the Irish not only got things rolling on offense, it was the defense who stepped up with six sacks.

Coming into must-win game, the defense wanted more takeaways, after zero in the first two games.

During the final seconds of the game, they were presented with an interception and fumble recovery, that were both called back after defensive penalties.

Delaying the first victory of new Head Coach Marcus Freeman.

“We just can’t buy one at the end of the game. JD gets the targeting and we almost get a chance the last play of the game, but we’re going to focus on the positives. We’re going to focus on the positives,” Freeman mentioned.

The Irish will hit the road next Saturday September 24, to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels.