Notre Dame vs Michigan

NOTRE DAME, Ind. --- Week two of the 2014 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football season has officially kicked off. 

This week, a fierce rivalry is coming to an end, at least for a while.

Notre Dame vs Michigan has become a bitter rivalry game over the years, but this game has much more meaning as it is the last time these two teams will face each other through at least the 2020 season.

The game kicked off at 7:35 and was set to take place under the lights.

Notre Dame would have the ball first but after unfortunate timing issues and a tough stand by the Wolverine defense, the Irish would be forced to punt.

On Michigan's first drive, they started by moving the chains with ease and seemed to be off to a fast start. ND's defense would come up big on a third down stop, forcing a 46 yard field goal attempt. Matt Wile missed far right, leaving this one still scoreless.

Notre Dame would then go on an impressive 71 yard drive that would be capped off by a one yard touchdown run by Cam McDaniel. The Irish draw first blood, going up 7-0 with less than two minutes left in the first quarter.

At the start of the second quarter, Michigan began to drive the field once again. Because of yet another big third down stop by the Fighting Irish defense, the Wolverines were forced to attempt a 48 yard field goal. This attempt by kicker Matt Wile was also missed, leaving the score at 7-0 ND.

After converting a 4th down, the Irish drove into the red zone with a huge 22 yard pass to Corey Robinson. At 1st and Goal on the one yard line, Everett Golson completed his pass to Amir Carlisle for a touchdown, giving Notre Dame a 14-0 lead with 3:58 left in the half.

Then, with only 34 seconds left in the first half, Golson threw a 24 yard floater up to the corner of the end zone where receiver William Fuller came up with a huge grab. Notre Dame would go into the half with a 21-0 lead over the Wolverines of Michigan.

Notre Dame's defense continued to be an issue for the Michigan offense as Devin Gardner was picked off by Max Redfield in the third quarter. After a three-and-out by the Irish offense, Kyle Brindza put up a beautiful 41 yard punt, pinning the Wolverine offense at their own 1 yard line.

Later in the third quarter, the Irish offense would go on yet another impressive drive, going 61 yards in 8 plays. That drive was capped off by a 12 yard touchdown pass to Amir Carlisle. The Irish continued to pull away, now leading 28-0.

ND's defense continued to dominate forcing turnovers on two consecutive Michigan possessions. The first of these turnovers was a fumble by Wolverine quarterback Devin Gardner which was recovered by Isaac Rochell. The second was an interception of Gardner's pass by Cody Riggs. 

Following that interception, Notre Dame's offense would be stalled, forcing a field goal attempt. Kyle Brindza's 43 yard kick was good bringing the score to 31-0 ND. 

That would be the final score of this game. The Irish win what could be the final meeting between these two teams in what has been a storied rivalry to say the least. 

Notre Dame has started the season 2-0 and will face Purdue next week at the Colt's home field in Indianapolis.