Irish Roll Over Pitt in Dominant 37-15 Victory
- godcountryirish
- Nov 17
- 4 min read
In a performance that reinforced their status as one of college football's elite, the No. 9 Fighting Irish dismantled the No. 22 Pittsburgh Panthers 37-15 on Saturday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. The convincing road win improved Notre Dame to 8-2 on the season. It extended their winning streak to a program-best eight games, putting the Irish firmly in the College Football Playoff conversation as they head into their final regular-season matchups.
A Defensive Masterclass
From the opening whistle, Notre Dame's defense was ferocious, holding Pitt—a team that entered the game averaging over 30 points per contest—to a paltry 219 total yards. The Irish racked up four sacks, eight pass breakups, and 10 quarterback pressures, turning what could have been a gritty ACC showdown into a one-sided affair. Josh Burnham led the charge with two sacks, including a crucial stop on Pitt's opening drive that forced a fourth-down incompletion. Safety Tae Johnson added a highlight-reel moment early, snagging an interception and returning it 48 yards for a touchdown, giving Notre Dame a 14-0 lead just minutes into the first quarter.
Pitt managed to claw back a bit with a 24-yard field goal late in the first half after an interception return set them up at the Irish 12-yard line. Still, Notre Dame's secondary—bolstered by Adon Shuler's two sacks and a game-sealing interception on a two-point conversion attempt—ensured the Panthers never truly threatened. Even when Pitt reached the Irish two-yard line in the third quarter, a review pushed the spot back to the six-inch line, and the defense stuffed them on fourth down.
Offensive Firepower
While the defense stole the show, Notre Dame's offense scored when it mattered, racking up key explosive plays en route to 37 points. Running back Jeremiyah Love was a force, bursting for 147 yards on the ground and two touchdowns—including a 56-yard scamper on the game's first offensive snap and a gritty 22-yard plunge on fourth-and-two early in the third quarter. The junior's performance marked his 10th career 100-yard rushing game, solidifying his case as one of the nation's top backs.
Quarterback CJ Carr, steady as ever, spread the ball effectively, completing passes to a host of targets. Wide receiver Malachi Fields emerged as the star of the passing attack, hauling in seven catches for 99 yards and two scores—a one-handed 35-yard grab to cap the first quarter and a 25-yard pylon dive in the second, followed by a seven-yard touchdown later. Tight end Eli Raridon chipped in with five receptions during a marathon 14-play, 74-yard drive that showcased the Irish's red-zone patience, even if it ended without points this time. A late fourth-quarter touchdown run by Carr on a keeper capped the scoring at 37-9 before Pitt's backups punched in a garbage-time score to make it 37-15.
Room for Improvement
The victory wasn't flawless—a missed 46-yard field goal by Erik Schmidt and a stalled long drive highlighted some red-zone inefficiencies—but it was the kind of top-25 road triumph that boosts resumes. Notre Dame's +9 turnover margin (10th in FBS) continued to shine, while its defense ranked among the nation's best in limiting explosive plays. Head coach Marcus Freeman praised his team's resilience post-game: "We came in knowing Pitt would bring the fight, but our guys executed on both sides. This is about stacking wins and earning our spot." With the win, the Irish likely leapfrogged a few teams in the polls and now sit comfortably in the playoffs' outer orbit, needing just two more victories to lock in a strong postseason position.
Looking Ahead: Senior Day vs. Syracuse
If Notre Dame wants to cap the regular season with a flourish—and potentially secure a home playoff game—they'll need to handle business against a familiar foe on Senior Day. The Irish host the Syracuse Orange on Saturday, November 22, at 3:30 p.m. ET in Notre Dame Stadium, airing live on NBC and streaming on Peacock. It's the final home game of the year, with emotions running high for a senior class that's guided Notre Dame through a transformative campaign.
Syracuse limps into South Bend on a rough skid, having lost seven of their last eight after a promising 2-0 start. The Orange ranks near the bottom of the ACC in nearly every defensive category, surrendering 430.6 yards per game (125th in FBS) and 31.5 points (117th). Their rushing attack is anemic at 117.2 yards per outing (113th), and a league-worst -10 turnover margin has been their undoing.
By contrast, Notre Dame enters as heavy favorites, with oddsmakers installing the Irish as 35.5-point chalk and the over/under at 51.5—a line that screams potential track meet if the Irish' high-powered offense (38.5 points per game, 8th in FBS) clicks early. Notre Dame's ground game, spearheaded by Love's 1,135 yards and 14 scores, should feast against Syracuse's 95th-ranked rush defense (163.5 yards allowed). In the air, Carr's efficiency (67.3% completion, 21 TDs) against a secondary that ranks 124th in passing yards allowed (267.1) sets up Fields and company for another big day.
Prediction: Notre Dame rolls, honoring the seniors with a blowout before shifting focus to playoff implications. Love notches another 100-yard day, and the defense forces multiple turnovers to keep the momentum rolling. With a win, the Irish could climb into the top eight—hello, potential home playoff game. The stage is set for Notre Dame to finish strong.
Go Irish!
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