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Notre Dame

Miami (Ohio) vs. Notre Dame game balls

On3 imageby: Todd Burlage09/21/24toddburlage
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard. (Mike Miller, Blue & Gold)

Following the epic 66-7 blowout at Purdue on Sept. 21, all eyes were on No. 17 Notre Dame Saturday against Miami, Ohio, as it tried to guard against the unfortunate fate it suffered to another MAC team in a forgettable 16-14 upset loss on to Northern Illinois on Sept. 14.

And while Notre Dame struggled in the first quarter, it got things rolling the rest of the way and cruised to a 28-3 victory at Notre Dame Stadium.

The solid but not errorless win provided plenty of game-ball candidates for the Irish. Here are the three we settled on. 

Quarterback Riley Leonard

The Irish senior enjoyed the best game of his career, going 16-of-25 passing for 154 yards with 1 touchdown and no interceptions, while adding a career-high 143 rushing yards with 2 touchdowns, one from 8 yards and the other from 50. 

And while Leonard wasn’t always on target with his passes, and he lost a fumble in the game, the Duke transfer avoided the ill-advised throws that cost Notre Dame points in previous outings. 

Wide Receiver Beaux Collins

The Clemson graduate transfer recorded 4 catches for 60 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter which gave Notre Dame a 14-3 that was never threatened.

Collins has become the go-to target for Leonard this season. 

Collins’ 16 catches and 176 yards lead the Irish so far this season.

Collins provided a spark Saturday to an Irish aerial attack Saturday that had been missing from from the Notre Dame receiving corps so far this season. 

LB/DL Boubacar Traore

Starting in place of graduate Vyper Jordan Botelho, who was lost for the season against Purdue with a knee injury, the sophomore was terrific against Miami, recording five tackles, 2.0 sacks, 1 quarterback hurry and 1 forced fumble. 

Traore’s performance came a week after he replaced Botelho in the second quarter against Purdue and recorded 2 tackles, with 1 sack, 1 quarterback hurry, and his first career interception that he returned 34 yards for a touchdown. 

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