No. 9 Notre Dame didn’t think that the Temple Owls would have been a College GameDay matchup at the beginning of the year, but here we are.
Notre Dame would not waste time making a statement on the road Saturday night in this one. On their first drive of the game, quarterback DeShone Kizer capped a 12-play, 74-yard drive with a scoring run from four yards out. To let you know how important this one is, he even taunted the Owls following the score.
From there, though, the Owls defense would start stepping up and they even tacked on a field goal late in the first quarter to cut things to 7-3.
This one in the second quarter would continue to be about the defenses, that was until Temple struck with a 12-yard touchdown pass from P.J. Walker to Brandon Shippen. But, the Temple defense would have a mishap a short time later, as they gave up a 79-yard scoring run to Kizer. Notre Dame would take a 14-10 lead into the half.
Notre Dame would get the scoring started in the third quarter with about seven minutes to go, tacking on a 23-yard Justin Yoon field goal to add to the lead at 17-10.
Temple was not going down without a fight, though. With just under 11 minutes to go in the final quarter, Jahad Thomas would find the end zone from one yard out to tie things up at 17. After the defense stepping up once again, they would add a field goal to take a 20-17 lead with under five minutes to go. The joy would be short-lived for the Owls, however, as a six-play, 75-yard drive was capped with a Will Fuller touchdown reception from 17 yards out to give the Irish the lead at 24-20 with two minutes left in the game.
Temple would make one last effort for the win, but a KeiVarae Russell interception would seal the game for the Irish.
Three Stars
Jahad Thomas, RB, Temple: 21 rushes for 82 yards and a touchdown
DeShone Kizer, QB, Notre Dame: 16 rushes for 142 yards and two touchdowns; 23-of-35 for 299 yards and a touchdown
Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame: Five catches for 46 yards and the game-winning touchdown
Highlights
DeShone Kizer with the score, the state, and the celebration. @NDFootball leads, 7-0. #SidelineVine https://t.co/SjQnsgTfIE
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 1, 2015
Are you not entertained?!
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 1, 2015
On 3rd & Goal, P.J. Walker throws 12-yd TD & Temple leads #9 Notre Dame 10-7. #NDvsTEM https://t.co/NC5Pstx70G
HE GONE. Irish QB DeShone Kizer keeps it and runs 79-yds for the TD to give #9 Notre Dame the lead. #NDvsTEMPLE https://t.co/vthvWEE7pZ
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 1, 2015
Another huge red zone interception by @Temple_FB! Two critical picks for Notre Dame. #SidelineVine https://t.co/oOmSreuDq7
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 1, 2015
Touchdown Owls! 17-17, 10:51 left #NDvsTEM https://t.co/Woy5Td3BxO
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 1, 2015
TD Notre Dame! https://t.co/K0ivoLQx0w
— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) November 1, 2015
INT by Notre Dame! https://t.co/0EGxUVw7Sz
— The Comeback NCAA (@TheComebackNCAA) November 1, 2015
Odds
Notre Dame was a steep 10.5-point favorite heading into this game, so they were unable to cover the spread.
Next Week
Following this, Notre Dame will move on to face the Pittsburgh Panthers next weekend. Temple will head off to a match up with SMU this upcoming week.