[dropcap]B[/dropcap]efore the season began, it looked as if the early part of the Notre Dame schedule was where the challenges lay while the second half would relatively be a cake-walk.
My, how the tables have turned.
For the first time since the Clemson match up earlier this year, Saturday’s game at Temple was one that would be hard to predict a winner for. And if it weren’t for a late touchdown by Will Fuller and a pick by KeiVarae Russell, we’d be talking about the biggest victory in Temple Owls history.
With just over two-minutes remaining, quarterback DeShone Kizer found Fuller in the endzone for a 17-yard touchdown pass to give the Irish a 24-20 advantage in the waning minutes of the game. Russell picked off Temple’s P.J. Walker by cutting underneath the pass moments later to secure victory for the Irish.
Fuller told the media after the game that Temple defenders were crowding him on the pass but Kizer threw it perfectly.
Kizer completed 22-of-35 attempts f0r 292 yards and a single touchdown through the air.He also had an explosive 79-yard rushing touchdown and another rushing touchdown earlier in the game.
Head Coach Brian Kelly said after the game that the redshirt-freshman received the game ball.
The game was also a homecoming of sorts for Fuller, who went to Roman Catholic High School in the area. Before committing to Notre Dame, Temple had scouted Fuller.
Fuller finished with 5 receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown.
With 4:45 remaining in the game, Temple took it’s second lead of the game off a 36-yard Austin Jones field goal to make it a 20-17 contest.
Notre Dame will stay on the road as the team travels to face ACC-foe Pitt next Saturday. The Irish will return for the home finale on November 14 against Wake Forest.
