by The Central Michigan Chippewas (1-1) traveled south to Indiana to take on the number nine team in the country, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-0). The Fighting Irish beat the Chippewas 41-17, The Chippewas kept the game close in the first half only down by seven, Notre Dame overwhelmed the Chips in the second half as they slowly pulled away from Central Michigan. The Chips walked into a stadium full of loud and rowdy fans that echoed throughout South Bend in what can be considered the loudest game the Chips played in all year.
The Chippewas received the ball first but failed to pick up the first down by one yard. Notre Dame wasted no time when getting the ball following the stop. The transfer QB Sam Hartman found a wide-open Tobias Merriweather for a 75-yard touchdown.
The following drive Jase Bauer and the Chips marched down the field with a powerful run game. A roughing the passer call got things rolling for Central, Myles Bailey was the work horse on this drive. Bailey lowered his should on a short and goal run and reached over the goal line to even up the score.
Notre Dame dominated the Chips on defense, not allowing the Chips to get anywhere near the redzone until later in the first half. Notre Dame scored on back to back possessions, a 17 yard run by Audric Estime and a 76 yard pass from Hartman to Chris Tyree giving the Irish a two touchdown lead.
The Chips got the offense going late in the first half using runs and Bauer’s dynamic ability to throw deep or use his legs to get a first down. The Chips got the ball to the half inch mark on the Irish side of the field. The Irish held strong against the QB sneak, it wasn’t till a defensive flag gave the Chips a few more chances to sneak one in for a touchdown to end the first half.
Notre Dame wasted no time getting a touchdown to extend the lead, That touchdown and a few field goals was enough to hold off The Chips and stay in front. A Bauer rushing touchdown gave the Chips 14 points but couldn’t add to it other than a field goal.
Notre Dame’s size and Hartman’s deep ball was too much for the Chips to overcome as the Irish ran away with the game.
Stat leaders
Notre Dame
Hartman- 16-26, 330 yds, 3 tds, 1 rush td
Estime- 20 rush, 176 yds, 1 td
Thomas- 4 rec, 63 yards
Central Michigan
Bauer- 10-20, 137 yds
Bailey- 12 rush, 59 yds, 1 td
Prewitt- 2 rec, 59 yds
