Texas used two quarterbacks in the game, including an impressive performance from true freshman Shane Buechele. The coach and the reporter were talking about how Texas could go about bettering itself, and Strong had a very specific prescription in mind.
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As noted by Bleacher Report, Strong’s skill to be flexible coach when it comes to changing up his offensive lineup served as one of his main arsenals in defeating Notre Dame. Notre Dame came roaring back, scoring 21 unanswered points. Thankfully, after forcing the game into double overtime, Strong and the Longhorns were able to pull an upset win over their long-time rivals.
After Texas opened the 2016 season with a 50-47, double-overtime win, it sure feels different in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. But at least we know college football is officially back. Kizer, who replaced Zaire a year ago, is a much more polished passer with the bigger National Football League upside – but he’s got the bigger college upside, too.
Those six total touchdowns in a single game were the second time in Kizer’s career he has accomplished the feat, making him the only quarterback in Notre Dame history to do so.
Much more analysis and coverage for this game coming soon here on One Foot Down.
Moments prior, Texas safety DeShon Elliot delivered a blow to Hunter’s head as Hunter tried to haul in a DeShone Kizer pass in the end zone. Kizer found Torii Hunter Jr. for a 5-yard scoring pass a little over two minutes later to pull the Irish within 31-28, on the heels of Crawford’s interception.
Texas 31, Notre Dame 14 (9:14) – Texas keeps it rolling, moving the ball upfield with the help of Notre Dame penalties.
The Fighting Irish go off to a fast start by taking its opening drive 78 yards in 6 plays for a touchdown with Kizer at quarterback.
Arizona’s Nick Wilson scored on a 49-yard run with 1:26 left and the Wildcats failed on the two-point conversion, giving the Cougars a final chance.
Strong said he spent a sleepless night because he was so inspired by the emotional triumph, as well as the need to prepare for Saturday’s game in Austin against UTEP (1-0).
The big talk leading up to the game was the quarterback situation, where both Malik Zaire and DeShone Kizer were expected to play. “I’ve been in this game a long time and I know when someone gets hit in the head – and he was certainly hit in the head in that play in the end-zone”.
The ball ended up in the hands of Crawford, who raced almost the length of the field to the opposite end zone, turning one point for Texas into two points for Notre Dame. Two plays later, Swoopes scored from 6 yards out, and the celebration was on.
“We got to get better”. The non-call was a huge play in a game determined by the narrowest of margins.
Texas went ahead 37-35 on D’Onte Foreman’s 18-yard touchdown run before Notre Dame blocked the extra point and Shaun Crawford returned it for a 2-point score that tied it at 37 with just under four minutes left.
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No turnovers for Notre Dame.
