Sept. 20--The score -- 30-22 in Notre Dame's favor -- was more deceptive than Georgia Tech's triple-option offense. Save for two touchdowns in the final 48 seconds, the Irish had it on defense. Notre Dame is the first team to begin a season with three consecutive victories against Power Five opponents since Northwestern did so in 2012.
Offense
B+. The Irish's first two turnovers of the year kept them from an A. DeShone Kizer (21-for-30, 242 yards, TD, INT) fared well in his starting debut. Will Fuller's third straight 100-yard receiving game (six catches, 131 yards, TD) and C.J. Proisise's 198 yards and three TDs backed him up.
Defense
A. Georgia Tech failed to convert its first nine third downs and didn't get its first till late in the fourth. Notre Dame held Tech 241.5 yards and 45 points below its season averages.
Special teams
C. The return game continued to struggle (23 yards on three returns), but Tyler Newsome (62.8-yard average, three touchbacks on kickoffs) didn't.
Coaching
A. After giving up 73 points in its last two games against Navy, the Irish came prepared for the triple-option. Drue Tranquill (four tackles, two for a loss) started at safety in place of Max Redfield. When Tranquill went down, Matthias Farley (four tackles, forced fumble) filled in.
