Sept. 13--Better late than never for Notre Dame, which for the second time in three games posted the winning points within the final 12 seconds. Freshman quarterback DeShone Kizer's 39-yard touchdown pass to Will Fuller with 12 seconds left clinched the 34-27 victory at Virginia.
Offense
B+. Thanks to Virginia native C.J. Prosise (155 yards, TD rushing), Kizer (8-for-12, 92 yards, 2 TDs) and receiver Will Fuller (5 catches, 124 yards, 2 TDs), the Irish did just enough to escape the program's first trip to Virginia with a victory.
Defense
C -. The 'D' almost earned a D thanks to shaky play in the secondary. The Irish gave up 289 yards and 16 first downs through the air and 416 yards overall after stifling the Cavaliers in the first quarter. Notre Dame also managed just one sack but did force its first turnover.
Special teams
B. Justin Yoon made two field goals (32, 45) and Tyler Newsome averaged 55.8 yards per punt, including a 62-yarder, 61 yards on kickoffs and accounted for five touchbacks. The return game wasn't great but wasn't awful, averaging 12 yards per punt return and 17.5 per kickoff return.
Coaching
C. Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder was overmatched at times. Notre Dame held Virginia to zero points and 128 yards in the first and third quarters but gave up 27 points and 288 yards in the second and fourth.
