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3 takeaways from Notre Dame’s nail-biting win over Cal

By Chris Peterson

Sep 17, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish and California Bears players reach for a pass on the last play of the game at Notre Dame Stadium. The pass fell incomplete and Notre Dame won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish and California Bears players reach for a pass on the last play of the game at Notre Dame Stadium. The pass fell incomplete and Notre Dame won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

A possible formula for success

Quarterback Drew Pyne wasn’t spectacular on Saturday but he was solid and efficient and he didn’t make any huge mistakes. He completed 17-of-23 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns.

It wasn’t anything to write home about but it was good enough to win and it’s a formula the Irish will need to continue to follow.  Audric Estime ran the ball 18 times for 76 yards while Chris Tyree also had 17 carries for 64.

Notre Dame football only managed 3.6 yards per carry but the Irish toughed out 164 yards against a pretty salty Cal defense. With its starting quarterback hurt and a new head coach, the Irish needed to find their identity and this is it.

It’s too early to say for sure it’s going to work against the better teams but playing really good defense, running the ball well, and winning the turnover battle will weather the storm.

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