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It was the kind of victory that can divide the fans of Notre Dame into two camps:
1. We survived and advanced.
2. We barely beat Ball State and Vanderbilt. Our offense stinks.
Which side are you on?
All that really matters is that Notre Dame improved to 3-0, an uncomfortable performance on an uncomfortably hot Saturday. The 22-17 victory was unclear until it remained 67 seconds.
That's when Kyle Shurmur of Vanderbilt shot Kalija Lipscomb on a fourth and fourth. Lipscomb seemed to have it for a moment, but security Jalen Elliott knocked it out.
Breathe, Irish fans. Breathe.
The Notre Dame attack was not impressive, especially in the second half. Yet that qualified a victory over a SEC team that came to the majestic Notre Dame without fear. As coach Derek Mason said, "Yes, we play the SEC. I do not worry about going to South Bend.
The Irish were two favorites with two touchdowns, but some leading voices liked Vanderbilt. Kirk Herbstreit of ESPN predicted a rout in the "tight low scoring match".
That was it.
Notre Dame led 16-0 in the second quarter but simply survived after that.
The only offensive moment of the second half came when the back and Alum Marist, Nic Weishar, extended his arms to make a nice catch in the end zone. Ian Book delivered the ball. The book is curiously in and out of the game, supporting Brandon Wimbush, who did not really enlighten him.
Wimbush hit 13 of 23 passes for 122 yards. He also ran exceptionally well – 84 yards and a score of 19 carries – but that was not enough.
Notre Dame led 16-3 at halftime. Vanderbilt almost scored two touchdowns.
The first came on this wild sequence: Shurmur hit Donaven Tennyson, who fought up to 1, but Alohi Gilman undressed him. The ball flew into the air and eventually bounced back into the end zone, where Vanderbilt's Khari Blasingame was about to roll. But Julian Love saved the day (and landing) by shaking the ball.
The game's craziest game triggered the shortest revision of the game.
Touchback, Notre Dame.
Then, just before half-time, Tennyson dropped a rabbit near the goal. Mason opted for a field goal rather than trying a touchdown on the final game of the 3.
Twitter @TeddyGreenstein
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