Irish Breakdown

Notre Dame Football: 50 Most Important Plays of 2024 Season (#50-46)

The most important, spectacular and integral plays was in making this Notre Dame team who they were en route to a #2 finish.

Jeff Feyerer

Sep 28, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates with wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) after a touchdown against the Louisville Cardinals in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium.
Sep 28, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates with wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) after a touchdown against the Louisville Cardinals in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. / Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
In this story:

50. Leonard to Greathouse for the Lead on Louisville

Play: Riley Leonard to 34-yard TD pass to Jaden Greathouse 

Game: vs Louisville, September 28th

Down/Distance: 2nd/10 on LOU 34

Score After: 14-7

Quarter, Time: 2nd, 4:59

Plays in Top 50 from This Game: 1st/3

Riley Leonard had thrown just one touchdown pass before connecting with Greathouse. Could he push the ball downfield? This big play against a ranked opponent gave Notre Dame fans hope. The Irish took a 14-7 lead and capitalized on a turnover, as usual.

49. Young Swats the Black Knights

Play: Bryce Young Blocked Punt

Game: vs. Army (Yankee Stadium)

Down/Distance: 4th/8 on ARMY 27

Score After: 7-0 

Quarter, Time: 1st, 8:08

Plays in Top 50 from This Game: 1st/2

Marty Biagi’s special teams made an impact all season, with 6-7 freshman Bryce Young a key weapon. His long arms posed a constant threat to punters. This play in the first quarter, with Notre Dame up 7-0 against Army, sparked a floodgate opening soon after.

48. Adon Shuler, Right Place, Right Time

Play: Adon Shuler Fumble Recovery

Game: at Navy, October 26th

Down/Distance: 1st/10 on NAVY 34

Score After: 7-0 

Quarter, Time: 1st, 7:03

Plays in Top 50 from This Game: 1st/1

6-0 Navy was licking its chops when the Irish rolled into East Rutherford, but its pretty tough to eat when you're getting kicked in the mouth. Trailing 7-0, Navy running back Alex Tecza coughed up a toss and Shuler, like he would be all season, was there to make a play. The up-and-coming star safety picked it up and took it 28 yards to set up the Irish up great field position en route to a 51-14 win.

47. Price Cruises Through Boilermakers Before Half

Play: Jadarian Price 70-yard TD run

Game: at Purdue, September 14

Down/Distance: 1st/20 on ND 30

Score After: 42-0

Quarter, Time: 2nd, 0:04

Plays in Top 50 from This Game: 1st/1

Three things that make Price's run amazing:

  1. Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson discussing running out the clock.
  2. Price’s lateral movement and ability to square his shoulders upfield. He has a chance to be great at the next level.
  3. This was about dominating, not just surviving.

46. - The Fake Punt That Wasn't

Play: Jordan Faison/Jack Kiser Fake Punt Called Back

Game: vs. Virginia, November 16th

Down/Distance: 4th/6, ND 27

Score: After 14-0

Quarter, Time: 2nd, 3:19

Plays in Top 50 From This Game: 1st/2

It didn't officially count, but who cares? I was there, and of all the sporting events I've attended, only one play matched the sheer confusion of the crowd—A.J. Pierzynski’s dropped third strike in the 2005 ALCS. Fans only noticed Jordan Faison running toward the end zone. While Pierzynski’s play brought joy, this one sparked rage. No explanation would have sufficed, and the illegal formation call seemed weak. Credit to Irish coaching and Marty Biagi’s creativity.

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Jeff Feyerer
JEFF FEYERER

Contributor to various publications on football and basketball, including CollegeFootballNews and Fighting Irish Wire, and former college football podcast host. Notre Dame football historian and recent grad with his Masters in Business Analytics (MSBA '25). Current youth football coach.

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