Irish Breakdown

Live Score Updates: Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Virginia Cavaliers

Notre Dame looks to move to 9-1 on the season as the Irish play on their home field for the final time this regular season. Follow along for live score updates throughout the game.

Nick Shepkowski

Nov 16, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman greets quarterback Riley Leonard (13) before the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Notre Dame Stadium.
Nov 16, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman greets quarterback Riley Leonard (13) before the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Notre Dame Stadium. / Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
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No. 8 Notre Dame (8-1) vs. Virginia (5-4)

Notre Dame hosts Virginia for senior day 2024 Saturday as the Irish look to take another step towards the College Football Playoff.

Can Notre Dame win out and get to host a home playoff game roughly a month from now?

The first of three final steps in being able to achieve that will take place Saturday in South Bend as the 5-4 Virginia Cavaliers come to town, looking to spoil senior day for the Fighting Irish.


Follow along below for updates through pregame and during the game. The newest updates are at the top of the article.

Notre Dame 35, Virginia 7: End of 3rd Quarter

Jeremiyah Love is so freaking explosive. He hits the hole so stinking quickly and is moving so fast by the time he reaches the line of scrimmage.

Also, Virginia's only touchdown of the first three quarters comes after the officials clearly miss a call and rule a dropped deep pass by Virginia as complete. Cavaliers score a few plays later.

Refs across all of college football are bad but this group is even a special case of bad.

Notre Dame 28, Virginia 0: Halftime

After an incredibly sleepy majority of the first half, the Notre Dame fake punt that wasn't wound up lighting a fire under the roughly 80,000 in attendance. Notre Dame as a team was among that as it capped the half with another two interceptions and a touchdown by Mitchell Evans.

Sidenote, four first half turnovers paved the way for Notre Dame as the floodgates are open. Great to see Xavier Watts record a senior day pick right before halftime.

Notre Dame 21, Virginia 0: 2:20 left in 2Q

So Notre Dame gets in the end zone but not before some real oddities.

A hands to the face call on Pat Coogan brings back a long touchdown pass from Riley Leonard to Jayden Harrison that was among the best balls Leonard has thrown at Notre Dame.

A fake punt for the ages gets called back due to there being an illegal formation that I really need a better explanation of.

Finally, after an interception from Adon Shuler gave Notre Dame the ball back at the Virginia two-yard line, Leonard found tight end Cooper Flanagan to go up three scores.

As ugly as this half has been its still a 21-poiint lead as we approach the two-minute notice.

Notre Dame 14, Virginia 0: 6:34 left in 2Q

Jadarian Price gets things going on the offensive possession before Riley Leonard gets things going for the first time personally so far today.

Caps off the drive by finding Jayden Harrison for a touchdown to go up two scores, but along the way Jaden Greathouse goes out with what appears to be a shoulder or chest injury after making a nice gain. Certainly something to keep an eye on as Greathouse has really come on in recent weeks.

Notre Dame 7, Virginia 0: 8:51 left in 2Q

Jadarian Price finally gives the offense some spark and some life after Notre Dame forces a Virginia fumble. Sudden change of the turnover, perhaps it can kickstart this Notre Dame offense as its been a woeful start.

Notre Dame 7, Virginia 0: 11:34 left in 2Q

And just like that Notre Dame muffs its own punt and gives the ball right away. Can the defense bail out the Irish again?

It should be noted on the punt that when a fair catch is called for, the kicking team has to let the ball touch the ground before touching it. As obvious as it was that Max Hurleman wasn't going to be able to make a play on the ball after muffing it, the rule is still that the Virginia player can't touch the ball until it touches the ground first.

Regardless, still don't muff a punt.

Forget style points, just generate some points. This is a brutal showing early on a so far sleepy Saturday, and the defense is called upon yet again, this time against a short field. Ugly, ugly, ugly.

Notre Dame 7, Virginia 0: 12:40 left in 2Q

The first quarter has come and gone and Notre Dame's offense has honestly looked brutal. If not for a roughing the passer call on the opening series it would have had to settle for a field goal attempt.

Last four possessions have ended in three-and-outs. I get there is emotion that comes from Senior Day but it doesn't seem to be impacting the defense that is playing with a fire under its rear end early.

Notre Dame 7, Virginia 0: 7:47 left in 1Q

Notre Dame gets a fourth down stop just short of midfield. Big play on the opening play of the possession for Virginia but it's worth noting on this senior day that unless the young man really enjoys school, Bryce Young isn't going to be playing at Notre Dame for four years.

Notre Dame 7, Virginia 0: 10:16 left in 1Q

So much for extending the lead. Notre Dame instead goes three-and-out and passing game looks out of sorts early despite favorable coverage.

Positive is that James Rendell just had his best punt of the year and has Virginia backed up deep in its own territory.

Notre Dame 7, Virginia 0: 11:11 left in 1Q

Defense comes back and forces a three-and-out. Christian Gray stepping up and delivering a tackle for loss was the big highlight of the first defensive stop.

Chance for Notre Dame to put a lot of pressure on really early if they can make points here.

Notre Dame 7, Virginia 0: 13:02 left in 1Q

I don't like that it took a roughing the passer on third down to extend the drive but a touchdown is a touchdown. Best way to kill hopes of an upset-minded team is to get up big early and Notre Dame takes the first step in that.

Make that 10-straight games now with a touchdown for Jeremiyah Love. Only Wayne Bullock who ran for touchdowns in 11-straight games between 1973-74 has more in Fighting Irish history (Jerome Bettis and Autry Denson have also reached 10).

Notre Dame 0, Virginia 0: 14:56 left in 1Q

Former Notre Dame receiver and running back Chris Tyree muffs the opening kickoff and its recovered by the Irish.

I can sit here and analyze a muffed kick but instead, how do the NBC announcers not have any clue the difference between a muff and a fumble on a kicked ball?

Go put it in the end zone now and get up early, Irish.

Notre Dame Injury Update

Notre Dame announced its final injury report ahead of Saturday's game against Virginia.

Graduate running back Devyn Ford was announced as unavailable for the game as he deals with a right groin injury.

Say Hello to an Old Friend, Chris Tyree

Former Notre Dame running back and wide receiver Chris Tyree returns to Notre Dame Stadium ahead of the game. Tyree graduated from Notre Dame and transferred to his home-state college for his final year of eligibility this season.

Tyree has hauled in 22 receptions for 124 yards this season.

Notre Dame Football Celebrates Seniors

29 senior players will be announced before the game Saturday as they get set to play their final games in Notre Dame Stadium.

Notre Dame Football Hype Video for Virginia Game

Notre Dame put out its weekly high video ahead of the Virginia game on Friday afternoon

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Latest National Notre Dame College Football Playoff and Bowl Projections

Notre Dame Updates Depth Chart Following Significant Injury for Virginia Game

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Nick Shepkowski
NICK SHEPKOWSKI

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