On Saturday night at Yankee Stadium, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish paid homage to their legendary “Four Horsemen” by delivering an impressive performance against the Army Black Knights, winning decisively 49-14. The standout of the match was sophomore Jeremiyah Love, who scored three touchdowns—tying a school record for the longest streak of games with a rushing touchdown at 11.
Love exhibited remarkable skill with runs of 68 and 14 yards, ultimately gaining 130 yards from seven carries. His acrobatic leap over a defender to score via a 6-yard pass from Riley Leonard highlighted his athletic prowess. Notre Dame’s head coach, Marcus Freeman, praised Love’s instincts on the field, noting his ability to anticipate defensive moves and break through defenses.
In addition to Love, quarterback Riley Leonard contributed with two passing touchdowns, while Jadarian Price added two more rushing touchdowns. The victory marked Notre Dame’s ninth consecutive win, improving their prospects for the College Football Playoff, as they currently hold the No. 6 spot in the rankings and have been formidable on defense, allowing 14 or fewer points in their last six outings.
Army’s quarterback, Bryson Daily, managed 139 rushing yards and two touchdowns, but the Black Knights struggled offensively and were unable to maintain their game-leading status, which previously boasted the nation’s top rushing yard average.
This matchup was particularly significant, being the first ranked encounter between the teams since 1958, and it commemorated the 100th anniversary of Notre Dame’s historic 1924 victory, marking a notable moment in college football history.
Despite the loss, Army’s coach Jeff Monken acknowledged the experience of playing at Yankee Stadium and respected Notre Dame’s performance, emphasizing the competitive nature of college football.
As implications for the rankings arise, Notre Dame could ascend to the top five in the next AP poll, while Army aims to maintain its ranking as it prepares for critical upcoming games against No. 20 Tulane and its annual clash with Navy.
Looking ahead, Notre Dame is set to face Southern California next Saturday, and both teams will carry lessons from this high-stakes matchup as they continue their respective seasons. The success of the Fighting Irish serves as a reminder of the potential for growth and excellence within college football, with exciting developments on the horizon.