Notre Dame exploded for 31 points in the second quarter and never looked back as the Fighting Irish cleared the bench in a 66-14 romp. Five players scored their first career touchdown for the hosts, including freshman safety Kyle Hamilton, who accounted for the first points of the afternoon with a 34-yard interception return. The others included receivers Javon McKinley and Braden Lenzy, and running backs C’Bo Flemister and Avery Davis.
Hamilton’s pick-six was the only highlight of a shaky first quarter. The Lobos were competitive on both sides of the ball for the initial 20 minutes, and forced the Notre Dame offense to spend four running plays to convert a first and goal from the three yard line.